A hedge is a living boundary composed of closely planted shrubs or small trees, trained to form a dense, continuous screen. Using bushes offers a natural aesthetic, defining property lines, marking garden rooms, and providing a dynamic backdrop for landscapes. Selecting the right species ensures the barrier achieves its intended function and thrives within the local environment.
Selecting Bushes Based on Function
The best plant choice depends on the specific purpose and desired look of the finished barrier. Tall privacy screens require dense foliage and a mature height exceeding six feet, offering year-round seclusion and acting as windbreaks.
Medium borders define property edges or separate garden areas without blocking the view. These borders often range between three and six feet in height and are typically less formally maintained.
Low ornamental hedges require precise shaping, slow growth, and tolerance for frequent shearing, often used to line walkways or formal flower beds. The final selection must also be compatible with the local climate zone and the specific sun exposure of the planting site.
Top Evergreen Recommendations
Evergreen varieties maintain their foliage and provide year-round screening, making them the preferred choice for privacy and noise reduction. Arborvitae (Thuja) are popular, with tall, columnar cultivars like ‘Green Giant’ reaching 40 to 60 feet tall, ideal for large-scale privacy barriers. These conifers thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, but they should only be lightly shaped, as cutting back into old, leafless wood will not stimulate new growth.
Boxwood (Buxus) is a classic choice for formal, low-to-medium hedges due to its dense, small-leaved foliage and ability to withstand heavy shearing. Varieties like ‘Winter Gem’ or ‘Green Mountain’ mature between 3 and 8 feet tall, preferring partial afternoon shade to avoid leaf scorching. To maintain density and prevent disease, formal boxwood hedges must be trimmed so the base is slightly wider than the top, allowing sunlight to reach the lower branches.
For a prickly, impenetrable barrier, various Holly (Ilex) species offer security and visual interest with their glossy, often spiny, leaves. Japanese Holly (Ilex crenata) is a fine-textured, spineless option that can be sheared into a tight, dark-green hedge. Meserve Holly (Ilex x meserveae) offers the traditional spiny leaf and red berries. Hollies are adaptable to sun or partial shade but require well-drained, slightly acidic soil. Female plants need a nearby male pollinator to produce the signature winter berries.
Top Deciduous and Ornamental Recommendations
Deciduous and ornamental shrubs are selected for seasonal displays, such as vibrant flowers, colorful fall foliage, or a relaxed, informal texture. Privet (Ligustrum spp.) is a fast-growing, semi-evergreen shrub that quickly establishes a dense screen or formal hedge, often reaching 10 to 15 feet tall. While it sheds some leaves in colder climates, it is favored for its tolerance of heavy pruning and the fragrant white flowers it produces in late spring.
Hydrangea varieties, particularly Panicle types like Hydrangea paniculata ‘Limelight,’ create flowering hedges that provide summer-long color. These shrubs grow 6 to 8 feet tall, forming a lush, informal barrier with large, cone-shaped blooms. The blooms transition from lime-green to creamy white and then to pink in the fall. Pruning should be done in late winter or early spring since they bloom reliably on new wood.
Certain Lilac (Syringa) varieties can be planted closely to form a multi-stemmed, fragrant screen that offers a spectacular, brief floral display in the spring. These ornamental selections are best suited for areas where year-round privacy is not required, prioritizing seasonal texture and color instead. The loose, natural form of these shrubs requires less frequent, but correctly timed, pruning to encourage the best display of flowers.
Essential Planting Considerations
Successful hedge establishment begins with proper site preparation to ensure plants thrive and quickly grow into a solid barrier. Soil quality is paramount; the planting area should be dug out to at least twice the width of the root ball. Incorporate organic matter to improve drainage and nutrient retention. Bushes will not establish well in constantly waterlogged conditions, so amending heavy clay soil is necessary.
Correct spacing balances achieving a quick, dense barrier with allowing enough room for long-term health. Planting shrubs closer than their recommended mature width encourages them to interlace faster, but this increases root competition for water and nutrients over time. A common practice is to space plants at a distance roughly equal to two-thirds of their expected mature width. This promotes rapid fill while still allowing for adequate air circulation and root development.