Suitable Hedge Plants for Kenya and East Africa
Suitable Hedge Plants for Kenya and East Africa
Hedges are also referred to as live fences. They are plants that are planted close together to form a line. This line could be straight, curved, and wavy or take any other form. Many plant species are suitable hedge plants. The choice of which plant type to use is determined by the purpose of the hedge and the climate.
The best way to obtain a hedge is to buy an instant hedge. This saves time and the cost of caring for the hedge. Instant hedges are especially suitable where quick screening is required such as large farms, construction sites, restaurants and balconies. Instant hedges can also be procured where temporary screening is required such as for events, shows and exhibitions.
Examples of common hedge plants in Kenya
- Kei apple
- Durantas
- Hakea
- Lantana
Advantages of live fences over other types of fences
- Hedge plants are cheaper than wall fences
- Hedge plants combat global warming
- Hedge plants are aesthetically more appealing than wall fences, barbed wire fences and mabati fences
- We provide them instant. No waiting, no expensive labour
- In a construction site, savings are made. One cannot fully recover the value of iron sheets after they are used on a construction site
- Live fences absorb sound and help in reducing noise. Areas with green hedges are generally more quiet than areas with wall fences
- Live fences trap dust compared to walls
Where to use hedge plants
In Homes and Institutions
- Around a property to keep off intruders, animals and to provide privacy
- In compounds and gardens to define spaces, walkways and areas that are out of bounds
- To define grazing paddocks
- As wind breaks
- As landscape elements to create beauty
On construction sites
- On construction sites barriers and dust traps. These can be installed permanently on construction site at the beginning where it is desired that the property will have a live fence
On wedding gardens
- To define procession ways
- To add beauty
At exhibitions and shows
- To add beauty and colour
- To define walkways
In stadiums and sports pitches
- To control the movement of people
- To manage crowds
On balconies
- As screens for privacy
- To manage glare and exposure to sunlight and wind
- To reduce noise
In hotels and restaurants
- To create cosy spaces
- As screens for privacy
- To manage glare and exposure to sunlight and wind
- As dust traps
- To add beauty
Along retaining walls
- To control soil erosion