Modern hedging

twopenny

I found modern hedge quite easily. But they seem to be sharp shapes carved with hedge trimmers. Think Elizabethan and Victorian.

They will house a small amount of birds, more 'passing through ' and the maintenance isn't huge but has to be very accurate for effect.

Yew and the box replacement works but take a long time to grow.

You mention Photinia. You can't really trim that because of the big leaves so will encroch on the garden and pavement. You will have to improve the soil and not be exposed to cold wind.

https://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/grow-plants/grow-photinia/

It's got nothing for birds. Open habit inside is too risky for them and it supplies no food.

But it's listed for hedging here https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/photinia/growing-guide

You need the right plants for a hedge.

Nice idea but I do wonder if by the time you've grown a modern hedge in 7yrs, it may have gone out of fashion. 😉 So only do it because you know you'll like it

Baldytyke88

My hedge plants are red currants, yellow privets, forsythia, Choisya Sundance in 9cm Pots - Mexican Orange, ESCALLONIA APPLE BLOSSOM PINK.

No idea what the end result will be, with some evergreen and some flowering.

twopenny

Interesting. There is a hedge near me where the sound of birdsong is deafening. It's beech, ivy and all sorts.

Looking at properties one had a hedge with similar ingredients and the noise was so loud I wondered what dawn chorous would be like at 6 in the morning.

My favourite had a close clipped hedge from before they were deemed modern but not a peep from it.

I think you will need to choose.

barker77

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81950207#Comment_81950207

Oo interesting - I like idea of native for wildlife but love ideas of evergreen so it keeps green over winter. Are you planting in a specific way or just randomly?

Dustyevsky

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81948863#Comment_81948863

Fine where I am, and I have all of them, but a bit overwhelming on a modern housing development's average garden! Context is important.

wort

I have choisya not the Sundance as I find that doesn’t do as well for my garden. But it’s quite dense and easily clipped gets flowers that smell lovely, and attracts bees.

fatbelly

II was looking at my Choisya as I read the latest posts. I planted one a few years ago to block a view of a neighbour's door. It quickly grew to 1m then stopped, which didn't do the job I wanted but might do yours. I never prune, lightly feed & water occasionally. I can see it working in an informal hedge but to make a long hedge out of it is going to be expensive

https://www.hedgesdirect.co.uk/mexican-orange-blossom-hedging-choisya-ternata?utm_term=choisya%20ternata&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Species&campaign_id=650329199&ad_group_id=1289728483878891&ad_id=&keyword_id=kwd-80608343938122:loc-188&msclkid=9edce21bdbcc1b5829748bc9f2286af1

Baldytyke88

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81950676#Comment_81950676

I just have a small section that needs a hedge, no idea what the end result will be. I have had them a few weeks, in small pots, I may plant them out next week. I wanted some evergreen to keep it looking solid, they will likely grow at different rates, I will need to think about when I cut the hedge, as I don't want to cut the flower buds off.

Slinky

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81950676#Comment_81950676

Ours is a beast and can grow a good 18 inches each year, but it's probably 30-40 years old. Was here when we moved in.

wort

like slinky my front one became wide , which I don’t mind. I can see it over my window ledge must be 3 foot? I keep the top and sides trimmed and I do that whenever it needs it ,so quite hardy gets flowers a few times a year possibly cause I cut it randomly. I don’t water as been in now for years .