Q: I've just moved into a new place and want to grow a hedge along my back and side fences. There are a couple of large trees close to the fence line. I want something that grows quickly, is hardy and is reasonably easy to maintain.
Autumn and winter are the ideal times to plant a hedge or trees, but container-grown plants can go in through spring too, as long as you keep them watered. Here are three varieties that suit the job.
Three reliable hedging plants
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Bay tree (Laurus nobilis). A hardy, compact evergreen that also gives you bay leaves for cooking. It's easily trimmed to a 2, 3 or 4 metre hedge, or can be grown as a tree on its own.
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Photinia 'Red Robin'. An attractive evergreen with deep crimson new leaves in spring. Easy to grow, it prefers full sun but will cope with dappled light. Trim regularly to keep it dense.
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Portuguese laurel (Prunus lusitanica). A large evergreen shrub or small tree that prunes easily into a dense hedge. It has scented white flowers in spring and is hardy in most conditions.
Preparing the site
Hedges are a long-term planting, so prepare the whole strip well rather than just digging individual holes. This is especially important near established trees, which compete for water and nutrients.
- Clear weeds and grass along the full length of the hedge line.
- Dig over the strip and work plenty of Daltons Compost through the existing soil. On poor or heavy soils, add Daltons Garden Mix as well. Buying in bulk makes a long hedge line much more affordable.
- Add compost to each planting hole as you plant, and place a Daltons Landscaper Planter Tab beside the root ball for a long-lasting feed.
- Water in well and keep young hedges watered through dry or windy spells.
- Finish with a layer of Daltons Mega Mulch or Daltons Black Mulch to hold moisture and keep weeds down, keeping it clear of the stems.
Ongoing care
- Lightly trim evergreen hedges after their spring flush to keep them tidy and encourage dense growth. Avoid cutting hard into old wood unless you're renovating an overgrown hedge.
- Feed established hedges in spring with a controlled-release fertiliser such as Landscaper Pro Flora 5/6 Months Fertiliser.
- Top up mulch before summer to protect roots from heat.
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