Alternatives to laburnums 24 July 2016 at 7:09AM edited 30 November -1 at 1:00AM in Greenfingered MoneySaving 4 replies 1.1K views

lee8040

I am after a hedge plant that grows as high as a laburnum and has leave right to the base of the stem etc but not toxic like these. Yew and hawthorn is not an option either. Can anyone recommend any please.

paddy's_mum

Not really enough information here to give a sensible reply, in my opinion.

Perhaps if you could say what you want to achieve or why hawthorn is not acceptable you would get more answers.

lee8040

Want to grow a hedge about 5ft high that doesn't loose it's leaves and has thick foliage. Can produce flowers but needs to be safe with kids. Just don't like hawthorn

paddy's_mum

Privet, laurel, escallonia, beech, cotoneaster, holly, box, some conifers.

Any half decent charity shop will have a gardening book or two that will perhaps steer you.

I particularly like escallonia whose flowers are a magnet for insects and I generally cut mine only once a year just to keep it tidy.

Hope that helps.

Mojisola

lee8040 wrote: »

I am after a hedge plant that grows as high as a laburnum and has leave right to the base of the stem etc.

lee8040 wrote: »

Want to grow a hedge about 5ft high that doesn't loose it's leaves and has thick foliage.

Odd request as laburnum grows much higher than 5ft and gets bare stems lower down.

paddy's mum gives some good advice.

Also loads of info on sites like https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=351