6 DECEMBER 1946, Page 14

In My Garden The subject of hedge plants seems to

be engaging very general atten- tion, and opinions differ. That famous gardener W. Robinson disliked yew, which is generally regarded as ideal, and yet more viciously the privet. Now the best bit of hedge I ever grew contained twelve species of shrub, and it is perhaps surprising that almost all hedges in the garden, but very much not in the field, are of one sort only, with the not un- common exception that quicks are mingled with privet. I have found that Cotoneaster Simonsii associates agreeably with berberis. In my hedge the berberis varieties include Darwinii, Stenuphylla, Dictyophyllum, Thunbergii and two hybrids (which are perhaps the best).

W. BEACH THOMAS.