The thought of creating hedges around your home may seem intimidating especially if you have no idea where to begin. In the long run after deciding which ones to plant, then it’s just a matter of waiting to see your creativity come to life.
Hedges are formed by using plants to act as a barrier in place of any structure that would be used to separate property lines. Some may take a few years to be fully established while others will take a shorter time.
Why Use a Hedge
Hedges are one of the best ways to increase the value of your home by creating something that looks different than the ordinary fence made either of metal or wood which are not aways the best-looking method to separate your property from your neighbour.
What is attractive about hedges is they can be pruned and shaped to your taste. They offer colours and textures to the space and are usually attractive to potential buyers especially for homeowners looking to increase the value of their properties. A hedge will offer that enhancement.
How to Choose Plants for a Hedge
This will depend on your preference, some are slow growing and will not need much pruning. Others are quick growing and will need to be constantly pruned in order to keep the shape desired. Many are aesthetically beautiful because they bloom beautiful flowers and are known for their colourful hues. As the season change they create brilliant reds to deep purple and bright yellows to fiery oranges. Some are naturally green all year around and we see many with variegated leaves of a blend of colours. So, your task is to decide which ones are suitable for your own situation also for your zone, and what is affordable to you. You may also want to consider adaptability, drought resistant and hardy ones.
Shrubs with Vibrant Colours
- Linwood Gold Forsythia Shrub
- Debutante Camellia
- Autumn Bonfire Encore Azalea
- Snowball Bush (Viburnum Macrocephalum Sterile)
- Orange Rocket Barberry Shrub
- Ruby Loropetalum
- Sonic Weigela Shrub (Weigela Bokrasopin)
- Lavender Rhododendron Shrub
- Wine and Roses Weigela Shrub
- Ever Red Loropetalum (Chinese Fringe Flower)
- Burning Bush (Euonymus Alatus)
- Tropical Hibiscus
- Red Oleander (Nerium Oleander)
- Bougainvillea
- Crotons
- Rose of Sharon Hibiscus
- Bird of Paradise
Evergreen Shrubs
- Hetz Midget Thuja Shrub
- Green Velvet Boxwood
- Sunshine Ligustrum Shrub
- American Boxwood
- Baby Gem Boxwood Shrub
- Gold Mound Spirea (Spirea Japonica Goldmound)
- Ivory Dogwood Halo Shrub
- Baby Blue Spruce
- Cedar Emerald
- Boxwood
Privacy Evergreen
- Italian Cypress
- Taylor Juniper
- Skyrocket Juniper
Linwood Gold Forsythia Shrub
If you are looking for a fast-growing shrub with bright yellows flowers, then choose this shrub to highlight your garden space. Use as a hedge or in a container.
A good start is to plant 3 feet apart as they will grow quickly and spread. If planted with other shrubs some pruning is necessary to keep it contained and not become invasive and destroy the other plants.
Debutante Camellia
This is a flowing shrub which bears a close resemblance to the Peony flowers. They are amazing flowers once they are in full bloom. They are slow growing and will require partial shade.
The location for planting these shrubs is key. They have been known to grow over ten feet and have a reputation for longevity. These plants will do well if planted in zones 7-10. Enhance your garden space by planting as an entrance or as a hedge.
Autumn Bonfire Encore Azalea
A bright splash of colours that are available in red, white, purple, bi-coloured white with pink and orange. The Autumn Bonfire Encore Azalea has a lot of curb appeal when planted as a hedge or a stand-alone plant.
Gardeners have used this plant on many occasions because of its vibrant colours and it is also fast growing. This is a dwarf hedge and will be best if you are looking for a low growing hedge this will grow up to 4 feet. What is unique about this shrub is it blooms throughout the seasons and is suitable for zones 6-10 with either partial or full sun. If you have planned to use as a hedge, then plant them at least 3 feet apart which makes it easier to form a hedge. Or place them a few feet away from each other. They also make great plants for containers for decks or a front porch.
Snowball Bush (Viburnum Macrocephalum Sterile)
This plant is found in many species and this specific one is also known as the Chinese Snowball Viburnum. A Good comparison would be the Hydrangeas as they look so closely alike. They are drought-resistant for anyone who is concerned about taking care of them and they require full to partial sunshine. This shrub will grow in zones 6-9 and to a height of 10 feet tall. Favoured and known for their large flower heads and make great plants for entrances, patios, and hedges. Some care should be considered as they will spread and will need pruning.
Orange Rocket Barberry Shrub
A transitioning of colours from bright orange in the fall to deep purple and remining green in the summer. This is sure to make your garden filled with a vibrance of colours as the season change. Sometimes selected because they are known to be drought resistant and has the reputation of being disease resistant. The will grow to a height of 3 -5 feet and does well in zones 4-9. If you are planning to plant as a hedge keep it between 2-3 feet apart. Blend in with other plants in the garden for contrast.
Ruby Loropetalum (Chinese Ruby)
This makes a good choice as hedge or landscape for your garden with its striking pink colour which changes to a deep purple. Can be grown in containers but one of the best ways is to plant as a hedge or as a landscape for your garden. An amazing blend of colours to add to any garden space. They will grow up to a height of 6 feet and are considered for zones 7-9 with full or partial sunshine.
Sonic Weigela
A great way to add colour in your garden, available in colours of pink, red orange and yellow. It continues to bloom throughout the season into fall. Expect it to grow up to 5 feet and will require full sun for zones 4-8.
Lavender Rhododendron Shrub
A wonderful plant to keep as it is drought tolerant and is able to use less water in the garden. It has beautiful blooms of lavender in clusters and will grow anywhere. It will grow up to 10 feet and will make a good privacy hedge especially for zones 4-8.
Wine and Roses Weigela Shrub
A hardy plant for cold temperatures with the colour of wine and also available in pink. It is drought- resistant and will grow up to 5 feet for zones 4-9.
Ever Red Loropetalum (Chinese Fringe Flower)
Expect deep burgundy fragrant flowers and makes a perfect plant for borders.They are drought-resistant and disease tolerant and should last for a long time. It will grow up to 6 feet in height and will be best for zones 7-10. It would be the ideal plant to enhance your front entrance.
Burning Bush (Euonymus Altus)
As the name suggest it is a plant that resembles a flame on fire. It is a drought tolerant plant which creates burst of colours of red in the fall and remaining green in the summer. A great hedge which can grow between 4 and 8 feet in height. Adaptable to zones 4-8.
Tropical Hibiscus
Available in many colours of red, yellow white and a blend of colours. Used as hedges in many Caribbean and Tropical countries as hedges. It is dense and does well with lots of sunshine. It will grow up to 8 feet and is suitable for zones 9-11. Other tropical shrubs like Crouton and Bougainvillea are also excellent as hedges with their vibrant colours and variegated leaves makes them a suitable choice.
Hetz Midget Thuja Shrub
Transform your garden by using this shrub. You can create various shapes due to its rounded shape. It is slow growing and will not need to pruned frequently. A hardy plant for cold temperatures and will grow up to 4 feet. Suitable for zones 2-7.
Green Velvet Boxwood
A slow growing plant that can be used in raised gardens and front entrances in planters. It is sturdy and adaptable to various weather conditions. It is disease resistant and drought resistant and slowing growing. Suitable for zones 4-9.
Sunshine Ligustrum Shrub
Create a splash of yellow in your garden space with this shrub. The leaves turn from yellow to a gold colour. It is great for hedges and is non-invasive and drought and heat- tolerant. It will grow up to 4 feet and is best in zone 6-10.
American Boxwood
Enjoy this shrub as it is easy to shape to create your own design. It is good for those who wish to have a privacy fence. It is disease resistant and slow growing. Use in zones 5-9.
Baby Gem Boxwood Shrub
A densely packed shrub used by Landscapers to create curves. Excellent for the front yard and will grow up to 4 feet and best for zones 5-9.
Gold Mound Spirea (Spirea Japonica Goldmound)
Excellent as a boarder and is hardy and resistant to disease. It will grow up to 3 feet and is suitable for zones 4-9.
Ivory Dogwood Halo Shrub
A variegated plant with colours of green and white leaves. Adaptable to either full or partial sunshine. If you are looking for a shrub that is adaptable to the weather, then choose this. It grows to a height of up to 6 feet and does well in zones 3-7, the shrub is quick growing and will need pruning to keep it shape.
Baby Blue Bruce
Enhance your landscape with this beautiful evergreen tree. The Baby Blue Bruce will grow up to 25 feet and is a hardy evergreen with a blue colour. It is drought-resistant and disease resistant and is able to tolerate the cold weather and for zones 3-7.
Cedar Emerald
A narrow and dense shrub that is used for hedges. This Emerald is able to adapt in winter conditions and is pest and disease free. It remains green during the cold months suitable for zones 4-8.
Boxwood
These shrubs are available in many species and are usually dense and used for various landscaping concepts. Great for decks, patios, and front entrances. They also can be placed in containers. They are slow growing, and some species are able to adapt to cold temperatures. Generally, they are suitable for zones 5-9.
Italian Cypress
These are narrow trees which do not spread and are able to adjust to many climates. They are usually used as front entrances especially with homes that have large properties. They are able to create value to the home. They will grow tall over 30 feet and will sometimes last for many years. Great for zones 8-10.
Taylor Juniper
A tall stately tree that grows up to 20 feet high which has the capability of living long. It is perfect for the entrance to your home or if you need privacy in your backyard. It has a similar appearance to the Italian Cypress. Grows in zones 3-9.
Skyrocket Juniper
An upright narrow shrub with green needles with a hint of blue blended with green. It is drought-resistant and pest tree. Can grow up to 15 feet for zones 4-9.
There are so many varieties of plants to choose as hedges it can makes your choices difficult. The best way is to narrow the ones you prefer and once this is done it will make your choices easier. A good way to get advice is to talk to your local gardener which can give you the best advice and how to take care of them. Some will need additional fertilizers and others are low maintenance and will require very little attention. The fast-growing shrubs will need pruning in the right season to maintain a healthy plant.
Although some are less attractive to disease and pest you will always have to be aware of the other plants that can contract diseases in your garden which can spread to other plants. At the end of your research after you have planted. It is just a matter of time for them to develop and become what you have envisioned.