Choosing a hedge: thuja, yew or hornbeam?

Choose a hedge for the space and maintenance you can provide. Purchase height is only part of the decision. The planting must still work beside the path and boundary as it develops.

Define the purpose first

Do you need privacy, a low division or a screen beside a terrace? Is winter greenery essential? RHS recommends considering foliage type, site conditions, target height and maintenance. Read its hedge selection guide.

Measure width as well as length. Mark gates, meters and access routes before calculating plant numbers.

Three catalogue options

Smaragd thuja is a candidate for a conifer screen. Ask about the delivered size and the cultivar's eventual spread. Height alone does not describe a specimen's shape.

Hicksii yew is worth considering for a formal hedge. Yew is toxic if ingested; account for children, pets and nearby grazing animals. RHS lists the cultivar in its hedge guide above.

Block-trained hornbeam is already shaped. Request the actual block dimensions. Hornbeam is deciduous, so do not expect a permanently green screen. This product is different from an ordinary young hedging plant.

Spacing and cost

Do not apply one planting distance to all three options. Request a layout for the cultivar, supplied size and intended result, then mark it on the ground. Check the space left for maintenance.

Compare smaller plants with trained specimens for the same boundary length. Keep delivery and planting costs separate. A price per plant without dimensions is a poor comparison of complete projects.

Autumn planting

Postpone work when the ground is frozen or waterlogged. The RHS planting guide explains general principles; adapt British seasonal timings to conditions in Moldova.

Arrange watering after planting before delivery. For thuja specifically, read our planting-season guide.

Preparing an enquiry

Provide strip dimensions, photographs, location, desired height and delivery access. Say whether winter greenery matters. We discuss delivery and planting from this information, with a separate quotation and confirmation of available specimens.