Questions

I have an escallonia hedge for the past 5 yrs, very slow growth only up to 4ft. The leaves keep falling off it - yellow and black colour. What is a fast growing replacement for it? I live in a windy area and the soil is quite poor.

I want to make a new flower/shrub bed in an area of lawn.
What is the best way to get rid of the grass and prevent the grass and weeds growing back up through the bed?.