There are a huge variety of versatile hedging plants to choose from that will suit many different requirements. Hedges can be used for privacy or screening for a property or outside space and are often used to improve security and deter intruders.
To provide privacy or shield you from an unpleasant scene, you should choose a dense evergreen. You will need plants capable of rapid growth as unless you invest in well established plants to provide an instant screen, you need a variety that is reasonably fast growing. Leylandii are a popular choice for many people and are not usually expensive. This evergreen is capable of growing anything from two to three feet every year and there are numerous varieties available.
Cotoneaster Lacteus and Western Red Cedar are also a very popular choice for privacy.
If you want to grow a hedge for additional security for your home you should opt for spiky plants with thorns as they will be impossible for an intruder to get through. When managed correctly, plants can act as an efficient deterrent to intruders, but they should never obstruct visibility to windows and doors as this could shield intruders and have the opposite effect. Hedges need to be grown to a sufficient height to to create a physical barrier then maintained at that height.
Blackthorn and Hawthorn are both extremely spiky and work well in this situation. Holly is not quite so spiky but is a very affordable and popular choice. The Pyracantha has delicate bloom in springtime and berries in the winter along with vicious thorns, making it a great choice for security.
Various pollution can be combated by planting hedges too. You will need a tough, plant to cope well in a polluted urban area. Two very hardy plants for this purpose are the Daisy Bush or the Oregon Grape, which are both hardy and display attractive flowers in the spring. Create a deep, dense evergreen barrier with foliage to the ground to deal with issues created by noise pollution. Place several rows of plants, as close as is possible to the noise source. The more plants you are able to use the better the impact in this situation.
Lots of people plant hedges for looks alone. Lavender makes a lovely low border with an appealing fragrance and traditional box hedges can be cut and maintained to form good looking borders.
Anyone with a keen interest in wildlife may want to plant hedges to give shelter to a range of birds, butterflies and bees. To attract birds, try planting Common Hawthorn or Blackthorn. If you wish to attract bees and butterflies, plant variety\’s of Pyracantha and Lavender. Whatever you are aiming for, a natural border created by planting your selected hedge plants can result in a beneficial, attractive screen in your garden.
Hedging. Greenshutters Evergreen Hedging Tree Nursery, with a Garden Centre based near Taunton, Somerset has been growing trees and evergreen hedges on the nursery, including leylandii, laurel & evergreen shrubs since 1980. Hedging Plants