Modern hedging

barker77

I’d like to make a new hedge. One that’s modern looking but ideally good for nature etc. keen for advice!

Emmia

What do you mean by "modern looking"? Do you mean crisp, angular lines? That effect is achieved with the right plants and regular clipping.

Baldytyke88

I have bought 3 different types of hedge plants from ebay, I haven't planted them yet. I chose flowering ones, but not easy when you are frequently cutting it.

Dustyevsky

I asked AI what modern hedging was:

"Modern hedging focuses on using fast-growing, evergreen, and visually appealing plants to create sustainable, low-maintenance, and stylish property boundaries."

It didn't seem to know either! Several of these attributes are contradictory. One can't have a fast-growing, low-maintenance hedge if it's to be 'stylish.' Something like laurel or leylandii soon gets unkempt if left to its own devices. Moreover, plants like berberis, which take trimming well, may not be evergreen.

Personally, I like yew, but not where livestock are concerned.

Farway

Dusty said I asked AI what modern hedging was: "Modern hedging focuses on using fast-growing, evergreen, and visually appealing plants to create sustainable, low-maintenance, and stylish property boundaries."

I followed up by asking Chat GPT AI to suggest some plants, this is one answer

Box & yew were first choices, but they have problems with blight & toxicity

Second options were

• Ilex crenata
  • Looks like box but more disease-resistant
  • Excellent for neat, modern lines

• Lonicera nitida
  • Fast-growing, easy to shape
  • Good budget-friendly option

It went on to say give it the dimensions, what you are looking for exactly and it will give more options and guidance.

twopenny

How high, how long, how much maintenance?

fatbelly

II think we're all grasping at straws here. I have a traditional privet hedge which I guess is not modern, but does the job of screening & windbreak and only gets trimmed once per year

Keep_pedalling

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81948542#Comment_81948542

Which does not fit in with the good for nature requirement. For that you need a mixed hedge of native species. Hazel, Field Maple, Bird Cherry, Blackthorn, Hawthorn and Dog Rose would be my choice.

barker77

ah sorry! I guess some modern type hedges I was looking at are Fotinia red robin but it’s very fast growing and seemingly not great for wildlife. I could do a mix hedge maybe but im keen for something that looks modern vs an old school hedge per se. Ideally something around 1m max height and maybe 20-30m or so long.

-taff

what do you mean looks modern?

got any images that clarify that?

Slinky

Whatabout Teucrium fruticans? It's evergreen, has lovely silvery-green stems and leaves, and pale mauve flowers that insects love and it's in flower for months. You'll see it advertised as a shrub, but you can easily clip it and it will thicken up. You'd need to have a little patience whilst it grows, but 3-4 years should give you a decent height.