Plan a hedge before you plant a hedge

Hedges are an increasingly common sight in residential landscapes and make a very welcome (albeit higher maintenance) alternative to a fence. Before putting in a hedge, one should consider the following things:
What is the soil like where you plan to put this hedge? Depending on what you want to grow, you may need to amend the soil.
How tall do you want this hedge to ultimately grow?
What is the purpose of the hedge? To create privacy? To divide between one part of the garden and another? The purpose of the hedge will help you determine what kind of tree or shrub to plant.
What is the exposure like? If a hedge will be partially shaded by a tree or building, it will affect the growth of the plants. A hedge that is half in shade, half in sun will look funny as the plants will grow differently.
Are you doing a mixed hedge or a solid hedge?
Do you prefer a flowering hedge or just foliage?
Will this be a formal or informal hedge?
You have lots of choices when it comes to planting a hedge; nearly any shrub can be used but if in doubt, just ask one of our knowledgeable staff! We would be happy to assist you! The following shrubs all make excellent hedges:
Cotoneaster- By far the most popular choice. Very fast growing, dense shrub that can reach 6 ft. or more but usually kept much smaller. Flaming red fall color.
Golden currant- Fragrant yellow spring blooms smell of cloves. A dense, thick hedge that establishes quickly.
Roses- Large shrub roses such as ‘Therese Bugnet’ or ‘Hansa’ make excellent hedges.
Dwarf Korean lilac- Beautiful, hardy, fragrant, low maintenance…what more could you want? An excellent choice!
Ashleaf Spirea- Growing up to 5 ft. tall, this is a large shrub with attractive foliage, golden fall color, and very low maintenance.
Caragana- The globe caragana makes a wonderful, low maintenance hedge and is quick to establish. The dwarf caragana, which is larger, makes an excellent barrier as it is quite spiny.
Manchurian Elm- Usually thought of as a tree, Manchurian elms make wonderful hedges and can be sheared to make dense and thoroughly elegant hedges.
Dwarf European cranberry- These dense, ball-shaped shrubs are slow growing but when well grown, make excellent hedges. They are more shade tolerant then a lot of other shrubs.
Get some privacy, block some wind, and make your yard more attractive – plant a hedge!