Fast growing evergreen with large leathery leaves metallic grey-green above and silver underneath. Many inconspicuous but intensely fragrant silvery flowers appear in clusters in autumn, followed by small egg-shaped orange fruits in spring. Ideal for shady, windy or seaside but not cold positions.
HEDGE Trim in spring. For hedges 5-8ft (1.5-2.4m). Plant 1.5-2ft (45-60cm) apart.
SHRUB 10ft x 10ft (3m x 3m).

A showy form of Elaeagnus ebbingei excellent for brightening up shady areas. Leaves green at first with silvery hue, then developing a central splash of yellow and lime-green, silver underneath. Intensely fragrant silvery flowers appear in autumn followed by small egg-shaped orange fruits in spring. Ideal for shady, windy or seaside but not cold positions.
HEDGE Trim in spring. For hedges 5-8ft (1.5-2.4m). Plant 1.5-2ft (45-60cm) apart.
SHRUB 10ft x 10ft (3m x 3m).

Fast growing native deciduous shrub with large clusters of creamy-white flowers in June followed in autumn by large bunches of shiny black elderberries. Can be grown as a shrub in a wild area or put in a mixed native hedge. Both flowers and berries are widely used to make delicious wines and cordials. Elder grows well by the sea. It is rarely eaten by cattle.
SHRUB 12ft x 15ft (3.7m x 4.6m).

This cross between Ulmus pumila and U. japonica has a considerable level of resistance to Dutch Elm disease. It is a large, fast growing, decidous tree with a broadly conical upright habit and large, toothed, glossy dark green leaves, attractively red tinged when young, turning yellow-green in autumn. Will tolerate exposed positions.
TREE 60ft x 40ft (18m x 12m)

This plant is registered for Plant Breeders' Rights. Propagation by unlicensed growers is prohibited.

A noble native decidous tree, which due to Dutch Elm disease, can best be grown as a hedging plant at present in this country. With its dark green leaves and dense habit it is excellent for hedging, especially when mixed with other species. Leaves turn a beautiful butter yellow in autumn.
HEDGE Trim as necessary. For hedges 4-9ft (1.2-2.7m). Plant 2ft (60cm) apart.

Colourful fast growing evergreen with small, glossy, deeply toothed dark green leaves. Masses of tubular crimson-red flowers from June to October. Excellent for seaside areas or sunny positions, but not suitable for cold positions exposed to cold drying winds.
HEDGE Trim after flowering. For hedges 3-7ft (0.9-2.1m). Plant 1.5-2ft (45-60cm) apart.
SHRUB 8ft x 5ft (2.4m x 1.5m).

Colourful fast growing evergreen with small, glossy, dark green leaves. Masses of saucer-shaped pink tinted white flowers from June to October. Excellent for seaside areas or sunny positions, but not suitable for cold positions exposed to cold drying winds.
HEDGE Trim after flowering. For hedges 3-7ft (0.9-2.1m). Plant 1.5-2ft (45-60cm) apart.
SHRUB 8ft x 5ft (2.4m x 1.5m).

Excellent dwarf evergreen plant. Bright variegated green and gold foliage. Tolerant of dense shade.
HEDGE Trim in May and August. For hedges 9ins-2ft (23-60cm). Plant 1ft (30cm) apart.
SHRUB 2ft x 3ft (60cm x 90cm).

Excellent dwarf evergreen plant. Bright variegated green and silver foliage. Tolerant of dense shade.
HEDGE Trim in May and August. For hedges 9ins-2ft (23-60cm). Plant 1ft (30cm) apart.
SHRUB 2ft x 4ft (60cm x 120cm).

Large ornamental evergreen conifer with horizontal branches arranged in tiers and clothed to the ground. Large cones held upwards on the top of branches. Recommended for Christmas trees as they hold their needles better than Norway or Serbian Spruce.
CONIFER 40ft x 12ft (12m x 3.7m) in 20 years, ultimate height 120ft (37m).

Colourful deciduous shrub with fragrant mid to dark green lobed leaves and masses of really colourful 2 to 4 inch (5 to 10cm) long pendent intense crimson flowers from late March to May. These are followed by globose blue-black berries in autumn.
HEDGE Trim after flowering and again in August. For hedges 3-5ft (0.9m-1.5m). Plant 2ft (60cm) apart.
SHRUB 6ft x 5ft (1.8m x 1.5m).

A herald of spring with a spectacular display of bright yellow flowers covering the fast growing shrub in March and April. Makes a good dense hedge or is excellent as an individual plant in a shrubbery.
HEDGE Trim after flowering and in August. For hedges 4-6ft (120-180cm). Plant 2ft (60cm) apart.
SHRUB 8ft x 7ft (2.4m x 2.1m).

Native shrub with dense, dark green shoots and vicious spines giving the appearance of an evergreen. From March to May and often late summer a dazzling feast of colour is given by the fragrant pea-like vibrant yellow flowers. Thrives in poor, dry acid soils, but suitable for any well drained soil. Sunny position.
HEDGE Trim after flowering. For hedges 3-5ft (0.9m-1.5m). Plant 2ft (60cm) apart.
SHRUB 6ft x 6ft (1.8m x 1.8m).

Vigorous, dense, evergreen with handsome, broad, glossy, pale apple-green leathery leaves up to 4ins (10cm) long. Small yellow tail-like flowers in May. Needs a well-drained, fertile soil and full sun. Will withstand temperatures down to -12°C (10°F), but must have shelter from cold drying winds, however, makes an ideal windbreak in coastal areas with maritime winds.
HEDGE Trim in late spring. For hedges 4-8ft (120-140cm). Plant 2ft (60cm) apart.
SHRUB 15ft x 10ft (4.6m x 3m).

Vigorous, bushy, native, deciduous shrub or small tree with flat heads of heavily scented white flowers May and June followed by masses of bunches of translucent bright red berries in autumn. The large dark green leaves turn brilliant red in autumn complementing the red berries. Any good moist soil but will thrive in wet or boggy situations.
HEDGE Can be grown as an informal hedge or added to a mixed native hedge. Trim to shape after flowering, taking care not to remove flowering/berrying stems. For hedges 5-10ft (1.5m-3m). Plant 2ft (60cm) apart.
SHRUB 13ft x 15ft (4m x 4.6m).

Large, fast growing, native, deciduous shrub with large mid-green leaves. Very attractive in spring when festooned with many long yellow catkins which are followed by edible nuts in autumn. For named fruiting varieties see fruit section. Cell grown plants are Corylus maxima (Filbert).
HEDGE Trim in March (taking care to leave some catkins and female flowers if nuts are wanted). For hedges 5-12ft (1.5-3.7m). Plant 2-3ft (60-90cm) apart.
SHRUB 20ft x 15ft (6m x 4.6m).

Outstanding golden leafed Hazel which looks stunning grown as a specimen, a hedge or when grown with Purple-Leaf Hazel. Produces catkins in spring but mainly grown for its outstanding foliage. Deciduous.
HEDGE Trim in March. For hedges 5-12ft (1.5-3.7m). Plant 2-3ft (60-90cm) apart.
SHRUB 15ft x 12ft (4.6m x 3.7m).

This purple leafed form of Hazel makes an outstanding ornamental and fruit-bearing deciduous hedge. Plant in full sun for best leaf colour.
HEDGE Trim in March (taking care to leave some catkins and female flowers if nuts are wanted). For hedges 5-12ft (1.5-3.7m). Plant 2-3ft (60-90cm) apart.
SHRUB 15ft x 12ft (4.6m x 3.7m).

A shapely evergreen conifer, narrowly conical with attractive flat needle-like foliage. Very fast growing. Any soil except very limy. Shade loving when young. Heavy rainfall preferred.
HEDGE Trim in June or September. For hedges 6ft (1.8m) upwards. Plant 1.5-2ft (45-60cm) apart.
CONIFER 60ft x 15ft (18m x 4.6m) in 20 years, ultimate height 100ft (30m).

Alaska - female. Atlas - male.
Very dense prickly evergreen, selected forms of our native holly. Glossy green foliage, tiny white flowers in spring followed by red berries in winter on pollinated female plants. Shade tolerant.
Our suggested mix has 1 male to 5 females to ensure good berrying.
HEDGE Trim late summer. For hedges 3-15ft (0.9-4.6m). Plant 1.5-2ft (45-60cm) apart.
TREE 18ft x 10ft (5.5m x 3m) in 20 years, ultimate height 65ft (20m).

Blue Prince - Male. Blue Princess - Female.
Excellent evergreen hedging holly, with extremely dense habit, purplish shoots bearing softly spiny, glossy, dark blue-green leaves. Tiny white flowers over a long period followed by masses of brilliant red berries. Shade tolerant.
Our suggested mix has 1 male to 5 females to ensure good berrying.
HEDGE Trim late summer. For hedges 3-6ft (0.9-1.8m). Plant 1.5-2ft (45-60cm) apart.
SHRUB 6ft x 6ft (1.8m x 1.8m) in 20 years, ultimate height 6ft (1.8m).

A spectacular, evergreen, female form with nearly spine-free leaves green in centre with bright gold margins. Compact habit, tiny white flowers in spring followed by red berries on pollinated plants. Shade tolerant, retaining golden variegation in the shade.
HEDGE Trim late summer. For hedges 3-15ft (0.9-4.6m), plant 1.5-2ft (45-60cm) apart.
TREE 15ft x 10ft (4.6m x 3m) in 20 years, ultimate height 25ft.

Aureo Marginata - Male. Madame Briot - Female.
Both male and female are bushy and vigorous with dark green leaves with spiny bright gold margins. Variegation is also held in the shade. Female bears masses of scarlet berries. Evergreen.
Our suggested mix has 1 male to 5 females to ensure good berrying.
HEDGE Trim late summer. For hedges 3-15ft (0.9-4.6m). Plant 1.5-2ft (45-60cm) apart.
TREE 18ft x 10ft (5.5m x 3m) in 20 years, ultimate height 30ft (9m).

In appearance similar to Box and may be used as a substitute if Box Blight may prove to be a problem. It has glossy, small, dark green leaves, but once established can grow at least 8ins (20cm) a year. Produces small black shiny fruits in autumn, and makes an excellent evergreen hedge.
HEDGE Trim late summer. For hedges 2-6ft (0.6-1.8m). Plant 1.5ft (45cm) apart.
SHRUB 10ft x 4ft (3m x 1.2m).

A self-fertile female form with dark purple stems and large shiny nearly spine-free dark green leaves. Tiny white flowers in spring followed by abundant bright red berries. Shade tolerant. Evergreen.
HEDGE Trim late summer. For hedges 3-15ft (0.9-4.6m), plant 1.5-2ft (45-60cm) apart.
TREE 15ft x 8ft (4.6m x 2.4m) in 20 years, ultimate height 20ft (6m).

A fascinating plant with shiny leaves which have a creamy white margin and spines not only on the leaf margins but also on the leaf surface. A male form which will create a very dense, prickly evergreen hedge, which is shade tolerant, retaining the bright variegation in the shade.
HEDGE Trim late summer. For hedges 3-5ft (0.9m-1.5m). Plant 1.5-2ft (45-60cm) apart.
SHRUB 8ft x 5ft (2.4m x 1.5m).

Silver Queen - Male. Handsworth New Silver - Female.
Dense habit, dark purple stems, shade tolerant holding bright variegation in shade. Female has long spiny leaves, mid-green, creamy margins and bright red berries. Male has broader variegated leaves but no berries. Our suggested mix has 1 male to 5 females to ensure good berrying.
HEDGE Trim late summer. For hedges 3-15ft (0.9-4.6m). Plant 1.5-2ft (45-60cm) apart.
TREE 18ft x 10ft (5.5m x 3m) in 20 years, ultimate height 30ft (9m).

Very dense, bushy, fast growing evergreen plant with masses of tiny leaves, dissimilar in appearance to climbing honeysuckle. Makes a very neat hedge when trimmed. Shade tolerant but not suitable for very cold positions. An outstanding variety with bright golden leaves. Plant in full sunlight to ensure brightest colouring.
HEDGE Trim in April and September. For hedges 2-5ft (60-150cm). Plant 9-12ins (23-30cm) apart.
SHRUB 5ft x 5ft (1.5m x 1.5m).

Very, dense, bushy fast growing evergreen plant with masses of tiny leaves, dissimilar in appearance to climbing honeysuckle. Makes a very neat hedge when trimmed. Shade tolerant but not suitable for very cold positions. Excellent plant with dark green leaves.
HEDGE Trim in April and September. For hedges 2-5ft (60cm-150cm). Plant 9-12ins (23-30cm) apart.
SHRUB 5ft x 5ft (1.5m x 1.5m).

Hardy native plant similar to Green Beech with mid-green leaves, suitable for heavy wet soils, and frost pockets. Green catkins from late spring to autumn, turning to clusters of winged fruit in autumn providing food for wildlife. Shade tolerant. For an upright, fastigiate form click here.
HEDGE Retains brown foliage in winter, especially if pruned in late summer. For hedges 3ft (90cm) upwards. Plant 9-18ins (23-45cm) apart or for a denser or stock-proof hedge plant in a staggered double row with 15ins (38cm) between rows and 18ins (45cm) between plants. Hornbeam is also excellent for pleaching.
TREE 20ft x 12ft (6m x 3.7m) in 20 years, ultimate height 80ft (24m).