Low hedge

Am thinking about putting some sort of low hedge out the front. There are only two small flower beds out there but the one on the right hand side seems to get a lot of people walking all over it as they come in the gate, squashing whatever plants are there!!

Was originally thinking of putting something like log roll there but other half doesnt like it and the wicker ones seem too flimsy to last.

Any suggestions on what would be quite quick growing but easy to keep low and in good shape/condition. Something with a bit of colour would be good too

We have some box hedge (i think) already there but it hasnt grown much in the 7 years I have lived here so dont think I want to add anymore of that as cant wait that long for it to grow!

 

I've seen Lavender used as a very low hedge, but it depends how high you want it. I've seen it form a mat about 1ft tall (taller if you count its flowers in summer). Obviously not enough to stop someone striding over but at least it marks the boundary so people might stop and think, 'maybe the owner doesn't want me walk on this bit'.

 

Yeah just been looking at lavender. Not sure how quick it grows/fills out though.

I remember seeing packs of 6 lavender at B & Q for about a fiver i think. Not sure whether they would still have any now or not though.

It doesnt need to be very high, but like you said, just enough for people to realise its my garden and not to stand all over it !!

If they opened the gate properly there would be no need to stand in it at all ... guess some people are just to lazy too though.

 

Lavender works well as a low hedge and can be clipped to keep it under control. You just need to make sure you use the right variety of plant. Have a look at the RHS website about correct pruning

http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profiles0803/lavender.asp

I've never used this company but it was recommended to me by someone else. Apparently Angustifolia is the best one to use.

http://www.downderry-nursery.co.uk/

And you get the heavenly scent of lavender in summer.

 

Lavender fills out fairly quickly. I'm not sure about young ones this time of year, but I planted a very young one in my garden one spring time and by 3 years later it had claimed most of the herb patch. By the end of its first summer it was a well established plant.

 

Thanks Aaron. Just been looking at the Angustifolia one and it comes in some lovely colours. Obviously the traditional lavender colour but also in lots of shades of pink also!! Think it might look a bit different to the norm

One summer for it to become established is to be expected I would imagine Clueless .... even I can wait that long ...... maybe

I have a nice lavender in the back garden which comes back year on year. Its was a big old plant when I moved in 7 years ago and I know the previous owner was a keen gardener in his younger days. It has to be at least 10 years old, if not double that. Was neglected for quite a few years, once the man grew too old to garden so is very woody, but still looks lovely despite me hacking it to near death a few years ago !!

Will have a look at the site that was recommended to you Aaron and see what the delivery charges are. Plants I dont mind paying for, but some delivery charges are steep and Im definately getting tight in my old age with things like that lol.

Although saying that, have ordered my first plant off ebay this week. Red Valerian. Couldnt find any local so thought I would try ebay. Hopefully it will arrive this week while im off work

Clueless .... on another matter - did you sort out that green envy coneflower you were after ?

 

Not yet I'm afraid. Quite a few suppliers list it but they all say it is out of stock. I'll keep looking though. Some places allow you to order stuff even if they don't have it, so they can dispatch it months later when you've forgotten all about it. If I find one that does that I'll order some.

 

yeah i looked myself as wouldnt mind some but kept getting 'out of stock' or it allows you to almost order it before it says delivery next year!!!

Also emailed a couple of nurseries here but they dont have them either.

Gimme a nudge if you find any

 

Will do.

 

Been having a look on that site. If i were to get them in different colours and plant them ..... deep purple to light purple, to pink to white ..... do you think this would look ok on a small area or a bit tacky ?

They have a similar picture on the front colour of their brouchure i downloaded:-




Or would it look better just sticking to say two colours, either purple and lilac .... or pink and white ?

 

If you've only a smallish space to create this hedge, then it might look like a bit of a dogs dinner with too many colours. But then I'm a purist and prefer my lavender blue/lilac coloured!

 

just a suggestion...what about patio roses?

 

"One summer for it to become established is to be expected I would imagine Clueless .... even I can wait that long ...... maybe"

I grew tiny plug plants last year, nutured in pots through the Summer, planted out last Autumn and I have a flowering hedge this year that is definitely enough to stop a postman cutting the corner!!

So "real sized plants" would definitely give you a barrier next year. I would plant in the Autumn, rather than now, but of course container grown plants can be planted at any time.

 

agree about the roses but would go for sometning larger than patio

 

Thanks for the suggestions. Sadly I dont actually like roses (dont shoot me here lol) I know they are lovely to look at etc, but I personally just dont like them unless they are in a bunch of flowers. We had quite a few in the garden when we moved here and one by one we have taken them out after each kid has caught themselves on the thorns ..... plus the petals make too much of a mess for my liking. Sorry :o