Problems with border next to my privet hedge

I recently dug out a new border running parallel with my large privet hedge. I put lots of leaf mould into the ground to break down the clay soil and put a few plants in the border until I can find a better place for them.

Today Ive noticed a few of them don't look to well. Theres a Hebe with leaves that are very very pale and a camelia with some of its leaves turning reddy orange at the tips.

I suspect that the hedge is taking all the nutrients out of the soil and I wonder if it would be possible to just give the border more of a feed in the future, if so what sort? Or should I abandon the border altogether?

 

Hello Jane.The problem with planting anything next to hedge will usualy be the lack of light.

 

Hi Jane. It's possible to grow a border in front of a hedge, especially if it's on the sunny side, but you have to be careful what you plant there. The hedge tends to grab all the nutrients and suck the water out of the ground. Camelia wants moist, peaty soil so I don't think it will do well there. I would move it.
What I found did do well was Montbretia, Polygonatum (Solomons Seal) and perennial Cornflower (that will grow anywhere).
I wouldn't give up on the border if you want it. Have a look round other peoples gardens and see what they have growing in that kind of situation. Good luck.

 

Haven't got that problem with the hedge. The hedge runs from north to south along one side of the garden. It gets a lot of direct afternoon sun.

Thats a good idea! I will move the Camelia and make a note of those plants. I was hoping to put some foxgloves and Hollyhocks next to the hedge. But now I suppose I should be looking for plants that will do well in drought like conditions.

 

I generally agree with comments made by Pete and Alice. Mind you, plants like Camelia with leathery leaves will cope well enough with light levels near a hedge provided the soil conditions are right, you would have to make sure it was moisture retentive and also think about a mulch on the surface. (So adding some FYM or peat) Are you sure that the damage you are seeing isn't due to weather conditions? If you have had prolongued severe cold, both of these shrubs could look a bit sickly!
If your hedge runs N - S which side of the hedge are you? Is your border West or East facing? I imagine it's West if you get sun in the afternoon.

Being on a fertile clay soil, so long as you don't plant too close to your hedge, you should still be able to grow a good variety of plants. (It's a good idea if you have the space, to leave a gap of upto a metre between hedge and border...like a mowing strip. This gives access for hedge cutting and leaves the shadiest and dryest area.)

I have seen some lovely borders planted right in front of a privet hedge though!
Your foxgloves could do really well if you make sure you water them until they get going. The hollyhocks would cope with the dry conditions, but really love a good spell of sun. If your hedge was a bit lower, they would happily peep over the top and do brilliantly! Also, a lower hedge would take up less moisture and nutrients.

Plants that should do well are those that can cope with semi shade and dry conditions, so anything naturally from woodland. Shrubs with leathery leaves, Fatsia, Mahonia, holly etc., also Sambucus seems to do well and then stuff like hellebores, epimediums etc.
Best thing would be to make a BIG border and then only the back bit will limit your imagination!!

 

Hi Jane, in my experience Foxgloves will grow anywhere so they should be OK beside your hedge.

 

Hi Jane,

I have exactly the same situation as you by the sound of it - N-S privet hedge with the border on the west side, so gets loads of afternoon sun. The first year I moved in....it was rubbish. After hacking back the hedge in Spring buy about half to head height, I chipped the cutting and composted them; then dug in the resulting compost/mulch in the end of the next winter with some horse poop.

The second year was a much better story.
Whats done well:
All spring bulbs planted (tulips, alliums, daffs + others i cant recall)
Foxgloves
Crocosmia
Perennial corn flower
penstemons
helenium
primrose (font of border near lawn)
Lupins
Buddleja
Cone flowers (rudbeckia & echinacea)
sage
rosemary
angelica
bergamot
Lavender


That's from the top of my head, there is more but cant think now...

Some of them did look a bit sorry for them selves after the hot days we got last summer (all 2 of them),. but after a good water they picked up again next day.

There were some that didn't do too well but all of those were summer bulbs i got from the same mail order shop so it may be more due to their stock (starts with a J and ends with a Parker - I'll not be using them again).

So if you can get some organic material in there and just keep an eye on the watering and i think most common stuff will do ok. (may be).

Hope that helps, if you have any success I'd be keen to here what I can add this year.

Ric

 

Those are the sort of plants I hope to be planting over the next few years, nice tall cottage like plants, thank you. It's good to hear someone has a similar situation to mine. I've already dug lots of leaf mould in already but will continue to add other organic matter over the next few months.

Also our hedge is roughly 7-8 foot tall at the moment and I want to lower it to 6 foot to allow for more light in the evening and so I can reach the top more easily. Would the hedge respond to such a hard pruning or would I have to do it gradually lower it over time? Also the hedge straddles my neighbours garden and is a boundary, it's planted on my side and am not sure whether to talk to my neighbours about it or not.

 

When we moved in the hedge was about 9-10 feet, which we hated. We asked both sets of neighbors (neither of which are gardening types) and they were more than happy for me to "go as low as you want to go". We took down both sides to about 6 foot and they both helped out a bit, and now comment how much better it looks and how they are so happy to have someone in who cares about "that sort of thing". It wasn't easy work by any means, some of the stems were ~3inch thick so it took a few weekends to get it all done, but it was worth it, and chipping it all was great therapy.

 

:thumb: I have a south facing privet hedged border - I agree with all the replies too - you can have a lovely border eventually. Do not give up yet! However every year I have to put barrowloads of compost on there as the hedge does leech out all the goodness. Mine is a herbaceous border, and I plant about 2 foot away from the base of the hedge. The hedge grows so quickly it needs cutting a few times in the year and would soon overshadow my plants so you need this gap to be able to get in there to do this trimming anyway. The plants I grow are all the traditional cottage garden plants - the sorts that need dry sunny positions, poppies, geraniums, lupins etc. - moisture lovers do not do at all well. Hope this helps.
Jen.