As a gardener, you know the value of a well-maintained hedge. Hedges provide natural screening, they define garden spaces and areas, they protect vulnerable garden plants and they can even form distinctive features in a grand – or not so grand design.

When you’re planning a hedge, there are many factors that can be taken into account:

• Hedges are the most natural form of garden boundary and have been used for centuries to keep out intruders or animals and to create shelter and privacy
• Hedges are a key part of the garden landscape, acting as a living, green backdrop to colourful borders and lawns
• A hedge can last longer than a fence and just as long as a wall – and are usually less expensive than either
• Hedges provide shelter for plants, and people, from the wind
• A hedge attracts insects, birds and butterflies and helps to build biodiversity in your garden
• Hedges that produce berries are a great source of food and shelter for garden birds.
• A hedge helps absorb noise and dust.
• Planting a hedge is a great idea if you want to hide an unattractive feature such as rubbish bins, washing lines, compost heaps or ugly buildings
• If you are exposed to a sea wind, use Holm Oak (Quercus Ilex), Eleagnus Ebbingei, Euonymus Japonica
• In inland areas, Holly (Ilex aquifolium), Yew (Taxus baccata), Privet (Ligustrum ovalifolium) , Osmanthus , Western Red Cedar (Thuya plicata) and Laurels (Prunus spp.) all make good evergreen hedges, while Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus), Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) and Beech (Fagus sylvatica) make excellent deciduous alternatives