Which evergreen and/or broadleaf?

DBIreland

Hi all,
I recently received planning and as one of the conditions it says I need to "screen the development from the public road by the planting of evergreen and broad-leafed trees".

I know absolutley nothing about plants and gardening so I don't know what plants I could put there.
Does anyone have any suggestions suitable for roadside boundary hedging etc. Preferably it would require little maintenance and if it would be full of thorns that would be great too!

Any advice apprectiated,
DBIreland

lawdylawd

whatever you do dont put in conifers(leyllandi) they are a huge mistake. they grow too big take too many nutrients from the soil and you will have too to replace them in about ten years. you could go for a laurel hedge which is a large evergreen leaf but may attract mossies/midges or grisselinia which is another green evergreen. all hedges will require maintenance twice a year to keep them looking neat. my personal preference is for a mixed hedge with laurel, hornbeam,beech, hawthorn,honeysuckle etc. a double hedge with off-set planting will become a good screen in a couple of years. if you wanted immediate effect larger specimens can be used but the cost is obviously higher.

Sonnenblumen

Incredible range of options, site conditions, aspect, desired height etc will need to be considered.

Shrub Options: Olearia hasstii, Olearia Macrodonta perhaps aslo Viburnum Tinus, Photinia (Red Robin)

Trees: Pittosporum Var, Holly (Ilex)- but very slow grower.

More ornamental Trees but big includes Mimosa, Acacia Dealbata even Olive!!

bauderline

I planted a red robin hedge about two years ago, the hedge is starting to form now and looks well. Would recommend them.

Agree that leyllandi are terrible looking, they are about as natural looking as a PVC fence.

A good wild hedge as lawdylawd describes is hard to beat. The honeysuckle gives the hedge a bit of colour and give off a nice scent in the summer. A few roses bushes thrown into the mix will really set it off !

moceri

Try to use indigenous species where possible: Blackthorn produces White Blossom & sloes which provides winter food for birds. Whitethorn Produces attractive Red Hawes (berries). Interplant with Field maple to establish good height Quickly.

Beech and Hornbeam retain their dried leaves for winter interest and screening.

English Yew, Holly, Laurel or Box provide all year round formal evergreen screening but can be slow to establish.


For an informal attractive hedge, interplant Rugosa Roses: Alba(White) or Rubra (Mauve), Wildroses: Lady Penzance (sweetbriar), Rosa Eglanteria (apple Fragrance). Lilac Trees (White or Mauve), Honeysuckle.

twenty8

Before you decide on getting thorns (whitethorn etc) look at where you are putting the hedge. Whitethorn is a nightmare when you cut it and unless you are incredibly careful with the trimmings you will nearly definately get a puncture.