Grow a Gorgeous Leylandii Hedge

There are a huge variety of different hedge plants to choose from to grow a fantastic natural screen or border. One of the most popular plants used for a hedge has to be Leylandii.

The primary reason that this plant, which is actually a hybrid cross between two different trees, is now so popular is because it is the fastest growing evergreen there is. Leylandii can grow as much as four foot annually. This growth is a great bonus if you want your plants to grow as quickly as possible and you can hurry things along by purchasing plants that are already fairly big. Green and Gold Leylandii are the types that are used the most. The Green Leylandii offers the most rapid vertical growth whereas the Gold variety is slightly slower because it shoots out plenty of horizontal branches and fills gaps in a hedge very efficiently. Planted together this pair form a very attractive hedge which benefits from both qualities, but they are equally attractive when planted alone.

If you would like your Leylandii hedge to look fantastic all year round, you must prune it periodically.

Between two to three trims a year will allow you to maintain an excellent shape. Any indication of disease should be dealt with efficiently, following good advice from an expert at your local garden centre or plant nursery. Towards the end of the spring season and then at the end of the autumn season is the ideal time for pruning. Avoid clipping further than the green foliage because if you expose the woody centre you will not get any new growth on it. This is important if you are going to avoid any bare patches which will affect the appearance of the hedge.

Plant your Leylandii as soon as you can after purchase. Good ground preparation is vital for healthy growth of all varieties of plants, with Leylandii being no exception. Following planting, Leylandii can simply be left to grow and establish themselves and do not need any more attention from you until they need to be pruned. Fertiliser is not required when growing Leylandii.

Leylandii has been given a bad reputation in some regions as in some cases disputes have been caused over its great height. Many of these disputes have been caused through individuals failing to care for their plants and in some cases letting them grow up to fifty foot high. It is best to check in your area to find out if there is a height restriction you must adhere to.

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