I've also grown other plants quite close to a conifer hedge but I'd be inclined to leave this as it is, simply for maintenance purposes. Even with an access strip, it's much easier to clear away the trimmings without a border or raised bed to contend with. Conifers do have a tendency to spread their roots widely in search of water though. I found that out when I moved here and had to replace and repair most of the drainage pipework. (The large conifer was also removed!)
Thank you all for your helpful advice, much appreciated.
GardenerSuze -Never had problems with lawn until now.The lawn is patchy because we put moss killer which appears to have killed the grass as well.
The whole area was once an lavish orchid in the Victorian times. The earth is good quality and it is a shame that previous owners put leylandii hedge, we trim twice a year which is a pain. Nonetheless, it has proven to be great for smaller birds flitting in and out of it. i am sure it acts like a protective barrier from air pollution (traffic,etc)
The raised bed is a brilliant idea, thank you! Will consider the height now and possibly 3/4 feet width with a 'path' along the edge of hedge.
Hellebores and little lime hydrangeas, pots for tulips sounds pefect against a horrible hedge, I can see it can completely transform it.
A lot of work, where do I start!? I will put a new post out
The earth is good quality and it is a shame that previous owners put leylandii hedge, we trim twice a year which is a pain. Nonetheless, it has proven to be great for smaller birds flitting in and out of it. i am sure it acts like a protective barrier from air pollution (traffic,etc)
Reading this, I am wondering why you do want to keep it. If you want a wildlife friendly hedge there are much better options, such as native hedging, that will also, with time, provide a barrier between you and the road. It would be a lot of work but given you don't sound like you love it I'd get rid of, rather than constantly having to work round it.
NormandyLiz, we cannot afford to remove, gardening services in the SE have increased sharply, estimate £1200-2000 removal of hedge. We are not next to a road but near enough. We would have to replace the hedge with fence as the neighbours keep dogs. Ten 6ft x 6ft wide fences installation costs £2,500 est. Near enough to totalling £5000
The garden is big enough to work around it, thank goodness.
But on the other hand, I agree, it would be worth removing it instead of working around it.
Crikey, @HeyHo!. We had the leylandii hedge taken down from 3 sides of our garden when we bought the house 5 years ago, probably 200m or so. I think it cost about 500€, including removal. With a cost yours that I can see why you want (have) to leave it.
Yes - cost is often the overriding factor. If you can work with what you have, in a way that means you can have something more attractive, that's the best solution. It may take a bit of experimenting. I wouldn't have tulips there though - it's not likely to be sunny enough for them if it's suitable for hydrangeas and hellebores, so they'll lean. There's loads of plants which will suit, but it's the growing medium and climate that will determine the success. I can grow all sorts of stuff directly under, and next to, conifers, but others will struggle to keep anything alive.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
If you really wanted tulips you could grow them in big pots in an open sunny place, stand them in amongst the hydrangeas and hellebores when the flowers start to open ( in shade they will lean towards the light though), then move them back to a sunny spot to finish dying down. Daffidils/narcissi would be much happier and could go in the ground/raised bed permanently.
Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
Posts
I wouldn't have tulips there though - it's not likely to be sunny enough for them if it's suitable for hydrangeas and hellebores, so they'll lean. There's loads of plants which will suit, but it's the growing medium and climate that will determine the success. I can grow all sorts of stuff directly under, and next to, conifers, but others will struggle to keep anything alive.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...