Plants for a low-maintenance hedge

A loose hedge, allowed to flower, is perfect for wildlife gardens but low-maintenance doesn’t have to mean informal, or unkempt. A slow-growing species such as holly can be kept looking neat with light clipping once or twice a year.

To ensure your hedge remains low-maintenance, don't let it get too high – around 2m high or below is ideal. And avoid plants that tend to grow upwards rather than outward, as they'll be harder to prune.

More hedging content:

• How to plant a bare-root hedge
• How to put hedge trimmings to good use (video)
• How to cut a window into a hedge (video)

Discover some of the best plants for a low-maintenance hedge, below.

Choisya

Suitable for growing in full sun or partial shade, choisyas are clothed in evergreen foliage all year and produce citrus-scented flowers in spring and often again in late summer. Simply prune to keep it to the desired shape and size.

Berberis

Slower growing varieties of Berberis thunbergii make spectacular, colourful hedges. Consider Berberis thunbergii f. atropurpurea – it has purple foliage, clusters of yellow spring flowers and glossy red berries in autumn and winter. Prune lightly to keep it within bounds.

Holly

Native holly makes a fantastic hedging plant. The foliage is evergreen and depending on the variety you choose is deep, glossy green or variegated and brighter. Slow-growing, so doesn't require lots of time spent pruning.

Osmanthus

Both Osmanthus delavayi and Osmanthus burkwoodii are good choices for low-maintenance hedges. Both are slow-growing evergreens with fragrant white flowers in spring and will grow in sun or partial shade.

Yew

A tough and relatively slow-growing plant, yew is rarely troubled by pests and diseases and provides dark green, year-round foliage. When planting yew, be sure to provide ample drainage as yew hates wet feet.

Cryptomeria 'Globosa Nana'

'Globosa Nana' is a slow-growing, dwarf cultivar of Cryptomeria japonica that makes an attractive evergreen hedge. Little pruning is required. Best grown with a bit of shade to get the richest colour, in reliably moist, well-drained soil.