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Plants for a narrow, low hedge

chris.edwards.1981LOXhiCaDchris.edwards.1981LOXhiCaD Posts: 10
in Plants
Hello all, I have changed the purpose of the back of our garden to grow veg, raised beds, compost bin, greenhouse etc. We have a narrow border (40cm) separating the area with the lawn. I would like a hedge (screen), no higher than 6 foot to hide the 'working' area and don't want it hanging over and killing the lawn so fairly narrow. It will be about 12 feet long. I would like it to be evergreen and if possible flowers or berries. Is there anything people would recommend? I wasn't sure whether to have maybe a couple of rose bushes with hedging either side to have some flowers although I know they would be deciduous but with some hedging as well might have still acted as a decent screen. Thanks
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  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    edited August 2022
    @chris.edwards.1981LOXhiCaD Welcome, could you post a photo if possible? Sometimes loads upside down!
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • chris.edwards.1981LOXhiCaDchris.edwards.1981LOXhiCaD Posts: 10
    Photos uploaded. Should add I live in NE England and site gets sun most of the day but quite exposed.
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    Griselinia littoralis will be perfect for that space.  One of my hedges is six feet high and just one foot deep.  It's sun loving and fine in windy locations, often used in coastal locations.
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    Just wondered if you could be blocking the sun to your veg patch?

     Do you know if you have a deep root run . Any plant that gets to 6ft will want to spread it's roots. The only thought I have is some tall grasses but I assume you want to totally block the view? I think most mixed hedges will grow too wide for what you want. I am sure there will be more help for you.

    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • chris.edwards.1981LOXhiCaDchris.edwards.1981LOXhiCaD Posts: 10
    I will be putting raised beds in and there is a step up of about 1/2 a foot as well so hopefully roots won't effect veg. Hedge will block closest beds but the sun goes from one side to the other so should still get some sun.
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    I have tried to think of anything else other than Griselinia. What is your soil like not sure it would be happy in my clay? Not sure there is anything that will give you what you are looking for. 
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    Griselinia is fine in clay @GardenerSuze - you should give it a try!  They make nice backdrops as specimen plants with ornamental grasses.

    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @Plantminded Thank you will give it some thought. It really doesn't seem possible to make many garden plans at present but I am always interested in any ideas for my note book.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    A bushy salvia hedg would be good for flowers all season long, and get up to about four ft. You'd have to find out how salvias do over winter where you are. Probably not evergreen where you are.
  • MarlorenaMarlorena Posts: 8,705
    The lawn is a decent size and rectangular.  I would have thought taking off an extra 6 inches or even 1 foot, straight across the top, wouldn't make a heap of difference, and gives a new hedge a bit more room to itself, and for you.. 

    I wouldn't put roses in the mix, it would look odd to me.. 

    With no pets, / children, I wouldn't be afraid of a short Yew hedge, clipped and shaped.  I just think they're fabulous at any height and fun to work with.. but not for everyone.. 
    East Anglia, England
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