What to use to create your perfect hedge?

We use a hedge in the landscape for a few reasons. Its meaning is 'a fence or boundary formed by closely growing bushes or shrubs'. We want to enclose a bed, we want to define or delineate our property from our neighbours, or we want to hide a view.

Plants to consider for foundation hedging, or hedging around a path include Boxwood or Yews. If using boxwood, the Green Mountain works perfectly. It holds its leaves year round and gives a formal look. We know it is higher maintenance requiring regular pruning and spraying of BTK. (BTK helps to keep boxwood moth at bay.) We now see Inkberry or Strongbox holly used instead of boxwood. While they are a great substitute for colour, they definitely are not as vigorous. 

Yews are also used for foundation planting against your home, as well as along a path. Yews are able to grow taller than boxwoods and have a deeper green colour. My favourite to use for yew hedging is the Hill's yew. It is low maintenance, only requiring yearly pruning. It is free of pests and disease and is drought tolerant once established.  Yews may be planted as a great alternative to boxwood.

When we are looking for a taller hedge in the landscape, we have lots of options. We can use evergreen varieties like Cedar or Columnar Norway Spruce or Yews to achieve heights of 15-20' with the Cedar and Columnar Norway Spruce and 10' with the Yews. Both the Cedar and Columnar Norway Spruce need no pruning. You should prune the Yews sides if not the top. (But I do like to prune the tops as well.) Pruning yews help them maintain their shape in our climate with late season snow that is wet and heavy. Pruning in a 'H' shape with straight sides or 'A' shape allows light to hit all the way to the base of the shrub. These evergreens will need 3' of space for the width. They will grow on average of 6" a year.  

For faster growth there are other varieties of plants to consider. Deciduous plants including Privet, Limelight hydrangeas, European Beech and Hornbeam are all great, fast growing options. Privet is considered old fashioned but widely available. It is also invasive featuring glossy green leaves during the growing season, white late spring flowers and black berries. It usually requires two to three prunes per year. (Not my favourite - hate the smell!)

I've used Limelight hydrangeas in many ways in the landscape including privacy hedging around a pool. They can reach 8' in height and spread about 3+'. I've planted them as close as a 30" space to ensure the mature plants will grow into each other. As the plant grows, the dense foliage gives privacy and the amazing, huge, beautiful flowers are a bonus. They are white and fit into most landscapes, including modern ones looking for clean lines.

European Beech are a deciduous tree/shrub that hold their leaves throughout the year. They look great year round! Glossy green leaves during the growing season and copper coloured leaves during the late fall and through the winter. They are an elegant plant choice. Used in estates and considered a regal plant. They can be pruned very narrow and still offer privacy with their dense branching. Beech can grow up to 2' a year once established. I find that they require pruning every 2-3 years.

Hornbeam are used similarly to beech for hedging. It doesn't matter the variety, because if you are using them for hedging, you will be pruning. I find their growth faster than beech, though both are hardwoods. When using them as hedging, it depends on your patience level for spacing. If you desire a faster screen, you can plant as closely as root ball to root ball. When you have more time for them to grow together, a 4' space is adequate. Hornbeam can easily grow past 25' if you let them. While initially pruning isn't required, you can count on yearly pruning once they establish themselves. They grow easily 2' a year.

Whether you want to "hedge in" some plants, or screen out some neighbours, there are many great choices of hedging plants.

Can I help you choose the best hedging material for your property? Please reach out by phone or email.