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Shrub border to hedge.

madpenguinmadpenguin Posts: 2,543
edited February 2023 in Garden design
I have a narrow north facing border which originally was just for a few shrubs. Currently 2 Pyracantha, a Euonymus and a Privet which will stay.
My neighbour has a new fence which has now give me extra depth at the back of the border so thought I may make the border into a hedge.
It all looks a bit thin now so want to make into a hedge which is fairly thick
I want eventually to just be able to clip back the hedge at the front and top to keep it neat and hopefully provide nesting sites for birds so would need to be 'twiggy' within.
I am thinking of possibly Privet (gold or green) and Cotoneaster franchettii.
Want everything to mingle.
Does this all seem a good idea and how close should I put new plants.


“Every day is ordinary, until it isn't.” - Bernard Cornwell-Death of Kings

Posts

  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    Could you plant the fan shaped Cotoneaster Horizontalis all the way along the fence. You will need a few wires across for support. If a fence panel needs replacing in future this climber can just be tilted forward and then put back. Deciduous but a lovely winter shape. Tiny white/pink flowers in spring. Berries in Autumn. You will need to prune out any forward growing stems. 
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • madpenguinmadpenguin Posts: 2,543
    I do have a couple of Cotoneaster Horizontalis in small pots which I could add to the mix!
    “Every day is ordinary, until it isn't.” - Bernard Cornwell-Death of Kings
  • ch3shirecat4ch3shirecat4 Posts: 11
    this looks amazing! love it
  • KeenOnGreenKeenOnGreen Posts: 1,831
    We love our Privet hedges (the variegated variety Argenteum is my favourite), but our Pyracantha hedge is much better for wildlife, with the blossom and berries. If you don't mind the thorns, that would make a nice addition. It can be trained horizontally or vertically on wires, if necessary.

    Difficult to guage your current spacing, but I would say probably no more than 1 or 2 plants in any of those gaps. Privet grows very quickly, and one plant would fill out the gap in a couple of years. Pyracantha and a lot of other shrubs would probably do the same. It's better to underspace, than to cram too many in.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    It'll come down to the size of the plants you put in, and how easy it is to avoid existing root systems, but it should be easy enough. 
    Small bits of privet could certainly go in, and if you do need access, it won't mind being chopped.
    Cotoneaster is always a good bet, for the same reason. Even the big hefty ones can be kept trimmed quite easily  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • robairdmacraignilrobairdmacraignil Posts: 782
    I think your suggestion of Cotoneaster franchettii is a good one. They can easily grow bigger than the shrubs already there so only a few would be needed. I like the way they keep a lot of their leaves over winter with some making nice colours before falling, they have the berries to support birds, flowers that seem to be really popular with bees and if kept regularly trimmed can make the dense structure of twigs you mention. Only issue I have with them is the tendency to self seed so I have more than I'd ideally want and feel bad digging them out if I don't have anywhere to put them. Personally I'd leave out adding more privet. Osmanthus burkwoodii might be another one to consider with nice early flowers just starting here now.
    Happy gardening!
    https://www.youtube.com/user/sustainableveg/videos
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