Ask Peter’s Complete Guide to Hedges

Practical hedging & screening advice for Irish and UK gardens

Everything you need to choose, plant and manage hedges that actually work — for privacy, shelter, wildlife and boundaries.

Hedges are one of the most common garden questions I’m asked, usually when someone needs privacy, shelter, or a boundary that hasn’t worked as planned.

This guide brings everything together in one clear, practical resource, written specifically for Irish and UK conditions.

This guide is for you if:

• You’re planning a hedge and want to get it right the first time

• Your garden is exposed, overlooked, windy or awkward

• You’re unsure which hedge suits your soil, space or maintenance level

• You want hedging that supports wildlife without losing structure

• You’ve planted hedging before and it didn’t thrive

Inside the guide, you’ll find:

 Understanding hedges

• What makes a great hedge

• Hedge types and styles — and when to use each

• Native, naturalised and non-native hedging: getting the balance right

 Planning & design

• Growth rates, spacing, timing and layout

• Mixed hedges vs single-species hedges

• Dwarf hedges, structural edging and modern grass hedges

 Specialist hedges

• Edible hedges for beauty and food

• Ornamental grass hedges for softer screening

• Security hedges that protect without looking harsh

 Practical planting & care

• Planting, watering and soil preparation

• Pruning, coppicing and hedge laying

• Troubleshooting common problems

 Ready-to-use resources

• Hedge recipes and planting combinations

• Plant lists by condition and style

• Plant profiles for the best hedge plants

• Legal and boundary considerations

• Ask Peter: frequently asked questions

What Makes This Different

• This isn’t a generic plant list or a quick blog post.
• It’s built from decades of real-world horticultural experience and the questions people ask me every day, often after something has gone wrong.

FORMAT & DELIVERY 

• Digital PDF download

• Written specifically for Ireland & the UK

• Instant access after purchase

If you want more personalised help, Ask Peter can guide you through your specific situation, from choosing plants to planning next steps.

Download the Complete Hedge Guide  Now