Choosing a hedge is a decision you should prepare for. Knowledge about the varieties, soil requirements, as well as the cyclicality related to care will certainly facilitate taking the final plant for cultivation. It is also worth writing down your expectations for the hedge - for what purpose and where you want to plant it. The earlier we plan our work in the garden with these specimens, the easier it will be to achieve the desired effect.
From the messages from our readers, we have selected the 10 most popular hedges. Among them are those well-known and less recognized plants.We invite you to review ideas for the perfect hedge - decide for yourself whether it is cypress, hornbeam or yew, or maybe barberry will decorate your garden.
Which plant is the easiest to care for as a hedge?
A lot depends on what kind of hedge we would like to have. Natural or molded? High or low? From conifers or deciduous plants? This time, however, let's focus only on ease of care. The least demanding plants, which will grow both in urban and rural conditions, on most soils, regardless of the sunlight on the site, are barberry and privet.
- says Dr. Eng. Tomasz Mróz
A hedge will not only need the right rooting cuttings - necessary for the design of a molded hedge, but also the right tools for the care and decoration of the hedge.With the help of shears (electric or manual), we will perfectly shape our hedges.
Red beech Fagus sylvatica
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Red beech Fagus sylvatica | . | |
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| Information |
Advantages | Disadvantages |
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• max. height: 1.5-4 m • distance: 4 pieces per 1 m • seedlings height: 100-125 cm • position: sunny to shade, fertile ground • cutting: twice a year (in February and June) |
• decorative brown-red glossy leaves • handles pruning of older, woody branches extremely well • grows even in shaded places • nicely discolored autumn leaves stay on the shoots for a long time |
• quite sensitive to soil conditions • does not like sandy and acidic soil, as well as dry and excessively moist • vulnerable to mealybug attacks • roots covered with a thicker layer of earth die • loses color in deep shade |
Cyprysik Chamaecyparis
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Cyprysik Chamaecyparis (Photo: Fotolia.com) |
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Cyprysik Chamaecyparis | ||
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| Information |
Advantages | Disadvantages |
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• max. height: 2-4 m • distance: 4 pieces per 1 m • seedling height: 80-100 cm • position: sunny to semi-shaded, evenly moist soil • cutting: once a year (at the end of February) |
• a large selection of varieties in different colors and forms • the green conifer always covers the interior of the garden - also in winter • tolerates slight shading and is very frost resistant • some varieties are also suitable for narrow hedges |
• in too dry ground damage to the shoots appears quickly • looks a bit strange in our gardens • doesn't like cutting too hard • shows slight sensitivity to frost and wind, reacting with browning of shoot tips |
If you are planning an unusual flower hedge, park roses, branchy or climbing roses will be the perfect solution. There are also discount varieties that reach up to 2 meters in height and smell beautifully and intensely.
Grab Carpinus
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Grab Carpinus | ||
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| Information |
Advantages | Disadvantages |
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• max. height: 1.5-4 m • distance: 4 pieces per 1 m • seedling height: 100-125 cm • position: sunny to shady, all kinds of garden soil • cutting: twice a year (in February and June) |
• is not sensitive to temporary periods of drought • also copes well with unfavorable soil conditions • perfectly tolerates shading • it is okay with a strong cut • golden yellow in autumn • the leaves produce good decay |
• in winter the hornbeam hedge is openwork and airy, the leaves do not stick to the shoots as tightly or as long as the beech ones • slightly susceptible to powdery mildew • it is not as long-lived as a beech and yew hedge |
Laurowiśnia Prunus laurocerasus
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Laurowiśnia Prunus laurocerasus (Photo: Fotolia.com) |
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Laurowiśnia Prunus laurocerasus | ||
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| Information |
Advantages | Disadvantages |
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• max. height: 1-2 m • distance: 3 pieces per 1 m • seedling height: 60-80 cm • position: half sun to shade, adapts easily • cutting: twice a year (in February and June) |
• large glossy leaves with an exotic appearance • evergreen shrub • tolerates shade, also grows well under trees • withstands periods of drought • there are varieties of different heights with large and small leaves |
• the rays of the winter sun often damage the leaves • few varieties can be planted all over the country • cutting is performed only with a manual pruner, which is a time-consuming job • excessively expansive habit |
What is the attack of mildew on laurel plant?
Powdery mildew (Erysiphales) on laurel leaves is visible on young leaves, which wrinkle and roll into a roll. On the lower part of the leaf, a powdery coating of the fungus spores is visible. The disease develops on too densely planted plants and on hedges.
- explains the expert Anna Błaszczak
Field maple Acer campestre
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Field maple Acer campestre | ||
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| Information |
Advantages | Disadvantages |
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• max. height: 2-4 m • distance: 3 pieces per 1 m • seedlings height: 125-150 cm • position: sunny to slightly shaded, • doesn't like a substrate that remains excessively moist for a long time • cutting: twice a year (in February and June) |
• leaves in various shades of golden and yellow in autumn • It tolerates periods of drought and summer heat very well • not afraid of the wind • tolerates clipping • an excellent hedge plant for a natural garden |
• does not cover the garden sufficiently in winter • very susceptible to powdery mildew • requires spraying • grows extremely abundantly and even with two cuts a year |
What is phytophthora in plants intended for hedges?
Phytophthorosis is a disease caused by fungi of the genus Phytophthora. Boxwood phytophthora, one of the most popular species for hedges, manifests itself in summer as root rot spreading throughout the plant. As a result of infection, individual plants turn brown and die. On conifers, the rot at the base is initially visible on one side of the bush, in the form of yellowing of the needles on individual shoots. Over time, the infection spreads, the plants turn brown and some, like the cypress tree, appear burned.
- explains the expert Anna Błaszczak
Cis Taxus baccata
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Cis Taxus baccata (Photo: Fotolia.com) |
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Cis Taxus baccata | ||
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| Information |
Advantages | Disadvantages |
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• max. height: 1-2 m • distance: 3 pieces per 1 m • seedling height: 60-70 cm • position: sunny to shady, all kinds of not very acidic earth • cutting: once a year (at the end of February) |
• does not require too hard cutting • bush always green • tolerates even a very strong rejuvenating cut • grows well in shaded places, • also grows in ground overgrown with roots of taller trees • can live for over 1000 years |
• quite expensive seedlings • frost damage may occur after long, severe winters • grows very long to reach the height of an adult • summer droughts favor infections by spider mites • almost the entire plant is poisonous |
Berberys Berberis thunbergii
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Berberys Berberis thunbergii | ||
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| Information |
Advantages | Disadvantages |
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• max. height: 1-2 m • distance: 4 pieces per 1 m • seedling height: 60-100 cm • position: sunny, humus-rich substrate, not too dry • cutting: twice a year (in February and June) |
• grows quite slowly • nice red leaves that brightly change color in autumn • edible coral-colored fruits liked by birds that remain on the bush until December • high frost resistance, tolerates cutting well |
• a low shrub is not suitable for curtain walls • due to the sharp spikes you should wear thick work gloves • not suitable for playgrounds • slightly susceptible to powdery mildew |
Holly Ilex
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Ostrokrzew Ilex (Photo: Fotolia.com) |
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Holly Ilex | ||
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| Information |
Advantages | Disadvantages |
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• max. height: 1-2 m • distance: 3 pieces per 1 m • seedling height: 80-100 cm • position: sheltered, semi-sunny to shady, humus-rich substrate • cutting: once a year (at the end of February) |
• nice shiny leaves • large variety of varieties, some with patterned leaves • evergreen shrub • no hard cutting required • female plants give birth to bright red little fruits that stay on the bush for a long time |
• seedlings not very cheap • in winter, more delicate varieties may suffer from burns in sunny places • some varieties have leaves densely armed with hard spikes • frequent leaf damage by leaf brush larvae |
Ligustr Ligustrum vulgare
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Ligustr Ligustrum vulgare | ||
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| Information |
Advantages | Disadvantages |
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• max. height: 2-4 m • distance: 4 pieces per 1 m • seedlings height: 60-100 cm • position: sunny to shade, all kinds of soil • cutting: twice a year (in February and June) |
• a valuable, partially evergreen (privet ovary) hedge plant, also with yellow-green leaves • easily multiplies by shoot cuttings • birds like to nest in a hedge, also finding food here • Takes cut extremely well |
• a dense root system hinders the development of closely planted plants • in more severe frosts leaves fall off quickly • in shaded places a slightly loose, translucent habit • sometimes produces root suckers |
Thuja Thuja
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Żywotnik Thuja (Photo: Fotolia.com) |
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Thuja Thuja | ||
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| Information |
Advantages | Disadvantages |
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• max. height: 2-4 m • distance: 3 pieces per 1 m • seedlings height: 100-125 cm • position: sunny, fertile, humus and moist substrate • cutting: twice a year (in February and June) |
• creates perfect, always green hedges, grows fast • also feels good in wet and peaty soil • not very sensitive to freezing, effectively stops the wind • many varieties, also slowly growing and with yellow leaves |
• sensitive to drought, susceptible to fungal diseases • looks a bit strange in Central European gardens • not everyone likes brown winter discoloration • after a strong pruning (old tree) does not sprout new shoots |
