HedgesOnline.co.uk

HedgesOnline.co.uk is an online database of hedging plants. Due to the large and varied selection of hedging plants, looking for a new hedge can be a daunting task for gardeners. Our goal is to offer a comprehensive and easy to navigate online encyclopedia of hedging plants, allowing gardeners to make an informed choice without becoming overwhelmed. Our resources make it easier to compare the qualities of various plants and find the right fit for your garden.

Evergreen Hedging Plants

Evergreen plants, such as conifers, are a popular choice for hedging. This is largely due to the fact that they keep their leaves in winter. This will not only guarantee your privacy, but also keep your garden looking green even after other plants have lost their foliage. Also, as a general rule, evergreen plants are hardy and easy to care for. This also makes them suitable for city gardens, as they can also handle air pollution. Various types of faster growing cypress are also gaining popularity, see for example the Leyland cypress. Thuja hedging is also gaining ground, for example the variety white cedar 'Brabant'. For smaller and more compact hedges, box is an excellent option. And if you are looking for a traditional hedge, you might consider yew or holly hedging for your garden, as they are the only native evergreens. Another classic evergreen, flowering hedge plant must be rhododendron, which has been popular in Britain since Victorian times.

Deciduous Hedging Plants

Deciduous plants are known for losing their foliage each autumn, leaving their branches bare through the winter. This may seem a great disadvantage if you would like privacy all year round. However, deciduous plants have many redeeming qualities. Their loss of leaves each year is generally prefaced by a lovely show of autumnal colour. Also, if you’re looking for a hedge that will flower each spring or summer, a deciduous hedge is your best option. Flowers and, in some cases, the berries that follow are very beneficial to wildlife. See for example the butterfly bush, which is available in many different vivid colours, or the native dog rose. If you prefer a native species, you could also consider hawthorn or blackthorn, both of which have the added bonus of deterring intruders with their thorns. If thorns are not required, hornbeam and beech are excellent native hedge plants. One of the most commonly seen deciduous hedging plants is privet, which also has several subtypes, such as the privet 'Atrovirens'. Due to the relatively mild winters in Britain, privet retains its leaves all winter, making it a semi-evergreen.

Unconventional Hedging Plants

While the traditional divide into evergreen and deciduous covers most types of hedging plants, there are more options available. Ivy, for example, can successfully be used for hedging if grown correctly. As ivy is a climbing plant, your hedge will require a framework of either wood or metal to grow up. When kept properly trimmed, this will create a dense screen of ivy. This type of 'hedge' can be grown fairly quickly and requires very little space as it will remain narrow. There are also more exotic types of hedging plant available – bamboo for example. Despite originating on the other side of the world, bamboo will thrive in British weather. Bamboo is a very fast growing plant and will create a thick, dense hedge in no time.

Choosing the Right Hedging Plant

As you can see, there are plenty of options for gardeners looking for a new hedge. Maybe this will all seem a bit overwhelming at first. However, this also means that the right hedging plant for you is out there – precisely because there are so many excellent choices available. Determining the right fit for you and your garden depends on your wishes and requirements. Soil type and location are important factors to be sure, but this will still leave room for personal preference. So please, have a look around and see what strikes your fancy.