Choosing a hedge – Different types of hedges and what they are suitable for
Planning to plant a hedge around your property? Maybe you've just purchased a plot of land, or want to section off part of your garden? Read on to learn more about the different types of hedges you can choose from, and which ones are best suited for various purposes.
There are many reasons to plant a hedge. Some want to mark the boundary of their property, block visibility, and create more privacy, while others are mainly concerned with keeping pets and children safely inside the yard. Large hedges can also provide sound insulation and wind protection. And of course, hedges can be beautiful to look at, too.
When it's time to choose a hedge, the wide selection of varieties and their different qualities can feel overwhelming. But if you know what you need, the choice becomes much easier. Everything from purpose and aesthetics to maintenance and budget plays a role.
Checklist when choosing a hedge
Before you start researching hedges, it’s a good idea to write down your needs and wishes so you know which varieties to rule out. This will make the process of choosing a hedge much easier and the selection more manageable.
- Do you prefer foliage or needles?
- Should the hedge stay green year-round (an evergreen hedge)?
- Should the hedge be tall, low, or medium height?
- Do you want a neatly trimmed hedge (for a tidier appearance) or one that can grow naturally and still look good?
- Should the hedge be dense or have a more airy look?
- Would you like a flowering hedge? Maybe even a fragrant one?
- Should the hedge grow quickly or slowly? This affects how fast it reaches your desired height, but also how much maintenance it will require (the faster it grows, the more often it needs trimming).
The purpose of the hedge
Think about what you want to achieve with your hedge. If you want to block visibility, choose a dense hedge that quickly grows tall enough to provide privacy.
If you want to protect your garden from the wind, robust and wind-resistant plants like conifers are a good option. For sound insulation, you’ll need thick, dense hedges that can effectively dampen noise. If aesthetics are important to you, you might want to choose hedges that produce beautiful blooms or display colorful autumn foliage.
Style and maintenance
Decide whether you want a hedge that needs regular trimming or a naturally growing hedge. Formally trimmed hedges provide a tidier look but require more maintenance. Keep in mind that a well-pruned hedge can offer better screening than a naturally growing one, especially when it comes to deciduous shrubs. Naturally growing hedges are more informal and require less pruning.
Also consider whether you prefer evergreen hedges, which retain their leaves or needles year-round, or deciduous hedges, which offer beautiful autumn colors and often spring blooms but lose their leaves in winter.
Space and garden size
Make sure the hedge fits the size of your garden. A large garden can accommodate wider, naturally growing hedges, while smaller gardens require more compact and neatly trimmed hedges. Consider the hedge's maximum height and width, so it doesn't become too large or cast unwanted shade where you would prefer to have sunlight.
Climate and soil conditions
Choose hedge plants that are suited to your local climate. Some plants can withstand cold winters, while others thrive better in warmer climates. Unsure which plants will do well where you live? Check which hardiness zone you are in and choose plants that can thrive in that zone. You can also take a look at what types of plants your neighbors have chosen to get an idea of what grows well in your area.
Also, assess your soil conditions to determine which types of plants will perform best. If your soil is sandy or clay-rich, choose plants that are well-suited to those conditions.
Budget
The cost of a hedge can vary. Some hedge plants are more expensive than others, especially if they grow slowly or require more maintenance. Compare prices and consider the total cost, including pruning and care.
Tip! Bare-root hedge plants are an affordable option when planting a hedge.
Different types of hedges
Once you know what your needs are, it's time to learn more about different types of hedge plants. Below, we describe some of the most popular varieties.
Thuja
Thuja is one of the most common evergreen hedges, known for its dense growth and ability to quickly create privacy.
- Coniferous
- Evergreen
- Fast-growing
Thuja comes in several varieties, including the two top sellers, ‘Smaragd’ and ‘Brabant.’ ‘Smaragd’ is particularly known for its narrow and upright growth, making it perfect for tight spaces and as a neatly trimmed hedge. Brabant is a fast-growing variety suited for larger hedges and quickly provides privacy. It can grow quite tall.
Thuja does not tolerate heavy pruning, as it does not regenerate branches from old wood. Therefore, it's best to prune thuja at least once a year and only trim fresh, new growth. The risk of over-pruning is that large gaps may form in the hedge, which the plant cannot fill with new growth. Wait to prune the top of the plant until it reaches the desired height.
Thuja is ideal for those who want a solid, evergreen hedge that quickly provides wind protection and privacy. The thuja plants at Plantasjen are grown in the pots they come in. Since the root system is already established, they will settle in and start growing quickly after planting.
Liguster
Liguster is an evergreen, fast-growing, and hardy hedge plant that can reach up to three meters in height, making it a great choice for neatly trimmed hedges.
- Deciduous
- Evergreen
- Fast-growing
Liguster is easy to maintain and adapts well to different soil types. It is worth noting that there are two types of liguster: common liguster and winter liguster. Winter liguster is particularly good at retaining its leaves during winter, while the common liguster sheds them earlier. The winter liguster may still lose its leaves during harsh winters, but a well-pruned liguster hedge can still provide good screening.
Liguster is ideal for those who want a hedge that quickly provides privacy, as well as those who want the hedge to remain green all year round.
Agnbøk
Agnbøk (Hornbeam) is a deciduous hedge that blooms in the spring and features beautiful light green leaves. It is hardy and grows relatively quickly.
- Deciduous
- Not evergreen
- Medium growth rate
Agnbøk is particularly popular for trimmed hedges and is ideal for those who want a hedge that provides some level of screening even in winter – though it will no longer be green, instead turning reddish-brown during the colder months.
Yew
Yew is an evergreen hedge plant known for its durability and flexibility. It can be used as both a trimmed hedge and a natural growing hedge, and it grows slowly. One variety we recommend for hedges is the hybrid yew, Taxus x media, as it is one of the few conifers that can withstand a little more severe pruning.
- Conifers
- Evergreen
- Slow growing
Yew is hardy, thrives in shade and has an attractive, dark green appearance that many people appreciate. However, if you have pets or small children, you should be careful as the plant is poisonous. It is suitable for those who want a hedge that is easy to shape and that retains its green color all year round.
Alperips
Alperips is a deciduous hedge plant that is hardy, fast-growing and dense. It is popular as a shaped hedge because it can withstand heavy pruning and grows back quickly.
- Foliage
- Not evergreen
- Fast-growing
Alperips has small yellow flowers and red berries. It is suitable for those who want a hedge that grows quickly and can withstand heavy pruning.
Lilac
Lilac is well suited as a free-growing hedge, loved for its fragrant flowers in spring.
- Foliage
- Not evergreen
- Grows moderately fast
The lilac is not particularly dense in growth, and it sends out a number of root shoots that you must remove to prevent it from spreading to the lawn and the like. It can be a bit flimsy, but becomes denser with the right pruning. With its impressive flowering and strong fragrance, it compensates for this well.
A lilac hedge is suitable for those who want a naturally growing hedge that gives beautiful flowering and spreads a wonderful fragrance in spring.
Laurel
Laurel is an evergreen hedge plant with large, glossy leaves. It is popular for its ability to create a dense barrier.
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Fast-growing
Laurel is relatively fast-growing and can withstand pruning, making it suitable as a shaped hedge. It is suitable for those who want an evergreen hedge with a dense structure.
Aronia (black chokeberry)
Aronia is a hedge plant known for its decorative berries and beautiful colors. The leaves change to intense shades of red in the fall, making Aronia a good choice for those who want a decorative hedge with autumn colors. The Aronia hedge is also hardy and is suitable both as a free-growing and shaped cut.
- Foliage
- Not evergreen
- Grows moderately fast
Black chokeberry has white flowers in spring and black berries in autumn. It thrives in many types of soil and is resistant to diseases. Aronia is suitable for those who want a hedge with berries and beautiful autumn colors.
Shrub wall
Shrub wall is a compact and fairly low hedge plant that is valued for its yellow flowers and its hardy nature. Also available with pink and white flowers. It can be used as a trimmed hedge, but also as a solitary in flower beds.
- Foliage
- Not evergreen
- Grows moderately fast
The shrub wall hedge blooms profusely from summer to autumn. It tolerates drought and is suitable for various soil types. Shrub wall is suitable for those who want a lower hedge with a long flowering period and low maintenance.
Spirea
Spirea is a versatile hedge plant that produces beautiful flowers in spring. There are many different varieties to choose from, and they can look a little different. For example, there are varieties with gorgeous blood red leaves.
- Foliage
- Not evergreen
- Grows moderately fast
A spirea hedge is hardy and easy to shape, which makes it popular as a shape-cut hedge. Spirea is suitable for those who want a versatile hedge with beautiful flowers, and that is easy to shape.
Beech
Beech is a hedge plant that is often chosen when you want a tall, dense hedge. It is known for its beautiful green color, which changes to bronze tones in the fall, and its relatively fast growth. If you want to block out view, a beech hedge also has the advantage that many of the leaves remain throughout the winter.
- Foliage
- Not evergreen
- Rarely fast growing
Beech tolerates pruning and can be shaped into a really compact hedge. It is a popular choice for those who want a tall, dense hedge that also provides a natural entry into the garden.
Goldenrod
Goldenrod is most common as a solitary plant, but in older gardens you will sometimes find it as a natural growing hedge. In spring it is covered with yellow flowers on bare branches, which add color to the garden before the leaves emerge.
- Foliage
- Not evergreen
- Fast growing
Goldenrod is deciduous. You should thin out older branches in winter as the two-year-old branches produce the best flowering. This plant is an interesting choice for those looking for a flowering hedge.
Tips from the experts:
- Jennie– gardener with a passion for garden design and fruit trees. Apple trees are her favorite!
- Nadja– horticulturalist and landscape planner with a special interest in potted plants, especially climbing plants such as Philodendron and Monstera.
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