Formal and informal hedges can provide a great deal of structure and character to a garden, and can be used to create a practical feature, a purely decorative element or a combination of the two.

A good hedge can form an excellent (and if necessary, animal-proof) boundary, and provides a much softer line than any of the 'hard' boundary materials, such as walls and fences. A thick hedge can also be used as a barrier against the noise and pollution from roads, whilst also offering a valuable wildlife habitat.

In this section, you'll find a guide to planning, planting, shaping, trimming and renovating deciduous and evergreen hedges, whether you're planning to create a formal garden feature or simply an informal barrier.