Yew or Privet?

Pennyroyaltea

Hello, 

We are planning to put a hedge in our garden to separate the driveway from the garden and I was wondering if I should go Privet or Yew?

Very new to gardening so any advice would be greatly received!

Thank you!

Fairygirl

Hi @Pennyroyaltea - privet grows much more rapidly than yew, and therefore needs more trimming. It largely depends on how much time you have for maintenance 
Both make good hedges though. 

Pennyroyaltea

@Fairygirl thank you very much 😀

Fairygirl

Take a look at some of the online hedging specialists too - there's often good info there. I've used this company a few times 
https://www.hopesgrovenurseries.co.uk/

You can get an idea of prices etc too, and whether plants will suit your conditions. 

JennyJ

How tall and wide do you want it to be? Privet can be kept quite short and narrow if you are on top of the clipping. Not sure about yew (although, unlike most other conifers, it can be cut back hard if needed).

SydRoy

Yew isn't keen on damp soil.

Loxley

If conditions are suitable, yew. Don't overlook beech or hornbeam though.

Fairygirl

SydRoy said:

Yew isn't keen on damp soil.

I'd have to disagree with you. It grows perfectly well here, and the ground is always damp in this neck of the woods. It depends on drainage.
Waterlogged soil however, is a different matter. 

SueAtoo

The link is a good one. Don't overlook the non-traditional plants.

K.e.dziubinska

Go for Yew! A lovely looking native species that is good for bird nesting and berries for wildlife to eat in Autumn.