Hedges and Fences | Nurseries & Plant Centres

Hedges and Fences

When designing your garden you will need to consider your property’s boundaries and how you wish to protect your privacy and increase the security of your house. The two most common options are wooden fencing or hedges, both are desirable for different reasons and you should consider the aesthetic appeal and the maintenance required before you decide on either.

Should I grow a hedge or build a fence?

Hedges are a great, attractive option. They are beautiful, will protect your privacy, reduce noise and if a prickly-variety will also increase your security far more than just a standard fence. Hedges filter strong winds so will also prove more resilient in areas subject to high wind where fences may get damaged. Hedges are environmentally friendly and will also encourage wildlife into your garden. However there are definite drawbacks to growing a hedge, firstly in a smaller property there may not be space to grow a hedge as it may encroach on garden space. Furthermore hedges take a while to grow and get established. Fences, therefore are a quicker and cheaper solution. Both fencing and hedges will require maintenance, a wooden fence will need to be treated regularly to help keep its weather resistance and aesthetic appeal and a hedge will need regular pruning.

What species of hedge should I plant?

Before deciding what type of hedge to invest in you should consider the type of soil in your garden, the moisture content and the amount of sunlight that areas receive. Fast growing hedges will establish themselves quickly but need more trimming later on; similarly thorny bushes look good and increase security but may not be suitable for families with young children. Beech and Hornbeam are popular deciduous choices, although deciduous they retain their dead leaves in the winter so your garden won’t be subject to the prying eyes of passers-by in the colder months. Evergreens are popular because they avoid this dilemma: Box is a slow growing evergreen, meaning it will need less trimming than other species. If you are considering a thorny bush, Holly is a great, attractive option that will also attract birds into the garden.

What type of fencing should I buy?

Hedges aren’t for everyone; fences are a cheaper, more practical solution to protecting the boundary of your property, particularly if you want a quick-fix solution. When buying a fence consider what it looks like to the outside and to the inside as both are important. Paling or palisade fencing is made from timber spaced evening apart, it is more suited to front gardens or areas where privacy is not as important as traditionally it contains spaces and is most attractive when used at a lower height. Closed paling is also available at higher heights for back gardens. Featheredge fencing, much like closed paling, provides complete privacy and can be installed at any height to suit your preference, featheredge simply has a different method of building as wedge-shaped sections of wood are overlapped rather than positioned flush.

When deciding whether or not to plant a hedge or build a fence you should determine how much space you have, how much time you have and what you would visually prefer. Hedges are visually appealing, they can be incorporated into the scheme of your garden and they can attract wildlife, but growing a hedge will take time and patience and once established will require regular pruning.