New hedge replacing my buxus

Hi all,

I've got the idea to replace my front hedge with another hedge. Today, I have a 11 buxus over 4 meters which never grew up. Since I bought the house, they remained like 30cm plant.



The soil is what it is, 20cm of decent soil, then clay. I would like to have something higher, around 100/120cm, but as I am exposed to the sidewalk, I might need something I can manage to grow more vertically than on side.
I am thinking like Quicktorn or Alnus. I see for both it's quite easy in this period to find bare root at 100cm height already.
Is that all a bad idea?

Thanks

 

First idea that came to mind was some sort of Thuja....

But since I personally dont like them and think they are useless for the eco system I suggest a row of collumn apple trees. They dont grow very high, so cutting the top off once per year should be enough. And you cant get enough apples.

Edit:
Seeing the gravel path at the side, I'd also suggest some aronia bushes. They are nigh unkillable, bloom white and offer at least some food for the birds and bees

 

The gravel path is not a path it's my front garden. My house is a common terrace, so between the road the my bay window I have some space, which is gravel (I got it in this way and can't regret when I have to move bins in/out for collection).

But how about apples? they do not really provide any form of screening. I probably not mentioned this, but I would like to get a bit of screening. That's why I was thinking of a hedge. It's not about real privacy or protection, I know, but better than nothing I have today.

 

Quickthorn will grow quickly, just bear in mind it is deciduous, may keep it's leaves though in London; also it is thorny so maybe not the best near a footpath.
Yew would be my choice.
Out of Alnus and Quickthorn I'd go with the Alnus.

 

thanks for this. I did not consider Yew. Seems a good option. Need to look online for selling options.
With Quicktorn you’re right anyway, not probably the best on the front

 

It looks quite an urban setting? Round here in London the usual solution is privet, which quickly grows tall but will need cutting several times a year; available in dark green or golden. I am not so keen on yew for a hedge myself, these usually seem to end up bare at the bottom. My suggestion would be pittosporum, one of my neighbours has a very attractive metre-high hedge of green and silver pittosporum 'Elizabeth.' This RHS article illustrates that and other ones suitable for hedging.

 

How long ago did you plant the Bux a year ago ?
I like the idea of pittosporum, can also look into Ilex family ( holly ) - osmanthus are good and they a few different ones to look at like burkwoodii which looks similar to privet but I doubt it be get as dense , also they a few that look like holly like goshiki may take a while to get to 1M+ . Privet will probably be the cheapest and fastest but more maintenance , I like yew personally they are one of the best for hedging and topiary

Conifers may not be good for the eco system but they are good for pollution and blocking out noise. They are a few variety's to look at if you are interested.

 

You could also consider Griselinia littoralis , a bright green leafed evergreen hedging plant.