Best hedge plants to frame your garden

The best hedge plants are sturdy specimens that grow into mighty natural barriers. A tall hedge provides protection against wind, noise and even pollution. Not to mention, it creates a suntrap and a habitat for wildlife. Alternatively, a perfectly manicured low hedge can flank pathways, conjuring up notions of tea gardens and stately homes. When buying small plants online it can be a challenge to source the best outdoor plants, which is why we take a lot of time to scour customer reviews for excellent sellers. The good news is there are some cracking 'virtual nurseries' that grow robust small plants that are packaged and delivered with care.

Along with weathervanes, terracotta plant pots and white picket fences, there is something quintessential about a box hedge. A tall, wide and perfectly trimmed hedge largely goes unnoticed and yet these green garden barriers take effort to maintain. And unless you're embracing wild hedgerow vibes, we recommend that you invest in quality hand shears or a cordless hedge trimmer. You may even be inclined to coif your perennial plants into whimsical shapes. Turn your garden into Hampton Court Palace with a topiary that transforms a dull shrub into a bush with bells on. Without getting too fanciful, a good solid hedge is a perennial that provides privacy from the road, neighbours, train tracks or separates a home from a field. Yet that doesn't mean a hedge has to be formal, or indeed nor does it have to be a perennial. In this guide, we'll look at some colourful deciduous options too.

Best hedge plants at a glance:

• Best fast-growing hedging: Green Leylandii Hedging Plants - view on Amazon
• Best formal and topiary hedging: Buxus Sempervirens Box Hedging - view on Amazon
• Colourful hedging: Orange Firethorn Hedging Plants - view on Amazon

Deciduous and flowering hedges, such as Hawthorn and Blackthorn provide a spring show of flowers and an autumn yield of berries. In addition, hedges that have a winter display of berries, such as Pyracantha, can provide welcome colour during the bleaker months. Most hedge plants are hardy and will grow in most soil types and conditions. Notice neighbours' hedges as this is a good identifier of what grows well locally. You don't need planning permission to plant a new hedge, but it is your responsibility to keep it maintained and not let it encroach on a neighbour's plot.

Don't be tempted to snap up all the Leylandii plants at the summer car boot sale without knowing how big these plants can grow. Factor in the height and the spread the plant will eventually grow to. Leylandii, for example, is an extremely fast-growing conifer and can become enormous without regular trimming. In contrast, Yew grows slowly and therefore needs less pruning whilst still providing a dense evergreen shield. For advice on how and when to prune your hedge scroll to the FAQs at the end of this article.

Best hedge plants

FAQs

What should I use to trim a hedge?

You can use power tools, such as a cordless trimmer, as a fast and low-effort way to trim your hedge. Or you can use manual shears. Make sure you've eaten your spinach as you need strong arm muscles to wield those shears and clip a whole hedge. But the hedge will benefit from a cleaner cut, unlike some power trimmers that can tear through the leaves. The rule of thumb is if you're clipping a small or detailed area, use shears, otherwise, use a power trimmer. Remember to wear protective gloves and goggles when using a petrol or cordless hedge trimmer. Check the maximum thickness that your hedge trimmers can cut through, generally, it's 20mm.

How do I trim a hedge?

If you're using a power tool, start at the bottom of the hedge and work your way up because if you cut downwards and hit a snag you may then apply too much force and cut through it and risk damaging the rest of the hedge or yourself.

Small leaves, such as with a privet hedge are much less likely to tear. Whereas larger leaves, like a Griselinia can suffer tearing. If it's a newer hedge, just take small amounts of leaves off to promote growth. Just like hair, hedges need to be clipped in order to gain height, otherwise you'll end up with a thin and weak hedge.

For a neat top, trim the hedge horizontally. Just cut in light strokes, as if you're waving a wand. It is easier to cut through younger green stems than older branches that have become woody.

If you're using hand shears, apply slow and steady clipping, so leaves get a clean cut. Cut from the bottom of the hedge to the top and favour cutting the stems, rather than the leaves. A sharp cut is less stressful to the plant because the cut is cleaner.

If you're tackling an overgrown hedge, use a chainsaw to cut through the worst of the growth. Then, use hedge trimmers to even it up. An old hedge that's in need of reviving can be cut back to a couple of feet with a chainsaw, this will encourage new growth.

What shape should I cut my hedge?

The top should be slightly narrower than the bottom. This is to allow sunlight to reach the leaves all the way down to the base of the hedge and promote even growth.

In addition, a slightly bowed hedge allows snow to fall on it which would otherwise cause damage if it was allowed to build up. Snow drifts are very heavy so it's better not to have a perfectly square hedge if you live somewhere that's prone to snow falls. The hedge could actually end up snapping under the extra weight.

When should I trim my hedge?

In the UK, trim in the summer, between March and August. Take care if there are birds nesting in the hedge. Summer is a risky time to trim because of this. Therefore, aim to trim twice a year: in late February and at the end of August. There'll be less growth throughout the autumn and winter.

How do I cut a newly planted hedge?

Even in its first year, a hedge will need trimming in order to encourage growth and thickening. Cutting the top growth causes energy to refer back down the plant and for it to gain bushy growth. It makes it dense. So simply, take a section off the top of the hedge.

How do I tidy up after cutting a hedge?

You can lay a tarpaulin down while trimming. This could be useful if your hedge is next to gravel. You can use secateurs to fine trim any snags or missed bits.

Sweep up the cut branches and leaves and put them in a compost bin. Thornless hedges can be composted. Smaller cuttings will be composted faster.

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Natalie Knowles is a Homes & Garden Product Writer for Modern Gardens, specialising in garden trends. When she's not flexing her mow-how, Natalie is a successful artist and illustrator.