Creating a classic
garden
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It is not difficult to develop a series of
interesting plant shapes - whether incorporated into a hedge, or free-standing
- but it does take time. As soon as you have planned your overall outline, get
your long term planting carried out as soon as possible.
Good formal hedging
plants are:
• Box (Buxus
sempervirens)
Excellent for small hedges and topiary, from 1ft (30cm) high
to 4ft (1m 20cm), higher if conditions are right. Stange smell, enjoyed by some
but disliked by others. Clip annually.
• Holly (Ilex)
Excellent, if slow growing hedging material, with added advantage of
berries and, in some varieties, variegated foliage. Varieties of English holly
(Ilex aquifolium) are the hardest. A single annual clip will suffice. Can be
grown free, semi-formally to tightly clipped.
• Leyland
Cypress (Cupressocyparis leylandii)
A splendid hedge material, but only
if properly managed. Look for the golden 'Castlewellan' as well as the plain
green kind.
• Evergreen
honeysuckle (Lonicera nitida 'Baggensen's Gold').
Tiny evergreen leaves
make this one a perfect candidate for topiary.
• Myrtle
(Myrtus).
Excellent aromatic hedging material for mild areas. Not fully
winter hardy in very cold areas.
• Privet
(Ligustrum ovalifolium).
Vigorous but easily controlled evergreen hedge.
Must be clipped several times each summer. Privet hedges are inclined to weaken
at their bases, unless correctly clipped.
• Yew (Taxus
baccata).
Grows to any height and can be clipped to any shape. Clip once,
annually. Berries and foliage are poisonous.
Leyland Cypresses are excellent hedging plants. They are easy to
keep to whatever size is desired, but they must be clipped to size once a year,
every year.
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• Rosemary
(Rosmarinus officinalis).
Gorgeous aromatic foliage and pretty grey-blue
flowers. Easy to keep to 3ft (1m) or less. Clip at least twice a year.
• Lavender
(Lavendula species).
Silvery grey foliage, blue, lavender or pink flowers,
sweetly fragrant. Clip once a year immediately after flowering.
• Cotton
lavender (Santolina species).
Silver grey or deep green foliage, with
yellow button flowers in summer. Trim hard, as soon as the flowers begin to
fade.
Consider using a combination of rosemary, lavender and cotton
lavender when developing a series of low hedges. The mix will have continuing
interest, as well as a lovely aromatic blend, without losing the formal shape
and structure of your garden.
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