[wiskerman]

hi all
 i'm thinking of planting a hedge along the front of my property . any suggestions of which shrub to use- how long each takes to grow and the planting distance back from my front wall  so they dont grow too much over the pavment

 thanks  

[FCG]

Try blackthorn. It makes a nice hedge (if a touch prickly) and you get sloes in the autumn for sloe gin! Lots of nice early colour in the spring too.

[ceri green]

i would say depends on the reason you want a hege? i.e to act as a barrier/privacy/ornamental/ etc?
how long/high do you want it to be? and do you want evergreen etc
how "instant" does it have to be, and how much time will you have to maintain it?

i personally like mixed hedges....photinia, berberis, hebes, variegated laurel, forsythia
there is also a beautiful rose which i have seen grown as a hedge, queen elizabeth? - i dont mean those vicious council ones, this one is a gorgeous pink proper rose type flower and looked spectacular!

[amc]

Anything bit Privet, I have 2 x 80ft hedges of it to cut and it sucks the moisture and goodness out the soil... My neighbour has a hawthorn based hedge and the birdlife loves it. But yes as cerigreen says you need to decide what is its main purpose.

amc

[Faz]

I've had real problems with my privets this summer, around half of them barely grew and looked badly wilted. I don't know if it was drought or some dodgy disease so I'll see whther they come good in the new year.

If you'd like to encourage birds and other wildlife then native species are best, some of which can provide some food as well as a hedge (like the blackthorn already mentioned, hazel, etc). There's some details on loads of different hedging plants here :

http://www.ecotreecare.co.uk/native_hedge_planting_guide.htm

Good luck though, as there's so much choice I don't know where to start myself lol

[Beetroot queen]

Try blackthorn. It makes a nice hedge (if a touch prickly) and you get sloes in the autumn for sloe gin! Lots of nice early colour in the spring too.

we have just put this in along the side of the property, i am waiting for the neighbours to return from hols to complain bitterly (they always do)  :roll:

[wiskerman]

thanks for your comments  think i,ll just stick a privet  along the front of my property  least it will look tidy.

[Celtic Eagle]

Privet is fine but a nice mixed hedge will support more wildlife. Hawthorn, Beech,Privet, Roses, Blackthorn

All can be kept neat

Just one thing to totally avoid

CONIFERS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! particularly LEYLANDII

[mrs bouquet]

Privet is fine but a nice mixed hedge will support more wildlife. Hawthorn, Beech,Privet, Roses, Blackthorn

All can be kept neat

Just one thing to totally avoid

CONIFERS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! particularly LEYLANDII

Hi celtic eagle, nice to see you back.  Mrs Bouquet