Produce A Wonderful Screen Using Some Versatile Hedging Plants

Hedging plants can be used effectively to suit a range of different purposes. As well as creating a useful screen for additional privacy, they are a useful way of improving home security and putting off burglars.

Dense evergreen plants offer the most effective screens and barriers for gaining additional privacy. Larger, well established hedge plants can often give you an instant screen but involve a bigger initial investment. Another option is to choose a fast growing plant. Leylandii plants tend to be a popular choice with many people and are not usually expensive. This evergreen is capable of growing anything from two to three feet per year and there are numerous varieties to choose from.

Some other great choices for privacy are Western Red Cedar and the stunning Cotoneaster Lacteus.

Spiky plants with thorns offer effective additional security for properties. When used properly, plants can act as an efficient deterrent to intruders, but they should never obstruct visibility of your windows and doors which could shield intruders and have the opposite effect. Hedges need to be kept just high enough to act as a physical barrier.

The Common Hawthorn and Blackthorn are both spiky plants that would work effectively for this purpose. Holly is a little less spiky but is a low cost and popular choice. With its vicious thorns, Pyracantha is an excellent choice and will add interest to your outside space with attractive blooms in spring followed by berries during the winter months.

You can plant a hedge to protect a property from dirt and pollution, including noise pollution. You will need a robust, hardy plant to survive in a polluted urban area. The Oregon Grape and Daisy Bush are both extremely hardy choices with attractive, dark green foliage and the added appeal of flowers during springtime. If you are trying to combat noise, you will need to create a thick barrier with evergreen foliage from the top to the bottom. Plants should be planted in several rows if possible for best results, as near to the source of the noise as this will have the greatest effect. You achieve better protection from a bigger barrier.

Hedges can also be planted for their great visual appeal and beauty. Lavender is widely used as a low border which smells wonderful and there are many different box hedges that trim well and provide an eye catching feature.

Anyone with an interest in wildlife could plant hedges to give shelter and possibly food for a range of birds, butterflies and bees. Common Hawthorn and Blackthorn both attract the birds. If you wish to encourage bees and butterflies, plant variety's of Pyracantha and Lavender. Whatever you want to achieve, you can create a useful and attractive screen using your choice of hedging plants.
Hi,
   for more information visit    Leylandii     and    RHS