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Privacy Shrubs

The question of hedge plants often crops up, and many people like to have something out of the common for prominent positions, but do not know what is suitable; with this in view a select list is given below of shrubs that can be used. For a really good hedge, suitable for any kind of work, of course there is nothing better than the Hawthorn, Crataegus monogyna and C. oxyacanthoides, and following this closely come the Holly, Ilex Aquifolium; Yew, Taxus baccata; and Ovalleaved Privet, Ligustrum ovalifolium; and for all ordinary purposes these four will be found the most suitable, as they all grow well and make fine, thick hedges.

For other positions almost anything can be used that will stand crowding and cutting back well, at the same time growing freely and keeping well furnished from bottom to top. Some of these are Hornbeam, Carpinus Betulus; Beech, Fagus sylvatica; Box, Buxus sempervirens; Myrobalan, Prunus cerasifera; Variegated Hollies, Variegated Privet, Lawson's Cypress, C. Lawsoniana; C. pisifera filif era, Holm Oak, Quercus Ilex; and the Double-flowered Gorse.

For informal hedges Olearia Haastii, Roses, Brambles, and Berberis stenophylla are useful.

In the warmer counties Escallonia macrantha is often used for hedges and is very effective; for informal hedges in warm counties Fuchsias are fine.

When planting a hedge, care should be taken to select good, well rooted plants with several leads, and they should be planted closely enough together to ensure them filling and thickening tip at the bottom quickly.