SolveYourProblem
Hedges Article Series
I
Want To Create
The Perfect Hedge
Hedge
Maintenance Nightmares: Don't Plant This...
The
beauty of a hedge lies not only in its outward appearance,
but also in its character. Most hedges
can be virtually left to thrive on nature’s own elements, with
the occasional pruning if desired. Although this all sounds
nice and stress-free, when you add hedges to your existing
landscape, things can get a little tricky. If you have heard
of or if you simply fear hedge maintenance nightmares, you
should certainly think before adding a hedge to your property.
While you should not be scared to add, you should research
the proper type of hedge for your yard, your schedule, and
the suspected location of planting. By researching beforehand,
you will be able to know exactly what you should not plant
and choose something appropriate for your needs.
If
you want to avoid hedge maintenance nightmares, you should
first research different types of hedges. When doing research
consider how often each species needs to be pruned. If a species
needs to be pruned often, you may not want to plant it. Look
for those that are basically maintenance-free. These varieties
may need to be pruned once a year and some may be able to thrive
without any pruning at all. When you forgo pruning you may
end up with a more erratic style, but if you are against maintenance
altogether, these will work for you.
Another thing you should definitely look at when researching
is the height of the hedge at its mature age. This will also
be important when trying to think of the location in which
you want to plant your hedge. If you choose a hedge that gets
too tall for the area, it may become a maintenance nightmare.
For instance, if you plant a hedge right under a power line
and you don’t know it will grow over 20 feet tall, you could
find yourself trimming it more often than you’d like. Never
plant hedges that will grow very tall under any type of wire
or roofing. You will only be creating a hazard and stress for
yourself later.
When considering height, remember to also consider
width and other growth patterns. You can find hedges that like to grow
strait upward or you can find those that like to sprawl horizontally
as well. If you don’t consider these things however, you could
end up with a hedge that wants to overtake other plants in
your yard, your fence, or your neighbor’s property as well.
If these things happen, you will likely be in a hedge maintenance
nightmare trying to constantly keep your hedge exactly where
it needs to be. Never plant a hedge too close to your neighbor’s
property without asking their opinion first. If they are willing
to allow the hedge to grow as it wishes you won’t have to worry
about as much maintenance. However if they are picky about
the issue, you may want to avoid all stress and plant a different
variety or choose another location.
Remember as well that some
hedges don’t tolerate pruning very
well. Many conifers like Leyland and Lawson’s cypress are included
in this grouping. Be sure you know exactly what your hedge
likes, so you don’t ruin a beautiful plant. If you are unsure
about these things, just research on the web or ask the specialist
at your local nursery.
Overall, if you are looking for a hedge that does not require
much maintenance, you need to look for those varieties that
are slow growing and only require up to one pruning per year.
If you accidentally purchase a fast growing hedge you will
find yourself pruning about once a month, which may be a nightmare
in itself. Decide how much time you want to devote to your
hedge and choose accordingly. Some people may think three prune
sessions a year is a nightmare while others may be able to
tolerate that amount well. Remember, where you plant a hedge
has a lot to do with how well you enjoy its beauty and functionality.
If you choose a spot that is inappropriate you may find yourself
stuck with a hedge that is killing the roots of other plants
or bothering your neighbor. Just be sure not to choose something
that gets too tall, too wide, or needs pruning too often and
you will be fine.
