What plants make a good hedge?

A hedge is a wonderful and elegant decorative structure that you can put up in your garden. Also called hedgerows or live fences, this living wall of shrubs and trees goes all the way back to the Neolithic Age (4000-6000 BC). The word came from Old English, German (Hecke) and Dutch (haag), which means enclosure. 

Hedges mainly serve as a barrier or boundary between neighbouring properties. They are also a simple form of topiary– plants that are clipped to form ornamental shapes for decorative purposes. Shrubs are the main plants used for hedges. They can be deciduous— plants that drop their leaves (usually in the fall or winter), or evergreen, meaning plants stay green all year round. 

Some of the most common shrubs used for hedging are: 

• Japanese Buxus
• Forsythia
• Murraya
• Viburnum
• Loropetalum
• Arborvitae
• Photinia Red Robin 
• Privet
• Wild Cherry
• Red Twig Dogwood

Hedge classification 

Hedges are classified according to their purpose. These are: 

Tall protective hedge

These are plants that grow at a height of about 100 – 300 cm. They grow dense and with thorns. Examples of plants in this classification are Acacia fernesiana, Leyland cypress and Carissa carandus. 

Dwarf protective hedge

These are thorny and protective shrubs that grow to about 100 cm. Examples are Holly shrub, Agave, Pedilanthus and Barberry. 

Tall ornamental hedge

These are attractive shrubs that grow at a height of about 100-300 cm and produce colourful flowers. Examples are Murraya panniculata, Lawsonia alba, Golden bells, Rose of Sharon and Hydrangea.

Dwarf ornamental hedge

These are attractive dwarf shrubs that grow to about 100 cm. Examples are Lantana, Laurustinus, Lavender and Daisy bush. 

Characteristics of a hedge

Plants that are ideal for hedging should be thick and has quick growth. It should withstand drought and can easily be propagated through seeds or cutting. Whether your purpose for planting a hedge is for privacy, windbreak or decoration, shrubs are the best plants to use for hedging. Here are other important information that you need to know if you’re considering growing a hedge: 

• Shape – choose a shrub that’s shapeable and attractive all year round
• Soil – the quality of soil and pH should be monitored for healthy shrubs to thrive in the garden
• Growth rate – determine its growth rate  if you need a fast-growing shrub to cover areas or barriers on your property
• Height and width – choose shrubs for hedging depending on your purpose. There are shrubs that are invasive or are hard to maintain because they can grow very tall and wide
• Maintenance – formal hedges should be consistently trimmed and shaped
• Toxicity – there are shrubs that are poisonous, especially their fruits. 

How to grow a hedge?

Hedge plants can grow in any kind of soil. It should be planted deeply in well-drained and fertile soil. You can start with a digging trench of about 60 – 75 cm deep and 30 – 60 cm wide. Leave it exposed for around two weeks to destroy harmful insects and bacteria from exposure to the sun. After two weeks, refill the trench with new soil and manure. 

The best time to plant a hedge is during the rainy season around August when it’s no longer hot and humid. Shrubs can be grown by seeds or through rooted cuttings. Planting tall hedges should have a distance of about 60 to 90 cm. Dwarf hedges, on the other hand, should be 20 – 30 cm.

Hedges require water depending on the season and type of soil. There’s no need to water them during the rainy season. In winter, watering should be done once every 10 or 15 days while it should be at a weekly interval during summer. 

Hedges should be kept tidy and dense by regularly trimming the plants, especially when it reaches 15 cm. Pruning should be done as well, usually once every spring and summer. Pruning methods involve cleaning dead and broken branches, reducing the height of the hedge and decreasing the density of the shrub.,  Proper pruning will keep the shrubs healthy and avoid decay or diseases that could spread to the other plants in the garden. 

Before trimming or pruning the hedges, make sure that the cutting tools are sharpened. Improper trimming or pruning may deform and weaken the plants. Hedges may also be damaged by the wind or ice during winter, which may affect their ability to produce their food. 

Uses of hedges 

As mentioned earlier, hedges can be used for barriers or boundaries, for privacy on your property or as garden ornaments. Here are specific uses of hedges:

Garden frames

The shrub’s thickness makes it a perfect plant to create garden frames. Low-growing hedges can be grown on the edges of a path or around a pond. The ideal shrubs to use are Buxus and Murraya. 

Living fences

Ordinary gates and fences can become great with hedges. You can use tall hedges to form a living fence in your property’s facade or to separate your home and garden.

Borders

Use low hedges as borders or outlines. Add geometrical figures to make your garden more attractive. 

 

Spring Colours is a plant nursery located in Sydney’s Dural neighbourhood. With over 30 years of experience in garden landscaping and delivering high-quality plants to plant lovers at great prices, we are committed to making the world a greener place and adding new life to your home and garden.

Contact us to find out about our wholesale service delivery or visit our store in Dural to browse our collection of plants!