Create a mixed hedge made up of different species of shrubs such as boxwood, willow and Japanese spirea. Give style to your backyard.
The ever popular hedge marks your property line and literally adds cachet to your yard. Many varieties naturally grow into a shape that's perfect for hedges, and some of the new ones are hardier and more resistant than ever.
Evergreen plants are used as windbreaks or to provide a year-long screen. Deciduous plants add a touch of diversity as they change their appearance as the seasons progress, with some lovely blooms. The choice is quoi wide but before making your decision, you should clearly define the role that you want your hedge to play in its surroundings:
- To mark off the edge of your property
- To act as a privacy screen or hide an undesirable view
- To divide the garden into distinct sections
hy not plant other species near your hedge and add interest to its changing form and colour over the seasons?
Some species to consider:
Boxwood (Buxus)
Very attractive in landscaping, in the background of a flower bed or to create a low and dense hedge that cuts well. They have dense dark green foliage that persists in winter. They grow in the sun, in partial shade or light shade.
Use:
- Border
- Ball, topiary or any type of plant sculpture
- Low or medium hedge depending on the cultivar
Cultivars to consider:
- Buxus 'Green Mountain'
- Buxus 'Green Velvet'
- Buxus 'Green gem'
Japanese spirea (Spiraea)
Spirea are valued for their colourful foliage that changes color throughout the seasons - yellow, light green, purple, and even bronze. A multitude of small clusters of flowers punctuate this foliage throughout the gardening season and admirably embellishes your landscaping.
Use:
- Border
- Low hedge
Cultivars to consider:
- Spiraea japonica 'Golden Carpet'
- Spiraea japonica 'Green Carpet'
- Spiraea japonica 'Sparkling Carpet'
- Spiraea japonica 'Golden Elf'
- Spiraea japonica 'Goldmound'
- Spiraea japonica 'Double Play'
Cedars (Thuja)
The ideal conifer for creating an opaque, intimate and very large hedge. They need to be protected from strong winter winds, especially in the early years and fear drought. They are very hardy and grow quickly in sun and partial shade.
Use:
- Ornament
- Background of a flower bed
- High and intimate hedge
Cultivars to consider:
- Thuja occidentalis
- Thuja occidentalis 'Nigra'
- Thuja occidentalis 'Degroot's Spire'
- Thuja occidentalis 'North Pole'
- Thuja occidentalis 'Jantar'
Willows (Salix)
Small, very rustic and decorative shrubs, with a bushy shape and deciduous foliage. They tolerate wind and drought, and are grown in well-drained soil. The foliage turns red in the fall.
Use:
- Massif
- Free hedge
- Isolated
Cultivars to consider:
- Salix purpurea 'Gracilis'
- Salix purpurea 'Nana'
- Salix integra 'Hakuro Nishiki'
Peking Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster acutifolia)
When used to create a hedge, this hardy Cotoneaster will create a dense screen with its green foliage and little pinkish white flowers in spring, leaves that turn yellow and red in the fall, and near-black fruit that will last into winter, if the birds so permit.
