Hi Sibe,

Do you have any ideas for a hedge or a border above a retaining front wall that drops on to a road? It's a very exposed position in a seaside town. I'd prefer it if I could go for something evergreen with flowers, is this possible?

Looking forward to hearing from you soon,

Piers Corfield

Our Gardening Expert Replies:

Hi Piers,

It is certainly possible to have a flowering evergreen seaside hedge! The two plants most often recommended are, firstly, Escalonia which has pleasant shiny leaves and masses and masses of small tubular flowers which result in this plant being widely grown in coastal areas. The flowers appear throughout summer and there are pink, white and red varieties available. The only thing to watch with this plant is that if you would rather have a formal hedge - ie clipped in a straight line - then don't do any pruning until just after flowering! It's amazing how many times I've seen people pruning their escalonias just before the flowers come out - which are then never seen!

The second recommendation is Olearia haastii. This originates in New Zealand but is reliably hardy in this country and makes an excellent hedging plant. The flowers are white and do have a fragrance although this is not very strong. When the flowers appear they cover the entire plant and are usually present during July and August. An excellent plant.

I'll throw in a few others which you may wish to consider, which are not particularly noted for their flowers. They do, though, make attractive hedging plants suitable for your situation. Firstly, Euonymus japonicus which has attractive variegated forms with somewhat convoluted names - for example, 'Ovatus Aureus' or 'Aureopictus' but which basically are yellow centres and green rims, or the reverse, on quite attractive glossy leaves and which certainly make a colourful splash. Next is Pyracantha which, of course, has a very noticeable display of red or orange berries in the autumn and which will make an extremely spiny barrier should you require one!

Lastly, is the good old faithful: Holly. Some of the highly variegated types such as Ilex altaclarensis 'Golden King' are not particularly fast growing, but will make a sturdy colourful hedge and can easily put up with your coastal conditions.

Regards,

Sibe

For more advice on looking after hedges, see Caring For Your Hedge.