Should I create a bed for a hedge?

Louise B · June 2016

Hi,

I have a patio path running alongside the house that has a 5cm drop at the edge that meets with a sloping lawn.

I want to plant a hedge along this edge to hide the drop and I can't decide if I should just plant to hedge through the turf or if I should dig a bed in the turf?

I was thinking that a bed would define it better until it grows and perhaps allow for some weed liner and mulch, but perhaps this is unnecessary?

Should I just dig out the turf or should I use some sort of border too?

Would the hedge just kill off anything trying to grow under it by blocking out the light and a natural bed be formed?

I want whichever will be less effort in the long term and look better but I don't want to waste time and effort now.

Thanks

Fairygirl · June 2016

Hi Louise - make a clearly defined border for your hedge and prepare it well. That will pay dividends as it will get your hedging off to a good start. Treat it the same as you would any shrub, ie, improve the soil with well rotted manure(if possible) and compost before planting, water in thoroughly and mulch. Water in dry spells until the hedge establishes.

Planting into turf is always a mistake as the hedge has to compete with the grass for water and nutrients. You'll also just get grass growing in amongst the hedging which is a pain to keep tidy. Depending on the aspect, the hedge will create shade on the grass, but it's only an issue if you allow the hedge to get very wide. You can always increase the size of the border anyway, so that you can maintain a neat edging to the grass.

Louise B · June 2016

Thanks a lot Fairygirl

Do you have any suggestions as to the best plant to use for such a hedge?

I was thinking a single species hedge but something small and compact as its within the garden rather than on the boundary.

The thing is its going to span for about 15m snaking around the side of the house so I don't know if it would look like overkill?

I don't know how to soften an otherwise harsh line without letting it grow out too much.

chicky · June 2016

How high do you want the hedge to be ? And do you want evergreen? Or something that flowers?

Yew makes a nice evergreen hedge, and beech is a nice deciduous one - whatever you choose is going to need trimming at least once a year if you want to keep it compact.

Fairygirl · June 2016

As chicky has said - it depends what you want and what you like. If you can post a couple of pix of your garden to give an idea of where it would be, that would also help. If it's fairly sunny and you have a good climate in general, many people would opt for Lavender. They'll give uniformity but don't have to be clipped like a more formal hedge. Some of the smaller Hebes will also give a similar effect.

Louise B · June 2016

I want to hedge to be no more than 2-3 foot really.

Flowering would be nice but I suppose evergreen would be less mess.

I do like to make things wildlife friendly if possible.

Should I create a bed for a hedge?

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