Plant suggestions for 2-3 foot hedge?

Question

We want to plant a low (2-3 foot) hedge around our patio. The patio is raised about a foot from the rest of the garden - the hedge would be planted at the lower level so would need to be a foot high before even showing above the patio. We're torn between box and privet - box seems too low (it would take years to grow above the start of the patio), while privet seems too high.

Soil is shaded, not great quality (north london clay, but I've been adding compost/sand).

Answer 1

It sounds like box will be too slow growing for your needs, so I'd go for privet or a laurel hedge.

Both are evergreen and will grow relatively quickly to the height you require.

In order to keep it at 2 to 3 foot, all you need is to prune it regularly. Any hedge will grow to over this height if left unchecked, so make sure you keep it trimmed, top and sides.

We have a lovely laurel hedge that we keep at about 4-5 foot...

Answer 2

I have both--privet will quickly grow to the height you want, but you will have to keep it trimmed frequently, it grows really fast. Boxwood is slow growing, but does maintain its height much easier. Another idea if you just want a showy plant during the summer, and don't use the patio in the winter much--plant some taller annuals --4 o'clocks would make a 3ft mound, and flower as well if the area is in full to part sun. Dwarf Crepe Myrtle would also give you the height you want, plus spectacular blooms all summer long. Some grasses might work too.

Answer 3

I've just planted escallonia iveyi in my garden to make a hedge in front of the area where my compost bin & shed are.
I decided on escallonia iveyi because

1. It grows relatively quickly.
2. It's evergreen so it will form a screen all year round.
3. In summer it has fragrant white flowers (good near the compost!)
4. Looks really good with dark green shiny leaves.
5. It is easy to grow/will grow in most places
6. Low maintenance - 1 hour a year trimming it to keep it tidy.

Hope this helps

Answer 4

I just planted red tip protinia shrubs around my fences for privacy. It's been 2 years and they are doing nicely. Also you can plant some of the evergreen trees that grow fast,. They can grow from 3 feet a year. You'll want to let them go and grow till you get the height you want and then trim them into hedges. We are doing this in front of our patio for privacy. It's hard to be patient even with fast growing shrubs and trees when you want privacy. hope this helps.

Answer 5

Yew. Box is good, but can suffer box-blight and privet looks poor in the winter.

Yew is my suggestion. It's tough, doesn't mind tough pruning, takes shaping wonderfully and is evergreen. What more could you want.

Box wont like heavy soil as much as Yew either, but if you can add more organic matter and grit it will help get it off to a good start.

Sorry to add another choice to your suggestion, but I've worked with nearly every kind of hedge and if you get Yew established well it is the best I've worked with.

Hope you have every success.

Answer 6

Hello.
There's more to choose from than Box or Privet. And it would be nice to compliment your patio paving. For a darker coloured stone why not try -

Euonymus fortunei 'Silver Queen' - easy to care for and clip, evergreen variegated foliage.
Aucuba japonica 'Crotonifolia' - large, glossy, evergreen foliage mottled with yellow, bright red berries, easy to prune.
Lonicera nitida 'Baggesen's Gold' - evergreen, bushy, tiny yellow leaves, very easy to care for.

For lighter coloured stone-
Gaultheria 'Wisley Pearl' - an evergreen bushy shrub, dark green oval leaves, white flowers, needs low pH.
Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Tom Thumb' - really gorgeous shrub, new foliage is pale green, older foliage red/brown, evergreen.
Sarcococca humilis - also known as xmas box, it's really nice, evergreeen glossy leaves, fragrant flowers in late winter, doesn't require much care.
I hope that helps a bit, but remember there are hundereds of plants you could go for. Good luck, x

Answer 7

Why not plant an 'edible' hedge? You could plant stepover fruit trees which would give you flowers in spring and then fruit later. They would only be 2 - 3 foot tall and as long as you feed them well they will be fine.
Try Ken Muirs web site for a starting point.

Answer 8

If you enjoy sitting on your patio, as most people do...don't plant privet....or just keep it trimmed so that it does not flower. The flowers stink! They are very allergenic, even to people who don't normally have pollen allergies.

Where do you live? I'm not sure of your hardiness, but here are some suggestions...check out your local nursery.
Hebe, Sarcoccoca (smells sweet!!), and dwarf, clumping bamboo.

Answer 9

Myrtus communis compacta (dwarf myrtle)--fast growing, full shape, tiny lancelot, dark green leaves, 3 feet tall. Plant them every 2 and a half feet and they will fill in within a year.

Euonymus microphylla--2 to 3 feet, nice sturdy plant. Kind of boring, but comes in variegated also. Small, scalloped leaves. Grows more slowly than the dwarf myrtle.

Answer 10

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