As with all major landscaping jobs for your garden, planting a hedge is something that you need to take some time in planning. Your first consideration should be about what use you want the hedge to perform. Do you want a hedge for privacy, security, to encourage wildlife, as a backdrop to your flower border, or as a seasonal display of flowers, berries or autumn colours?
You will also have to consider what height you want the hedge to grow as well as the pruning requirements. Finally, take into consideration what soil type you have and the growing conditions of the site you plan to grow the hedge. Once you have made these decisions you will be in a better position to choose the type of hedging plants.
Types of Hedging Plants
There are dozens of types of plants that you can use for your hedge. For an impenetrable hedge to secure around your boundary you can choose common holly which has bright red berries during winter, hedgehog holly which is shade tolerant, or firethorn which has beautiful coloured berries in the autumn and has thick thorny branches that will keep intruders out.
For privacy or screening out noise there are many options. The most popular are cypress, conifer, privet, English yew, western red cedar, or bamboo. If you just want a formal low hedge for decorative purposes then choose a boxus sempervirens. There are many other varieties with decorative leaves, berries, flowers, or seasonal colours that you can use in a variety of locations. Just make sure that you read the indications for the growing conditions.
How to Plant a Hedge
After choosing the location and the type of hedge you are now ready to plant it. There are many nurseries that can supply hedging plants in containers all year round - some are quite large and can create an instant screen when planted.
Of course, planting distances will vary depending on the variety. But generally you will want to dig a trench 2 to 3 feet wide and 1 foot deep. Break up the base of the trench with a fork and incorporate plenty of organic material like compost or leaf mould. If you chose the container plant then loosen the root ball if it is tight and soak the roots if they are dry.
If you bought bare rooted plants then the distance will be closer than container grown plants or conifers. For a denser hedge you can make plant a double staggered row. You need to plant at the same height as the plant was in the soil in the container - you can see the level by the mark on the stem. Then tamp the plant down with your foot to firm it in the soil.
You will want to read the instructions that come with your hedging plant for specific requirements. Pruning will differ widely depending on the variety and staking is usually required for conifers for a year or two. Nutrients and moisture requirements will also differ from variety to variety.
About the Author
Michael enjoys writing articles on the subjects that interest him and has been publishing online for several years now. Not only does he write about gardening, so you can check out one of his websites at http://www.yardmachinepartslist.com/ for details about where to find Yard Machine Parts to keep your yard machine running smoothly.
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Garden Hedge serves both a decorative and a utilitarian role in the garden. They can be used to give privacy and to keep out intruders, to separate one part of the garden from another or to provide a fine background for a border of flowers or a handsome ornament.
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