What are the best plants to make Hedges? Part 2

Which shrubs make good hedges?

Evergreens

Boxwood is an evergreen shrub with tiny green leaves, and is the most often used plant to build hedges.

Other favorites among gardeners are hollies. There are many types of holly, but in general, they all look alike. The basic plant is a shrub with dark green needle leaves and produces bright red berries in mid-winter. Most people prefer holly for hedges because the plant makes the landscape look beautiful during winter. For those who want security/privacy, the English holly with its prickly leaves is a great choice. The English holly also has good aesthetic looks. Some hollies can grow to heights of 6-8 feet and offer superb privacy.

Yew is an evergreen, with needle leaves and produces a small red colored fruit. This all year around plant is frequently used as a hedge. Its needled leaves help tolerate shade and are tall enough to offer excellent privacy. Because the Yew leaves are irritating and toxic when ingested, these plants should not be planted in the presence of children or animals. Yews also grow slow and requires more than a few years to ripen.

Privet has shady green elliptical leaves and a bunch of tiny white flowers that often have a pleasant smell. They make a good choice as hedges and provide a nice background.

In general, evergreens grow rather fast and can be easily trimmed into a suitable shape and size.

Other evergreen choices for hedge plants include the Boxwood shrub, Japanese holly, the broadleaf, cypress and mountain laurel. These shrubs reach a height of 3-4 feet and spread to about the same length horizontally. Mountain laurels produce beautiful blooms in late spring and early summer.

Two popular trees widely used as a hedge are the Arborvitae and the European Beech. These trees grow quite dense foliage that makes it ideal for those seeking privacy. Further, the dense growth of the trees also acts as a windbreaker. Both the arborvitae and European beech should be allowed to grow naturally and readily perform the functions of a hedge. Of course, one is free to trim the trees if a decorative hedge is desired.