A Green Velvet Boxwood grows about 4-6 feet upon maturity and also fast growing. Best for growing zones 5-8. Since the mature width is 3-5 feet, I don't think the roots can reach and damage the pipes. But i'm not sure though. It's just my guess. I never heard anyone having problems with pipes when it comes to shrubs.
Buxus is not fast growing - you can be dead before it gets to 6ft as that takes 20-50 years depending on position. It is also expensive - over £1 per 9cm plant. A bare root wip is about 60p for a native hedge tree that will reach 4-6ft in 3 years. Also the Zones system form the USA are of no use in the UK as out temperatures are milder in winter but much much wetter - it can be bone dry in a US winter and winter is longer here than in the US as we are far more northern.
The rooted box cuttings I planted 18-20 years ago have almost reached 6' where not clipped. In that time hawthorn,spindle, laurel, hazel and many others are twice or three times that height.
I have inherited a hedge of Prunus Lusitania (aka Portugese Laurel) which I really like because
it's evergreen & dense & abt 2m high
it seems to grow quite quickly but...
I only have to cut it once a year in summer
it has retained a nice shape
the foliage is good for cutting (flower arrangements & Xmas decs)
it's not prickly!
Whatever you plant, soil preparation and watering will be the key to success.
I have found Red Robin can be leggy and also split, so I would be wary of using it where you need screening. Also be wary of choosing something just because it is fast growing - it will continue to be so & you'll be forever cutting it.
I have also not heard of deep pipes being affected by shrubs. The real culprits are thirsty water seekers such as willow (so dont be tempted by a "fedge"!).
Good luck.
Heaven is ... sitting in the garden with a G&T and a cat while watching the sun go down
Hi I'm with nutcutlet, I planted a hornbeam hedge mixed with hawthorn and it's lovely, the birds get in there too and have had blackbirds nesting even though it runs alongside a pavement. Advantages of hornbeam and hawthorn is that they're not fussy about soil and can grow well in most types of conditions.
The hornbeam is just like beech but faster, creates the same effect, leaves stay on in winter if hedge is clipped. I got mine from Buckingham nurseries too, they're very good. Although a lot of nurseries are now supply various saplings for hedges.
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I like a mix with the emphasis on hawthorn. A lot of our early tree and shrub plantings came fom Buckingham Nurseries
http://www.hedging.co.uk/acatalog/index.html
In the sticks near Peterborough
Ah yes, but a holly hedge is no good if next to a lawn - those leaves take forever to break down & think of the prickles on bare feet - ouch!
Buxus is not fast growing - you can be dead before it gets to 6ft as that takes 20-50 years depending on position. It is also expensive - over £1 per 9cm plant. A bare root wip is about 60p for a native hedge tree that will reach 4-6ft in 3 years. Also the Zones system form the USA are of no use in the UK as out temperatures are milder in winter but much much wetter - it can be bone dry in a US winter and winter is longer here than in the US as we are far more northern.
The rooted box cuttings I planted 18-20 years ago have almost reached 6' where not clipped. In that time hawthorn,spindle, laurel, hazel and many others are twice or three times that height.
In the sticks near Peterborough
I have inherited a hedge of Prunus Lusitania (aka Portugese Laurel) which I really like because
Whatever you plant, soil preparation and watering will be the key to success.
I have found Red Robin can be leggy and also split, so I would be wary of using it where you need screening. Also be wary of choosing something just because it is fast growing - it will continue to be so & you'll be forever cutting it.
I have also not heard of deep pipes being affected by shrubs. The real culprits are thirsty water seekers such as willow (so dont be tempted by a "fedge"!).
Good luck.
Hi I'm with nutcutlet, I planted a hornbeam hedge mixed with hawthorn and it's lovely, the birds get in there too and have had blackbirds nesting even though it runs alongside a pavement. Advantages of hornbeam and hawthorn is that they're not fussy about soil and can grow well in most types of conditions.
The hornbeam is just like beech but faster, creates the same effect, leaves stay on in winter if hedge is clipped. I got mine from Buckingham nurseries too, they're very good. Although a lot of nurseries are now supply various saplings for hedges.
Good luck