Forum home› Garden design
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

Cheapest, fastest growing options for a hedge plant?

Emily36Emily36 Posts: 22
in Garden design
We're flattening out an extra bit of land to turn it into lawn with some fruit trees/shrubs etc. The bottom of the land will have a fence (only about 5ft) that is next to a pavement next to the main road. It's not our main garden so not a huge concern but would like to plant something along that fence that will grow 7-12ft or so just so that it's not so overlooked. We don't have a very big budget and only planning to be in this house for about 5-7yrs so needs to grow quickly or we won't actually get to appreciate any of it! Was looking at bamboo but not sure if it gets too out of control too quickly? I've attached a photo and the fence we want to plant next to is at the far end of the photo. Also, the plot is south facing but obviously it will be up against that fence so a bit shaded, we live in Devon so reasonably mild weather. 

Thanks :)
«1

Posts

  • steephillsteephill Posts: 2,841
    Why 7-12 feet high? Is Devon now a land of giants? Anything which will grow to 12 feet in a year or so is going to be a real thug of a plant. Bamboos which get that big also tend to run wild and will take over the garden. Would some 6 foot fence panels not be quicker and easier? You could add some trellis on top of it to run climbers like clematis montana to give you about 8 feet of privacy.
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    Factor in the cutting of a 12 foot high hedge too.
    Devon.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Nothing is going to magically grow to that sort of height in a year or two.
    If you aren't planning on staying very long, @steephill's idea is a better bet.

    Alternatively - a row of Buddleias would grow quickly, and need little maintenance. You don't even need to cut them right back in spring if you want extra height. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • GemmaJFGemmaJF Posts: 2,286
    Cherry Laurel is the first thought with the brief you have given. Fast growing can easily obtain the height you are looking for and dense enough for privacy.

    https://www.hedgesdirect.co.uk/acatalog/laurel-caucasica-prunus-laurocerasus-caucasica.html#aPRLC 
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    I think I'd go with buddleia as well. Quick growing, fairly cheap and pretty flowers that attract butterflies and bees. In Devon you would probably find the leaves stay on over the winter. It's easy to propogate as well so you could buy just two or three plants to start with then infill with your own cuttings. 

    Laurel won't grow as quick in the first couple of years. 
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • jamesholtjamesholt Posts: 593
    red tip photenia grows quickly to 12ft
  • shazza_coleshazza_cole Posts: 3
    Is banish bamboo always invasive ??? also wanted to plant some as narrow hedging!! 
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    No, some bamboos grow in a clump and are not invasive but generally the ones that grow tall and fast are the ones that do run everywhere and are virtually impossible to dig out.
    Our neighbour's bamboo has broken through the hedge, is now covering the verge and is eying up the tarmac road!
    You could trying growing it in long, metal troughs but it would need constant, almost daily watering and lots of it. 
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    edited April 2020
    There are much better options for a narrow hedge than any kind of bamboo @shazza_cole
    Beech or Hornbeam, or Yew. 
    I also wouldn't put any kind of hedging in a metal container. The roots will just fry.
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • shazza_coleshazza_cole Posts: 3
    Fairygirl said:
    There are much better options for a narrow hedge than any kind of bamboo @shazza_cole
    Beech or Hornbeam, or Yew. 
    I also wouldn't put any kind of hedging in a metal container. The roots will just fry.
    Thankyou for that appreciate it as other half really pushing for bamboo but not now !!!hadn't thought of beech tbf but would also like it to be evergreen did nt want to extend fence but looks like may have to as it is only a small expanse really between seating areas. 
Sign In or Register to comment.