Formal Hedge Varieties
Formal hedges can be created from a wide range of evergreen plants; yew (Taxus baccata) makes a wonderful hedge, although you will need to allow six to ten years for it to establish. If you need a hedge that establishes quickly, x Cupressocyparis leylandii grows extremely rapidly, but must be clipped at least twice a year to keep it neat and under control. Various forms of shrubby honeysuckle (Lonicera nitida) and box (Buxus sempervirens) are particularly useful for creating lower formal hedges.
Evergreen Hedging
The following table lists the major evergreen plants used for formal hedging:
| Hedging Plant | Planting Distance |
Height | When to Clip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Box (Buxus sempervirens) |
30 cm (12 in) |
30-60 cm (1-2 ft) |
2-3 times, in growing season |
| Holly (Ilex aquifolium & cultivars) |
45 cm (18 in) |
2-4 m (6-12 ft) |
In late summer |
| Lavender (Lavandula) |
30 cm (12 in) |
45-90 cm (18-36 in) |
In spring and after flowering |
| Lawson cypress (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana) |
60 cm (24 in) |
1.2-2.5 m (4-8 ft) |
Twice, in spring and early autumn |
| Leyland cypress (x Cupressocyparis leylandii) |
75 cm (30 in) |
2-6 m (6- 20 ft) |
2-3 times, in growing season |
| Privet (Ligustrum) |
30 cm (12 in) |
1.5 -3 m (5-10 ft) |
2-3 times, in growing season |
| Shrubby honeysuckle (Lonicera nitida) |
30 cm (12 in) |
1-1.2 m (3-4 ft) |
2-3 times, in growing season |
| Yew (Taxus baccata) |
60 cm (24 in) |
1.2-6 m (4-20 ft) |
Twice, in summer and autumn |
Tapestry Hedging
Attractive hedging can be created by using a number of different species to provide changing visual effects through the seasons; this is termed 'tapestry' or 'mosaic' hedging. Examples include yew (Taxus baccata) and holly (Ilex aquifolium).
When mixing a number of plants within the same hedge line, you should always ensure that the different species have similar rates of growth; otherwise an over-vigorous species may dominate the planting.
Deciduous Hedging
It's not just evergreen plants that can be used for formal hedging; mixing evergreen and deciduous species can provide an interesting and colourful background throughout the year.
The following table provides details of some useful deciduous plants that can be used for formal tapestry hedging:
| Hedging Plant | Height | Planting Distance |
When to Clip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beech (Fagus sylvatica) |
1.2-6 m (4-20 ft) |
30-60 cm (12-24 in) |
Once, in late summer |
| Hawthorn (Cratoegus monogyna) |
1.5-3 m (5-10 ft) |
30-4 5cm (12-18 in) |
Twice, in summer and autumn |
| Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) |
1.5- 6 m (5-20 ft) |
45-60 cm (18-24 in) |
Once, in mid to late summer |
| Japanese Barberry (Berberis thunbergii) |
0.6-1.2 m (2-4 ft) |
45 cm (18 in) |
Once, in summer |