SolveYourProblem
Hedges Article Series
I
Want To Create
The Perfect Hedge
Planting
Deciduous Hedges
Deciduous
hedges are a beautiful informal way to mark boundaries,
give depth to landscape and create
privacy. They are beautiful and flower in season, and correctly
planted can be exactly what you are looking for. Deciduous
hedges do lose their leaves at the end of the growing season
and go dormant. Pruning these hedges on a regular basis over
a long period will help them for a tangle of twigs at the base.
This tangle of twigs will provide a screen during the winter.
Hedges will grow better and form a dense bushy growth if planted
as small plants. If planted correctly they will overtake those
hedges that were planted with larger pot grown plants. In fact,
you may have gaps in your hedge with starting out with larger
plants, thinking your hedge will be what you want faster.
Deciduous hedges that are formal will need to be pruned
or reshaped at least twice during each season. The first pruning
should bring them to the height you want, and then one more
pruning later in the season should be sufficient. If you have
planted faster growing plants, you may choose to prune more
often to keep them at the desired height.
When planting deciduous plants, make sure they are well
watered throughout the season. New plants should be watered regularly
even if it looks like rain. The soil should be well drained
and if it isn’t, tile or drain coil should be placed around
your hedge line. Mulch is needed after planting to keep the
moisture in the ground. Mulch doesn’t need to be replaced as
it is only used at the beginning of the plant life to ensure
proper moisture and promote growth. Usually, deciduous plants
will be planted from small plants in a straight line. If you
want a denser hedge, planting them staggered in two rows will
give you the effect you want.
The Japanese
anemone is a beautiful flowering shrub that produces
flowers in late summer and in early autumn. They are simple,
but pretty borders and need lots of sun. They have blooms of
white or pink.
The Butterfly
Bush is a medium to large shrub that is fast
growing and is covered with fragrant with different colors
available. White, lilac, dark purple and even some orange colored
varieties are available. They bloom during the summer and are
a natural attraction for butterflies. You will frequently see
each cone shaped bloom covered in butterflies.
Forsythia is a beautiful deciduous plant that blooms early
in the spring and has brilliant yellow flowers. It can be formed
into a nice shrub with heights from 3-8 feet. You will love
looking out your window and seeing the yellow flowers telling
you, spring is here.
Barberries also are an excellent choice for low hedges and
are deciduous. These lovely looking shrubs are available with
green or red foliage and can be grown both in shade and in
sun. They produce attractive red berries that often last through
the winter.
Dogwood,
Spirea and Lilacs are also excellent choices for
hedges. Lilacs also bloom in early spring and have a delicious
fragrant aroma that is popular in many areas of the country.
They keep their green color throughout the season and can easily
be pruned to produce a thicker, denser hedge at the bottom.
Azaleas
and barberry shrubs are also excellent choices for
flowering deciduous shrubs. They both have many different varieties
and bloom at different times.
If you plan carefully and mix your shrubs you should have
a beautiful hedge line that will provide blooms and color throughout
most of the year.
Burning
bush is a lovely shrub that will give you a fall display
of color. Interspersed with the other plants we have talked
about above they provide beautiful color when other shrubs
are beginning to lose their blooms.
Bittersweet
plants are also something that gives incredible
color in the fall. They produce berries that are green in the
summer and turn into yellow husks in the early fall. Later
into the fall, these husks peel back and a bright orange berry
is revealed. Not only that, numerous leaves will turn a bright
yellow. This is truly a fall plant to keep the color in your
hedge during the fall season.
