Plants for privacy hedge
Best Privacy Hedges | Evergreens for Privacy
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Peace. Quiet. Solitude. Privacy.
Privacy Hedges allows you to enjoy all these qualities in any yard, no matter how noisy or urban the area.
It blocks noise and peering eyes while providing beauty to the garden and a home for small animals.
So what bushes are good for privacy? We have compiled a list of the best bushes for privacy. They are each suitable for different situations, so we are sure you will find your perfect match!
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8 Varieties of Privacy Hedges
WHAT MAKES A GREAT PRIVACY HEDGE?
For great privacy hedges there are three main factors:
- 1. Density
- 2. Height
- 3. Evergreen
You want tightly-branched evergreens for privacy to avoid any gaps. You can do this two ways: opt for privacy shrubs with extremely dense branching, or trim your looser-growing hedge religiously each year.
Height
You want tightly-branched evergreens for privacy to avoid any gaps. You can do this two ways: opt for privacy shrubs with extremely dense branching, or trim your looser-growing hedge religiously each year.
Evergreen
You want tightly-branched evergreens for privacy to avoid any gaps. You can do this two ways: opt for privacy shrubs with extremely dense branching, or trim your looser-growing hedge religiously each year.
MAINTAINING A PRIVACY HEDGE
The key to maintaining a perfectly dense privacy hedge is consistent pruning on the sides. If the hedge is allowed to grow large and leggy, then pruned hard, you will end up with gaps (in laurels and beech this can be corrected, but in conifers, it usually can’t). A quick, simple trim once per year on fast-growing varieties and once every 2 years on slow-growing varieties is all you need to keep your hedge full and dense. Pruning the top half of the privacy hedges a little slimmer than the bottom will keep the lower branches nice and full (see the diagram below).
For more information on how to get privacy trees as fast as possible, check out our page on fast-growing hedges.
Swimming pools are one of the most important places to use privacy hedges
Homes located on busy streets can still feel quiet and secluded when surrounded by a privacy hedge
Simple and elegant privacy hedges can be used at residences, restaurants, and event venues to create private outdoor eating areas
Emerald Green Arborvitae gives dense privacy, blocking noise, wind, and eyesores
Block neighborhood sounds and views with privacy hedges to create a peaceful sanctuary
Entries and driveways gain drama and glamour when lined with lush privacy hedges
Create peaceful, quiet spaces by surrounding them with tall privacy hedges
Outdoor living becomes a lot more peaceful with a lush privacy hedge
Block noise effectively by layering different heights of privacy hedges around an outdoor living space
Even urban courtyard spaces can feel like the country when surrounded by privacy hedges
BEST PRIVACY HEDGES
EUROPEAN BEECH
Fagus Sylvatica
European Beech is one of the best bushes for privacy which is an extremely popular choice in Europe and for European-styled gardens. It offers lush, green foliage in the spring and summer and copper fall color that persists through the winter. Even though it is deciduous, the persistent leaves still provide some peace through the winter months. Grows in full sun to part shade. One of the best plants for privacy for zone 5-8.
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EVERGREEN/DECIDUOUS Deciduous, but holds copper leaves through winter
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HARDINESS ZONE Zones 5-8
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GROWTH RATE Moderate (‘
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PRUNING FREQUENCY Once per year
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PESTS None
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GOOD FOR PRIVACY BECAUSE Unique, dense growth, low-maintenance, deer-resistant, adds color and interest to fall/winter garden
ENGLISH LAUREL
Prunus Laurocerasus
One of the fastest-growing evergreens for privacy, English Laurel (or Prunus laurocerasus) will fill out a big space quickly. It is a great option as privacy hedges if you want a tall hedge quickly. Make sure to keep on top of pruning to keep it from getting leggy. Beautiful glossy green foliage with white flowers in spring and inedible berries in the summer. Deer proof. Grows in full sun to partial shade. Best plants for privacy for zone 6-9.
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EVERGREEN/DECIDUOUS Broadleaf Evergreen
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HARDINESS ZONE Zones 6-9
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GROWTH RATE Fast (up to 3 feet per year)
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PRUNING FREQUENCY Once per year
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PESTS None
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GOOD FOR PRIVACY BECAUSE Will get large fast, great for tall hedges, deer proof
SCHIP LAUREL
Prunus Laurocerasus ‘Schipkaensis’
Schip laurel which is one the best evergreens for privacy (sometimes called Skip Laurel or Schipka Laurel or Cherry Laurel) has the benefits of the English Laurel with the added benefit of a more upright growth habit, requiring less pruning to keep the width in check. It also has a longer, narrower leaf shape that is a bit darker green. Grows in full sun to shade. One of the best privacy bushes to consider.
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EVERGREEN/DECIDUOUS Broadleaf Evergreen
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HARDINESS ZONE Zones 6-9
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GROWTH RATE Fast (up to 3 feet per year)
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PRUNING FREQUENCY Once per year
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PESTS None
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GOOD FOR PRIVACY BECAUSE Will get large fast, great for tall hedges, deer proof
PORTUGUESE LAUREL
Prunus Lusitanica
Portuguese Laurel or Prunus Lusitanica has a wonderfully dense natural growth habit. It also grows quickly, so you could have a large, dense hedge with little effort in a very short time. It is a great option for warmer parts of the country as it is very tolerant of heat, drought, poor soil, salt, and pollution. It has stunning green leaves with contrasting red petioles. It has white flowers in the spring and bears black fruits in the summer that are inedible to humans but a good food source for birds. They are one of the best deer proof privacy bushes. Does well in full sun.
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EVERGREEN/DECIDUOUS Broadleaf Evergreen
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HARDINESS ZONE Zones 7-9
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GROWTH RATE Fast (up to 1.5 feet per year)
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PRUNING FREQUENCY Once per year
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PESTS None
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GOOD FOR PRIVACY BECAUSE Naturally dense growth habit, beautiful foliage, deer proof, great for warm areas
AMERICAN ARBORVITAE
Thuja Occidentalis
American Arborvitae or Thuja Occidentalis is a great choice for those in cold regions (it is hardy to zone 2!) who want a fast-growing privacy hedge. It will get tall quickly and form a very dense screen with consistent pruning. Grows in full sun to partial shade. Excellent choice in terms of fast growing evergreen shrubs for privacy.
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EVERGREEN/DECIDUOUS Evergreen
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HARDINESS ZONE Zones 2-8
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GROWTH RATE Fast (up to 1.5 feet per year)
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PRUNING FREQUENCY Once per year
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PESTS Deer
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GOOD FOR PRIVACY BECAUSE Fast grower, evergreen, dense, very cold hardy
EMERALD GREEN ARBORVITAE
Thuja Occidentalis ‘Smaragd’
Emerald Green Arborvitae is the ultimate choice for a dense privacy hedge. With an Emerald Green hedge, there is zero chance of seeing anything through it. It grows slowly and requires very infrequent pruning. Although it grows slowly, it will become quite tall if given enough time. It has an extremely narrow footprint, so it does well in small areas. It has beautiful, dark green foliage. Requires full sun. Emerald Green Arborvitae is one of the best bushes for privacy.
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EVERGREEN/DECIDUOUS Evergreen
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HARDINESS ZONE Zones 2-8
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GROWTH RATE Slow (less than 1 foot per year )
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PRUNING FREQUENCY Lightly once per year
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PESTS Deer
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GOOD FOR PRIVACY BECAUSE Extremely dense, requires little pruning, small footprint
GREEN GIANT ARBORVITAE
Thuja X ‘Green Giant’
Green Giant Arborvitae has an incredibly vigorous growth rate, reaching up to 5 feet of growth per year under ideal conditions! If a large hedge is needed as fast as possible, this is a great option. Green Giant has lush green foliage all year, providing optimum screening capabilities. It will require intensive pruning to keep at a small size, but it is one of the large privacy trees for backyard. It does well in full sun to partial shade. Deer resistant.
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EVERGREEN/DECIDUOUS Evergreen
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HARDINESS ZONE Zones 5-8
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GROWTH RATE FAST (up to 3-5 feet per year)
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PRUNING FREQUENCY Once per year, or twice to keep small
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PESTS None
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GOOD FOR PRIVACY BECAUSE The fastest grower, ideal for very large hedges, deer resistant
VIRESCENS WESTERN RED CEDAR
Thuja Plicata ‘Virescens’
Virescens Western Red Cedar is a lovely, upright-growing cedar, native to the Pacific Northwest. Considered as one of the best bushes for privacy. Its unique habit means a small footprint, making it great for tight spaces. It responds well to either intense or relaxed pruning. It does well in full sun and partial shade.
Get the Best privacy hedges at affordable prices at InstantHedge Oregon.
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EVERGREEN/DECIDUOUS Evergreen
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HARDINESS ZONE Zones 5-8
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GROWTH RATE Moderate (up to 2 feet per year)
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PRUNING FREQUENCY Once per year
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PESTS None
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GOOD FOR PRIVACY BECAUSE Upright habit, low maintenance, small footprint, deer-proof
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Best fast-growing hedges: 10 ideas for structure and boundaries
Fast-growing hedges offer a quick way to transform and reinvent your garden. Whether you are in search of something to define the boundaries of your property, to provide privacy and screening or to help support your local wildlife, hedges are a versatile addition to the garden.
They can also be used to provide your backyard ideas with structure and shape, helping to add height or visual interest – you could even try topiary for which fast-growing hedges are ideal.
'Fast-growing hedges can be sheared into geometric shapes or allowed to grow naturally. Always select a plant that has the desired shape and mature size to help minimize pruning,' says garden expert Melinda Myers , 'If you like the formal sheared look consider plants that tolerate this type of pruning. For an informal or natural look that would befit cottage garden ideas, keep pruning to a minimum. Consider hedging plants that also provide flowers, fall color and fruit if it fits in your landscape design.'
Fast-growing hedges
When you want to add a hedge to your garden, the thought of having to wait a decade for it to establish is probably not what you had in mind. On the other hand, fully grown hedges are an expensive purchase, especially if you want to have a long section of hedge between yourself and a neighbor's property.
Therefore, fast-growing hedges are an ideal solution that will quickly establish and grow – your only challenge will be to keep them in check, however this is easily done with regular pruning and shaping. Pruning at regular intervals will also keep your hedge looking beautifully manicured.
Hedges are also a great choice for creating boundaries and should be factored in when you're thinking about how to plan a garden. 'Plant fast-growing hedges for your boundaries – they are good for wildlife and the environment by absorbing pollution. Use mixed wildlife hedging in rural areas and dense evergreens in the urban environment,' recommends Period Living garden expert Leigh Clapp.
1. Best plant to create purple fast-growing hedges
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Often known as 'the purple bush', loropetalum shrubs make for eye-catching fast-growing hedges. Its beautiful purple leaves offer a stunning contrast to the other brown and greens that define the garden.
Growing in hardiness zones 7 to 11 without any additional care, these pretty fast-growing hedges do best when they are planted in full sun, as it is the light from the sun that causes its leaves to be that beautiful purple shade. Loropetalum will also be more likely to thrive in gardens that are subject to long, hot summers, so are best avoided in cooler areas. However, if you live in cooler regions, there are still plenty of fast-growing hedges that you can plant in your garden.
2. The best fast growing hedges for sweet scent
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Mock orange, also known as Philadelphus, are adored for their dainty sweet-smelling flowers which bloom in summer. A brilliant addition to sensory garden ideas, mock orange shrubs are a reasonably hardy shrub and can be grown anywhere from zones 4 to 7. Plus it is relatively easy to care for.
Growing more than two feet per year, mock orange are exceptionally fast-growing hedges and if left unchecked will quickly reach more than 12 foot tall. As with all fast-growing hedges pruning is vital.
'Mock orange is a deservedly popular medium-sized deciduous shrub with highly perfumed cascades of pure white flowers for many weeks through May to July,' says Leigh Clapp, 'It grows in sun or part shade in any fertile, well-drained soil, including coastal gardens. '
3. Best fast-growing hedges for winter color
(Image credit: Getty Images)
A favorite of winter garden ideas, cornus, or as it is more commonly known red twig dogwood, makes for a vibrant display on its own or as part of a hedge.
Creating a bank of crimson stems, these fast-growing hedges look just as good in winter as they do in the height of spring – in fact, they may even look better. 'During the summer, it blooms flowers and berries. It has red bark that looks beautiful year-round,' says Emilly Barbosa Fernandes, expert small space gardener and consultant at HouseGrail .
With it's dense twiggy structure, it is also great to use as part of garden privacy ideas, plus since dogwood are very easy to propagate – simply cut a branch that's about the thickness of a pencil and put in a pot of quickly – it is a very affordable to quickly grow your hedges.
4. Best fast-growing hedges for year-round privacy
(Image credit: Getty Images)
If you're trying to select the best hedges or best trees for privacy and screening in a backyard, then opting for an evergreen variety is a must. The shrubby honeysuckle is an excellent choice for fast-growing hedges, as its dense leaves and branches provide year-round greenery and screening.
'The shrubby honeysuckle can grow between 15-23 inches in a year, so if you don’t want a tall shrub, make sure to keep it trimmed,' says Emilly. 'The shrubby honeysuckle is an evergreen that becomes denser as you clip it. It has tiny leaves that may produce flowers in the spring and berries in the autumn.'
It is worth noting that shrubby honeysuckle can be invasive so if you decide to grow it in your garden, then it's vital that you keep it in check with regular pruning.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
These pretty fast-growing hedges are loved for their colorful and sweet smelling flowers. 'Lilac is a beautiful addition to the garden with its sweet fragrant smell and draping lavender blooms that cascades from the shrub,' says Tammy Sons from TN Nursery .
For the best chance of a healthy plant, pick a spot with fertile, well-drained soil and lots of sun. In the right conditions, lilacs can grow around two feet per year, plus they are fairly hardy and will thrive in zones 3 through to 7.
'The lilac makes a great choice if you’re looking for fast-growing hedges,' says Emilly Barbosa Fernandes, 'but if you don’t trim it back, it will grow out of control'. Therefore, it is vital that you know how to prune lilac before adding these fast-growing hedges into your garden.
6. Prettiest fast-growing hedges
(Image credit: Getty Images)
If you want fast-growing hedges that also bring beauty to the garden, then camellia hedges are perfect. Blossoming with beautiful rose-like flowers in late winter or early spring, they create a stunning addition to winter garden ideas and will help to brighten those darker days.
Camellias are also some of the best winter plants for pots and borders and as an evergreen, they keep their leaves all year round. This means that when they are grown as a hedge they are perfect to incorporate into your garden privacy ideas.
As with any addition to your garden, knowing how to care for them is vital. With camellias, there is particular importance on knowing how to prune camellias as this will keep these fast-growing hedges under control and looking their best.
7. Best fast-growing hedges for early spring color
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Forsythia is a great choice for fast-growing hedges. It's one of the hardiest fast-growing hedges, being tolerant to both drought and salt and hardy from zones 5 through to 8. It will reach heights of up to 10 feet and will grow approximately two feet per year.
Regardless of its durability, it is the flowers that sway homeowners towards these fast-growing hedges. 'One of the first spring bloomers, they erupt in lemony yellow clusters that welcome the coming season,' says Tammy Sons. However, be careful when pruning as the flowers grow on last year's growth. Therefore, it is important to prune at the end of the flowering period rather than wait until the following fall.
8. Best fast-growing hedges for greenery
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Laurel is a classic choice to create a quintessential green hedge in your garden. With its large glossy green leaves, it creates a dense border which is ideal for use in front yard landscaping ideas.
‘The laurel grows roughly 11 inches per year and can be grown as both hedging plants and topiary. If you’re looking for flowers in the summer, the cherry laurel is a good choice,’ says Emilly.
Smartly clipped laurel hedges and topiary are characteristic of English garden ideas and offer a good alternative to the slower-growing box hedges.
9. Best fast-growing hedges for wildlife
(Image credit: Getty Images)
If you're looking for fast-growing hedges that will help to encourage wildlife into your garden, then the hawthorn is your best option. 'One of the most common hedgerow shrubs across the UK but also grows well in the North American states,' says Leigh Clapp. The hawthorn will grow between one and two feet per year meaning it will quickly establish itself as a defined part of your garden.
Also known as the thornapple, it is descended from the rose family and is loved for its pretty nectar-rich flowers and bright red-orange fall berries. 'The Hawthorn provides food for some 150 different insect species and is tolerant of pollution and exposed sites,' continues Leigh Clapp. This makes hawthorn the ideal addition to your favorite wildlife garden ideas.
If grown at the border of your property, the thorny branches on these fast-growing hedges also brings with it an element of added security to your home while simultaneously offering a safe space for birds to nest come spring.
10. Best fast-growing flowering hedge for color
(Image credit: Getty Images)
One of our favorite fast-growing flowering trees, Callistemon also makes for a beautiful fast-growing hedge. Growing approximately a foot per year, this stunning plant explodes in an array of vibrant, feathering flowers in spring, and makes for the perfect accompaniment for other tropical garden ideas.
You can also use all of these fast-growing hedging ideas to obscure or complement the harder landscaping in your garden, such as garden wall ideas. Growing a hedge will create a softer and more natural backdrop to your garden as well as offering beneficial food and habitat for wildlife. Pick fast-growing hedges with beautiful flowers for added interest.
What is a good privacy hedge?
Camellia, laurel and hawthorn are all good privacy hedges. These fast-growing hedges are all evergreen and reach a good height.
Evergreen shrubs and evergreen trees for gardens make for the best hedges for privacy as you don't want your privacy to be compromised when the leaves fall off in fall. You will also want to select fast-growing hedges to ensure that you aren't waiting years to achieve the level of privacy you desire.
When should you plant hedges?
You should plant hedges in late fall, however, you can plant them up until late winter, though avoid planting if the ground is water-logged, frozen or frost is imminent.
The optimum planting time for individual fast-growing hedges will vary depending on the species you purchase, so you should always double check the planting directions.
Top 15 best hedge plants
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We present to your attention a selection of the best plants in our opinion for creating a living fence on your site.
1. Thuja. Evergreen tree or shrub. In the conditions of the middle lane, it can reach a height of 3 m. It is widely used to create hedges. The optimal planting distance is 80-100 cm. It can be planted in two rows in a checkerboard pattern. In a temperate climate, among the various forms of thuja, the thuja western “Smaragd” and “Emerald” feel best. Among other plants used to create hedges, thuja has its advantages and disadvantages | |
Advantages:
Drawbacks: disadvantages of arborvitae include its burnout in the bright sun, while the needles lose their decorative effect and become brown. |
2. Juniper. Common, Cossack, virgin, scaly, and Chinese junipers are used to create hedges. All of them have their own characteristics, but their main advantages are the same: | |
Of the shortcomings of juniper, one can single out its need for good lighting. Otherwise, the bushes become loose and lose their decorative effect. Like all conifers, juniper has a rather slow growth, although this is a minus or plus for a hedge - a moot point. |
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3. Berry yew. Evergreen coniferous plant. Great for creating a living fence and for good reason: | |
The yew has one drawback - all its parts are poisonous. |
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4. Lawson Cypress is one of the most beautiful coniferous plants. | |
Benefits:
Disadvantages: prefers well-lit areas (goes bald in the shade), requires regular watering and spraying. |
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5. Derain white. Fast-growing deciduous shrub up to 3 m high. Very beautiful, retains its decorative effect even in winter, thanks to bright red shoots. Blossoms twice a season, in the fall, along with young flowers, rounded white berries appear. The shrub has many virtues , among which: | |
Perhaps the only feature of turf that can be called its disadvantage is the need for regular cutting. If this condition is not observed, the bush is exposed in the lower part, it looks sloppy. |
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6. Califolia vesicle. Spectacular shrub with spreading drooping branches and large ornamental leaves. It reaches a height of 3 m. With proper care, a vesicle hedge will become a real highlight of your garden. | |
Benefits:
has no defects. |
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7. Coronal mock orange A beautifully flowering fragrant shrub up to 3 m high. It is frost-resistant and unpretentious, excellent for the conditions of the middle zone. In addition to the already listed advantages of mock orange, the following should be noted: | |
The plant has no significant shortcomings, it should only be noted that well-lit places should be chosen for planting mock orange, and the soil should not be compacted and waterlogged. |
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8. Spirea. A very ornamental shrub with beautiful abundant flowers. A spirea hedge can reach a height of 1.5 m. The plant has many advantages, including: |
Varieties available
Thuja occidentalis Smaragd
Thuja occidentalis Holmstrup
- Lush, graceful flowering.
- Handles shearing well.
- Able to take various forms.
- By combining varieties with different flowering periods, a continuously flowering hedge can be created.
- A wide range of varieties with different colors of inflorescences.
- Undemanding to soils
To maintain a neat appearance of the shrub, it is recommended to trim the faded inflorescences.
9. Thunberg barberry. Great for hedges because it: | |
The plant has its own disadvantages . For example, the presence of long sharp spines complicates the care of the shrub. With a lack of sunlight, the decorative effect of the leaves is lost. The plant propagates easily and appears where its growth is undesirable. |
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10. Privet. Fast growing, shade-tolerant shrub up to 2-2.5 m high. The plant deserves special attention for the following reasons: | |
The only drawback of privet is poisonous fruits. Do not choose this plant if you have children. |
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11. Cotoneaster brilliant. Densely leafy deciduous shrub up to 0.5 to 1.5 meters high. Undoubted Benefits of Cotoneaster: | |
Cotoneaster branches are fairly fast growing so regular pruning is essential to maintain the shape and attractiveness of the shrub. |
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12. Blood red hawthorn. Unpretentious deciduous shrub, characterized by high longevity. The undoubted advantages of the plant are: | |
Irregular shearing of hawthorn can expose the underside of the bush. |
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13. Lilac. Very ornamental flowering shrub. To create a hedge, the use of undemanding, frost-resistant, drought-resistant varieties, such as Meyer's, Amur and Hungarian lilacs, is recommended. The advantage of lilac over other shrubs is as follows: | |
disadvantages of lilacs include the need for annual cutting of root shoots; a short flowering period, after which the decorativeness of the plant is significantly reduced. |
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14. Shrub cinquefoil. A very decorative compact shrub that blooms from early summer to autumn. The main advantages of the plant: | |
Every 4-5 years the plant needs a rejuvenating pruning. Requires watering during dry periods. |
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15. Hydrangea. Incredibly beautiful shrub with large leaves and very lush flowering. Paniculata and tree varieties are great for creating hedges. Hydrangea Benefits: | |
At the same time, hydrangea is rather capricious, requires frequent watering, needs shelter for the winter, and is demanding on the composition of the soil. The plant needs pruning, since flowering occurs only on the shoots of the current year. |
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Fast growing hedge shrubs: hardy varieties
Plants on the site can serve not only as a decorative component, but also are able to perform certain functions. Cover unsightly outbuildings, strengthen the soil or divide the territory, for example. Today we will talk about deciduous shrubs that are suitable for forming hedges. A country house hedge is a densely planted chain of plants for decoration and division of space into certain zones, to replace the traditional fence, and protect the territory from prying eyes or even protect the garden from wild animals.
Regardless of the purpose of the hedge, it is a very beautiful ornament that can transform any landscape.
Hedge Benefits:
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As we said above, a hedge is able to divide the site into certain zones. So, for example, with its help, you can separate the central areas from the adjacent area. Or a vegetable garden area from an orchard.
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A living wall can easily replace the fence we are used to. If you decide to delimit the territory with a non-traditional stationary fence, densely planted crops will hide your garden from prying eyes with ease.
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If your site is already fenced, but the fence is unattractive, or maybe just old, then hedges will also come to the rescue, which will create a picturesque background.
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The same rule applies inside the garden. By planting a dense hedge along the buildings, you can hide unattractive walls and give the overall landscape neatness.
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By choosing deciduous crops with thorns (for example, from hawthorn) for the construction of a living wall, you can not only decorate the garden, but also protect it from uninvited guests - wild animals.
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Dense growth of deciduous shrubs planted in a row will perfectly protect the site from the scorching sun, strong drafts
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If recreation areas are distributed on your site, a hedge can make these corners not only cozy, but also add coolness and shade on especially hot days. A great place to hide from the hustle and bustle while reading your favorite book!
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Of course, planted plants make the garden more presentable, add colors to it and make the air much cleaner.
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If you choose lush flowering plants for hedges, they will become excellent honey plants and will attract beneficial insects to your garden.
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Strengthening the soil. So that water erosion does not harm the soil cover, it is necessary to think about strengthening it. A sod slope is one of the mandatory elements in the case of a predominance of a non-uniform relief. Dense plantings of shrubs will come to the rescue in such a situation.
Having analyzed the main functions of a hedge, let's proceed to the selection of plants. Since our goal is a thick, as if revived wall, performing the tasks of zoning, protecting and hiding the garden from prying eyes, the plants must be selected at a certain height: from one and a half meters. The second criterion for choosing seedlings is that they should be fast-growing shrubs for hedges, so that in a couple of years they will create a dense, lush barrier.
Conditionally hedges are usually divided into 2 types: homogeneous and mixed. The former are created from one type of plant (a bright and dense living wall of barberry, for example), and in mixed ones several species alternate (for example, thuja, hydrangea, thuja, hydrangea, and so on).
Popular deciduous shrubs for uniform hedges:
Vesicle
A very interesting shrub that looks impressive in ordinary plantings. It is valued for its decorative leaves with carved edges, juicy color, unpretentious care and good ability to tolerate haircuts. Depending on the variety, can be created as a single color hedge, for example using a variety with red foliage "Diabolo" (Diablo), and diversify the wall with a golden representative - the bubble "Dart`s Gold" (Darts Gold). A juicy, bright hedge year after year will enchant with its decorative effect with minimal labor to care for it.
Deren
Bright, attractive and shade-tolerant woody shrub - soren. All kinds of leaf colors will allow you to easily find a variety that is attractive to you: green with a white border, dark red, golden and others. Deren perfectly tolerates any vagaries of nature, grows quickly and has a dense, dense crown. Depending on the tasks, you can create a hedge in a free-growing form, or give the turf any shape - it safely tolerates shaping haircuts.
Cotoneaster
Asking the question: “What to make a hedge from?”, Turn your attention to the cotoneaster. Spectacular representative of deciduous shrubs, changing its foliage during the season. In summer it is juicy green, and by autumn it acquires crimson hues. By the end of summer, colorful black fruits will decorate the hedge. The cotoneaster is distinguished by its unpretentiousness to growing conditions, tolerates pruning perfectly, pleases for many years with its neat, dense crown. Great option for a living wall!
Grefsheim gray spirea
Charming flowering spirea that will not leave anyone indifferent. Thin sprawling shoots, rounded openwork crown, incredibly abundant flowering, juicy green foliage. By planting a spirea in a hedge, you will effortlessly create a dense, very beautiful wall, which every year will delight, covered with snow-white flowers and exuding a magnificent aroma. Spirea is not only very beautiful, but does not require additional attention at all: it is frost-resistant, puts up with light shading, does not require frequent watering and is good for haircuts.
Hawthorn
As we said above, hawthorn is very often used specifically to protect the site from unwanted wild animals. Its spines and crown create a dense veil from strangers. And due to the average density, the hawthorn lets in enough air so that the area is sufficiently ventilated. Depending on the species and variety, hawthorn can grow up to 6 meters in height, but some representatives do not grow more than 3. Since the hawthorn has a beautiful rounded crown, it will decorate your garden even without additional haircuts.
Hydrangea
When choosing which shrub to make a hedge, take into account the magnificent hydrangea. She is able to become not only a first-class tapeworm in your garden, but also in a hedge will enchant everyone around. Dense foliage carved along the edge, neat beautiful crown and, of course, large conspicuous inflorescences densely covering each seedling. A living wall of hydrangea throughout the season will delight you with its decorative effect: in spring and autumn with juicy greenery, and in summer with incomparable flowering and aroma.
Snowberry
Another great option for creating dense, interesting hedges is the snowberry, familiar from childhood. A dense deciduous shrub with unusual bluish-green foliage and unique fruits - white or pink balls densely covering each shoot, which children so love to "slap" their feet. It is characterized by high frost resistance, unpretentiousness to the composition of the soil, watering and does not require much care.
Barberry
A favorite and often used by landscape designers to create hedges is the barberry. Its juicy neat leaves (depending on the variety and season, almost all the colors of the rainbow) form an openwork dense crown and bring color even to the most monotonous landscape. Excellent frost resistance and tolerability of haircuts make it possible to grow it in any garden. Thanks to the variety of species and varieties, every gardener will be able to choose any type of hedge: noble red, bright green, multi-colored with a frame, even and neat from shrubs with upright branches or lush thanks to spreading shoots. A variety of flowering, no less attractive fruits and foliage with a changeable color contribute to the fact that the barberry changes its appearance during the season without losing its decorative effect.
Mock orange
The mock orange looks picturesque in a hedge (many used to call it jasmine). Juicy green leaves, sprawling attractive shape, thin graceful shoots, simple or double snow-white inflorescences and, of course, an incomparable aroma. A hedge in a dacha made of mock orange is not only a unique decoration, but also a planting that is completely unpretentious in care, capable of delighting you and your neighbors for many years.
Irga
If you want to plant in your garden not only an attractive, but also useful plant in its own way, then you should stop your attention on the irga. Thanks to unusual leaves that are able to change the color of foliage from month to month (from silver-green to various crimson hues), a hedge of shadberry will be attractive at any time, adding variety to the landscape. It is beautiful in an ordinary planting and, in addition, every year pleases its owners with delicious fruits. And in the spring, the irga is covered with snow-white inflorescences, shading the juicy foliage. Suitable for planting in partial shade.
When choosing plants for a hedge, pay attention to the size of the crown of shrubs in adulthood: many of the above plants, depending on the type and variety, can create both medium (from 1.5 meters) and high walls (4-5 meters). The main thing is to choose what your garden needs and will meet the tasks.
Mixed hedges on plot
Recently, mixed hedges, formed from various hardwood or coniferous species, have gained immense popularity. Such heterogeneous walls look quite impressive and, at least, unusual: they allow you to experiment with shape, color and texture, bringing zest to the landscape.
Creating a mixed hedge is not difficult: you simply plant different types of plants in a certain order. So, for example, a living wall made of arborvitae, alternating in equal intervals with colorful turf, looks spectacular. Or in an equal step blooming hydrangea with dark barberry.
Or by choosing shrubs with interesting foliage: alternate a plain dark barberry with a bright bordered turf.