Quick growing hedge

baywood_2

We need to replant an existing privet hedge which is about 4ft tall but very unstable with something quic growing but more stable and with the ability to grow a bit taller, 6/7 ft would be great, don't really want conifer , so any suggestions and give the fact that the hedge is 40ft long needs to be cheap as poss. We have heavy clay soil .

fwor

How about laurel? They are only around £1.30 bare rooted at this time of year in quantities of 50+, so not hugely expensive.

I quite like a laurel hedge to be a mix of non-variegated and variegated, though sadly the latter are quite a bit more costly!

Leif

Privet will grow tall. Why is the privet unstable? Perhaps you should prune the privet to get the shape you want, and let it regrow.

It is said to be a devil to remove.

sobie

I love my privet hedge, so do the birds. Cut it back really hard, then when shaping make the bottom of the hedge wider than the top so that light pentrates to the bottom of the plant (one of the main reason privet loose their bottom leaves is cutting them perfectly level).

Laurel will grow to big (mine are pruned once a year to 40ft)

You've not said if you'd like a formal hedge or informal. Or if you want evergreen or don't mind if it looses it leaves.

In our area (Between London & Cambridge) its almost getting too late for bare roots. Once the soil starts warming up (admittingly its covered in snow at the moment) and the buds start breaking, its too late. Late Autumn plantings are better for bare roots IMO (just as they've been dug up and are at their freshest. Others won't agree but its all down to your own experience at the end of the day.

How about Berberis, Rosa Rugosa, Pyracantha, Lonicera (shrubby not climbing), Beech (will need pruning) Weigelia (as mentioned below mix in different coloured leaves together)

baywood_2

I have been informed by my OH it is box not privet!:( . We need it for screening and privacy from our not so nice neighbours. Just needs to be fast growing ! Would like to leave some leaves due to privacy but not bothered about formal.

Davesnave

baywood wrote: »

I have been informed by my OH it is box not privet!:( . We need it for screening and privacy from our not so nice neighbours. Just needs to be fast growing ! Would like to leave some leaves due to privacy but not bothered about formal.

Sounds more like Lonicera nitida than box. Google & check, but either way, Cotoneaster simonsii will do what you want, is cheap as bare root and non-prickly.