Find the Right Hedge for Your Garden
Choosing the right hedge is about more than appearance. Soil conditions, sunlight, available space, privacy requirements and maintenance all influence which hedging plants will thrive in your garden.
Our free Kirman Hedge Selector makes choosing the right hedge simple. Whether you need evergreen hedging for year-round privacy, a fast-growing screening hedge, plants suitable for clay soil or a traditional UK native hedge, our interactive tool helps you identify suitable species.
Simply choose a hedge by name or select your garden conditions and requirements. The selector will recommend suitable plants and provide direct links to purchase hedging from Landscaping Emporium.
With plant knowledge drawn from the garden design and landscaping experience of Kirman Design, you can make a more informed choice before investing in your new hedge.
How to Choose the Best Hedge for Your Garden
Every garden is different, and the most suitable hedge will depend on what you want to achieve and the conditions in which it will grow.
Our hedge finder helps you compare hedging plants based on their growing characteristics and suitability for different situations.
Hedges for Privacy and Screening
If your priority is privacy, consider the height, density and growth rate of your hedge. Evergreen species can provide screening throughout the year, while deciduous hedges such as Beech and Hornbeam may retain some of their leaves during winter.
Explore our hedging plants for privacy and screening and use the selector to narrow your choices.
Evergreen Hedging for Year-Round Screening
Evergreen hedges retain their foliage throughout the year, making them popular for boundary planting, screening and creating sheltered garden spaces.
Popular options include Yew, Portuguese Laurel, Cherry Laurel and Western Red Cedar. Each has different requirements regarding soil, exposure, maintenance and growing space.
Discover our evergreen hedging range.
Hedging for Clay Soil, Wet Ground and Shade
Not every hedging plant tolerates difficult growing conditions. Heavy clay, poor drainage, dry shade and exposed positions can all affect establishment and long-term growth.
Hornbeam is often a useful choice for heavier soils, while Yew can perform well in shaded positions provided the soil is adequately drained.
Use the selector to identify plants suited to your garden's conditions rather than choosing on appearance alone.
UK Native Hedging and Wildlife-Friendly Hedges
Native hedging can provide valuable habitats, nesting opportunities and seasonal food sources for birds, insects and other wildlife.
Species such as Hawthorn, Hazel, Field Maple, Hornbeam and Guelder Rose can be incorporated into native or mixed hedges, depending on site conditions and the desired appearance.
Learn more about hedging native to the UK.
Fast-Growing Hedging
Fast-growing hedges can establish screening relatively quickly, but growth rate should not be the only consideration.
Some vigorous species require regular pruning and sufficient space to remain manageable. A slower-growing hedge may be more appropriate where maintenance or available space is limited.
Compare your options in our fast-growing hedging collection.
Buy Hedging Plants Online
Once you have found suitable plants using our hedge selector, follow the product links to explore the available sizes and purchasing options.
Landscaping Emporium supplies a range of bare-root and rootballed hedging plants, with professional planting services available across North West England.
Browse our complete hedging plants for sale collection.
Expert Hedging Advice from Kirman Design
Choosing the correct species is an important first step, but planting preparation, spacing, drainage and aftercare are equally important to establishing a healthy hedge.
Our associated garden design and landscaping business, Kirman Design, has extensive experience specifying and planting hedging for residential gardens and landscapes.
Whether you need a formal evergreen boundary, a mixed native hedge or mature plants for immediate screening, we can help you make an informed decision.
Use the Kirman Hedge Selector above to find suitable plants and explore your purchasing options.
Frequently Asked Questions About Choosing Hedging
What is the best hedge for privacy?
The best hedge for privacy depends on your soil, available space, desired height and maintenance requirements. Evergreen species such as Yew, Portuguese Laurel and Cherry Laurel are popular for year-round screening, while Hornbeam and Beech can provide effective seasonal privacy.
What is the best hedge for clay soil?
Hornbeam, Hawthorn and Field Maple are among the species that can perform well in clay soils. However, clay soil that becomes persistently waterlogged requires different consideration from clay that drains adequately.
Which hedges grow well in shade?
Yew, Hornbeam and certain Laurel species can tolerate shaded conditions, although their performance varies with the degree of shade, soil moisture and competition from nearby trees.
What is the best UK native hedge?
Hawthorn is a traditional choice for native boundary hedging. Hazel, Field Maple, Hornbeam, Blackthorn and other native species can also be used individually or in mixed hedges, depending on the site and intended purpose.
Should I buy bare-root or rootballed hedging?
Bare-root hedging is generally a cost-effective choice for planting during the dormant season. Rootballed plants are supplied with soil around their roots and can offer larger, more established specimens. Availability and planting periods depend on the species and growing conditions.
Can I buy the hedges recommended by the selector?
Yes. The Kirman Hedge Selector links to corresponding hedging products available through Landscaping Emporium, where you can review product options and current availability.