Recomendations for a fruiting hedge?

[Seahorse]

I'm hoping to plant a hedge this autumn and I'd really like it to be useful for food, as well as a barrier. It would be about 12 metres long and my side would be south facing and quite sheltered. It wouldn't need to be an impenetrable thicket, just a screen, in fact if I could harvest most stuff from my side, that would be a bonus. I don't mind waiting a few years for it it get to a decent height (I'd like it to be about 6 feet eventually) but preferably not decades! I'm happy to prune, chop, trim etc as needed, so it doesn't have to be very low maintenance.

I already have three Goji bushes, which I think may work but can anyone suggest other fruiting trees or shrubs that hedge well? Also any to avoid? A mixture would be lovely.

Claire

[Polly Fouracre]

In our field hedges we have sloes,blackberries,elder(good for flowers and fruit)wild rose(for the hips) hazel-loads of nuts this year.I plan to plant damson,crab-apple and cherry-plum.These are interspersed with oak,field maple and spindle(all good for wild-life)and all are amenable to trimming.

[Snadger]

I think the term is a 'Fedge'! Mrs Dobby planted one in the spring so may be able to advise!

[Alice]

A mixed hedge sounds like a good idea Seahorse. I have one, not all edible, but would recomend some Hazel.

[SimonCole]

I'd be very tempted for a row of espalier apples, but you could choose anything from grapes to figs.

If you choose to vary the height across your hedge this can help to prevent the garden from looking too square and add interest.

[Seahorse]

Lots of good ideas, thanks! I hadn't thought of hazel but it would be superb to have our own nut supply. I like the idea of varying heights too. I'm going to use a couple of figs in pots for the first part, as it's over a drain and I don't want roots invading!

Getting quite excited about it now!

Claire

[Birdie Wife]

Gooseberries might be good, prickly enough for a hedge definitely.

[Flummery]

As to varying heights, I once 'cloud pruned' the back hedge - had just seen it done for Chelsea and was feeling posh. It looked like I'd done it while I was pie-eyed! Straightened it up and never tried again. However, that was privet - it would be great with differing shrubs.