Leylandii Hedges – Where to Start and What to Buy

Leylandii is a fast-growing hedging conifer, which produces a dense and rich evergreen hedge of any shape or size if they are trimmed well from the beginning. 

Leylandii is very strong and wind tolerant, and will grow in full sun or shade. They will take a certain amount of salt exposure but will not normally tolerate being right on the coast. The dense foliage of this conifer hedging makes a highly effective wind break, while also reduces the impact of noise and pollution. Leylandii hedge plants are available in a range of different heights and pot sizes which means you can plant year-round and maintain your desired hedge height consistently. They are ideal for creating tall boundaries or privacy screens quickly.  

You can plant Leylandii hedging at any time of year as long as they are all pot-grown. If you plant from March to October, you will need water from the time of planting until the end of October (or until they get their roots established). If you plant between October and February, you may not need to water as they usually get enough of a root system established before the soil dries out in spring – although it’s still worth checking them regularly. You may also get more growth if you do water them between March and October. You can grow Leylandii in any free-draining soil. It is also tolerant of wet soils, including chalk and clay, but will not grow where the soil is water-logged for long periods. Leylandii grows up to 100cm (3ft) per year. Plant your Leylandii between 60 and 100cm apart (2-3ft) apart, dependent on how quickly you want the hedge to fill-in and form a dense screen. If you intend to grow the hedge more than 4m (12ft) tall, do not plant them closer than 100cm (3ft apart). Your Leylandii hedge will need to be clipped annually in the Spring or early Summer as you would with like any other hedge but watch out for nesting birds from March to August. Do not trim a Leylandii hedge back too hard after the end of August as it needs about 10cm (4”) of green growth left on it over the winter. 

At Evergreen Hedging, the Leylandii hedge is our best seller as it forms a hedge faster than anything else. We sell two types of Leylandii conifers; the traditional form and Leylandii 2001. The traditional Leylandii (also called x Cupressocyparis Leylandii or Leyland Cypress) has been grown for over 100 years – it is tough, hardy, fast-growing and tolerant of most conditions including wind and heavy soils. The Leylandii 2001 tends to look bushier when grown in a pot and grows just as fast as the traditional form, but is currently only available in certain sizes.  

For more information on our Leylandii hedges, please get in touch with us today – we’d be delighted to hear from you and answer any questions you may have!