I have recently moved into a house that has a small patio area at the front
of it (15ft x 8ft). The previous owners had planned to put a hedge around
two sides of this area and have created a brick trough that stands about two
feet high and and one foot wide.. There is nothing planted in there at the
moment but I would like to put a hedge in, that will eventually ideally be
about 6ft or so high.

I had initially thought about planting Leylandii and checked out the section
in the urg faq. Would it grow ok in such a contained space, would the small
space for roots restrict its growth and would it break out of the trench? Or
should I try something else?

I know almost nothing about gardening, and this is my first venture at
cultivating anything other than a houseplant, so apologies if it's something
obvious

thanks for any advice

Paul

In article , Paul
writes
I have recently moved into a house that has a small patio area at the front
of it (15ft x 8ft). The previous owners had planned to put a hedge around
two sides of this area and have created a brick trough that stands about two
feet high and and one foot wide.. There is nothing planted in there at the
moment but I would like to put a hedge in, that will eventually ideally be
about 6ft or so high.

I had initially thought about planting Leylandii and checked out the section
in the urg faq. Would it grow ok in such a contained space, would the small
space for roots restrict its growth and would it break out of the trench? Or
should I try something else?

Leylandii are sensitive to drying out, which will be the major problem
with growing anything in the trough.


--
Kay Easton

Edward's earthworm page:
http://www.scarboro.demon.co.uk/garden/

"Paul" wrote in message .. .
I have recently moved into a house that has a small patio area at the front
of it (15ft x 8ft). The previous owners had planned to put a hedge around
two sides of this area and have created a brick trough that stands about two
feet high and and one foot wide.. There is nothing planted in there at the
moment but I would like to put a hedge in, that will eventually ideally be
about 6ft or so high.
If that really *is* a trough - ie has a solid bottom then anything trying to get to your target size will have a hard
time. If it's practical to knock the bottom out or make some decent drainage holes that will give you a wider choice of
plants. Does it *have* to be 6ft - what about something like Miss Jessop's upright Rosemary? not quite 6ft but fairly
substantial if it grows well. Likes dryish poor conditions and the smell................;-)))))))
Better get some spring lambs in the freezer. Just enjoy the plant for its own sake if you're of the veggie tendency.

Rod

Thanks for the advice, I will have a look next weekend and see how far down
it goes and if there's any drainage.

6ft's not an absolute requirement, just an ideal. lower would be fine.

"Paul" wrote in message
.. .
I have recently moved into a house that has a small patio area at the
front
of it (15ft x 8ft). The previous owners had planned to put a hedge around
two sides of this area and have created a brick trough that stands about
two
feet high and and one foot wide.. There is nothing planted in there at the
moment but I would like to put a hedge in, that will eventually ideally be
about 6ft or so high.

I had initially thought about planting Leylandii and checked out the
section
in the urg faq. Would it grow ok in such a contained space, would the
small
space for roots restrict its growth and would it break out of the trench?
Or
should I try something else?

If you only want to screen the area, I would put up trellis and grow
climbing plants on it. The trellis provides an instant screen and the choice
of plants is much wider. However, as others have said, you need to know
whether it is a trough or simply two parallel walls, as a trough will be
likely to cause you problems.

Colin Bignell

nightjar wrote in :


"Paul" wrote in message
.. .
I have recently moved into a house that has a small patio area at the
front
of it (15ft x 8ft). The previous owners had planned to put a hedge
around two sides of this area and have created a brick trough that
stands about
two
feet high and and one foot wide.. There is nothing planted in there
at the moment but I would like to put a hedge in, that will
eventually ideally be about 6ft or so high.


If you only want to screen the area, I would put up trellis and grow
climbing plants on it. The trellis provides an instant screen and the
choice of plants is much wider. However, as others have said, you need
to know whether it is a trough or simply two parallel walls, as a
trough will be likely to cause you problems.

This is a good idea, but if it really is a trough, and only two feet
deep by one foot wide, I suggest putting the posts in the ground, not in
the trough, or stability could be an issue, even for a trellis!

If you can't anchor it properly, pretty much anything that is 6 feet
tall is going to be at risk of blowing over in a high wind. Stick the
trellis posts just outside the trough and then plant your climbers
inside it, and you have all sorts of options.

Also it won't be quite as dark as a 15x8ft space surrounded by Leylandii
- which would feel very much like being in a box!

Victoria Clare

In article ,
(Victoria Clare) wrote:

Also it won't be quite as dark as a 15x8ft space surrounded by
Leylandii

Not all Leylandii are the same. I have some with a lot of yellow in the
leaves and it's quite cheery

Steve Harris - Cheltenham - Real address steve AT netservs DOT com