"Rupert (W.Yorkshire)" wrote in message
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wrote in message
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Hello,

I am looking to buy a hedge for our garden. I'd like it to be about 4
ft high. I'd prefer not to buy a Leylandii because of all the bad
press they seem to have. Is this deserved?

What hedge do you recommend? Is Yew the best?

Thanks.

There really is not a best hedge, even Leylandii can make a superb hedge
but as Des has pointed out it is high maintenance. Thuja is a good
alternative to Leylandi but again it is high maintenance.
Yew is excellent but can look a little funereal and dull. There are yellow
versions which can liven things up.
The list is endless--don't forget beech,hornbeam and even good old
Ligustrum

Privet is dull but very forgiving and the leaves are easy to compost if you
run over them with a lawn mower.
It is approximately 1,000,000 times better than Leylandii and approximately
19 times better than Pyracantha.
Birds seem happy enough to nest in it if it is thick enough.

(privet).
Let's complicate things and suggest a mixed hedge:-)

ahhhh or even a country/wildlife hedge with (wild/native) roses, blackthorn,
hawthorn, even brambles, hazel, viburnum, crab apples, elder etc.
Would require some planning but the ole birds and de bees would love ya. It
would have to be hacked back periodically to stop it turning into a mixed
forest.