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Small Evergreen Hedge

DitsyDitsy Posts: 196
in Plants
Please could I have some suggestions for a small approx 4ft hedge. A few years ago I mistakenly planted laurels which I soon realised were going to get too big. I then planted Griselinina but they got badly frost damaged last year and several died so I have no confidence in them now.

I have been considering little red robin but I'm not sure if they will be big enough.

Any ideas please?
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  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @Ditsy Photinias have struggled over winter but most now seem to be doing well. I would be concerned if your soil is very wet over winter and/or the site is very windy.
    Alot of evergreens have suffered this winter due to extremes of weather.
    I like Euonymous Jean Hughes, Slow growing but that is what you get with a plant that makes a 1m max. Mature plants therefore could be expensive. Non the less an alternative.

    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    I have a Photinia "Little Red Robin" which is still only a foot or so high after about 5 years. It might grow faster in richer, wetter conditions.
    Privet can be kept that small but does need cutting a few times a year (mine is kept at about 5 feet).
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 3,742
    Another option may be Lonicera nitida.  Makes a nice thick hedge and can be trimmed to keep to the height you require.
  • DitsyDitsy Posts: 196
    GardenerSuze said:
    @Ditsy Photinias have struggled over winter but most now seem to be doing well. I would be concerned if your soil is very wet over winter and/or the site is very windy.
    Alot of evergreens have suffered this winter due to extremes of weather.
    I like Euonymous Jean Hughes, Slow growing but that is what you get with a plant that makes a 1m max. Mature plants therefore could be expensive. Non the less an alternative.

    Thank you, yes the sight is pretty exposed so maybe Photininias would struggle too. I have just looked at Euonymous JH nearly perfect if only a little bigger. I am trying to stop delivery drivers cutting across my front lawn to get to my parcel obsessed neighbour. JennyJ said:
    I have a Photinia "Little Red Robin" which is still only a foot or so high after about 5 years. It might grow faster in richer, wetter conditions.
    Privet can be kept that small but does need cutting a few times a year (mine is kept at about 5 feet).

    Wow they are slow growing then. Yes privet would be perfect but don't they take years to get going?

    philippasmith2 said:
    Another option may be Lonicera nitida.  Makes a nice thick hedge and can be trimmed to keep to the height you require.
    Thank you I had never heard of this, it looks interesting, is it hardy? I would like to see it IRL somewhere.
  • bertrand-mabelbertrand-mabel Posts: 2,697
    edited June 2023
    What about Sarcococca confusa? You can allow it to grow to what ever height and it is easily pruned back. Wonderful small flowers with a gorgeous fragrance late winter/early spring.
    It is everygreen and hardy.
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    I was going to suggest Pittosporum - there are small ones and very big ones - all of which can be cut back to whatever size you want. But your location may be less than ideal for them.
    Sarcococca is a very good suggestion.
    They're tough as old boots and very happy even in deep shade, some are more attractive than others.

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    I don't think Sarcococca would be a good idea for full sun. The problem is with any small hedge you want it to stay small. So you either pay less for your plants buy small and wait or buy something a little bigger which could be expensive. The nurseryman has probably looked after slow growing plants for years and needs to be paid accordingly.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    A house about 100ft away has a sarcococca hedge in their east-facing front garden.
    I've seen better specimens, but as far as I can remember they've never touched any of the shrubs in their fg for about 10 years.
    Another house has quite a selection of them in their south-facing front garden that looks great in late winter and early spring.
    They have a combination of sarcococca, pittosporum and bright red dogwood stems.
    It looks good all year round.

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • KeenOnGreenKeenOnGreen Posts: 1,831
    Privet grows very quickly once established.  We especially love the variegated variety.  

    We lost some Pittosporum this Winter, and we are in London, so I am more wary of recommending them now.  
  • DitsyDitsy Posts: 196
    From about 1pm the front is in full sun. I do think I am going to struggle. I wonder if Sacacococca will be big enough. At the moment I like Lonicera Nitida but on hedges direct read that they don't like exposed sights. The laurels had I had enough space would of been perfect but I could see them getting out of hand.
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