Help planting a Hedge

MissTeaPot

Dear GW readers,

i have a newly created front-drive to my house which is situated along a main road. I’ve reserved a narrow flowerbed which goes along the perimeter of the driveway and I was hoping to use the parts that face the road for a hedge.

From late morning / lunchtime the drive is in full sun and somewhat of a sun trap so gets extremely hot with little wind. It remains sunny until sunset so we typically get 8 or more hours of sunshine. We added lots of lovely top soil and the flowerbeds seem to drain very well with no signs of water logging.

Givrn that the hedge is primarily for privacy screening, and noise/pollution reduction, I am wondering what hedge you might recommend? 

Ideally i I would like evergreen, or at least something that retains leaves to ensure year round function. I love Buxus but have been put off by the box blight and slow growing aspect. I also love Bay Laurel, Portuguese Laurel, Griselinia and have recently began looking at Beech.

Any words of wisdom to help in deciding?

AnniD

Hello @MissTeaPot
 Box is slow growing and is usually used for a low growing hedge more for decorative purposes,  if you know what l mean.
What sort of height are you thinking of?  Holly springs to mind , but other hedge experts on here will be able to advise.

amancalledgeorge

To me a double row of copper beech is so attractive and much nicer than the dreaded Portuguese laurel that seems to have taken over the world. But it is deciduous but rather like the way it holds to its leaves over winter. I planted a single row as a feature either side of a branch in our new garden and on its second year it is rather lovely. Also a Berberis would be a good alternative but you have to be ready to deal with its thorns when it needs a prune but again much better for the wildlife than ugly laurel 😉

Kate.harri

Laurel hedge plants are evergreen hedging, they are easy to grow, give great privacy, look good all year round.. 
https://www.hopesgrovenurseries.co.uk/shop/hedging/laurel-hedging/?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=SGM-Hedging-Laurel-BING&utm_term=Laurel%20hedging&utm_content=HGN-B-S-HDG-Laurel-EXACT

My my next door neighbour has those they grew pretty quickly too.
K

treehugger80

Ilex crenata (box leaved holly) grows very similar to box but without being susceptible to box blight or box caterpillar.

Lonciera Nitida comes in green, gold or variegated and grows quickly

both make good hedges.

MissTeaPot

Thanks everyone for taking the time to give some ideas.

I need to be able to keep the hedge pretty narrow on 2 sides; and deeper at the front. Sounds like I could do a double row of beech at the front and a single row on the sides? How deep would they get?

i like the ilex crenata alternative to box, and I do like the bay laurel hedge especially... but cost is also an issue, and space too. I don’t want something that will want to outgrow the plot I have. 

MissTeaPot

What’s people’s views on Thuja smaragd?