Plants and Shrubs Suitable for Hedging or Screening
When used for screening or as a partition/border, hedges can be much more attractive and softer than fencing and also more durable. However they will take up more space and will need regular pruning or clipping; at least twice a year if not more.
Not only are hedges attractive they are good for reducing the effects of wind as they allow some of the air to pass through, slowing down the air flow. Whereas a solid fence will just buffet the wind over top.
The following selection of plants and shrubs are suitable for hedging or screening in domestic gardens in the UK.
Evergreen plants suitable for hedging or screening
Evergreen plants keep their leaves all year around, providing a permanent screen or barrier. Because of this they tend to have more vigorous growth than dececiduous plants, so may require more clipping.
Aucuba japonica
Laurel
Buxus
Box
Cupressaceae
Conifer
Ligustrum ovalifolium
Privet
Photinia x fraseri
Christmas berry
Prunus laurocerasus
Cherry laurel
Viburnum tinus
Deciduous plants suitable for hedging or screening
Deciduous plants shed their leaves in winter, allowing light into the screened area of the garden during the winter months. Certain varieties, such as Hornbeam and Beech, will still keep a few of the dried leaves on the plant until new growth starts in the spring, thus providing some level of all year round screening.
Carpinus
Hornbeam
Crataegus monogyna
Hawthorn
Fagus sylvatica
Common Beech
Forsythia
Golden Bells
Syringa vulgaris
Common lilac
Rosa Rugosa
Beach rose