Can I Mix Different Hedge Plants Together?

What makes different hedge plants compatible?

Hedge plants do not need to be the same species to grow successfully together. However, every plant in the hedge should be reasonably well suited to the soil, drainage, sunlight and exposure of the planting site.

Before choosing the plants, decide what the finished hedge needs to do. A boundary planted for wildlife may contain a wide range of deciduous shrubs, while a formal privacy hedge normally benefits from a more uniform appearance and maintenance routine.

The main points to compare are:

• Preferred soil and drainage
• Tolerance of sun, shade, wind and coastal exposure
• Expected height and width
• Rate of growth
• Water requirements
• Pruning season and frequency
• Whether the plant is evergreen or deciduous
• Suitability near paths, children, pets or livestock

The RHS recommends choosing hedge plants that tolerate the conditions of the site and considering the height, appearance and annual maintenance required. It also advises that mixed hedges are generally easier to maintain when the plants are all deciduous or all evergreen, because their pruning requirements are more likely to be similar.

Which hedge plants work well together?

Mixed native hedge plants

Native hedging species are among the easiest plants to combine because many naturally grow alongside one another in traditional British hedgerows.

A mixed native hedge may include Hawthorn, Blackthorn, Field Maple, Hazel, Dog Rose, Guelder Rose, Dogwood and Holly. One robust species, often Hawthorn, can form the main framework of the hedge, with smaller quantities of other plants adding flowers, fruit, autumn colour and different growth habits.

All the selected plants must still suit the location. A species should not be added simply to increase the number of varieties in the mix.

Our Native Mixed Hedge Plants range includes prepared mixtures for gardens, field boundaries, wildlife planting, paddocks, paths and landscaping projects. The complete Native Mixed Hedging Care Guide explains the differences between the available mixtures and provides detailed planting and aftercare guidance.

Mixed colours of the same species

Combining different varieties of the same hedge species is usually simpler than mixing unrelated plants.

For example, Green Beech and Purple Beech have similar soil, spacing, growth and pruning requirements. They can therefore be mixed to create changing foliage colour without making the hedge much more difficult to maintain.

This type of combination suits customers who want visual variety but still prefer the relatively even shape of a single-species hedge.

Evergreen and deciduous plants

Evergreen and deciduous species can be planted together, but the result will normally be more informal.

A small proportion of Holly can add winter foliage to a mainly deciduous native hedge. However, the evergreen plants may grow at a different rate and respond differently to pruning. They should be positioned carefully and trimmed according to their own growth rather than cutting every plant in exactly the same way.

A mixed hedge containing only deciduous species is generally easier to establish and prune evenly. A mainly evergreen mixture can also work when the selected plants have compatible growth habits, but it requires more careful planning.

How should I arrange the plants?

For a natural mixed hedge, spread the different species along the full planting line rather than planting one long block of each variety. This prevents the hedge from looking divided into separate sections and distributes flowers, berries and foliage more evenly.

A practical method is to lay all the plants beside the prepared trench before planting. Position the main framework species first, then place the smaller quantities of companion plants between them.

For a more decorative garden hedge, the plants can be arranged in a repeating sequence. This produces a more deliberate pattern, although differences in growth rate may become more visible as the hedge matures.

Many of our individual mixed native hedging packs are planted at five plants per metre in two staggered rows. For these products, the rows are approximately 30cm apart, with the plants spaced approximately 40cm apart within each row. Other products, plant sizes and project specifications may require a different density, so always follow the instructions for the chosen mix.

For agricultural or grant-funded planting, follow the exact specification for the project. Current government BN11 guidance recommends intermixing secondary native shrubs with the main hedge species rather than planting them in separate blocks.

Which combinations should be avoided?

Avoid combining plants simply because they look attractive together. They may have conflicting growing requirements once planted in the same hedge line.

Potentially unsuitable combinations include:

• A moisture-loving plant beside one that needs dry, freely draining soil
• A shade-tolerant plant mixed with a species that needs full sun to remain dense
• A very vigorous plant beside a slow-growing or compact variety
• A tall screening plant mixed into a hedge intended to remain low
• Plants requiring different pruning seasons where one uniform trimming schedule is planned
• Thorny species immediately beside gates, narrow paths or play areas
• Plants that are unsuitable around livestock or other animals using the boundary

Fast-growing plants can overshadow slower species and compete for light, moisture and space. This does not always mean they cannot be used together, but they may need individual pruning to prevent one variety from dominating the hedge.

How do I establish a mixed hedge evenly?

Prepare the whole planting line rather than improving only the individual planting holes. Remove grass and perennial weeds, relieve compaction and improve the soil where its structure or drainage genuinely needs attention.

Plant each specimen at the correct depth and spread bare roots naturally through the soil. Rootgrow Mycorrhizal Fungi can be applied at planting, but it needs direct contact with the roots. It does not replace correct soil preparation, planting depth or watering.

Water the complete hedge thoroughly after planting. Continue checking the soil during dry weather, paying particular attention to larger plants, evergreens and sections exposed to sun or wind.

A layer of suitable mulch can help retain moisture and reduce competition from weeds. Leave a small clear area around the stems rather than piling mulch directly against the plants.

Young plants will not always grow at the same speed. Formative pruning should therefore respond to each species rather than forcing every plant to the same height immediately. Replace any failed plants while the hedge is still young, before neighbouring plants spread into the gap.

Is a prepared mixed hedging pack easier?

A prepared pack is usually the simplest choice for customers who want a mixed hedge but are unsure which plants to combine.

The species, proportions and planting density have already been selected for a particular purpose. Options include traditional field hedging, garden wildlife planting, thornless boundaries, paddock hedging and instant mixed hedging.

Prepared mixtures also make it easier to calculate quantities for a long hedge. Check the product description carefully because the composition, root type, plant size and number of plants per metre can vary between mixtures.

Customers planning a specialist, landscaping or commercial project can also contact the nursery with the site conditions and required hedge length before selecting a mixture.