5 Evergreen Hedges You May Not Have Considered

5 Evergreen hedges you may not have considered

 

The last of autumn’s colourful leaves are still holding on but it will not be long before they too fall and the deciduous trees and hedges are laid bare, just showing their structure. With the loss of their leaves, it changes the views and the vista from a garden and makes it more open and less secluded. This is where the evergreens come in to play and show themselves to their best. 

 

When we are walking a visitor around the nursery and mention Evergreen hedges everyone seems to think of Common Laural (Prunus Rotundifolia) and Photinia Red Robin and occasionally Portugal Laurel (Prunus lus. Angustifolia). These are all great hedges but there are some other less well-known plants that make just as good hedging and that can be used in a variety of different situations. Below we take a look at 5 evergreen hedges you may not have considered. 

 

Osmanthus burkwoodii 

 

 

This evergreen hedge has a small leaf slightly bigger than a Box plant leaf and is a lovely dark, semi glossy green. Clipped up it makes a great dense and tight hedge which can look very formal if that is how it is wanted. It can also be left to be a little bit more open and natural, if that’s the preference. In the spring, this hedge produces clusters of small white flowers which are highly perfumed. If kept tightly clipped, you will get less of the flowers than if left to be a bit more natural looking. The Osmanthus Burkwoodii can be used as a low hedge at 40-50cm tall up to about 1.5 metres in height. In our experience it has also been used in formal gardens that have a Deer problem, as the deer did not nibble on the plants! 

 

Phillyrea angustifolia 

 

 

This Mediterranean looking hedge, has been mistaken by some customers as an Olive when walking round as it has a green, thin, elongated leaf. Used extensively in Victorian times, this plant type fell out of fashion for a while but is now making a comeback! The Phillyrea Angustifolio makes for for a very good mid height hedge. Suitable for growing in a warm dry area, Phillyrea will help to give a more mediterranean feel to a garden. 

 

Ilex crenata Dark Green 

 

 

Commonly called Japanese Holly, this is a low and slow growing evergreen hedge. Often touted as a replacement for the much-loved Box hedge, its leaves are slightly smaller, and it does not look quite as dense. We have grown it on the nursery with great success, as a low hedge. It will perform best in a free draining slightly acidic soil.   

 

Pittosporum ten. Golf Ball 

 

 

Another one that is used as a Box replacement, this hedge has a lovely light grey green leaf and a soft appearance. In fact, compared to some of the alternative evergreen hedging, this is quite a soft and flexible hedge. This makes it a good option for areas where children might be playing as it will bounce back from anything that bounces into it! It is best suited to more southerly counties than the north but can be grown in a sheltered position with no problem. 

 

Photinia Carre Rouge

 

 

A medium sized hedge when fully grown this evergreen hedge is a close relation of Photinia ‘Red Robin’, with the same stunning red leaves on the new growth. The leaves are much smaller than its better known relative, but this is a great positive as it makes the plant appear denser and can also be trimmed up into a very formal look. Relatively new as a hedge for us, it is fast becoming a firm favourite and always catches the eye when we put it on to a show stand. 

 

So there you have it, five evergreen hedges you may not have considered for your garden. To speak to a member of the team about what might work best for you or to pay a visit to our nursery, make sure to get in touch!