[Maggie Vance]

Does anyone have experience of growing step-over apples  in a Mediterranean climate? Or any suggestions for another 'edible' lowish hedge to grow along edge of stone terrace walls. We are near the coast in NW Italy so mild climate and no frost. Thank you.

[Fleur Pavlidis]

How about pomegranates? In Andalucia we saw hedges of miniature pomegranates in Cordoba Botanic Garden and elsewhere, but there also seem to be some quite dwarf fruiting trees which could be trained as a hedge. I have one which is years old but since shorter than me. I've no idea of the variety I'm afraid.

[Joanna Savage]

How about an interesting strange hedge of lemons? After reading Helena Attlee, The Land Where Lemons Grow, and seeing that you are in mild NW Italy, I wonder if you are near Savona and chinotto citrus land. Perhaps tough lemons could be very productive.

[Umbrian]

I planted a short hedge of step- over apples, (sourced in the UK) in Umbria about 14 years ago. They established well with regular watering during their first summer. Thereafter no additional water. They crop well - the only trouble being that the local deer population delight in such easy pickings and regularly strip the fruit before it is anywhere near mature - attending to a fair bit of " pruning" at the same time. Despite this rather treatment regarding "pruning" the trees continue to flourish and are very pretty in the spring when covered in blossom.

[Caroline]

I would go for citrus - maybe something pretty tough, with smallish fruit, like a kumquat or limequat. I have also seen it done with mandarins.  The trick is to be ruthless with the pruning - something I am not so good at