Hedge Selecting Guide

Use this table to help select the most suitable instant hedge for your project.  Elveden Instant Hedge is available in heights ranging from 1m to 1.8m high and is approx 50cm deep.

Species Latin Foliage Pruning Annual growth Aspect Soil acceptance pH Leaves
Box Buxus sempervirens Evergreen June to August Slow 5-15cm Sun to shade All well drained Neutral to alkaline Small, shiny dark green. New growth is light green
Hornbeam Carpinus betulus Deciduous Once in July or August Fast 30-40cm Sun to partial shade All except the poorest Neutral to slightly acidic Dark green turning yellow-brown. Often remain into spring
Common Beech Fagus sylvatica Deciduous Once in August Slow 15-30cm Sun to shade All except dry Acidic to alkaline Green turning yellow-brown. Often remain into spring
Purple Beech Fagus sylvatica ‘Purpurea’ Deciduous Once in August Slow 10-30cm Sun to shade All except dry Acidic to alkaline Green-purple turning red-brown. Often remain into spring
Holly Ilex aquifolium  Evergreen  Once in August  Slow 5-15cm  Sun to shade  All well drained  Acidic to alkaline Thorny, shiny dark green that are pale green underneath
Holm Oak Quercus ilex  Evergreen  Once in August  Medium 20-30cm  Sun to shade  All well drained  Acidic to alkaline Glossy, dark green, pale underneath; spiny when young
Oval Leaf Privet Ligustrum ovalifolium Semi-evergreen Regularly in Summer Fast 40-60cm Sun to partial shade All well drained Slightly acidic to alkaline Mid-dark green on top and yellow-green underneath
Red Robin Photinia fraseri Evergreen Regularly in Summer Fast 30-40cm Sun to partial shade All well drained Acidic to alkaline Shiny dark green. New shoots are crimson-red
Common Laurel Prunus laurocerasus Evergreen Once in July or August Fast 30-40cm Sun to shade All except shallow chalk Neutral to slightly acidic Large shiny green. Thick and leathery
Portuguese Laurel Prunus lusitanica Evergreen Once in August Slow 20-30cm Sun to shade All except the poorest Acidic to alkaline Ovate and dark green
Yew Taxus baccata Evergreen  Once in August  Slow 5-20cm  Sun to shade  All except peat  Slightly acidic to alkaline Shiny dark green needles that are pale green underneath
Native Mix (Hazel, Blackthorn,  Hornbeam, Dogwood, Hawthorn and Alder Buckthorn) not applicable Deciduous Once in July Fast 30-40cm Sun to partial shade All except the poorest Neutral to  slightly acidic Various
Elveden Instant Hedge

Instant Hedge growing at Elveden