Compare Popular Hedging Species

Use the table below to compare foliage, typical uses and important considerations before choosing your hedge.

Species	Foliage	Best Uses	Considerations
Portuguese Laurel	Evergreen	Privacy, formal boundaries	Allow for mature width and watering
English Yew	Evergreen	Formal hedging, dense screening	Slow to moderate growth; toxic plant
Hornbeam	Deciduous	Clay soils, traditional boundaries	Not suited to permanently waterlogged ground
Green Beech	Deciduous	Formal hedges, seasonal foliage	Avoid severe drought and waterlogging
Hawthorn	Deciduous	Wildlife, native and security hedging	Thorny; less winter privacy
Green Privet	Semi-evergreen	Adaptable, clipped boundaries	May lose foliage during cold winters
English Holly	Evergreen	Wildlife, winter privacy and security	Relatively slow; prickly foliage
Oleaster	Evergreen	Exposed, sunny and coastal hedging	Needs adequate space and suitable drainage

Find the Right Hedging Species for Your Project

Each species below offers a different combination of appearance, screening, seasonal interest and practical benefits.

Portuguese Laurel Hedging

Prunus lusitanica

Portuguese Laurel creates an elegant evergreen hedge with smaller, glossy leaves and a refined appearance.

It is particularly suitable for formal gardens, residential privacy and structured landscaping where suitable growing conditions are available.

View Portuguese Laurel →

English Yew Hedging

Taxus baccata

English Yew is a classic native evergreen for dense, beautifully maintained formal hedges.

It tolerates a range of light conditions but requires adequate drainage. All parts are toxic, apart from the fleshy red aril, and the seed is toxic.

View English Yew →

Hornbeam Hedging

Carpinus betulus

Hornbeam is a versatile native deciduous hedge suitable for traditional and contemporary gardens.

It is useful on many heavier, moisture-retentive soils and responds well to clipping. Formal hedges may retain some brown winter foliage.

View Hornbeam →

Green Beech Hedging

Fagus sylvatica

Beech provides fresh green foliage in spring and summer, followed by attractive warm autumn tones.

Regularly clipped plants often retain some coppery leaves through winter. Beech prefers suitable, well-drained soil without severe drought.

View Green Beech →

Hawthorn Hedging

Crataegus monogyna

Hawthorn is one of the best-known native hedging species for rural gardens, agricultural boundaries and wildlife planting.

White spring blossom is followed by red autumn berries, while thorny branches provide shelter and a defensive boundary.

View Hawthorn →

Green Privet Hedging

Ligustrum ovalifolium

Privet is a popular traditional hedge for residential gardens, front boundaries and formal screening.

It responds well to clipping and can establish relatively quickly in suitable conditions. Winter leaf retention varies with temperature.

View Green Privet →

English Holly Hedging

Ilex aquifolium

English Holly provides evergreen foliage, dense shelter and a traditional defensive boundary.

It is also valuable for wildlife and mixed native planting. Berries form on suitable female plants where pollination occurs.

View English Holly →

Oleaster Hedging

Elaeagnus × submacrophylla

Oleaster is a robust evergreen with attractive silvery-backed leaves and small, fragrant autumn flowers.

It is useful for suitably drained, sunny and exposed locations, including many coastal gardens.

View Oleaster →

Explore More Hedging Species

In addition to our eight featured species, Landscaping Emporium offers other hedging plants for specific garden requirements.

These additional options include flowering evergreen hedges and traditional native plants suitable for wildlife-friendly boundaries.

Griselinia → Escallonia 'Iveyi' → Blackthorn →

Browse the main hedging collection to discover additional species and available plant sizes. Product availability and supply formats vary.

Evergreen or Deciduous Hedging?

Evergreen Hedging

Evergreen species retain foliage throughout the year, making them especially useful for privacy, screening and permanent garden structure.

Portuguese Laurel, Yew, Holly and Oleaster are examples of evergreen hedging.

Deciduous Hedging

Deciduous species offer seasonal foliage changes and can contribute flowers, fruit and wildlife benefits.

Beech, Hornbeam and Hawthorn are traditional choices, with Beech and Hornbeam sometimes retaining dry foliage on regularly clipped hedges during winter.

Native Hedging

Native hedging supports traditional landscape character and can offer valuable habitats for wildlife.

Explore our Native Hedging Guide for more information on mixed and individual native species.

Choose the Right Hedging Supply Type

Once you have selected a species, consider the size of plant and how it is supplied.

Bare-root plants are generally economical for longer hedge runs, while larger rootballed plants can provide more immediate screening.

Container-grown plants can offer greater flexibility in planting dates, depending on nursery stock and weather conditions.

Visit our Hedging by Plant Type page to compare evergreen, deciduous, bare-root, rootballed and container-grown options.

Not Sure Which Hedging Species to Choose?

The most suitable hedge is determined by more than its appearance. Consider what you want the hedge to achieve and whether your garden can support the species.

If privacy, security, wildlife or flowering is your priority, visit our Hedging by Purpose guide.

If your main concern is clay soil, shade, dry ground, wind or coastal exposure, explore Hedging by Growing Conditions .

For planting and delivery information, read our Hedge Delivery, Access and Planting Guide .

Hedging Supplied and Planted Across North West England

Landscaping Emporium supplies hedging for residential, rural and commercial projects across North West England.

Through Kirman Design, professional planting may also be available in applicable areas of Lancashire, the Ribble Valley, Greater Manchester, Cheshire, Merseyside and Cumbria.

We can help with species selection, plant sizes, spacing, supply formats and establishment advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best hedging species for privacy?

Portuguese Laurel, English Yew and Holly are useful evergreen options for year-round screening. The best species depends on soil, sunlight, available width and required height.

Which hedging plants grow quickly?

Privet and Oleaster can grow relatively quickly in suitable conditions. Growth also depends on soil, water, exposure and establishment.

What is the difference between Beech and Hornbeam hedging?

Both are traditional deciduous hedge species. Hornbeam is generally more tolerant of heavier, moisture-retentive soils, while Beech prefers adequately drained ground.

Which hedging species are native to Britain?

English Yew, Hornbeam, Green Beech, Hawthorn and English Holly are native species. Their suitability varies by site and landscape context.

Which hedge is best for a formal garden?

English Yew, Portuguese Laurel, Beech and Hornbeam can all create attractive formal hedges when correctly maintained.

What hedge should I plant for wildlife?

Hawthorn, Blackthorn and Holly offer valuable wildlife benefits. A suitable mixed native hedge can provide flowers, berries and shelter across the seasons.

Can I mix different hedging species?

Yes. Mixed hedging is useful for informal boundaries, wildlife planting and seasonal variety. Choose species with compatible growing requirements.

Can I order different plant sizes?

Plant sizes and supply formats vary by species and nursery availability. Some are offered as bare-root, rootballed or container-grown plants. Check the individual product page.

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Shop Hedging by Species

Portuguese Laurel

English Yew

Hornbeam

Green Beech

Hawthorn

Green Privet

English Holly

Oleaster

Choosing the Right Hedging Species