Choosing From A Range Of Versatile Hedging Plants

| Wednesday, March 7, 2012
By Sarah Jenyns


Hedging plants can be used successfully for a wide range of purposes. Hedges can be used to provide privacy or screening and can also be used to improve security.

Dense evergreen plants offer the most effective solution for privacy. Larger, well established hedge plants will usually give you an instant screen but involve a larger initial investment. An alternative is to opt for a fast growing variety. Leylandii are a popular choice for many people and are generally inexpensive. This evergreen is capable of growing anything from two to three feet every year and there are numerous varieties available.

Other popular choices are the Western Red Cedar and the attractive Cotoneaster Lacteus with its gorgeous red berries amongst its dense evergreen foliage.

Spiky plants with thorns offer effective security for homes. When maintained properly, plants can act as an efficient intruder deterrent, but they should never obstruct visibility of your windows and doors as this could have the opposite effect through shielding intruders from view. Hedges should be trimmed just high enough to create a physical barrier.

Some great plants you could consider for this situation are the Blackthorn and the Common Hawthorn, which are both extremely dense and spiky. Holly is a low cost, traditional choice which will provide excellent privacy. Pyracantha displays attractive flowers in the Spring and Summer , then small berries in winter months, offering extra interest to your boundary in addition to its extremely sharp thorns.

You can plant a hedge to provide protection from pollution too. Heavily polluted urban areas will require robust, hardy plants. Two hardy varieties with dark green leaves and attractive flowers in spring months are Oregon Grape and Daisy Bush. If you are trying to combat noise, you will need to create a deep, dense barrier with evergreen foliage from the top to the bottom. For best results, put in several rows of plants as close to the source of the sound as possible. The thicker the barrier, the better.

Hedges can also be planted for their great architectural appeal. Lavender makes a wonderful low border with a great scent and a traditional boxed hedge can be trimmed to form attractive divisions.

Perhaps you could plant a hedge to provide shelter for wildlife and attract a number of birds, butterflies and bees into your garden. To entice birds, try planting some Hawthorn or Blackthorn. Lavender plants and the flowers on the Pyracantha are highly appealing to butterflies and bees alike. Whatever your aim or project, a natural border made up of hedging plants of your choice can result in a useful, great looking border for your property.




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2 comments:

Anonymous said...

You post is really interesting. I want to read more of your work. Do you have other sources regarding landscaping and butterfly gardens?

David Wofford

For those interested regarding butterfly gardens, click here for creating a butterfly garden and butterfly flowers

All About Customized Products said...

Nice blog..I love those hedges which attracts wildlife and specially those which are deer resistant. Such Garden Hedges are evergreen and best for privacy.

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