A well-chosen hedge is one of the most valuable features in any garden. It provides privacy and wind protection, creates habitat for birds and insects, defines spaces within the garden and adds structure that looks good throughout the year. Choosing the right species for your soil, aspect and intended height makes all the difference.
Formal Hedging Options
For a crisp, maintained look, these are the most reliable choices for Hampshire gardens across a range of soil types.
- Taxus baccata (yew) — the finest formal hedge, long-lived
- Buxus sempervirens (box) — compact, good for low edging
- Fagus sylvatica (beech) — retains autumn leaves through winter
- Carpinus betulus (hornbeam) — similar to beech, suits clay soils
- Ligustrum (privet) — fast-growing, semi-evergreen
Native Mixed Hedging
A native mixed hedge of hawthorn, blackthorn, hazel, dog rose and field maple is fantastic for wildlife and perfectly adapted to Hampshire soils. It is also more affordable to plant than formal hedging species.
Planting and Establishment
Bare-root hedging planted between November and March establishes better and costs significantly less than pot-grown plants. Protect new hedging with a rabbit guard in rural Hampshire gardens and water well in the first summer.
A&T Landscapes plants and maintains hedges across Hampshire, Dorset and Wiltshire. Call 07735 916029 for advice on the best species for your garden.