Brewer’s hedge

GardenerFromScratch

I have about 20 metres of hedging to plant. I like the idea of edibles and natives but would prefer to have reasonably good density as it will be a boundary and the garden is narrow, so I’ll need to keep it trimmed fairly narrow. It’s going alongside the veg garden quite a distance from the house. Any suggestions/tips for plants that will/won’t be suitable? Does anyone have any pictures of something similar they could share? Thanks!

Fairygirl

I think that might be difficult to achieve. Many people would use espaliered fruit, or a grapevine if you live in a warm enough area, but it won't have the density you want. 

I'd go for a hornbeam or beech hedge which will take tight trimming. That would give you a dense hedge fairly quickly, and if kept below about ten to twelve feet, it retains foliage all winter. 
Others will have suggestions which might be more useful  though

steephill

Blackthorn (sloe) and/or cherry plum can both be used as hedging.

Fairygirl

I have a Blackthorn hedge and it's kept narrow. The only problem is the suckers, which may be a problem if the veg plot is anywhere near. They go a long way.
Lovely though 

steephill

Cherry plum suckers too as do lots of other prunus varieties. The fruit makes a lovely jam though

Fairygirl

I give the sloes to my sister, and anyone else who wants them @steephill, but the birds love them too 

josusa47

Hazel?

GardenerFromScratch

thanks for the suggestions - made some sloe gin at Christmas, which was the inspirations!

Silver surfer

A must have Euonymus euoropaeus...common name spindle.

https://www.google.com/search?q=Euonymus+europaeus&client=firefox-b-d&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiW_ouN687oAhUWUxUIHf3BA5IQ_AUoAXoECBYQAw&biw=1920&bih=944