Choosing Shrubs for a Hedge
Hedges have a variety of uses. They can form barriers, mark boundaries aesthetically, or provide a nice windbreak, even a sound barrier. Hedges are usually composed of evergreen shrubs or small evergreen trees that are evenly spaced, trained then blended together. Some people prefer natural-looking natural-looking edges and allow the plants to conform to their natural structures while other people desire formal hedges.
Creating a hedge is thought of as the most simple form of topiary. More formal-looking hedges do require some maintenance and trimming to help the individual plants keep their desired shape and form. Hedges may be squared with flat tops, rounded tops, or again natural. There are many, many shrubs that are suitable for hedges. Here are some ideas to get you started.
Fastigiate White Pine
The huge evergreen trees that grow all over North America and Europe are most often varieties of white pine. There is though a smaller growing white pine that is great for hedges. The Fastigiate White Pine is a small, but fast-growing shrub variety. They fill in quickly and are particularly good on the northern or western side of properties to act as a windbreak.
They will grow about two feet per year and if allowed they can reach heights of forty feet with a seven to ten-foot spread. All white pines do best in full sun. The Fastigiate White Pine tolerates most soil types and performs well in normal soil as long as it is well-draining. This makes them extremely low maintenance aside from any necessary trimming for shape purposes.
Hinoki Cypress
The Hinoki Cypress is an excellent hedge shrub if you are looking for something a little less common and to provide a more interesting color. It is another evergreen so you can be sure it still looks great and does its job in the winter months. ‘Nana Gracilis’ is a dwarf variety that is perfect for forming a very nice-looking hedge.
It is slower growing than white pine, but it has a unique cloud-like appearance and a brighter, yellowish variegated coloration with deeper green further inside. Hinoki Cypresses will only grow about six inches per year and typically get no more than six feet tall with a spread of four feet. It is also quite low maintenance with medium water requirements, full sun to partial shade, and well-draining soil. But they will tolerate more clay-like soils.
Fernleaf Hinoki Cypress
Another variety of Hinoki Cypress is called the Fernleaf. It is similar to the general Hinoki Cypress but larger. They can be up to twenty feet tall with a sixteen-foot spread. Requirements for the Fernleaf are also similar and it is again low maintenance aside from shaping, which is largely up to your personal preference.
The Fernleaf Hinoki Cypress has a more linear appearance and is less round and puffy. They also grow a little faster. They usually grow about twelve inches or so per year. The structure of the tree is more branch-like with arms similar to that of white pines. They also tend to be more pyramidal at maturity rather than rounded. When spacing these trees to form a hedge be sure they are far enough apart to take care of their larger spread as they age.
Boxwood (Buxus)
The Boxwood is pretty much the default plant if you want formal hedges and is the most common hedge plant. There are a wide variety of Boxwoods to choose from that grow at various rates and with some slight color variation as well. They are the go-to for many homeowners’ hedges because they tolerate being trimmed and shaped very well. They are evergreen as well and can reach as tall as twenty feet to provide privacy if they are not trimmed down.
Boxwood is relatively slow-growing and low maintenance. One caveat about Boxwood is that the foliage does have a distinct scent. Some people find it unpleasant, but the good news is that deer also find it unpleasant. It can be a very good plant to put at the edge of your property to ward deer away from your other plants and lawn. The small blooms have a very pleasant fragrance.
