Growing a new Hedge

theGrinch

We have a low wall (about 3 foot in height by 12 foot), which is the perfect height for people to sit on at all hours

One project we want to undertake is install a raised bed (8 inches deep) adjacent to the wall and plant a hedge.

Ideally we want the hedge to be up to 5 foot within 2 growing seasons (2014) and tightly packed, which we will clip to maintain a nice square shape and the desired height

Any suggestions of the perfect hedge for this?

ps its north facing

Leif

I think the fastest you will get is about 1 foot per year and that is only height, it would not be thick. I am not sure 8" of soil would be enough depth for a hedge. Bear in mind, if it grows fast, once it is at the desired height, you'll spend ages trimming it. A bit of a catch 22.

theGrinch

Leif wrote: »

A bit of a catch 22.

one of my favourite novels

Davesnave

The two things you want, fast growth and density, aren't really compatible. If they were, we'd all know what this hedge is and be using it.

Also, fast growth doesn't lend itself to tidy, clipped shapes.

Berberis will do the sort of job you want done, and there are both evergreen and deciduous types.

As Leif implies, something under the 8" raised bed approximating to soil will be necessary to make the most of the growth you can normally expect from whatever you plant.

Personally, I'd do a picket fence at top of wall level in this situation.

SailorSam

I found this place the best when i was planting a hedge.

http://www.hedgesdirect.co.uk/

We got bare root plants that were planted around Nov/Dec

art_for_arts_sake

OP, are you trying to stop people sitting on your wall or do you just want some privacy? Judging by your sig I'd say the latter. I hate hedges after spending years trimming the family privet as a teenager. We put a few evergreen specimen plants in, not exactly a hedge, but they're close enough together to provide some privacy. It amuses me when people sit on our wall, but as long as they do no harm it doesn't bother me.

theGrinch

art_for_arts_sake wrote: »

OP, are you trying to stop people sitting on your wall or do you just want some privacy? Judging by your sig I'd say the latter. I hate hedges after spending years trimming the family privet as a teenager. We put a few evergreen specimen plants in, not exactly a hedge, but they're close enough together to provide some privacy. It amuses me when people sit on our wall, but as long as they do no harm it doesn't bother me.

both. sitting on the wall isnt a big issue unless its pass midnight and it becomes a social club.

a picket fence as suggested is also under consideration, but always nice to have some greenery

tanith

Why not the best of both worlds, construct the picket fence as a neighbour of ours has so that it sits on the wall (no room for bottoms) then grow something along it such as Jasmine or honeysuckle both are fairly quick growing ,smell delicious and are easily trimmed..

Leif

tanith wrote: »

Why not the best of both worlds, construct the picket fence as a neighbour of ours has so that it sits on the wall (no room for bottoms) then grow something along it such as Jasmine or honeysuckle both are fairly quick growing ,smell delicious and are easily trimmed..

I was going to say the same. Also, bramble would further discourage sitters, as would pyrocantha. Bramble can be invasive though, and a pain to prune, and tidy. Flowering quince - if you have enough soil - has spiky branches in winter and nice flowers and leaves in the warmer months. Not so good for privacy in winter as it is deciduous. St. Johns Wort is lovely, and evergreen, and I think there are tallish ones.

lostinrates

Any thing prickly with height would do inside a picket fence. If there is border/ soil then i wonder if you could omit the raised bed part and spend the money on bigger plants instead. Alternatively i would thick about a rosecthat can cope with the north facing aspect. Mme Gregoire stachelin is one, ( pink very fragrant but once flowering ) and highgrove ( dark red, some repeat flowering, not much) and the princes trust ( bright red, scarlet ish and excellent repeat flowering ) will all give hight and prickle. Growing through a fence from ground level, savin the work of raised bed.

However, if this gap is very narrow ( the bed sounds it ) it probably won't be great, will not give the same winter privacy. Otherwise would deter sitters from year one.

I normally avoid roses near pathways etc for just this reason in fact!

Also, my north facing garden gets some sun all day, is yours full shade op, or partial shade. If you get a few hours of sun it brings a lot more plants in to play.