Can anyone help with suggestions for a hedge to be planted along the base of a neighbouring leylandii hedge.
The situation is that the neighbouring property has a very tall leylandii hedge which my clients are managing to keep more or less under control on their side, but it has grown 'leggy' with nothing much growing at the base. My clients have an ugly 4ft concrete and mesh boundary fence which they are wanting to replace. We have looked at building a wall, but the cost is prohibitive, also the footings would cause problems with the stability of the leylandii hedge. My clients don't want the upkeep of a fence panels, so we are now looking at planting a low hedge on their side, along the line of the neighbouring leylandii hedge. Hope this is making sense so far.
The boundary faces east, is in very dry shade, plus I have heard that the soil under a leylandii hedge is usually acidic. The width of the hedge is not a problem, but the clients don't want anything that grows so tall that they are constantly cutting it back.
Any suggestions are gratefully received!

Jane,

This one sounds like a losing battle (but I'm a landscaper not a gardener!) Leylandii is such a good competitor for light, nutrients and water that you're going to struggle to grow anything that isn't permenantly fighting for its life. can you not put  a hurdle fence up - something that doesn't need painting or treating every year?

Dave

www.the-gardenmakers.co.uk

hello BDG, the safest bet for you is to suggest once more the use of a fence or hurdle because they wont go and die on you. If your client insists on a living hedge then the responsibility lies with them. Most hedges are pretty tough characters but whether they will flourish and smile in a shady dry position is another matter. We grow Escallonia hedges that are pretty sturdy, they tolerate some shade and facing east I presume they will at least get the morning sun. You do not mention the length of the hedge but before spending a fortune on plants you could 'hedge your bets' and grow just one such shrub and see how it grows if your clients are patient enough to wait and see which usually they are not....

Hi BGD,

You don't say how much room you have available. Could you leave the existing fence in place to mark the boundary and plant a new hedge inside this, with space behind to give access for trimming the Leylandii?

If not, how about a dead hedge / fedge? For the type I like you build a very basic hollow structure (usually chicken wire or similar mesh product between posts), fill it with woody prunings, branches and dry leaves and grow ivy over and through it.You don't have to fill it in one go, but can add material as it becomes available. Over time this creates an ivy hedge which only needs a yearly trim to keep it looking good. The woody-based fill breaks down gradually and gives a damp bottom and dry top. Beetles and amphibians love the bottom and small mammals and birds like the top. You can pick a mesh size that is small enough to stop magpies and squirrels but large enough to let garden birds in for nesting. Ivy grows anywhere, and you may have native plants on site that can be transplanted. You may also be able to establish other plants like honeysuckle and clematis later. PLus, it may be possible to use the existing fence as the back of the structure.

I've also seen pre-planted, ivy-covered, mesh panels around town (generally restricting the view on entry to roundabouts). I don't know any suppliers but it wouldn't be difficult to build something similar. This would be narrower than the deadhedge and be more instant.

Good luck whatever you opt for - Leylandii are certainly a headache.

Thanks for the advice everyone.  The client has finally been persuaded to go for a fence.  Just got to find a fence they like now - next headache!

A very difficult problem - as you say, very dry and acid.  You could try Lavender, it will take the dryness and with some manure dug inm it might just work.  Good luck, Madelaine.