need a fast growing hedge!

[marestail murderer]

hi all...........can anyone help me with a hedge plant that is fairly rapid to grow......and pref. evergeen?
need it to grow as a boundry for the front of the allotment.....considering a native mixed hedge.......but what to buy and which type of shrub/hedging is suitable?
please.............no conifers!!! ;D

[marestail murderer]

[Gadfium]

Hello,

I have found this site : http://www.hedging.co.uk/acatalog/Index_Hedging__Trees__Shrubs___Conifers_1.html

... a great help. It has a comprehensive guide to all the different types of hedging available, & growth parameters. Good info on various native/mixed species hedges (link on right hand side) , & a really handy 'Interactive Hedging Guide' (link towards bottom right of page) which allows you to put in your needs e.g. site details (windy, chalky soil) and wants (evergreen, mixed) and comes back with hedging possibilities that may fulfil the requirements.

[wivvles]

Bindweed...  might as well make it bloody useful

[flowerlady]

How about hawthorn?  Comes in three different colours, and you can always use the fruit for wine making!  Yum yum  ;D

[return of the mac]

I used willow rods for fencing- you need to do it in spring though

[Amazin]

MM,

Re the website posted by Gadfium - I can certainly vouch for the quality and service at Buckingham Nurseries as I'm a regular customer. A couple of years ago I bought 80 hedging plants mail order from them, mostly hawthorn but also some blackthorn, sea buckthorn and robinia. I ordered online and the plants were delivered well packaged and in perfect condition. I chose the 4 ft options where possible as I wanted a high hedge quickly, especially along one boundary. They're now 8ft.

I also recommend visiting the nursery - last time I came away with a mulberry bush, a grape vine and a  Kiwi, all going great guns.

[cheddarpaul]

How about an escalonia (not sure of the spelling!!)

I planted 3 sticks in an ex-garden and they took about 3 years to be 3-4ft high and 1-2ft across. They are easy to look after as long as you trim them regularly.

Plus, they dont look too bad as they have a lush green leaf

[marestail murderer]

many thanks........im going to look at the website.and with it being recomended....thats a bonus!
the guy on the next plot has what i think is an escallonia..........looks brill at the mo.......covered in crimson flowers.........and a lovely shiny green foilage.
hawthorn is another possibility.......the thorns may deter the visitors of the unwanted type......
again......many thank for all the input............looks like decision time....will let you all know how it goes!
ps............wivvels...........lol...........thats the greenery covering the rusting wire mesh at the mo.......lol
amazin...........is robinia the shrub that has the red shoots on new growth?

[Amazin]

Not noticably red, MM, but noticably thorny! Young growth has huge great spikes - great barrier hedge, scented pea-like flowers in late spring. Grows like the clappers, so be ruthless with it.

[RobinOfTheHood]

MM, are you thinking of Photinia 'red robin'?

[marestail murderer]

thats the chappie.......lol......thanks robin of the hood