With a rise in urban living, the need for privacy has become more pronounced than ever. Whether you’re trying to deter peeping neighbours or simply want to create a peaceful and secluded haven in your own backyard, planting a hedging screen can be the perfect solution. In this article, we’ll guide you through the best native UK shrubs that can be used as a privacy screen in urban areas. We’ll explore various factors such as growth rate, maintenance, and benefits to wildlife, which will help you make an informed decision about which type of hedge to plant.
The Importance of Choosing Native Shrubs
Before we delve into the specifics of which tree or plant to choose, let’s take a moment to understand why going native is a wise decision. Native trees and plants have evolved over thousands of years to adapt to the specific conditions of the region. This makes them resilient and able to thrive with minimal human intervention.
Choosing native shrubs for hedging has numerous advantages. They are tailor-made for the UK’s climate and soil conditions, reducing the need for fertilisers and pesticides. These plants also play a crucial role in supporting local ecosystems, providing food and shelter for a range of insects, birds, and other wildlife.
Fast-Growing Shrubs for Quick Privacy
When it comes to creating a privacy screen, the faster a plant grows, the quicker you’ll achieve your desired level of privacy. However, fast-growing doesn’t always equate to best. It’s important to balance growth rate with other considerations such as maintenance, appearance, and benefits for wildlife. Here are a few native UK shrubs which are known for their rapid growth.
The Leyland Cypress (Cupressocyparis leylandii) is a popular choice for hedging due to its fast growth rate and dense, evergreen foliage. It can grow up to one metre per year and, if well maintained, can provide a solid, evergreen screen.
Another fast-growing option is the Beech (Fagus sylvatica). While it’s technically a tree, Beech can be grown as a hedge and can reach up to four metres within 10 years. It’s not evergreen, but it retains its dead leaves during winter, providing year-round privacy.
Best Shrubs for Low Maintenance
Not everyone has the time or inclination to spend their weekends trimming and pruning hedges. For those of you seeking low-maintenance options, native shrubs are your best bet.
The Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) is a fantastic low-maintenance choice. Not only does it require very little care, but it also produces beautiful white flowers in spring and red berries in autumn, attracting a wide array of wildlife.
The Holm Oak (Quercus ilex) is an evergreen tree that can be used as a hedge. It’s easy to maintain and has glossy, dark green leaves that give a Mediterranean feel to your garden. Holm Oak grows relatively slowly, but its durability and low maintenance make it a great choice for a privacy screen.
Plants that Attract Wildlife
Finding the right balance between privacy and maintaining local wildlife can be a challenge. However, some shrubs invite birds, bees, and butterflies while still providing a good screen.
The Field Maple (Acer campestre) is a fantastic native shrub that offers dense leaves for screening, and also produces flowers and seeds that attract a variety of wildlife. It’s a relatively fast grower and can be pruned into a neat hedge.
Hazel (Corylus avellana) is another excellent choice. It’s not evergreen, but it offers good coverage throughout the year, and its catkins provide an early food source for bees.
Value for Money Shrubs
Lastly, while we can’t put a price on the benefits of privacy and tranquillity, it’s essential to consider the cost. Fast-growing and low-maintenance shrubs tend to be more affordable and provide a good return on investment, offering substantial privacy within a few years.
The Privet (Ligustrum ovalifolium) is a common hedge plant offering excellent value for money. It’s evergreen, fast-growing, and can be clipped into a dense hedge. Its creamy-white summer flowers also attract butterflies, adding a bonus for wildlife.
In conclusion, different plants offer different benefits, and the best one for you will depend on your specific needs and circumstances. The key is to choose a plant that is right for your garden and your lifestyle. By doing so, you’ll create a beautiful, private and wildlife-friendly space that you can enjoy year-round.
Hardy Shrubs for Urban Environments
Urban areas can be a challenging environment for plants due to pollution, lack of space, and often poor soil conditions. Nevertheless, there are several robust and resilient native UK shrubs that thrive in these circumstances and provide excellent privacy screening.
The Red Cedar (Thuja plicata) is one such shrub. It’s an evergreen tree that can reach a height of 20 metres, although it can be maintained at a much lower height if desired. Red Cedar grows well in a range of conditions, including full sun or shade, and in both well-drained and clay soils. Its dense, dark green foliage provides a robust privacy screen year-round, and it is also relatively fast-growing.
Another resilient choice is the Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus). This large evergreen shrub or small tree can grow to a height of 8 metres and spread of 8 metres. Its large, glossy green leaves offer a dense screen, and its small white flowers in spring are loved by bees. It is able to tolerate a range of conditions, including full sun or partial shade, and a wide range of soil types.
For a more classic look, consider Yew (Taxus baccata). This slow-growing evergreen tree is perfect for hedging, as it can be easily clipped into a solid, dense screen. Yew can reach a height of 20 metres over many years, however, regular pruning can keep it to the desired height and spread. Despite its slow growth rate, its long lifespan and tolerance to shade make it a reliable choice for urban gardens.
Conclusion: The Right Hedge for Your Urban Garden
When it comes to selecting hedging plants for your urban garden, the key is to consider your specific requirements and conditions. It’s important to remember that the best shrubs for privacy are those that are fast-growing, have a good height spread, can thrive in full sun or shade, and are capable of growing to a substantial height in metres.
If your garden gets plenty of sunshine, Red Cedar or Cherry Laurel can be excellent choices. They both provide thick, evergreen foliage and can grow relatively quickly. If your garden is mostly in shade, Yew could be a better option, with its dense, dark green leaves providing year-round privacy.
Remember not to overlook the importance of wildlife-friendly choices. Plants like Field Maple, Hawthorn and Hazel not only provide a good screen but also attract a variety of local wildlife with their flowers and seeds.
Whether you’re considering fast-growing trees, low-maintenance shrubs, or value-for-money hedging plants, there’s a native UK shrub that can provide the perfect solution. By choosing from these resilient and beautiful screening trees, you’ll be able to enjoy a secluded and tranquil garden, while also encouraging local wildlife.
Image credit: All plant images are sourced from reputable botanical websites and plant catalogues.
In conclusion, while urban living can pose challenges to privacy, using native UK shrubs to create a natural screen can offer a rewarding and sustainable solution. They offer a wide variety of textures, colours, and growth habits, ensuring that there is something to suit every garden and gardener. By choosing native, you’re not only selecting the best for your privacy but also contributing to local ecosystems. So go ahead, explore, and let nature bring tranquillity to your urban garden.