Garden Fencing

The top garden designers tell us that, as soon as we move into our new home, it is important to sort out the garden’s boundaries. As well as being functional, you will want your fence or hedge to be an aesthetically pleasing feature and also be environmentally friendly.

Security for children and pets may also be a priority. Softwood panels, which have been treated with preservatives and are often imported, are not usually an eco option. Like concrete walls, they carry a heavy carbon footprint. If you choose wooden fencing as an option, make sure your wood is FSC or PEFC certified. Attractive hurdles crafted from British willow and hazel make a rustic background for your flowerbeds, and are also practical as they allow the wind to pass through. Sustainably grown oak and ash are also stalwarts when it comes to fencing.

The greenest choice – in every sense of the word – is a hedge made up of native species. Your hedge will provide homes for communities of wildlife including insects, small animals, birds and wild flowers. Even a single-species hedge, such as holly or beech, will provide cosy nesting sites for birds – just remember not to trim your hedge until the babies have flown!