Hedge? or More conifers?

Violetta_2

Hello we have moved to a place with a garden:j & I am so excited, it has been my dream for years. The main garden is by the road & there are railings at the boundary, at the moment there are some small conifers planted, but I would like something more to give us a bit of privacy in the garden. Would we be best to replace the conifers with something else or put something else with them or buy some more conifers to fill the spaces which at the moment are about 3-4 feet apart and mixed heights from 2 to 4 feet. I would like something that would grow to about 5 feet at least (I think). I've looked on the RHS website but feeling a bit overwhelmed with all the info so if anyone could give me some advice I would really appreciate it, thank you.

Cordie

How about trying a mixed shrub border it would be more attractive than a conifer hedge. Don't be too rigid with your plans, go to the garden centre and see what's on offer.

andymandy

I used Laurel, they are fast growing but easier than conifers to keep in check. I have clematis growing through it and it looks quite pretty. I also have a ceanothus hedge at the other side of the garden.

I_have_spoken

I'd go for a hedge, but it'll take longer to mature. For immediate privacy, could you get a willow screen and attach that to the fence?

Violetta_2

Thanks everyone that is all a great help, hadn't even thought of shrubs, will have a look, laurel sounds nice too & I see it's fast growing.
Re the willow, I had thought about putting a living willow hedge , or fedge as they seem to be called, alongside the path, lot's of research to do.

Mojisola

Violetta wrote: »

Hello we have moved to a place with a garden:j & I am so excited, it has been my dream for years. The main garden is by the road & there are railings at the boundary,

Check that there aren't restrictions on the height that's allowed by the road.

Linton

Holly makes a good hedge as it can easily be kept under control, is moderately fast growing and is evergreen. Buy a female one and you get the berries as well. You could look at the variegated ones for a bit more interest.

Mojisola

Linton wrote: »

Holly makes a good hedge as it can easily be kept under control, is moderately fast growing and is evergreen. Buy a female one and you get the berries as well. You could look at the variegated ones for a bit more interest.

Only if there is a male holly nearby.

Leif

Think about the location of the sun and the effect of the barrier. Conifers can get rather tall, as you no doubt know. Laurel is a pain to trim. Evergreen-ish options include privet - Ligustrum ovalifolium - and Cotoneaster franchetti (berries for birdies). You can always do a mixed hedge, maybe some evergreens, with a few others such as Forsythia, hazel etc. Or more ornamenatl plants such as flowering quince.

I planted a privet hedge last spring, and it is now 1m tall. I trimmed about 6" to encourage it to broaden out. You can buy bare root plants at about £1 each, which saves money, and mine grew so fast that I doubt potted plants would be much bigger by now.

Violetta_2

Mojisola wrote: »

Check that there aren't restrictions on the height that's allowed by the road.

Don't think there are any restrictions in Scotland, if it's over 6ft6" a neighbour can complain to the council if it's an issue but don't think our wee hedge is likely to get to that height anytime soon.

Violetta_2

Linton wrote: »

Holly makes a good hedge as it can easily be kept under control, is moderately fast growing and is evergreen. Buy a female one and you get the berries as well. You could look at the variegated ones for a bit more interest.

I ruled out holly as my wee girl would be playing out so don't want her spiked ( although it's more likely to be me getting attacked by prickles than her) shame as they are gorgeous & a good security plant.