I love everything Irish and your lovely accent and the Irish vibe. Presumably you are in lovely Ireland? If not, bless ya for bringing us your lovely accent and charming Emerald Isle manner anyway! Apart from loving the Irish accent and Zero Zero Guinness, another thing I adore is listening to Gardener's Question Time on BBC Radio 4, but last time I heard the radio programme panel discussing hedges they seemed to hate cherry laurel just as much as you do. However, I've gone for cherry laurel round my garden because it is very cheap, tough and fast growing. I bought the smallest cheapest plants and after a couple of three years they are now almost a full grown hedge. You've also done a bit of yew around your garden, which is a great idea, however, even more expensive than beech, and takes even longer to establish. In fact, yew is extremely slow growing. However, indeed, the deciduous beech is great because it is a tree and so you can have a hugely high hedge - eventually as tall as a full grown beech tree - if the neighbours and laws of obstruction allow - but they are either extremely expensive or take years to establish. But, while if I had more money I might have gone for deciduous beech or evergreen yew, I actually really like my poor person's cherry laurel, zero problems with yellowing leaves, and in a short time it is making my garden look so much smarter, while I don't have to worry about the expense of a new garden fence and it certainly won't die from drought. And, you asked, "Why wouldn't you want seasonality?" That comes with the wonderful copper leaves of beech. Beech are a very wonderful autumnal plant but apart from the autumnal splendour of beech leaves the British Isles do look dreadfully scrubby for about six months of the year when the garden shrubs and trees don't have their deciduous leaves. Thus I am working towards a lush winter green around the house for an all year vibrancy. This evergreen vibrancy can come with a huge variety of shapes and colours of coniferous plants or with mixtures of such plants as camellias or, yes, your hated cherry laurel. If you have more money and time apparently there are tall varieties of camellias that can create a whole new world of camellia hedging? But, if you are happy with deciduous, what about a Japanese a flowering cherry hedge? With Autumn leaves and Spring blossom? This might need a combination hedge creative solution? As the lower cheery tree trunks will need a low under hedge, thus you could have a low beech, yew, camellia or - dare I say it - cherry laurel hedge under a higher blossoming cherry hedge? Anyway, bless ya for a nice introduction to hedging and for showing us your fab developing garden. Enjoyed the vibe!
It’s all well and good saying don’t buy it - but realistically what are the other good options that do what cherry laurel do? There is nothing else that grows as quick and stays nice and waxy and green. This is why people choose it, not because they’re ‘obsessed’ with it. We’d of loved a yew hedge in an ideal world but just can’t afford to wait several years for it to get as big as we need. It’s not really practical for lots of people. And to say people’s privacy doesn’t matter in winter - people have hedging out the front of their houses too. No leaves in winter = no privacy. Just trying to explain justifications as to why people choose it. Good educational video though.
In my personal opinion* honestly from experience in garden retail for 7 years a Portuguese laurel of Elaeagnus hedge are both evergreen & will grow equally as fast as cherry laurel. I understand cost of Yew is also a contributing factor as to why it's not always used & I can relate to that very much I put in a very short Yew hedge bare root earlier this year and got a shock at the payment stage as it was ordered in for me I had to buy a set quantity and they were only 30cm size so giving the times we are in yes yew could also be a luxury. I wouldn't say privacy doesn't matter* but if* your not using your outdoor space in winter & you use blinds or curtains anyhow - a non evergreen hedge can still give you a boundary & some privacy but yes ultimately it is the homeowners choice & thank you 👍🏻
Hello, great video, I found this really interesting. I’m looking at putting in hedging in my new garden at the moment. I am trying to decide between Beech and Hornbeam for my front garden, to screen the main road, so I’m really please you mentioned them. I am wondering if a mixed hedge of hawthorn, blackthorn, cherry and crabapple is realistic in an urban back garden. I’m worried about managing the width, do you know if it’s realistic/possible to limit these to approx 50cm width? I don’t think I can justify losing 1m+ on each side to accommodate, although I’d really like a more interesting hedge for wildlife. Thanks, from a new subscriber.
@@laurenh1810 hello 👋🏼 hawthorn, blackthorn & rosa rugosa might be a good mix for you and you should be able to keep 1m wide with maintenance - If space is a worrying factor Beech or Hornbeam should be easier controlled and maintained - mixed hedges are not done enough in urban settings so great achievement if you do this option 😊
Very useful video. Ive watched a dozen videos on hedging and english yew this morning alone. Some were 20 minutes long and told me absolutely nothing. I'm now thinking of holding off buying pots and going for a root ball option once summer is past the peak.
@@gavincole5793 thank you kindly! Some nurseries are pre-order only so set a reminder for September to ask the question to guarantee what you need for Oct/Nov ☺️
After much thought, we are going with golden Irish yew to replace some overgrown leylandi cypress that have grown into trees and are too tall to prune. We will thin them out and gradually replace them with the yew.
For me its clearing up all the leaves that i dont like doing as we have a large garden that is really windy exposed site so leaves blow everywhere. We went for lornicera nitida and silver gilt edge. Great video 🙂
@@yew_cottage_garden what do you think about Osmanthus x Burkwoodii for windy exposed sites? The only reason I wanted some evergreen hedging is the clearing of leaves would be a nightmare and I wanted some colour to enjoy through long winters so any ideas welcome not too keen on invasive or ones that are harmful to touch like viburnum
@@user-lx2wk8rn9b great plant! Haven't seen them in years - regards northern Ireland garden centres, the honest answer is I'm not sure, I can't see why it wouldn't work? Would also give you a nice shade of green when not flowering - I'm sure it would look good once you do it 😊
Hi Phill. I want a low growing hedge to edge a long border (parterre I suppose). I've heard Ilex Crenata is the best substitute for box and I'm looking to buy bareroot in bulk to save money. What do you think of Ilex Crenata and do you know where I can buy it at a very reasonable price? Be v grateful to hear from you
@@JanMorristheadminmaven hello - it ot euonymus skyrocket are both good as a buxus alternative, I'd recommend pre-ordering now via a nursery as there is a better chance they will bring it in, I've not come across it bare root before although that's not to say it's not possible
@yew_cottage_garden Thank you so much for your reply Phill. I will look into the Euonymus alternative & check out various online suppliers. Thank you again.
I ‘d like a small hedge in front of my bay window at the front of the house. Because it faces the main road it will have to be evergreen. I thought choisya Ternata might be good, but it flops all over the place. I ‘d like to put a mixture of roses and an evergreen . Ideas???
Euonymus japonicus 'Green Rocket' might just be the ticket for your small hedge - all the benefits visually Buxus could give you but no fear of Buxus Blite or other common Buxus problems. Roses are a plant that requires good ventilation & doesn't like to be cramped for space - a rambler rose might be the best option if you wanted to plant it with a taller hedge maybe? They work well mixed through bigger hedges however Euonymus japonicus 'Green Rocket' would likely be to small height wise to mix with a rambling rose - hope that helps 😊
i'm torn between pleached cherry laurel trees & pleached photonia red for hedging they're on sale i want to know quick please lol - both are evergreen i know i need something that looks good all through the year and grows fast
Unpopular opinion I dislike both, although on this occasion I'd choose laurel over Photonia as Laurel are tolerate to more conditions than Photonia are and if you don't get it right they sulk and look unhappy so I'd choose laurel 😊
The video was sadly lacking. Latin names should be displayed not just rattled off at high speed. Applicable climate information for each or at a minimum as a blanket statement that all fall within stated range. Heights, widths, trimming needs, all are very important. And summary list of deciduous and list of evergreens should also be given.
Hello, Sorry you did not enjoy the video please see a list of the Evergreen and Deciduous plants mentioned in this video both Latin & common names included (The Latin names for plants is universal however the common names provided are UK/Irish common names and might have other common names in other geographical locations 📍) Evergreens 🌲 = Prunus laurocerasus - Cherry Laurel Prunus lusitanica - Portuguese laurel Taxus baccata - English Yew Griselinia lucida - Puka (for coastal locations) Deciduous 🍁🍂 = Fagus sylvatica - European beach Carpinus betulus - Hornbeam Prunus spinosa - Blackthorn Crataegus monogyna - Hawthorn Fuchsia riccartonii - Hardy Fuchsia (coastal locations) Growth rates & pruning recommendations can be difficult to quote for as it can be location specific to each gardeners location - but in Northern Ireland we tend to prune hedging when birds aren't nesting in them which tends to be late June to September, and once established for any of the plants mentioned 2ft or 60cm height & width either direction isn't unavailable in a growing season. Thanks.
I love everything Irish and your lovely accent and the Irish vibe. Presumably you are in lovely Ireland? If not, bless ya for bringing us your lovely accent and charming Emerald Isle manner anyway!
Apart from loving the Irish accent and Zero Zero Guinness, another thing I adore is listening to Gardener's Question Time on BBC Radio 4, but last time I heard the radio programme panel discussing hedges they seemed to hate cherry laurel just as much as you do.
However, I've gone for cherry laurel round my garden because it is very cheap, tough and fast growing. I bought the smallest cheapest plants and after a couple of three years they are now almost a full grown hedge.
You've also done a bit of yew around your garden, which is a great idea, however, even more expensive than beech, and takes even longer to establish. In fact, yew is extremely slow growing.
However, indeed, the deciduous beech is great because it is a tree and so you can have a hugely high hedge - eventually as tall as a full grown beech tree - if the neighbours and laws of obstruction allow - but they are either extremely expensive or take years to establish.
But, while if I had more money I might have gone for deciduous beech or evergreen yew, I actually really like my poor person's cherry laurel, zero problems with yellowing leaves, and in a short time it is making my garden look so much smarter, while I don't have to worry about the expense of a new garden fence and it certainly won't die from drought.
And, you asked, "Why wouldn't you want seasonality?" That comes with the wonderful copper leaves of beech. Beech are a very wonderful autumnal plant but apart from the autumnal splendour of beech leaves the British Isles do look dreadfully scrubby for about six months of the year when the garden shrubs and trees don't have their deciduous leaves. Thus I am working towards a lush winter green around the house for an all year vibrancy.
This evergreen vibrancy can come with a huge variety of shapes and colours of coniferous plants or with mixtures of such plants as camellias or, yes, your hated cherry laurel. If you have more money and time apparently there are tall varieties of camellias that can create a whole new world of camellia hedging?
But, if you are happy with deciduous, what about a Japanese a flowering cherry hedge? With Autumn leaves and Spring blossom? This might need a combination hedge creative solution? As the lower cheery tree trunks will need a low under hedge, thus you could have a low beech, yew, camellia or - dare I say it - cherry laurel hedge under a higher blossoming cherry hedge?
Anyway, bless ya for a nice introduction to hedging and for showing us your fab developing garden. Enjoyed the vibe!
It’s all well and good saying don’t buy it - but realistically what are the other good options that do what cherry laurel do? There is nothing else that grows as quick and stays nice and waxy and green. This is why people choose it, not because they’re ‘obsessed’ with it.
We’d of loved a yew hedge in an ideal world but just can’t afford to wait several years for it to get as big as we need. It’s not really practical for lots of people.
And to say people’s privacy doesn’t matter in winter - people have hedging out the front of their houses too. No leaves in winter = no privacy. Just trying to explain justifications as to why people choose it.
Good educational video though.
In my personal opinion* honestly from experience in garden retail for 7 years a Portuguese laurel of Elaeagnus hedge are both evergreen & will grow equally as fast as cherry laurel. I understand cost of Yew is also a contributing factor as to why it's not always used & I can relate to that very much I put in a very short Yew hedge bare root earlier this year and got a shock at the payment stage as it was ordered in for me I had to buy a set quantity and they were only 30cm size so giving the times we are in yes yew could also be a luxury. I wouldn't say privacy doesn't matter* but if* your not using your outdoor space in winter & you use blinds or curtains anyhow - a non evergreen hedge can still give you a boundary & some privacy but yes ultimately it is the homeowners choice & thank you 👍🏻
Thank you for being so explicit addressing the time window!👌
No worries
Hello, great video, I found this really interesting. I’m looking at putting in hedging in my new garden at the moment.
I am trying to decide between Beech and Hornbeam for my front garden, to screen the main road, so I’m really please you mentioned them.
I am wondering if a mixed hedge of hawthorn, blackthorn, cherry and crabapple is realistic in an urban back garden. I’m worried about managing the width, do you know if it’s realistic/possible to limit these to approx 50cm width? I don’t think I can justify losing 1m+ on each side to accommodate, although I’d really like a more interesting hedge for wildlife. Thanks, from a new subscriber.
@@laurenh1810 hello 👋🏼 hawthorn, blackthorn & rosa rugosa might be a good mix for you and you should be able to keep 1m wide with maintenance - If space is a worrying factor Beech or Hornbeam should be easier controlled and maintained - mixed hedges are not done enough in urban settings so great achievement if you do this option 😊
Thanks so much for your advice and for replying so quickly.
Very useful video. Ive watched a dozen videos on hedging and english yew this morning alone. Some were 20 minutes long and told me absolutely nothing. I'm now thinking of holding off buying pots and going for a root ball option once summer is past the peak.
@@gavincole5793 thank you kindly! Some nurseries are pre-order only so set a reminder for September to ask the question to guarantee what you need for Oct/Nov ☺️
This was so helpful. Very comprehensive.
Thank you
Very helpful and clear. Thanks!
Thank you 😊
Great advice, thank you!
After much thought, we are going with golden Irish yew to replace some overgrown leylandi cypress that have grown into trees and are too tall to prune. We will thin them out and gradually replace them with the yew.
Very useful advice. Thank you.
Thank you 😊😊
For me its clearing up all the leaves that i dont like doing as we have a large garden that is really windy exposed site so leaves blow everywhere. We went for lornicera nitida and silver gilt edge. Great video 🙂
Omg!! lonicera nitida - fab fab choice!! Especially when freshly clipped! & thank you
@@yew_cottage_garden what do you think about Osmanthus x Burkwoodii for windy exposed sites? The only reason I wanted some evergreen hedging is the clearing of leaves would be a nightmare and I wanted some colour to enjoy through long winters so any ideas welcome not too keen on invasive or ones that are harmful to touch like viburnum
@@user-lx2wk8rn9b great plant! Haven't seen them in years - regards northern Ireland garden centres, the honest answer is I'm not sure, I can't see why it wouldn't work? Would also give you a nice shade of green when not flowering - I'm sure it would look good once you do it 😊
Just what I needed. Thank you so much!
No problem 😁
Hi Phill. I want a low growing hedge to edge a long border (parterre I suppose). I've heard Ilex Crenata is the best substitute for box and I'm looking to buy bareroot in bulk to save money. What do you think of Ilex Crenata and do you know where I can buy it at a very reasonable price? Be v grateful to hear from you
@@JanMorristheadminmaven hello - it ot euonymus skyrocket are both good as a buxus alternative, I'd recommend pre-ordering now via a nursery as there is a better chance they will bring it in, I've not come across it bare root before although that's not to say it's not possible
@yew_cottage_garden Thank you so much for your reply Phill. I will look into the Euonymus alternative & check out various online suppliers. Thank you again.
@@JanMorristheadminmaven good luck 🙂
@yew_cottage_garden Thank you Phill.
I ‘d like a small hedge in front of my bay window at the front of the house. Because it faces the main road it will have to be evergreen. I thought choisya Ternata might be good, but it flops all over the place. I ‘d like to put a mixture of roses and an evergreen . Ideas???
Euonymus japonicus 'Green Rocket' might just be the ticket for your small hedge - all the benefits visually Buxus could give you but no fear of Buxus Blite or other common Buxus problems. Roses are a plant that requires good ventilation & doesn't like to be cramped for space - a rambler rose might be the best option if you wanted to plant it with a taller hedge maybe? They work well mixed through bigger hedges however Euonymus japonicus 'Green Rocket' would likely be to small height wise to mix with a rambling rose - hope that helps 😊
i'm torn between pleached cherry laurel trees & pleached photonia red for hedging they're on sale i want to know quick please lol - both are evergreen i know i need something that looks good all through the year and grows fast
Unpopular opinion I dislike both, although on this occasion I'd choose laurel over Photonia as Laurel are tolerate to more conditions than Photonia are and if you don't get it right they sulk and look unhappy so I'd choose laurel 😊
@@yew_cottage_garden thank you 🙂
The video was sadly lacking. Latin names should be displayed not just rattled off at high speed. Applicable climate information for each or at a minimum as a blanket statement that all fall within stated range. Heights, widths, trimming needs, all are very important. And summary list of deciduous and list of evergreens should also be given.
Hello,
Sorry you did not enjoy the video please see a list of the Evergreen and Deciduous plants mentioned in this video both Latin & common names included
(The Latin names for plants is universal however the common names provided are UK/Irish common names and might have other common names in other geographical locations 📍)
Evergreens 🌲 =
Prunus laurocerasus - Cherry Laurel
Prunus lusitanica - Portuguese laurel
Taxus baccata - English Yew
Griselinia lucida - Puka (for coastal locations)
Deciduous 🍁🍂 =
Fagus sylvatica - European beach
Carpinus betulus - Hornbeam
Prunus spinosa - Blackthorn
Crataegus monogyna - Hawthorn
Fuchsia riccartonii - Hardy Fuchsia (coastal locations)
Growth rates & pruning recommendations can be difficult to quote for as it can be location specific to each gardeners location - but in Northern Ireland we tend to prune hedging when birds aren't nesting in them which tends to be late June to September, and once established for any of the plants mentioned 2ft or 60cm height & width either direction isn't unavailable in a growing season.
Thanks.