Ever thought about using a hedge instead of a fence?

When it comes to sprucing your open space aesthetics are important. But it's not just about making it look good; it's also about making the space work for a specific purpose.

As the focus of many continues to move towards a more environmentally conscious future we’ve seen a large number of our customers turning to an outdoor solution which blends nature with modern practicality.

Fences, for example, are a fairly modern concept. Whether you’re looking to secure a property, close off a certain area or create a privacy screen from prying eyes a fence is not always easy to blend into the environment. A fence is a fence, after all... except when it’s a hedge!

Whether it’s security, privacy or effective boundary control you’re after, a well-maintained hedge can offer a range of convenient and effective benefits to rival any fence.

Hedges act as a natural wind breaker

Hedges slow and disperse winds as they pass through, permitting a degree of airflow similar to a gentle breeze rather than a strong wind, as you might get with a chainlink boundary fence. Solid wooden fences are much more efficient at completely blocking wind and wet weather, but they lack the ability to have wind pass through which can cause a lot of damage in very intense windy or stormy weather.

It's important to get the balance right; there will be some situations where a fence is absolutely the best choice for your property, but when it comes to wind breaks hedges offer the best of both worlds.

Pro tip: We think a good mix of evergreen and deciduous within your hedge will make it the ideal windbreak all year round.

Encourage wildlife to your open space

When selecting hedges for fencing alternatives it’s important to consider that your boundaries may soon become a five-star hotel for wildlife, attracting all sorts of birds, bugs and critters to add life and colour to your garden. This not only contributes to the local ecosystem but also brings your garden to life with the sights and sounds of nature.

Pro tip: By choosing the right variety of plant, your hedges can encourage new birds, bees and insects to the environment and can give your open space a diverse and colourful look. Some good species for this would be Hawthorns or Red Japanese Roses.

Maintaining your hedges for aesthetic appeal

When it comes to upkeep, hedges are pretty easy to maintain, and a scheduled trim here and there can keep them in a uniform shape and ensure their rejuvenation. A regular prune will also help to thicken and train your hedges giving you more flexibility to customise your green barrier to your liking - sleek and orderly or something a bit wilder and more natural, perhaps.

Pro tip: The choice between formal or informal plants completely depends on your requirements. Our grounds maintenance teams look at each plant individually to ensure we can best support different heights, widths, flowering and soil conditions to keep them healthy and neat. You’ll need to do the same for yours.

Compact solutions for small spaces

For those with limited space, hedge boundaries can be an effective fencing solution that won’t appear as overcrowding at a fence. Carefully choosing and maintaining the right species of hedges can provide privacy and beauty without demanding the footprint of a traditional fence.

Pro tip: If you have less space to work with, there are small and medium-sized hedge options that can be maintained between 1-4ft. Pygmaea and Corallina Compacta are compacted, low-growing hedges perfect for small spaces.

Combating noise pollution

Hedges can be incredible at absorbing noise. Their dense foliage and branches can help to really reduce noise pollution to form a calm and peaceful environment that shields staff, visitors and students from the bustle of the outside environment.

Pro tip: We often opt for wider and taller hedges when looking for a physical barrier to noise; there are plenty to choose from including Common Yew, Holly, and Japanese Barberry – Just make sure you place them correctly between your property and noise polluted area.

Whilst hedges do offer many advantages over a traditional fence, it’s important to consider the commitment of a maintenance package to ensure your hedges remain healthy, dense, and effective in their role. Let them grow wild, and you might find yourself with a bit of an unruly situation that’s tough to tackle on your own.

But don’t let that scare you - hedges can be hardworking, versatile, and can better an open space in so many ways. Just remember to give them some regular TLC and they’ll enhance your space while nicely contributing to the local wildlife and environment.

Thinking about implementing some hedges as a fencing alternative? For professional advice on options alongside the right maintenance for the hedges on your property, get in touch.