How to grow a hedge

Whether used as a decorative feature, a privacy screen or to help define areas of the garden, hedges add a touch of formality to your outdoor space - by Better Homes and Gardens

Their clean, crisp lines and dense growing habit make them ideal along fences, driveways or to border garden beds. Growing a hedge takes time and requires ongoing maintenance, but if you manage, it will be one of the greatest assets in your garden.

Gather your supplies

• Plants suitable for hedging (we used gardenias)

• Garden mix
• Mulch
• Shovel

• Secateurs or shears

Step 1 Arrange plants in their pots in a line in desired location. Remove pots. Along line, dig a trench to depth of 30cm, incorporating well- rotted manure or organic matter into the soil.

Step 2 Carefully tap sides of pot to remove plant. Gently tease soil from bottom of root ball, then plant. Continue, spacing plants so foliage is just touching. Backfill, then mulch and water.

Step 3 Using secateurs or shears, lightly trim hedge to shape. Regularly feed during growing season, especially after hedge has been clipped.

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