Leylandii hedge - flower bed -yes/no?

HeyHo! · August 2023

Is it worth putting a flower bed along side old leylandii hedge? Will it work or would I be wasting my time?

It would be east facing and shadow of the hedge most of the time.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6030279/uploads/editor/zg/e42w6etlylzu.jpg

At the moment, st johns wort and hydrangea plant grows along one end of the hedge. This gave me the idea of forming a flowerbed (2 feet wide) and put few small shrubs with a decorative edge to the flower bed.

Perhaps planting hydrangea shrubs would make it easier to trim the hedge.

Is this a ridiculous idea?

Loxley · August 2023

Not a bad idea, but two feet isn't wide enough. You won't really be able to expect anything to thrive within two feet of the hedge, and it will also look a bit out of proportion. If you can make the border 5 or 6 feet wide it would work much better, and leave a strip at the back where you can shuffle along with your hedge trimmers.

JennyJ · August 2023

I agree, you'll need the 2 or 3 feet width for a "path" at the back of the border for hedge maintenance (depends how far back from the hedge you need to stand to reach the top). That will also be the worst of the root zone of the conifers which will be sucking the water and nutrients out of the soil. The "path" could be left as grass if you're prepared to run the mower along, or bark/wood chips. Chips would be harder to sweep up the clippings from, but you can put down a dust sheet or similar to catch them.

rowlandscastle444 · August 2023

Personally, I'd removed the leylandii, and replace with a less nutrient-sucking hedge, thus giving the plants in the flower bed a greater chance of survival.

However, if that's either not possible, unrealistic, or not favourable, then definitely increase the width of the border if possible.

GardenerSuze · August 2023

@HeyHo! I was looking at your lawn that seems to be struggling in places. Could it be the leylandii roots? You need to see if there is any depth of soil or is it all surface roots?

SalixGold · August 2023

A lot of people have asked this question and the answer has usually been 'yes'. A deep raised bed might help as you will have the Leyland competing for water and nutrient.

Wild_Violet · August 2023

Like previous poster I agree a raised bed would help. I have a similar set up that gets morning sun up until lunchtime and have planted box balls as well as hellebores and little lime hydrangeas. I’ve also added some pots for tulips etc.

Fairygirl · August 2023

There's several things to consider.
If you're keeping the hedge - I'm guessing that's a 'yes', then a clear path for maintenance is definitely required, as said. At least a couple of feet.
If you don't have enough rainfall getting to a border to ensure it gets into it properly and consistently, you'll either need to pick plants which suit drier conditions, or you'll need to be vigilant with watering.
If you have a raised bed - which is really the best idea, it needs to be a decent enough height so that you have adequate depth of good soil for your plants - and it will need to be soil. The width of a raised bed is less important than if you have a bed in the ground, but the closer it is to the hedge, and the narrower it is, the more shady it will be, so planting will have to be considered to suit that.
East facing isn't necessarily a problem, but the moisture levels of the growing medium is what matters. The shadier aspect will mean it won't dry out so quickly, but it won't benefit from wetter conditions in winter because it isn't a deciduous hedge.

Pete.8 · August 2023

I recall a thread from a year or two ago where someone had put in a big raised bed in front of a hedge.
They found that after a few years the roots from the hedge discovered the fertile soil in the raised beds and the raised beds subsequently became a mass of roots from the hedge.

Busy-Lizzie · August 2023

I don't think I would bother. It will be really dry and shady and probably full of roots. I have a Leylandii hedge and not even grass grows along it. Why not find a more suitable part of the garden and make a bed there?

Fairygirl · August 2023

Again - it comes down to your conditions and climate. I can easily grow stuff under conifers here, although obviously, it's still experimental and you have to use appropriate plants. Lots of gardens have planting in front of large hedges, and it isn't a problem at all. I can also understand why people would want something in front of a dominant hedge - especially conifers, as they aren't particularly bonny.
I also wonder if the 'root' problem so often mentioned is because of lighter, drier soil, making it easier for roots to surface - looking for moisture. We really don't have that problem because of the type of soil and the conditions.
I've often had raised beds or plants right in front of conifers. My old house, round the corner from here, now has a [hideous] leylandii hedge but all the plants nearby - most of which I planted - are still fine. There's two mature trees still there [a maple and a lime] sitting in the boundary, as well.

Leylandii hedge - flower bed -yes/no?

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