I have a failing leylandii hedge-on-stilts in very poor "builders'" soil. I have planted Yew plugs to replace them in time. I another spot I have a camellia. Thriving.
Laurel would work too. Don't be too hasty with yours.
location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand. "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
@f4f5wkv568j-5VXIZg, you can be quite creative with your raised bed if you have the time and budget available. Incorporating a seat/bench or small pond could make a big difference to your view! Here's some tips which might help you:
Raised beds will be far less work/maintenance than pots
Yes @GardenerSuze - it's a common problem. If there's room, making a border bigger is the best solution, but raised beds help to get some height for planting a bit quicker. Depends on the plants that are put in, of course. I agree with @Nollie too - a space between a bed/border and the hedge provides room for bits and pieces. Very, very useful.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I have a similar situation and my solution was fairly brutal. I dug a trench through the roots along the length of the hedge about 15” from the main trunks and laid some old slabs along it to prevent the roots growing back. I then back filled the trench. I was young and limber back then so the effort wasn’t a problem. I didn’t really care about the hedge and I’d a plan B if it died, to strip it out to the bare bones and grow a selection of honeysuckles through it.
Much as I liked the honeysuckle plan, the hedge lived and thrives to this day. Plants that have done well are Foxgloves, Hellebores, Astilbes, Campanula persicifolia, Thalictrum, Anenome japonica. Just about anything really that survives in that aspect because there’s no competition with the confer roots.
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I have a failing leylandii hedge-on-stilts in very poor "builders'" soil. I have planted Yew plugs to replace them in time. I another spot I have a camellia. Thriving.
Laurel would work too. Don't be too hasty with yours.
"Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
Gardening Tips for Raised Beds | BBC Gardeners World Magazine
Yes @GardenerSuze - it's a common problem. If there's room, making a border bigger is the best solution, but raised beds help to get some height for planting a bit quicker. Depends on the plants that are put in, of course.
I agree with @Nollie too - a space between a bed/border and the hedge provides room for bits and pieces. Very, very useful.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...