good boundaries make good neighbours

[weekendwellies]

As some of you know, my allotments are fairly new, and when I moved onto it there were no proper boundaries marked out.
Now that it is fully occupied there have been a couple of disputes between some neighbours over the boundary between their plots, not with mine thankfully.
However, as there is still no boundary between me and my neighbour I would like to plant a living edge to my plot.
I wouldn't want to be spending ages trimming and looking after it.
Something that would attract bees and other wildlife would be good.
Maybe provide shelter for frogs and hedgehogs should any make their way to my bit as I plan a small pond at some time in the not to distant future.
It shouldn't take up too much space horizontally so as to allow most space for veggies.
Height wise, I wouldn't want to alienate my very nice neighbour by blocking light or appearing to be cutting myself off from them.
Can you recommend something that would fit the bill.

[Flummery]

Lavender? Smells nice too. And you can cook with it - it's brilliant in with lamb instead of the usual rosemary. Bees love it. Flum loves it (can you tell?) And you can grow it from seed!

[Snadger]

Low cordon fruit trees from Aldi (apples and pears) is the way I've went up one side and softruit, rasps,blackcurrants,redcurrants,whitecurrants and gooseberries up tuther boundary!

[zazen999]

I'm waiting for the blokey next door to put up a fence and then I'm planting a grapevine, and an apple and whatever else fruitwise I can get away with. If he doesn't want it attaching I'll just put my own short posts up with wire and train them along that.

[Plot17B]

(Ignoring the low level anti-rabbit fence we put up around the rotational beds only..) we've planted daff bulbs in a long line which last a while. But you could also plant marigolds which the bugs love and save your carrots, or a row of e.g. Phacelia, which we use a green manure. Literally hundreds of bees/hover flies/etc on a good day inhabit our large rotational green manure bed of Phacelia and Buckwheat. All of these will not grow too big, or out of control and bugs will love them. So win win for you and your neighbours!??!

[Two_Sheds]

I've got an edge of comfrey on one side, and am starting an edge of raspberries and blackberries on t'other.

[ginger ninger]

You could make a herb hedge, with rosemary, sage, bay, (all the woody herbs) and pop a lavender in every now and then...It's edible, looks good and the bees, hoverflies, etc would love it, and when you brush up against it..ooooo the smell, yum.

[BFG]

The herb edge would be a hit with wildlife. It may even provide a shield round your plot, stopping any pest that locates food by smell.

They'd only need a little tidy up once a year or so.

Comfrey would provide great fertiliser and attract bees, so another good option.

Or the edible alternatives. Most fruit blossom is great for wildlife.

[singleseeder]

I have seen a hedge made of cordon gooseberries. I think they had a decent supply of cuttings that were heeled in to root and then put in their final position and trained onto bamboo until they were strong enough to stand on their own.

An afternoon with secateurs every year kept it in shape.

[Alison]

I like the idea of herbs but speak to your neighbour first as it's on the boundary to make sure they're happy with it - can't see any reason why not but it's best to keep on good terms.

[weekendwellies]

I do like all the ideas posted.
I can see myself with an edging of a mix of Lavender, Daffodils, Marigolds, Phacelia, Buckwheat, Rosemary, Sage, Bay and Comfrey.
As they sometimes bring small children I think I would put Raspberries, Gooseberries, Whitecurrants, Redcurrants and Blackberries slightly further in because of the prickles.
That way there would be a buffer between little fingers and thorns.
Also if they did get stuck on the prickles I would have the defence of them being on 'my side'.
Not that I would mind them helping themselves.
There would be enough to go around.
Just my cynical side thinking about law suits etc.
Even though they are nice people, they may at some point change or give up and lumber me with someone less nice as a neighbour.