Hey everyone! I'm looking to add some privacy to the front of my house, which is currently wide open. I want to install an instant hedge that's evergreen and sturdy since we live just a few miles from the sea. Also, it's essential that the plants I choose aren't poisonous to dogs. I initially thought about using Laurel, but I've heard that's not safe for pets. I'm a bit overwhelmed by the plant list from my local nursery, so I'd love some suggestions for a beginner gardener like me. Any tips? Thanks a lot!
5 Answers
Definitely stick with native hedge plants! Yew is a great evergreen option and can be easily sourced bare root for quick planting.
Eleagnus is a solid option if you're looking for something hardy that won’t harm your dogs!
Have you thought about Yew hedging? I caught a segment on Gardeners World where Alan Titchmarsh recommended it for its fast growth—about a foot per year! Plus, they can be found bare root online for instant hedging.
Consider using Viburnum tinus! It's a fantastic choice for hedging and will give you some lovely white flowers and berries later on. It's quite hardy, and I've had great success with it as a privacy hedge in my garden.
If you want something unique, you might check out camellia, but keep in mind that it doesn't grow super fast. I faced a similar challenge with wind and my dog, and I switched from eleagnus to a Donard seedling Escallonia hedge after seeing it thrive in coastal gardens. Griselinia, Diosma (or 'Breath of Heaven' – great name, right?), and even a native beech hedge are excellent choices too! Just remember that some plants can have a shorter lifespan, so do your homework on that before planting.