The right hedge, privacy screen

fatfei · January 2022

Hi, I'm looking for an evergreen fragrant non bushy tall hedge, shrub etc for privacy. The area to plant it in is about 1 and a half foot. I'd like it to grow above 6ft preferably. Any ideas?

Thanks in advance.

Fairygirl · January 2022

That won't be easy

If it's sunny and free draining, Escallonia might do. It's better against a wall or fence though, rather than 'free standing'.

Busy-Lizzie · January 2022

Not easy, especially if you want fragrant too. Whatever you do do not plant Leylandii, it can turn into a menace.
Thuya Emerald could do, evergreen, a nice bright green, not very wide.

Fairygirl · January 2022

Yes - I should have said Escallonia isn't fragrant.
It's a tall order if you want it so narrow, along with everything else.

fatfei · January 2022

Busy-Lizzie said:

Not easy, especially if you want fragrant too. Whatever you do do not plant Leylandii, it can turn into a menace.
Thuya Emerald could do, evergreen, a nice bright green, not very wide.

Thank you. Fragrant is a preference but if I can't I can't. The important thing is that it doesn't branch out. I've got a 4 metre length to plant it in, it's surrounded by concrete paving either side

fatfei · January 2022

Fairygirl said:

Yes - I should have said Escallonia isn't fragrant.
It's a tall order if you want it so narrow, along with everything else.

Thank you, it'll get a lot of sun and will have a 4 to 5 metre length trench of well drained soil. It's just the width that isn't great. It's in-between two paved driveways.

Fairygirl · January 2022

All hedging will 'branch out' though. Some more than others. It depends on how much trimming you want to do, and what else surrounds the area.
Hedging like privet can be kept tight [semi evergreen] as can the shrubby Loniceras. Both have flowers [privet flowers are good for insects and pollinators] although on Lonicera they're insignificant. It does produce berries though.
Beech [Fagus] and Hornbeam [Carpinus] aren't technically evergreen, but retain their foliage over winter. Both can be kept clipped into a narrow hedge.
The Thujas [there are several] @Busy-Lizzie mentions is better than most conifers because it can be clipped tighter, and doesn't mind being cut back into older wood. Most conifers can't take that, so they need very careful attention from the start.
The Portuguese laurel can be kept quite narrow too. Cherry laurel is more difficult to keep tight, unless, like the conifers mentioned, it's kept under control from the start.

fatfei · January 2022

Thank you, you've gave me a lot to think about. Ideally I don't wish to have something I need to trim. Bamboo is probably another option for me. I've not had a good track record with hedges in the past.

Fairygirl · January 2022

Prepping the ground well and ensuring there's adequate decent soil for roots to access is very important.
If the paving is concreted in, the footings of that will affect the space, and therefore the moisture and nutrients the roots has in order to thrive. Frequent mulching with organic matter in that kind of situation is also beneficial.
Bamboo needs large amounts of water to do well.

Dovefromabove · January 2022

Have you considered erecting a freestanding trellis and growing a climber up it? Less regular trimming needed that way.

Plantminded · January 2022

Any chance of a photo please @fatfei? The area is between two driveways so I assume it's at the front of your house? Anything you plant there at that height could impinge on your neighbour - you'll need access to your hedge for maintenance. Bamboo won't be suitable for that location, even the clumping varieties spread unless well managed.

The right hedge, privacy screen

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