Maximum growth rate - this is the rate of growth you can expect under ideal conditions (where the plants are not subject to shortage of water or feed, in a shady or windy position or soil compaction, etc).

Ultimate height if left untrimmed - most of these plants will grow very tall if left untrimmed but it is easy to keep them at the height you want by trimming them once or twice a year. See our pictures of examples of well-trimmed hedges.

Colour - this may vary according to position. For example, golden-leaved plants grown in the shade tend to be less gold than those grown in full sun.