You can choose from a huge choice of wonderful hedging plants for many different purposes. Hedges can be used for privacy or screening for a property or outside space and can also be used in order to improve security and deter intruders.
If you want a type that will offer you a screen for privacy or disguise an unsightly view you will need a dense evergreen plant. Choose a variety that is relatively fast growing, unless you can afford to invest in some well established plants that can give you an instant screen. Leylandii are a popular choice for many individuals and are not usually expensive. This evergreen is capable of growing between two and three feet per year and there are numerous varieties available.
Other popular choices for extra privacy are Western Red Cedar and the stunning Cotoneaster Lacteus.
Spiky plants with thorns offer excellent additional security for properties. When maintained properly, plants can act as an efficient deterrent to intruders, but they should never obstruct visibility to windows and doors which could have the opposite effect through shielding intruders from view. For home security, plants need to be big enough to be a barrier physically, without hiding entrances from the view of others.
For a highly spiky attractive hedge, Common Hawthorn and Blackthorn are a great choice. Holly is a traditional and very affordable choice which also offers excellent privacy. With its vicious thorns, Pyracantha is a great choice and adds appeal to your outside space with pretty blooms in spring followed by berries during the winter months.
Various pollution can be managed through planting hedges too. Heavily polluted urban areas will require robust, hardy plants. Two hardy varieties with dark green leaves and lovely flowers in spring months are Oregon Grape and Daisy Bush. If you are trying to combat noise, you need a deep, dense barrier with evergreen foliage from the top to the bottom. Put in several rows of plants, as close as is possible to the source of pollution. You will get better protection from a larger barrier.
Lots of people plant hedges for visual appeal. Lavender can provide a lovely low border with an appealing scent and traditional box hedges can be trimmed to create good looking borders.
Those with a keen interest in wildlife may want to plant hedges to provide shelter to a range of birds, butterflies and bees. To entice birds, try planting Common Hawthorn or Blackthorn. The flowers on Lavender and Pyracantha are highly appealing to butterflies and bees alike. Whatever you are aiming to achieve, you can produce a useful and attractive border with your choice of hedging plants.
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