Hedge

[tearinghair]

I need to plant a hedge across the top of our long narrow garden. I'm looking for something that grows about four feet tall, doesn't get too bushy and preferably isn't thorny. What would you suggest, please?

[rowanwitch]

if width is a problem you might be better usuing posts/wire and chainlink and growing ivy up it it will need trimming a couple of times a year old fashioned privet might do as well as it is eacy to clip to shape, if you have time box or lonicera nitida would do even better and will do ok on a cut once a year

[tearinghair]

Thanks rowanwitch. Ivy certainly wouldn't be a problem as we have it all over the garden anyway! I'd wondered about box but had assumed it would need cutting regularly. Will follow up all your suggestions and see which would suit best.

[megfitz]

Why not try an Escallonia hedge, evergreen, windproof and with flowers. Prune yearly,but likes sun and a generous feed in the summer/autumn

[tearinghair]

Not one I'd ever heard of, Megfitz; I've googled it and it looks great, except that it seems to grow a bit too tall. The flowers and scent would be great though. I'll have a think about it.

[rowanwitch]

Escallonia is a terror for putting out long shoots you would need to clip it quite often or it can get very large ...