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Replanting a hedge

firstimegardenerfirstimegardener Posts: 4
in Plants
Hi - firstly could anyone help in identifying what type of hedge this is?



Note, this isn't my hedge, but is one I found on streetview which is the same but from the summer when there are leaves to help identify. 

I am looking to replace this with something evergreen as in the winter it is just bare twigs and looks a bit rubbish. 

Would I be best to dig out the old hedge and replant a new one, or just plant the new one among this existing hedge? 

And finally does anyone have any recommendations, I was thinking just something simple like a laurel. It needs to be quite hardy as based in Scotland but not coastal.

Thanks.

Posts

  • amancalledgeorgeamancalledgeorge Posts: 2,736
    Let's bump this...the photo is so low resolution, I'd guess it's beech or hornbeam. If you want evergreen why not plant some yew, much nicer than the laurels that are everywhere and usually looking horrible (because of bad pruning/trimming) or too large. You'd be better off to remove what's there already and enrich the soil with some organic matter and plant anew.
    To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    A properly maintained beech or hornbeam hedge can be a fine thing, remaining clothed with its golden brown leaves throughout the winter. 

    However all hedges will look a bit rubbish during their first few years until they become established and start to grow strongly. 

    Can you show us some photos of your hedge so we can see if there’s anything that can be done to improve it? ... that may well give quicker results than planting another new hedge which will have to be nurtured along for a few years until it looks good. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • TrantionTrantion Posts: 17
    If that is indeed beech or hornbeam (too small for me to recognise it), I think you need to trim it around July so that it grows the new leaves that stay on the plant in the winter. I love beech hedges, although I decided to go with hawthorn so that it (hopefully) flowers
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