I want to plant a row ( 26ft ) of conifers as a hedge. What is the best type to plant, and how far apart. Ta.?
Question:They will be going in fairly good soil in a sunny position.
Answers:
If you're in the Northern USA or Southern Canada... zones 3b to 7, I would recommend "Emerald Green" Arborvitae (Thuja Occidentalis 'Smaragd'). For more info on planting and care:
http://www.nurserytrees.com/arborvitae_w...
http://www.nurserytrees.com/photo%20gall...
Well I dont know what climate zone you live in but here in the southeast a popular hedging plant is "Southern Red Cedar". It has a big christmas tree shape to it, grows really fast and thick, and is easy to care for.
For quickness in growing you can't beat Leylandii, but they are a bit thuggish, so you have to be prepared to keep them trimmed. I have a thirty foot hedge, and it looks great. They were planted about two foot apart. I got light green and dark green, and planted them alternately. It's a good effect
Leylandi are the fastest growing and should be put 2 feet apart. When they reach 6 feet high you will need to prune them every year to keep them in shape. You can plant them anytime but because they need lots and lots of water as soon as they are planted and during the first year it might be better to wait until the end of the summer (If we get one ) to reduce the risk of drought damage. Stake the trees for the first year so that they don't blow over in the winds. Hope this helps.
I am going to get some in a months time and I will get mine from McBrides online nursery. They are reasonably priced and free delivery.
http://www.leylandii-hedging.co.uk/...
Planting a straight row of trees down a property line is just about the ugliest, although common, way of landscaping. I would plant them so that they weave or are offset, seem a bit random if you will. I would use upright juniper say juniperus viginiana, but there are many others too, pick what you like.
I plant them in autumn while soil is still warm, to let roots establish. Water them for a few weeks to help them settle in. Depending on type of conifers you choose, average planting space 3 or four foot apart should be ok for a hedge
not Leylandii (Leyland Cypress) no, not ever.
uncontrollable, banned in some cities
you will be better off using something like yew instead.
Less maintenance and won't go bald at the bottom when it gets older.
leylandii 3-4 feet apart
There are quite a few evergreen trees that can be used along the property border. In your situation, however, you have a limited length of space. This eliminates many of the larger trees, such as Norway Spruce or Douglas Fir.
Leyland Cypress, in my opinion, is a rather uninteresting evergreen. Arborvitae are very stiff. I prefer something softer and pretty. The Yews to use as a screen get quite wide, and should be pruned to keep them smaller.
I would want to use something that has many nice features, is extremely attractive and does not get too wide. Which brings me to Fosteri Holly.
Fosteri Holly is a cross between American Holly (ilex opaca) and another holly called ilex cassine. Fosteri Holly is a relatively small pyramidal tree. It is evergreen and will produce an abundance of red berries in the fall! And it is VERY pretty.
Fosteri Holly will grow to 6 - 10'wide and 20 - 25' tall. You can most likely use 3 to 4 of them. I also think they would look nice staggered, rather than in a straight line.
I am not sure what zone you are in, but this Holly should be planted in Zones 6 to 9. In addition, be careful if you have a deer problem.
If you can use this evergreen, I think you will love it. By the way, buy females (for the berries), and plant a male elsewhere.
Here is a picture of Nellie Stevens Holly, which looks very similar to Fosteri Holly. You can use this one too...they are very similar to each other.
http://www.longbranchfarminc.com/nellier...
You can read a lot more about evergreen trees, including the Hollies, here: http://www.landscape-design-advice.com/e...
Good luck!
Susan
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