There are many Hedging Cultivars and Hybrids. Some have occurred naturally; others selected and nurtured, many more the results of breeding programmes…
Certainly there are more hedging cultivars than hybrids, and between them, they offer a wide variety of style and colour
Hedging Cultivars and Hybrids: Cultivars
In the hedging world, one of the best known cultivars is the Purple Copper Beech (Fagus sylvatica ‘Purpurea’). These ‘natural mutants’ (that’s the description used by the Woodland Trust) appeared across Europe sometime in the 15th century in sufficient numbers to be self-sustaining. In more recent years, of course, man has lent them a deserving helping hand.
Euonymus fortunei ‘Emerald ‘n’ Gold’ AGM, too, adds colour while the Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus ‘Rotundifolia’), is a more frequently seen hedging cultivar. Other prominent cultivars include: Lonicera nitida ‘Baggesens Gold’ AGM; a collection of Pittosporum tenuifolium (‘Abbotsbury Gold’, ‘Garnettii’, ‘Variegata’ and ‘Elizabeth’] and Griselinia littoralis ‘Variegata’.
Hedging Cultivars and Hybrids: Hybrids
Photinia x fraseri ‘Red Robin’ is definitely one of the most colourful. The ‘x’ – cross – is an immediate giveaway that this is a hybrid.
Lavenders
Lavenders must be mentioned as popular varieties include both cultivars (Lavandula angustifolia ‘Hidcote’ AGM; Lavendula angustifolia ‘Dwarf Blue’; Lavandula Angustifolia ‘Imperial Gem’ AGM; Lavandula angustifolia ‘Twickel Purple’ etc.) and hybrids (Lavandula × intermedia ‘Grosso’; Lavandula x intermedia ‘Alba’; Lavandula × Chaytoriae ‘Richard Gray’ etc.). It would seem that the natural world is as keen to increase the number of Lavender varieties as we are.
And finally…
And, less anyone think that the gardening world has it all sorted, we leave this topic with one of our favourite hedging plants: Perovskia atriplicifolia ‘Blue Spire’ AGM. While it is generally listed as a cultivar, there are those who argue it is actually a hybrid of P. atriplicifolia and P. abrotanoides. Either way, it always looks stunning….
View Our Recommended Hedges
