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What hedge plants?

terriweathterriweath Posts: 8
in Plants
I have a "driveway" that's approx 40 metres long. It adjoins land owned by someone who just dumps rubbish on it so I want an evergreen hedge to hide it (just one side and faces south). I love Photinia red robin but wonder if I could mix other species with it. What other hedging plants would grow at the same rate?

Posts

  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @terriweath What type of soil do you have? Photinias hate very wet soil in the winter when they can be prone to leaf spot.
    Forty metres is long I think it could be expensive. There are on line companies such as Hedges Direct that you could look at but I haven't used them for years.
    The most important thing with any hedge is soil prep before planting.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • terriweathterriweath Posts: 8
    Good soil 6.5 PH. Was farmland. Yes good soil prep will be done first.
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    Photinia red robin grows at a rate of about 30 cm a year, depending on soil, climate, aspect and care. I think you would need to colour match the foliage too unless you like a varied look! One of the laurel varieties like Portuguese laurel might suit but check whether Photinia grows successfully in your area first as it can be prone to leaf spot. 
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


  • terriweathterriweath Posts: 8
    I moved into a house with many red robins in the back garden and they're all doing great. I just wondered which other hedging plants will grow at the same rate if I were to mix them.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Laurels can grow quite rapidly once established, especially cherry laurels, but I don't think it would really matter too much if you wanted to mix the Portuguese types in with the Photinias , as those grow well in your site already. You would just cut/trim to the size you like, and if one variety was slower, it would just need less trimming. It would only be a problem if the laurels were being crowded out too much early on - ie not getting enough light and moisture, so spacing would be important. 
    The colouring of the stems on the P. laurel would certainly work well with photinia.   :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • PlantmindedPlantminded Posts: 3,580
    That’s fine then @terriweath.  Portuguese laurel can grow a little faster at 20-40 cm a year but as @Fairygirl says it’s just down to pruning when necessary. Growth rates for different laurels are shown here:

    https://www.hopesgrovenurseries.co.uk/knowledge-base/how-fast-does-a-laurel-hedge-grow/
    Wirral. Sandy, free draining soil.


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