Why plant a hedge?
 

• Hedges are the most natural form of garden boundary and have been used for centuries to keep out intruders or animals and to create shelter and privacy.
• They are also a key part of the garden landscape, acting as a living, green backdrop to colourful borders and lawns.
• Hedges can last longer than a fence and just as long as a wall and are less expensive than both!
• Hedges provide shelter from winds.
• Attracts insects, birds and butterflies.
• Hedges that produce berries are a great source of food and shelter for birds. A hedge in flower will also attract bees and butterflies.
• Hedges helps absorb noise and dust.
• Planting a hedge is a great idea if you want to hide an unattractive feature such as rubbish bins, washing lines, compost heaps or ugly buildings.
• If you have a large area and you want to create a boundary, plant shelter belts and groups of trees at the boundaries and in the corners. This will not only give you privacy, shelter and a lovely setting but will reduce the area for lawn mowing. Use native hazel, birch, holly, hawthorn and beech. Castlewellan & Leylandii also make excellent shelter belts.
• Elaeagnus, Escallonia, Olearia and Griselinia are coastal hardy hedges and provide excellent shelter from sea wind. 
• Holly and Yew make fantastic inland evergreen hedges. Hornbeam and Hawthorn are a good deciduous alternative.