Hedging Privacy, security, structure, character and delineating boundaries - just some of the reasons for utilising hedging and this time of year is ideal for planting the different varieties available.

Hedges, as opposed to fencing, provide excellent windbreaks, filtering strong winds and softening wind turbulence that can subject more solid objects to damage or even destruction.

Softer on the eye, hedges can be formal or informal but most importantly take time to consider what it is you want from a hedge and how much effort you are willing to expend maintaining it. This means giving careful thought to the type of hedging plants to be utilised. Remember, once planted and established, it is nigh on impossible to 'move' a hedge without resorting to its destruction.

We are all familiar with the much-maligned Cupressocyparis leylandii but to be fair leylandii does make for a superb, dense, evergreen hedge. However it is a rapid grower and requires clipping at least twice a year - undoubtedly a labour intensive job. If this doesn't appeal to you then as a general rule don't plant it, for your own sake and that of your neighbours if they live close by!

November is the time when bare-rooted hedging plants become available at the garden centre. Bare-rooted stocks are grown in open ground and lifted with virtually no soil around the roots. It is essential to purchase these while they are dormant as they are extremely unlikely to survive if planted when in leaf. Look for plants with a well-developed root system, which are evenly placed and spreading in all directions.

Prior to planting the soil needs to be prepared thoroughly especially as hedging is potentially long-living. I know it's a repetitive statement but that old adage of 'spending a penny on the plant and a pound on the hole' is filled with wisdom!

Cultivate an area wider than that of the actual planting site and remove or kill any weeds growing there. If you use a weed killer select one that breaks down harmlessly on the soil rather than one, which can sterilise the ground thus preventing planting for at least six months. Dig over the area well working in copious amounts of home-made compost or a proprietary brand of manure compost.

Hedging plants generally, are spaced 30Ð60cms (12"-24") apart in a single row although if a thick hedge of 90cms (3') is required, consider double planting. Space the plants 90cm (3Õ) apart with 45cms (18") between the rows staggering the plants. If planting a dwarf hedge the distance between plants is much closer at 10-15cms (4"-6") apart and always remember to water the plants in thoroughly.

Pruning and training a new hedge is essential to encourage dense growth from the base and for keeping the hedge in shape. For hedges such as Ligustrum (privet) and Crataegus monogyna (hawthorn), which have strong upright growth habits, prune the plants back to 15-30cms (6"-12") above ground level in late spring and in late summer clip back lateral growth (side growth from a shoot). In its second winter or early spring get ruthless and cut the hedge hard back, removing half the previous season's growth.

Privet can reach an eventual height of 3m (10') but don't despair if you have inherited an overgrown hedge of this type as it does respond well to renovation. Remember to feed and mulch your hedge in spring and particularly before any pruning is carried out.

Other ideal plants for hedging includes Lonicera nitida (honeysuckle), which reaches an eventual height of only 1-1.2m (3'-4') feet. The copper coloured leaves of the deciduous Fagus sylvatica (beech) add beautiful colour to the garden in autumn and can be maintained between 1.2-6m (4'-20') depending on the desired height. Clip beech back once a year in late summer.

Carpinus betulus (hornbean), Ilex aquifolium (holly) and Escallonia 'Langleyensis' make for very attractive hedges and where the latter two have either berries or flowers as does Forsythia x intermedia 'spectabilis', which increases the beauty and interest that hedging can provide. Remember too that container grown hedging can be planted at anytime providing conditions allow.

Take advantage of the unreasonably mild weather and start planting now!