Patience may be a virtue, but it is one that we often can't afford when we are creating our dream garden - and fast growing hedges are the perfect way to start turning those dreams into reality.
There are so many reasons to grow hedges - they offer extra privacy, provide shade, they can cover up eyesores, and wildlife friendly hedge plants can add to your garden's ecosystem. So with so many benefits, it's no wonder people like you are drawn to fast growing hedge plants. It just makes sense to start reaping the many rewards of hedges sooner rather than later.
In this blog we are going to be focusing on some fast growing hedging plants, as well as covering some tips on what you can to encourage rapid growth, as well as advice on pruning, planting and general maintenance. Your new hedge will be ready in no time!
Fast growing hedges
Before we go through some fast growing hedges in ourhedging range, it's probably a good idea to define what we mean by 'fast growing'. The rate at which hedges can grow varies - from around 10 cm a year to around 1 metre a year, with the average rate of growth around 30 cm a year. We consider anything that grows more than 40 cm a year to be a fast growing hedge. Those that grow more than 60cm a year are very fast growing hedges.
Let's now take a look at some different types of fast growing hedges.
Privet
One of the most popular fast growing hedges, and a native species to the UK, the privet will offer your year round cover with dense green foliage (even if it can lose a few leaves in the more extreme winters). They can grow up to 60 cm a year, up to a full height of around 5m, and its white flowers are like a magnet to bees and butterflies during the summer months. If you're after a traditional or formal hedge, and you need them quickly, a privet could be the way to go.
Copper Beech
For something with a more unique colour to outline your garden, how aboutcopper beech hedging (Fagus sylvatica Purpurea)? Available as bare root plants from November to spring, the leaves on these magnificent hedges turn from a deep purple in early spring/summer to a beautiful burnt copper colour in autumn and winter - offering interest all year round. They can grow up to 60cm per year.
Hawthorn
Similar to copper beech, Hawthorn hedges are fast growing hedges available as bare root plants between November and spring. They are a tall hedge, growing up to 5m at a rate of around 60cm per year, but you can keep them as smaller plants (below 1m) with regular pruning. These deciduous hedges produce fragrant white flowers that emerge in the spring/summer will brighten up any garden, followed by the red berries in the autumn and winter.
Pyracantha 'Red Column'
Pyracantha 'Red Column', or Firethorn, is another of the evergreen hedges, and native hedging plants, that we are covering today. As the name suggests, you can expect show-stopping clusters of red berries throughout the winter, while in the summer you will be rewarded with bright white flowers - this is a hedge that will attract wildlife all year round. This is an extremely hardy hedge, and low maintenance, with a growth rate of up to around 60cm a year.
Cherry Laurel
Next up we have Prunus laurocerasus - another example of evergreen hedging plants, this one with thick foliage that offers perfect protection and privacy for your garden. The most striking feature of the cherry laurel is the glossy dark green leaves, which are followed by glossy red fruits in autumn. They thrive in full sun or partial shade, tolerate a variety of soil types and they can grow by up to 60cm a year.
Leylandii (Conifer)
We couldn't cover fast growing hedges without mentioning conifers. These magnificent hedges have been around for hundreds of millions of years - an indication of how low maintenance they are! Their growth rate is so quick that you will need to keep on top of pruning to keep them at your desired height, but these are a great option - providing instant screening of your garden, with dense foliage that provides shelter for wildlife and even helps filter out pollution. If you're after a fast growing hedge, then this is one of the fastest around, growing up to 90cm a year.
Tips to encourage fast growing hedges
Once you have decided on which fast growing hedging plants you would like in your garden, there are a few things you can do to maximise its growth rate, and get it to the desired height as quickly as possible. Here are some of our top tips:
Planting hedging
The best time to plant bare root hedge plants (the most affordable option) is the autumn - just make sure that the ground isn't frozen or waterlogged when you do so. If you are using potted hedging plants, then spring is the best time.
Watering
When you first plant your hedge, make sure that it gets plenty of water. In the autumn, you are likely to get plenty of rain, which will do a lot of this work for you. If you are planting in spring, though, make sure you keep on top of the watering in drier spells to ensure the hedge gets established.
Pruning
The best time to prune fast growing hedges is in the spring or summer - this will encourage the growth of new shoots, which will mean the hedge grows strong, dense and quickly.
For more detailed information, read our blog onhow to grow hedging plants.
Conclusion
Can't wait to get started? Shop ourhedging range today, and don't forget that with free UK delivery on all orders, all you need to do is select your preferred fast growing hedging plants and head to the checkout - then you can sit back and relax as they make their way right to your door.
