Back to Key. Next (A).. (B).. (C).. (D-F).. (G-I).. (L-O).. (P).. (Q-R).. (S).. (T-Z).
Checklist of plants suitable for hedging and windbreaks: L - O
| Botanical name |
Common name |
Deciduous/ Evergreen |
Height |
Growth rate |
Hardiness |
Wind |
Notes |
| Laurus nobilis |
Bay tree |
E |
M |
S |
8 |
|
Well drained fertile soil in full sun. Flavouring. |
| Lavandula angustifolia |
Lavender |
E |
S |
M |
5 |
M |
Light dry warm soil, sunny position. Flavouring. Insect repellent, essential oil, medicinal. |
| Lavandula latifolia |
Lavender |
E |
S |
M |
7 |
M |
As above. |
| Leptospermum laevigatum |
|
E |
M-T |
M |
9 |
M |
Most soils. Sand binder. |
| Leptospermum scoparium |
Tea tree |
E |
M-T |
M |
8 |
W |
Most soils. Tea, green dye, insect repellent. |
| Ligustrum delavayanum |
|
E |
M-T |
M |
7 |
|
Most soils, sun or shade. |
| Ligustrum lucidum |
Chinese privet |
E |
M-T |
M |
7 |
|
Most soils, tolerates shade and drought. Medicinal. |
| Ligustrum ovalifolium |
Privet |
E |
M-T |
M |
5 |
M |
Most soils, sun or shade. |
| Ligustrum vulgare |
Privet |
D |
M |
M |
4 |
M |
Most soils, tolerates drought and shade. Basketry, ink dyes, medicinal. |
| Lonicera nitida |
|
E |
S-M |
M-F |
7 |
|
Most soils. |
| Luma apiculata |
Temu |
E |
M-T |
S-M |
8 |
W |
Most well drained soils.Edible fruit. |
| Lycium barbarum |
Boxthorn |
E |
M |
S-M |
6 |
M |
Sunny position,well drained soil.Edible fruit and shoots.Medicinal. |
| Lycium chinense |
Boxthorn |
E |
M |
S-M |
6 |
M |
As above. |
| Maclura pomifera |
Osage orange |
D |
M-T |
M |
5 |
W |
Most soils,sunny position.Food preservative,insect repellent,tannin,yellow dye. |
| Mahonia aquifolium |
Oregon grape |
E |
S-M |
M |
5 |
|
Most soils,sun or heavy shade.Edible fruit,dyes,medicinal. |
| Mahonia trifoliolata |
|
E |
M |
S-M |
7 |
|
Most soils preferably hot and dry.Edible fruit.Dyes,ink,tannin. |
| Metasequoia glyptostroboides |
|
D |
T |
M-F |
6 |
|
Most soils but slow in dry sandy soils or shallow chalk.Soil stabilization. |
| Miscanthus sacchariflorus |
|
Grass |
M-T |
M-F |
8 |
M |
Most soils,not dry.Dies down in winter. |
| Muehlenbeckia complexa |
Maidenhair vine |
D |
M-T |
M |
8 |
M |
Well drained soil in sun or semi-shade.Dioecious.Edible fruit. |
| Myrtus communis |
Myrtle |
E |
M-T |
S-M |
8 |
W |
Most well drained soils.Flavouring.Essential oil,medicinal. |
| Olearia spp. |
Daisy bush |
E |
M-T |
M |
8 |
M |
Most soils. Many species incl;-O.aviceniifolia, O.x.haastii, O.illicifolia, O.macrodonta, O.solandri, O.traversii and O.virgata. |
| Orixa japonica |
|
D |
M |
M |
6 |
W |
Any soil,sun or shade.Edible young leaves-spicy. |
| Osmanthus x burkwoodii |
|
E |
M-T |
S |
6 |
|
Most soils esp chalk.Other species include:-O.decorus,O.delavayi and |
D = Deciduous E = Evergreen
Height:- S = Small (to 4ft for hedges, 20ft for trees.) M = Medium (to 6ft for hedges, 50ft for trees.) T = Tall (over 6ft for hedges, over 50ft for trees.)
Rate of Growth:- S = Slow M = Medium F = Fast
Wind Resistance:- W = tolerates Windy sites M = tolerates Maritime exposure
Hardiness zones 1(hardiest) to 10:- most of Britain is in zone 7 or 8 with some upland and northern areas being colder whilst western and southern coastal areas are milder.