A hedge but not really a hedge

rubble2

Our house occupies a corner plot with a grassed area that extends from the driveway to the pavement and continues around the corner and down the side of the house for a stretch. There is no physical boundary between the grass and the pavement and we have noticed the local 'Yoof' cutting across the grass to get down the side road rather than sticking to the pavement.
We considered metal railings but have rejected that idea on grounds of cost, and don't want a wooden fence or wall. Other house on the estate have shrubs planted around the perimeter of their plots and we are looking for some advice as to what plants we should consider.

Ideally we would like something that can give us some fairly instant results so would like the height to be up to 1metre high, would prefer something that doesn't require excessive amounts or ongoing attention and something that isn't going to expand too far onto the pavement and require constant cutting back. Rather than just go for a continuous hedge we would prefer a bit of variety so lets say two or three different shrubs that we can alternate along the border.
As you can probably see I don't have much idea when it comes to gardening so would appreciate any advice I can get, thank you

twopenny

If you want it instantly large it's the wrong time of year to plant. They will suffer in this weather along with your bank account.

So assuming you are happy to shell out a lot of money for a 1 meter high shrub I'd check out what the garden centre is offering of that size.

My first thought was pyrocanthus which is thorny. A ceanothus grows swiftly. You could grow one as a tree like shrub by trimming the lower branches.

You could for the summer put them in big pots and sink the pots in the ground, keep them watered and come late autumn plant them permenantly. But that will take effort, and you will need to trim regularly. Plants grow that's what they do.

Is there a chance of you posting a picture of what you are talking about? It's difficult to imagine and so recommend

Davesnave

Blocking what's known in the business as a "pathway of desire" may be difficult with individual shrubs. They will need to be planted closely, more like a hedge at at the points of entry/exit, but could be feathered out from there.

As above, it's totally out of season for planting, so you have time to do some research, remembering you want easy care, non, fussy plants, such as in the lists in this article:

https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=157

Remember, fast growing shrubs like buddleia may give you a lot quickly, but need more attention or could be over the pavement in a matter of a few months.

unforeseen

If there is no physical boundary then although you own it, it could/would be considered part of the highway. 
A highway's width is normally considered to be from one physical boundary structure to similar on the other side so can include the grass between the footpath and a building/wall/fence

Davesnave

unforeseen said:

If there is no physical boundary then although you own it, it could/would be considered part of the highway. 
A highway's width is normally considered to be from one physical boundary structure to similar on the other side so can include the grass between the footpath and a building/wall/fence

Have you a reference for that?

I read it as a open plan set-up and there might well be covenants on the frontage land, but not necessarily anyone who'd now enforce them.

It's to be remembered, however, that hedges fronting a highway are normally restricted to 1m for visibility purposes, though again, this is often not enforced.

rubble2

Thanks for all the replies so far. I will post a picture later which will hopefully clarify the situation.

rubble2

A couple of pictures which I hope will help