Fast growing hedge?

[mandyballantyne]

Hi All,

I have fenced in a new piece of land but want to keep one end semi open for views to the canal, BUT I do need to keep out kids!

I am looking for something that will grow fairly quickly and spread rather than give height, maybe something with berries for the birds??

All thoughts gratefully received, Mandy

[slow-worm]

My favourite for hedging is pyracantha (Fire Thorn) bird love the berries in earley winter especially the one that bears red berries, then spring time they attract a lot of bees.

[nick the grief]

failing that how about Rosa complicata single pinky flowers and hips to die for ( like me ) in the winter. It will grow 3 or 4 ft a year if you let it, but if you cut it back each year by about 2/3's it will get nice and thick.

http://www.roselandhouse.co.uk/roses/rcomplicata.htm

[terrier]

And if you do plant Rosa, dont plant it too thickly. It really is fast growing with a bushy habit. I made the mistake of planting a hedge of the stuff in my garden a few years ago. By the time I decided I just didn't have the room for it, it took ages to dig out.

[Alice]

Rosa Rugosa will give nice flowers and prickly enough to keep the kids out and does good hips. Or berberis flowers well, very prickly and good berries.

[mandyballantyne]

Thanks everyone, great ideas as usual.

Just googled them and love them all, of to the garden centre later so may end up with a few types to add intrest.

Mandy

[tai haku]

Thanks everyone, great ideas as usual.

Just googled them and love them all, of to the garden centre later so may end up with a few types to add intrest.

Mandy

Is it too late to push the case for delicious and beautiful amelanchier?