Beech or hornbeam? Choosing the right hedge for your garden
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Suggested lead photograph: beech or hornbeam? Choosing the right hedge for your garden
The choice between beech and hornbeam comes down mainly to your soil and site. Choose beech (Fagus sylvatica) for free-draining soils and the fullest winter colour; choose hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) for heavy clay, damp ground and exposed sites.
Beech and hornbeam are two of the most popular hedging plants in Britain, and for good reason. Both are native, both clip into crisp, formal lines, and both keep some of their dry leaves through winter when trimmed, which means they give more privacy than most deciduous hedges. Here is how they compare.
At a glance
| Beech | Hornbeam | |
|---|---|---|
| Best soil | Free-draining, including chalk | Most soils, including heavy clay |
| Wet ground | Dislikes waterlogging | Copes well |
| Winter leaves | Holds copper leaves reliably | Holds some dry leaves |
| Exposure | Prefers some shelter | Very tough and wind-tolerant |
| Leaf | Smooth, glossy, wavy edge | Pleated, toothed, matt |
| Colour options | Green or purple | Green |
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Suggested photograph: choose beech if…
Choose beech if…
Beech is the right hedge if you garden on light, well-drained soil or chalk and you want the richest winter colour. Clipped beech holds its warm, coppery leaves until the new growth pushes through in spring, so the hedge stays full and glowing all winter. It is also available in purple, which lets you play with colour, or mix green and purple for a tapestry effect.
Choose hornbeam if…
Hornbeam is the better choice if your soil is heavy clay or tends to sit wet in winter, or if the hedge will face strong winds. It is one of the most forgiving hedging plants there is. It is also the classic choice for pleached screens, so it ties in beautifully if you are planning pleached trees too.
Photograph coming soon
Suggested photograph: planting and clipping
Planting and clipping
Both are best planted from late autumn to early spring, and both are available as bare-root, root-balled or pot-grown plants. Once established, a single trim each year in late summer gives a crisp finish. Read our guide on how to plant a hedge for spacing and aftercare.
Shop beech and hornbeam
Explore our beech hedging and hornbeam hedging, or talk to our team about sizes and quantities for your boundary.