The most common purpose for planting a hedge is to section or screen off two areas from one another.

This will frequently be between the boundaries of two properties, or between areas of a site, development or car park. In some cases the screening is required from a specified height, for example from the top of a fence line, and the screen is therefore not required from ground level.

If screening is not required from ground level, but it must still be continuous and at a specified height, it is referred to as a stilted hedge i.e. a raised section of hedging. Stilted hedging allows screening to be achieved at higher levels, without blocking out the whole of the lower area. This would be particularly useful in domestic situations where under-planting can be undertaken to produce an attractive display, or if the screening is required above a stone brick wall.

The following species have been selected due to their screening qualities and also due to the fact that they can be supplied as standards and will thus form a super stilted hedge:

• Ilex aquifolium Alaska

• Ligustrum japonicum

• Magnolia grandiflora

• Photinia x fraseri Red Robin

• Prunus laurocerasus Latifolia

It may also be useful to have a look at evergreen trees and species suitable for basic hedging.

Further species that are suitable for use as a Raised Screen can be found on the right hand side.