Now that the weather is starting to warm up, spending more time in your garden is an option. There is nothing nicer than being able to enjoy a meal or a drink outside. It is much better than being cooped up indoors.
But, for you to get the most out of it, you need your garden to be a private space. Hedging is a great way to do this. As you can see here there are lots of different shrubs and other plants that you could use to create a nice hedge. Below are a few suggestions to help you to decide.
A pretty low hedge
If you just need to create a 3 or 4 ft hedge, Japanese holly is ideal. It looks similar to boxwood but has broader leaves and produces little black berries, in the autumn. The leaves are evergreen.
Colourful holly
With its bright shiny leaves and red berries, holly creates a colourful hedge that looks good year round. The fact that the leaves are prickly is a plus. Studies show that spiky hedging puts most would–be burglars off. There are many different varieties available. If you want to create a really high hedge the best variety is Ferox Argentea.
Barberry hedging
If you want something that is even spikier, consider planting barberry. The sharp thorns provide an effective security barrier. But, it is deciduous, which means the leaves drop in the winter. So, it is not a good option if you like to spend time in your garden, at that time of the year. Plus, if you do not cut it back regularly, it will quickly spread and get out of control.
Laurels
Laurel bushes grow in most climates and there are plenty of varieties to choose between. Most have evergreen leaves. But, it is also possible to buy purple leaf varieties. Some laurels, like Kalmia latifolia, bloom right through from late spring to the early summer. Laurels grow tall and wide, so again you need to keep on top of them. Usually, it is best to choose dwarf varieties, which are self-limiting.
Hydrangeas
If you want a hedge that is a blaze of colour, Limelight hydrangeas are worth considering. That variety grows to around 6ft. However, again they are deciduous and will need to be pruned low to get them to grow vigorously in the spring. So, they are best used to divide off the different areas of your garden, rather than as a way to mark the border of your property and protect your privacy.
Boxwood
Last, but by no means least, is boxwood. This traditional hedging plant remains popular. The only problem is that it grows relatively slowly, so it can take several years to create a hedge that is high enough to provide privacy. But, with care and patience, you can create a dense green wall that is up to 8ft tall, using the Common Boxwood variety.Most other varieties will not grow as tall, so bear this in mind when placing your order.
XOXO
Debbie
This is a collaboration
