"catkin" wrote

We're about to plant a hedge, preferable evergreen. we want something
reasonably easy to maintain but which will not take too long to look
"hedge like". we are on quite heavy clay and this will be in a south
facing garden with trees so not too sunny. So far I've come up with holly.
Does this sound like a good choice? All our other hedges are hornbeam but
they are a bit too see through in the winter and the hedge will divide teh
driveway from teh garden so we want it to be (a) dense so that we cannot
see the cars adn (b) reasonably child proof. How quickly will holly bush
out into a hedge? (We can have a temporary fence to start with next to
it.) Also I've seen plants advertised in teh back of GW. In particular
Hopes Grove nurseries - has anyone used these? We don't know whether to go
mail order or try to find a garden centre selling plants. We'd also
appreciate any advice re size to buy. This lot sell 4-5 foot in pots.
would that establish okay or would we be better off with smaller ones? Any
advice appreciated .
thanks in advance,

--
Hayley
gardening on clay in Somerset

Hi Hayley

I planted a mixed shrub hedge bordering our front boundary.
The location is yorkshire also onto clay.
Added plenty of compost local to the planting site.
Used the following stock:
Photinia, Escallonia, Ceanothus, Catoneaster and Eleagnus.
Gives a nice mixture of shades of green, flowers, berries and scents - all
evergreen.

The result seems to be appreciated by the more discerning neighbours.

HTH

Phil