Nothing will stop the noise though. Privet can get as big and wide as you want. It's really a tree if left to just grow away, just like most hedging Re the slope - I just meant does it go down towards your house, or up, because a slope works both ways . It means some plants will work better than others, depending on what you can see from the house, especially the various heights. If the house is at the bottom of a slope for example, you don't want a load of large shrubs at that end, blocking light, and preventing you seeing the rest of the space. The hedge will also affect the soil/moisture and the light available to anything just inside it Are you planning on having a path/paths through the space, or just laying bark or gravel? Having space to maintain and access planting is always worth considering.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
@Fairygirl wall is at the top of the slope, house is at the bottom! So the hedge will be at the top of the slope (which is handy because we don’t need to grow it too tall to benefit) Yes I know it will affect the light and moisture, and it won’t block the noise completely but I’m hoping it’ll just muffle it a little. It’s not a busy street really, it’s just the odd people walking past in the middle of the night, and the bedrooms are at the front which has been interesting for us!
Ah yes- not really a slope at all Once you have a hedge in there, it leaves a nice space for planting. A wee gap for hedge trimming is worthwhile too. The fence and the hedge will give you scope for some plants which like shade by the look of it, and it looks like there's a fair bit of light/sun, so a good mix. I still think adding stuff on top might make the edging too low, and you may need to make that higher, but it would be the easier option unless you have the will to get stuck in and remove the turf...
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I did think about Griselinia as I’ve seen it recommended a few times on here, it can be grown quite narrow as well, can’t it? I am also a fan of privet, I wasn’t sure if it gets really wide? Good for birds would be excellent, I have a feeder out the front that gets lots of visitors to my delight!
Yes, @zugenie, Griselinia can be grown quite narrow. One of my hedges is six foot high and only one foot deep, planted about 18 inches away from the fence for access to trim - that distance depends on the hedge trimmer's shape! Privet is a more robust plant and may not enjoy being restricted to that depth - my hedge was about two foot deep so not a huge difference.
A hedge can act as a noise filter but it won't stop noise, especially human voices - the nine foot laurel hedge in my neighbour's garden has no effect on the volume of his mobile phone conversations! (Or may be it does and it's actually worse than I thought!)
This is an interesting list of hedge plants that can filter noise and pollution:
For me, one of the main deciding factors would be the colour of the hedge - different shades of green can complement your planting scheme or become a distraction if it's not quite right! I'm sure you'll make the right choice!
Variegated evergreen Rhamnus is worth considering especially if you want something a bit different. Pittosporum also, but would make an informal hedge. Don't forget yew.
I've got a soft spot for privet too. A neighbour in a past garden asked me if I'd trimmed it with nail scissors - funny guy!! 😁 I still have those Sandvik Pradines bought in the 80s (now trading as Bahco) and they are wonderful shears.
I have inherited a Beech (front) and a privet (back) here and love both but slightly love the Beech more. It stands between us and an A road. I wouldn't say it's a noise baffle but it must be baffling more than none would! I just get excited when it goes orange in autumn and when it goes green in spring, it's gorgeous. Turns in the matter of a week!
Oh and I had to ditch the hand shears for the major work - took too long, now got Stihl battery trimmers. Very good stuff but noone asks if I cut it with nail scissors anymore! 😄
Oh and on the subject of rotavating.. I'm scared of it. You don't know that mowing the existing grass isn't cutting off the heads of bindweed for instance. Mince those fleshy white roots over the area and OMG! I'm just doing my front (hence the interest in this thread) and have delayed turfing until I clear wee bindweed heads popping up.
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Re the slope - I just meant does it go down towards your house, or up, because a slope works both ways .
It means some plants will work better than others, depending on what you can see from the house, especially the various heights. If the house is at the bottom of a slope for example, you don't want a load of large shrubs at that end, blocking light, and preventing you seeing the rest of the space. The hedge will also affect the soil/moisture and the light available to anything just inside it
Are you planning on having a path/paths through the space, or just laying bark or gravel? Having space to maintain and access planting is always worth considering.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Once you have a hedge in there, it leaves a nice space for planting. A wee gap for hedge trimming is worthwhile too.
The fence and the hedge will give you scope for some plants which like shade by the look of it, and it looks like there's a fair bit of light/sun, so a good mix.
I still think adding stuff on top might make the edging too low, and you may need to make that higher, but it would be the easier option unless you have the will to get stuck in and remove the turf...
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Definitely have too many plants already considering I’m not doing it until next spring
Also Privet looks like a winner for the hedge, £50 for for 8 metres worth of plants, not bad!
A hedge can act as a noise filter but it won't stop noise, especially human voices - the nine foot laurel hedge in my neighbour's garden has no effect on the volume of his mobile phone conversations! (Or may be it does and it's actually worse than I thought!)
This is an interesting list of hedge plants that can filter noise and pollution:
Hedges That Filter Noise And Pollution - Hedging Plant Advice. (hopesgrovenurseries.co.uk)
For me, one of the main deciding factors would be the colour of the hedge - different shades of green can complement your planting scheme or become a distraction if it's not quite right! I'm sure you'll make the right choice!
Pittosporum also, but would make an informal hedge.
Don't forget yew.
I have inherited a Beech (front) and a privet (back) here and love both but slightly love the Beech more. It stands between us and an A road. I wouldn't say it's a noise baffle but it must be baffling more than none would! I just get excited when it goes orange in autumn and when it goes green in spring, it's gorgeous. Turns in the matter of a week!
Oh and I had to ditch the hand shears for the major work - took too long, now got Stihl battery trimmers. Very good stuff but noone asks if I cut it with nail scissors anymore! 😄