Hedges are some of the hardest working plants in the garden, fulfilling the important role of providing privacy and enclosure. While this function is of particular importance in areas where neighbors are nearby, hedges have long been implemented in very large spaces to delineate separate areas or create a strong structural statement.
Let's dispel a few hedge myths. First, they needn't be evergreen. Though arborvitae (thuja sp.) is probably the shrub most people think of for hedging, larger panicle hydrangeas like 'Limelight' make a fabulous flowering hedge, as do forsythia and quince. Second, they don't need to be tightly clipped and formal. Some of the nicest hedges are simply left to be themselves, with no fussy pruning or trimming. Third, a hedge doesn't have to be one of hundreds of feet long. Just three or more of the shrubs listed above can create a useful, effective hedge, even in an average sized yard.
Best Shrubs For Hedges
Flowering Quince
Forsythia
Hydrangeas
Blue Holly
Chinese Fringe Flower
Juniper
Spirea
Arborvitae
Weigela
-Information provided by Proven Winners® ColorChoice®
Growing Zones: 3 to 9
