Coastal Eco Evergreen Hedge Collection

This is a collection of 5 evergreen shrub varieties selected for the specific conditions of the seaside, which are easy to grow and maintain, and well-suited for pruning. Delivered in a kit of 10 plants in pots (2 plants of each variety), they are perfect for creating a breezy hedge or privacy screen that will protect your garden from prying eyes and sea spray all year round, even in winter. This collection of shrubs allows you to create approximately 10 metres (33 feet) of hedge at a lower cost, it is both utilitarian and decorative due to the diversity of foliage, staggered flowering, the scent of flowers, and fruiting...

The kit consists of:

- 2 Quercus ilex - Evergreen Holm Oak - : a slow-growing tree, reaching approximately 15 metres (49 feet) in height with a spread of 10 metres (33 feet), but can be pruned to be maintained at more modest dimensions. Its habit is somewhat twisted, its bark is fissured, and its crown is crumpled, adorned with tough, dark green foliage which is and silvery grey underneath. Its springtime cream-white flowers are abundant and nectar-producing, giving way to a profusion of acorns . Very hardy.

- 2 Elaeagnus ebbingei - Oleaster - : on average, 3 metres (10 feet) tall with a spread of 1.50 metres (5 feet). It is appreciated for the beauty of its silver leaves, as well as its autumnal flowering in white-cream bell-shaped flowers with a sweet fragrance. Its fruits are edible and decorative, resembling small coppery and silvery olives. Hardy -15°C (5°F).

- 2 Escallonia Donard Seedling: a bushy and spreading habit, fairly fast-growing, reaching an average height of 2 metres (7 feet) at maturity and a width of 2.50 metres (8 feet). Its small leaves are shiny dark green. Flowering occurs from June to September, earlier or later depending on the climate, in the form of clusters of small pale pink to white flowers enclosed in a pink calyx. Hardy -15°C (5°F).

- 2 Griselinia littoralis - Coastal Griselinia: 3 metres (10 feet) tall with a spread of 2.50 metres (8 feet). Its habit is upright, very bushy, and dense. The foliage, which is more or less evergreen depending on the severity of the winter, is composed of thick, leathery leaves that are very shiny when mature, with a 'Granny Smith apple' green colour. Flowering in May-June is not very visible in small axillary panicles. Only female plants will bear black fruits when ripe, provided a male plant is planted nearby. Hardy to -8/-10°C (17.6/14°F).

- 2 Pittosporum tobira - Japanese Pittosporum: a large, dense shrub with relatively slow growth, reaching 4 to 5 metres (13 to 16 feet) in height and 2 metres (7 feet) in width. Its leaves are entire, spatulate, thick, and shiny, dark green. The fragrant bell-shaped flowers are white or yellowish-green and appear in terminal umbels in May. It can tolerate severe pruning if necessary. Hardy to -10/-12°C (14/10.4°F).

Plant these shrubs preferably in autumn or early spring, in full sun or partial shade, mixing them and spacing them 80 cm (32in) to 1 metre (3 feet) apart. They are happy in any well-prepared garden soil, enriched with leaf compost. 

Tip: Do not prune at the beginning of the season to fully enjoy the flowering! If possible, also avoid pruning at the end of summer to enjoy the fruits and feed the garden birds in winter.