Hi Sibe,

I plan to enclose my rear garden with conifer trees. My garden faces south and is in the sun all day.

Could you please tell me which trees would be best suited and how far apart I should plant them.

Regards,

J. M Woodward.

Our gardening expert replies:

Hello there,

I would recommend either Thuja plicata or Lawson's Cypress - Chamaecyparis lawsoniana.

Thuja plicata is faster growing and will make a more satisfactory high hedge which could be more appropriate if your garden is quite large. Commonly known as Western Red Cedar, if left unpruned this would reach 55' with a 20' spread when mature - but then almost any hedging plant would be massive if left unpruned! The leaves have a pineapple scent, so trimming should be quite a pleasant job. You can get different colour forms - such as 'Zebrina' which is somewhat slower growing and is slightly variable in colour, becoming quite golden in appearance in late spring/early summer. This would make a good display in your sunny garden. Trimming is normally carried out around mid-summer.

The other candidate, Lawson's Cypress, comes in many hundreds of varieties - so be careful to obtain one suitable for hedging as opposed to a miniature rock garden type! Two suitable ones are Chamaecyparis lawsoniana 'Allumii' or 'Fletcheri'. These are usually pruned again about mid-summer, but an additional pruning may be necessary towards the end of September.

Both can be planted in March and should be placed about 18" apart. To encourage quick initial growth ensure that you keep the surrounding area of ground free of weeds or other plants, and water well for the first year at least.

It goes without saying (but I'll mention it anyway) that the one to avoid is Leyland Cypress, Cupressocyparis leylandii. This is really unsuitable for hedging unless you have a large estate. The fastest growing conifer in this country, it needs vigorous trimming, possibly up to six times a year, to restrict its growth which otherwise would soon turn your sunny garden into a shady one.

Good Luck,
Sibe