Design Tips for Hedges

Creating a hedge may feel like a daunting task, but hedges serve various purposes. They can be used in copious ways such as for privacy, to define a path, to break up areas, for formal gardens, for knot gardens and to make a back drop, just to name a few. There’s limitless plant material to use for hedges and numerous ways in which to use them. They don’t have to be a mass of a single species or 10 feet tall. Try to make a mixed screening with Waxleaf priviet (Ligustrum japonicum ‘Texanum’) flanked by Green Giant Western Arborvitae (Thuja ‘Green Giant’) or line a shady driveway with deeply textured hostas. The texture of plants as well as shapes and shades are important design aspects to consider.
Every garden and gardener has a diverse style. I think hedges can fit into any particular design; layout, plant choice and continual maintenance become critical in keeping the integrity of the design. A cottage garden can still make use of a hedge through a more natural and rounded shape compared to the controlled, manicured hedge. Boxwoods are a particular plant that fall well into both categories whether you use a large or dwarf selection with a tight appearance through frequent pruning, or a loose, more natural shape through lightly pruning. For larger gardens, try the Green Giant Western Arborvitae mentioned above. It is much fuller, grows quickly and has a fluffier appearance. Let it grow to appreciate its full appearance or keep it pruned back – it’ll love either!
You don’t need to just use evergreens, either. Consider using deciduous trees as a screen or as an element to add to one. Many columnar and fastigiate varieties are available of many large trees such as Red Maples, Chinese Elm and Hornbeam. Deciduous trees and shrubs can be chosen for fall color and provide shape and structure in the winter garden. Flowering perennials can also be chosen as a low hedge along specific pathways. Build a repeatable pattern with mixed perennials to create some diversity while keeping a rhythm.
Come to Cape Shore Gardens at 1028 Rt. 9 S., Cape May Court House to find the selection you need to create the hedge you want! We’re getting geared up for the spring, so check out the garden center and nursery for fresh stock that will be arriving all month and season long! Call (609) 465-5161 with any questions. We hope to see you soon!
Written by Lauren Popper, horticulturist at Cape Shore Gardens and graduate of Temple University’s School of Environmental Design.