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Looking for ideas to tidy front of hedge area

KLKL Posts: 115
in Garden design
Hi, I’m sick of how the grass area looks that runs along the front of my hedge as it’s an eye sore. It’s also a trap for the leaves and any rubbish blowing around. 

Any ideas what I can do to firstly tidy the area and secondly to stop the leaves and rubbish collecting. I did thinking about removing the hedge for a cleaner look but i want to leave it as it gives some privacy to my living room window 

 

Posts

  • LoxleyLoxley Posts: 5,698
    You could put a timber edging across and underplant the hedge with something like Geranium macrorrhizum, or Pachysandra terminalis (just one plant in a mass, for a tidy appearance). Finish with a bark mulch. 
    "What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour". 
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    Do you know what your hedging plant is?  It looks deciduous which means it will lose leaves in autumn and also at other times, for example selective leaf fall if there's a drought.  You are therefore always going to get some leaf fall.  A retaining edge might help contain the leaves but not if the wind is strong!  A fence on the wall facing the road would give your hedge more protection and reduce the volume of leaves blowing on your lawn.  Alternatively, consider replacing your hedge with an evergreen plant such as Thuja plicata, Portuguese laurel or Griselinia littoralis if you live in a relatively mild area.
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    edited April 2023
    It would look much tidier with a clean edge to the lawn so that the hedge is central in the border rather than letting the grass grow right up to the base of the hedge. Leaves falling on the ground under the hedge aren't really a problem. They will break down gradually over time acting like a mulch. Litter will always be a problem in a front garden particularly with an open driveway/path. A solid gate with no gap underneath or between slats etc might keep some out but not all if the wind direction is right (or rather, wrong!).
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I agree totally with what @JennyJ has said. You need a proper edge between the grass and the hedge/border. Whether you put a physical edging in as well is down to preference.
    The space for the hedge is very narrow, which may not benefit it very well either, as the soil's never as good when you have the pavement on the other side of it - the footings affect the soil quality, and drainage etc.
    Leaves rot down and become part of the soil, and a great benefit to the hedge. If you feel they're unsightly, you could add a layer of bark as already suggested, after most have dropped - depending on what the hedge is.
    If they're clogging up  the bottom of the hedge, you could remove some with a hoe, or a  narrow fork, or something similar. Then mulch.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • KLKL Posts: 115
    Ok, thanks for your ideas, I agree 100% that it needs an edge between the grass and soil that the hedge is in, that will in itself smarten it up.

    The leaves unfortunately aren't only what comes from the hedge itself but there are several large trees close by and it's a massive amount every winter and a very windy area due to being so exposed. 

    I go back to work for 5 weeks next week so I think I will start with cutting in an edge for now and then when im home next leave I will see if it needs a physical edge, thanks. 

    Plantminded - im really not sure what the hedge is, it was there when I bought the house but it is 100% deciduous.
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    Sounds like a good start. If you have a garden at the back you could make a wire netting cage in the autumn to put all the fallen leaves in and over a year or two they'll make lovely leaf mould for mulching, soil improvement, adding to potting compost etc.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • NewnorthernIrishgardenerNewnorthernIrishgardener Posts: 52
    i had a similar issue i went to a local steel wholesaler and got a length of 3mm x 100mm flat steel 

    I edged along the base of the hedge where i wanted the edge to do and dug into the base of the hedge only taking about an inch off of the soil to the base of the hedge but sticking my spade in deeper along the edge making a sort of deeper slit

    i laid the steel down along the edge and used a rubber mallet to hammer the steel edging into the slot until it was level with the lawn 

    works very well, i then mulched around the bottom of the hedge and it looked great 

    sadly I don't live there any more or i would add pictures 
  • KLKL Posts: 115
    That sounds a good plan though maybe use aluminium so it doesn’t rust but I like the idea. 
  • KeenOnGreenKeenOnGreen Posts: 1,831
    We have a concrete edging below our hedge, and behind that we have gravel. Although our hedge is deciduous (Privet), I don't recall the leaves being a problem in the gravel. The edging isn't cheap. You could try using bricks as an alternative, but laid at an angle, that can look quite nice if done properly. 


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