SolveYourProblem
Hedges Article Series
I
Want To Create
The Perfect Hedge
Landscaping:
Choose the Perfect Hedge
Choosing a hedge may not seem like a big deal
to many, but in reality it is a long-term investment and one
of the most important decisions you will make about the structure
and overall look of your garden space. When selecting the perfect
hedge for your garden, you need to take into consideration
both your current and future needs.
A hedge is an excellent way to mark the boundaries of your
property and a much more attractive option than some wood or
chain fencing. Hedges can also be used to shelter outdoor spaces
from the wind and to give your yard some privacy. Hedges also
give your garden structure and work well as natural dividers.
The uses, as you can see, are many.
When you first think about planting, you need to assess your
needs. Is your hedge merely decorative or is it also going
to be serving a practical purpose? Once you decide on that,
you can work on your garden plan.
It is important to carefully
plan out your garden before you
begin planting. Hedges will be with you for decades or even
longer if you care for them properly, so you need to think
about the best place to situate them. Remember that hedges
do grow and widen over the years so you want to ensure that
you have enough space for that to occur. This can be a big
problem near paths and driveways so measure carefully and ensure
you have enough room for this growth.
You also need to choose a variety of hedge that suits your
climate and the overall look you
are going for. As with all
plants, there are some hedge plants more suited to certain
climates than others. You need to determine what types of hedge
plants will thrive in your climate. Your local garden center
should be able to offer you advice on this. There are also
many good online resources now to help you research all sorts
of different plans and shrubs.
Keeping climate in mind is important when choosing a hedge
plant, but so is the look you are seeking in your garden. Depending
on the type of look you are going for, you’ll need to find
a hedge plant that can hold those specific shapes and designs.
You need to know what look you are going for to make the most
informed choice.
There are two main types of hedge designs: formal and informal.
Most people probably think of formal designs when they think
of hedges. The formal, traditional and sharp-edged designs
of the formal hedge don’t need to be limiting or stuffy. Nowadays
you can offset the formality of these kinds of structure by
mixing the straight and sharp lines of these hedges with more
wild plant groupings.
Informal hedges are also an option if you want a more modern
or contemporary feeling for your garden. Hedges used to be
limited to a few varieties of plants, but now people use all
different sorts of plants to make hedge lines – the only limit
is your imagination!
Color is something else important to consider when choosing
hedge plants. Though you may find vibrant colors attractive
at first, you may tire of them eventually. A good rule of thumb
is to stick with the traditional green for your hedges and
use other plants to give your garden its color. It may seem
boring initially, but in the long run it will allow you to
change the look and feel of your garden using annuals instead
of having to alter the overall structure of your yard space.
Hedges are not maintenance free plants. You need to make sure
that you care for them properly, including trimming them into
a suitable shape. They are a much more natural divider than
fencing, but they do require more of a time investment so you’ll
need to make sure that you have the time to devote to your
new hedges before you begin planting.
Hedges are a long-term landscaping investment. Because you
will have them in your garden for so long, you need to make
sure that you are doing your research and choosing the best
hedge type and design for the long haul.
