There’s nothing wrong with a standard evergreen hedge. It provides privacy, gives a lovely touch of greenery, and saves you a fortune on fencing materials as well. However, they require a lot of love and care and are a haven for wildlife as well.  

If you’d rather not have hedgehogs taking up residence on your property, then it might be time to look at alternative hedge ideas. You can still enjoy that hedge-like appeal, but you can make sure your property stands out from the crowd. Here are a few other hedge options that might appeal. 

 Fruit Bushes

Imagine being able to walk up your driveway, dining on delicious fruits? That could be the reality with a fruit bush hedge. Once you establish them - with or without the help of an expert- you can enjoy both privacy and something to eat. Blackberries, raspberries, gooseberries, orange trees, just to name a few, could form the boundary line for your property. 

Aside from having snacks at your disposal, and being able to fill your cupboards with preserves, you also get a hedge with a difference. Instead of a solid block of green as is standard with a regular hedge, you get a kaleidoscope of colours. Each fruit tree or bush type offers different leaf shapes, textures, and colours. You’ll never tire at looking at it in full growth. 

Ornamental Grasses 

You would be surprised at what you can do with ornamental grasses. Form a planter box around the edges of your property to keep them contained, then let them grow to their heart’s content. Ornamental grasses, depending on the variety, can grow to some spectacular heights and volume. 

They also offer that privacy you desire while being a low maintenance plant. You don’t have to worry about hedge trimming, but you get all the seclusion of a traditional hedge.  

Holly Hedge

If you face weather battles on a constant basis, then you’ll need to think outside the square with your hedge variety choices. Holly could be the answer. Not only is it a tough and tolerant plant that boasts red winter berries, but it’s a form of security as well as protection. Those leaves are anything but for show. 

With the prickly foliage growing without hesitation, it can be the perfect hedge type to stop unwanted little critters from calling the area home. It also requires minimal care - even as it grows up to two metres high. It will, however, need someone to trim it from time to time. 

Bamboo

How often do you see a bamboo hedge? While it’s not your average hedge material, that doesn’t mean it won’t be suitable. Bamboo is a fast-growing plant that grows thick and plentiful. The bamboo is a useful material for staking in the gardens, while it also adds privacy to your boundary lines as well. Talk to a gardening expert and see if you have the correct climate for bamboo to thrive.

Before You Start … 

If you have your heart set on a hedge, rather than a fence, then it pays not to jump into the planting phase just yet. There are a few things to consider, such as the height, width, area mapping, the planting process, and how to train your plants. You can call upon experts for help, or you can plan out the following. 

HEIGHT

If you’re not sure how high you want your hedge to be, then find something for comparison. Use members of your family, a ladder, or other furniture in the area you’re going to plant the hedge. All your efforts from that point can be with a height goal in mind. 

WIDTH

If you don’t have a lot of room, then you need to be quite selective and careful with your plant of choice. Some like to spread out and don’t enjoy you boxing them in. Talk to a gardening expert about plants that will work within your measured area. 

MAP THE AREA

Depending on your plant of choice, you may need a helping hand to ensure your hedge is straight and conforms. To do so, insert stakes into the ground at regular intervals and tie them together with a string. You can then ensure your plants will be as straight as possible. 

PLANT AND TRAIN

If you have bare root shrubs, you can dig a straight trench and plant them directly into it. If they are in containers, dig individual holes. You now have the makings of a hedge! You will need to start training your hedge to conform by trimming the tops and sides every few months. It may take up to two seasons to see the makings of a proper hedge - no matter your plant of choice!

If you need a helping hand with hedge trimming, hedge creation, or general garden and lawn care, then get in touch with the experts. They may even be able to help you come up with some exceptional alternative hedge ideas!