what kind of fencing/hedge to keep kids in??

[kilbird]

Looking for suggestions for fencing/containing my triangular shaped site/garden. Recently renovated a house and removed a large quantity of llandieas on one side of the site as they were taking all the light to the site. The road frontage is completely open as we had to replace an open drain with a pipe so no hedge/bank at the front and the side between us and the neighbours (my parents) is completely open. My query now is how do I start fencing or planting hedges – at the moment when I am outside I can’t let the kids (4 and nearly 2) more than a few feet away from me as to the side of the site where the llandiea were is a ditch which fills with water and there is nothing to stop them from running onto the road. Wondering what are my best, cheapest, prettiest ways on containing these 2 while the hedges etc grow. Was going to put stud railing and plant a hedge to the front, possibly fence with sheepwire/tennis court/chicken wire on it to the side with ditch and parents and plant a hedge. Anybody got anyother suggestions? What types of hedges? Had a few griselinas planted and with all the snow frost over the Christmas they look burnt?

 

[yewtree]

Escallonia (I think that's the spelling). Fairly quick growing, thickish, everygreen and with flowers. Can grow tall if desired but responds well to being hacked back. Recent minus 12 degrees did no harm to mine, even though it had been severly pruned in autumn. Remember to backfill the planting trench with well rotted horse manure if you can get it. The hedge will grow fast and thick and thank you every day! Finally it has no thorns - very important as footballs roll into it in years to come.

 

[chlipps]

Escallonia (I think that's the spelling). Fairly quick growing, thickish, everygreen and with flowers. Can grow tall if desired but responds well to being hacked back. Recent minus 12 degrees did no harm to mine, even though it had been severly pruned in autumn. Remember to backfill the planting trench with well rotted horse manure if you can get it. The hedge will grow fast and thick and thank you every day! Finally it has no thorns - very important as footballs roll into it in years to come.

Yes, escallonia will form a barrier but it grows very quickly and would get out of control very quickly unless it was cut well back each year. I suppose it depends on the space available. Would look good but if not cut back will block out the light again