There are many different shrubs for hedging and a driveway border can improve the look of your property while preventing tire tracks on your lawn. Formal varieties may need regular pruning to shape them to your liking. Informal varieties may only need occasional clipping to maintain their appearance. We’ve compiled a list of shrubs for hedging and driveway borders that have resisted regular pruning and look great in unassuming hedgerows.
Rose of Sharon
Growing a rose of Sharon hedge can create a private area in the summer and give your garden a more private feeling. This shrub has numerous benefits and can be easily integrated into most landscaping plans. However, it does not do well in shady locations. Shaded areas tend to remain wet longer and can cause fungal diseases. Rose of Sharon shrubs prefer drier soil and good drainage. You can order a variety with multiple colors or choose the color that matches the rest of your garden.
When planting rose of Sharon, remember to prune the old wood as little as possible. Pruning back the shrub to two or three buds per branch encourages bigger flowers. Rose of Sharon flowers bloom on current season’s wood, so be sure to remove all flowers from branches in the summer. Alternatively, prune the plant in the spring to promote flowering. For best results, prune your rose of Sharon shrubs early in their lifecycle, when the buds are in their first buds.
Insects can damage rose of Sharon plants. Japanese beetles often attack the shrubs before they bloom. You can kill the beetles by picking them off and throwing them into soapy water. If the beetles are in large numbers, apply insecticides. Alternatively, you can also use ladybugs to control aphids. Rose of Sharon is also relatively deer-resistant, but a hungry deer will eat any plant.
Dogwood
A dogwood hedge looks amazing and is suitable to plant throughout the year. Its red bark and attractive flowers brighten up winter gardens, and the shrub itself has a number of benefits that make it an excellent choice for hedging. This plant is a good choice for a garden if you want to maintain a high level of privacy. It is also relatively cheap and easy to grow. Each branch is about the thickness of a pencil.
While dogwood is widely cultivated for hedging, not all species are suitable for hedging purposes. There are several varieties that are suitable for hedging – cornelian cherry, white ‘Kesselringii’ and red-barked dogwood. Cornus alba, for example, has red stems and is often used as a hedge. It can tolerate a wide range of soil conditions and thrives in medium to wet locations.
Another great choice for hedging is the hawthorn, also known as the thornapple. This species is loved for its bright red fall berries, which provide food for around 150 different insects. Its fast growth makes it an excellent choice for hedging, and the branches can provide additional privacy or a place for birds to nest. These are some of the most popular choices for hedging.
Japanese euonymus
In the past, the Japanese euonymus was a popular ornamental plant. It was popular in home gardens, but today it is associated with garish fast-food landscaping. Today, there are several varieties available, including variegated and white-flowered ones. They are also attractive in the spring when the foliage turns bright green. A native species, Japanese euonymus can grow to 15 feet, although it is usually kept as a smaller hedge.
Two main groups of euonymus exist: deciduous and evergreen. Deciduous varieties can grow to five to fifteen feet tall, depending on the variety. They tolerate both full sun and partial shade and are easily transplanted. They can be planted in full sun or light shade and can be pruned into attractive hedging. While deciduous varieties will tolerate full sunlight, those in full shade should regularly water them to prevent them from drying out.
Health problems: As with any other plant, euonymus is susceptible to several pests and diseases. Powdery mildew, a fungal disease that causes leaves to become white, affects euonymus throughout its life cycle. It’s easy to spot and treat, usually affecting the inner parts of the plant. You can cut off infected branches to prevent it from spreading and treat the entire plant with a systemic fungicide containing myclobutanil.
Hydrangea paniculata
When choosing Hydrangea paniculata shrubs, there are many factors to consider before planting them. Consider the amount of sun or shade the plant will need and the pH level of the soil. Make sure to plant the plants in an area with adequate moisture and drainage. Hydrangeas cannot tolerate dry soil or lack of water. Measure the length and width of your planting area and divide the total length by the mature width, center to center.
Choose the size of your planting hole to be twice as big as the pot ball. Once the hole is ready, place the bare shrub in it for two to three hours. Ensure that it is soaked thoroughly, until no bubbles form on the surface. Plant the hedge bushes at least 70 cm apart and preferably 100 cm apart. The distance between individual plants should be determined by your country’s regulations.
The growth rate of hydrangeas is moderate, so they won’t overgrow. Some varieties of these shrubs will climb quite a bit, so be sure to plant them alongside a sturdy structure. The larger they grow, the more heavy they are. To prevent this, prune the plants in the spring. Hydrangea paniculata shrubs for hedging
English holly
When it comes to hedging, nothing beats an English holly. The foliage is stunning year-round, and they provide excellent seasonal interest. Whether used as a screening hedge or as part of a mixed hedgerow, holly is easy to grow, and they grow well in tough conditions. Listed below are some tips to help you get started. Hopefully these tips will make your next holly planting a success!
The English holly is a perennial, evergreen shrub in the Aquifoliaceae family. It’s commonly grown as an understory shrub and is known as a traditional Christmas holly in Europe. They can be pruned to full height or trained as a 10 or 15-foot hedge. Their specific epithet, folium, comes from the Latin word folium. This plant also grows well in partial to full sun.
When pruning a holly, keep in mind that it puts out new growth in late summer. Hard pruning is okay, as long as you keep new growth above the new leaf buds. Once it’s fully mature, you can make a cut to encourage a more attractive shape or more natural-looking holly hedge. However, make sure not to leave any open cuts as they are susceptible to frost damage.
The best English holly plants for hedges are the variegated varieties. Variegated false holly has soft spines and gold-variegated leaves. It bears white flowers in mid-fall. These hollies are low-maintenance and have a pleasing orange blossom scent. In addition, they are attractive to both birds and humans, providing a peaceful setting and a natural food source.
Japanese pittosporum
Choosing pittosporum for hedging can be a great way to add privacy and beauty to your garden. These shrubs are very hardy and can tolerate a variety of conditions, from moderately moist soil to regular frosts. They also tolerate occasional snowfall and are frost-resistant, making them a great choice for hedging your property. The pittosporum’s moderate leaf density means they offer good privacy, as well as moderately thick foliage.
Pittosporum tobira ‘Nana’ has small, glossy, leathery leaves that are dark green on top and lighter on the underside. This shrub has a whorl of leaves that wrap around its stem. Its delicate, creamy-yellow flowers emerge in late spring and last for several weeks. This Japanese pittosporum is often used as a hedging plant, but it is also an excellent choice for mass plantings or privacy screens.
There are several varieties of Japanese pittosporum, including Wheeler’s dwarf pittosporum, which grows to two to three feet in height and can accent taller hedges. Another Japanese pittosporum that is good for hedging is the ‘Turner’s Pitt’ Japanese pittosporum. This low-growing shrub, with its spoon-shaped leaves, grows to be around 2.5 feet tall and 3 feet wide.