Hedges

From Gardening Wiki

Contents 1 Hedges - Living Fences of the Garden 2 Low Hedges 3 Evergreen Hedges 4 Tall Hedges 5 Popular Hedges 6 Naturalistic Hedges 7 Honeysuckle and Rose Hedge 8 Mistakes with Hedges 9 Planting Hedges

Hedges - Living Fences of the Garden

It is interesting that soem people want every sort of fence and boundary to be removed. The word " garden " carries with it the meaning of enclosure. We in America are getting more and more away from having even our own dooryards to ourselves.

Often we cannot tell where our province leaves off and the next begins. Marauders have full sweep. There is something homely about an enclosure with some degree of privacy. Because the city is abolishing everything for such privacy we wish at times to be by ourselves, and the country is chosen. Hedges or boundaries need not be emphasized, but let us not fear to put up some little shrubbery to shield us from the public gaze, and let us enclose parts of our own domain by a low hedge. Formidable fences are not advocated, but private areas bounded by hedges are always interesting.

Low Hedges

Low hedges of the graceful Ligustrum regelianum (Regel's privet) are very handsome; or Berberis thunbergii, with its red berries and Fall coloring; or the Japanese quince, which must not be trimmed too closely if it is to appear pretty, with its deep red or pink flowers; or the Siberian Dogwood (Gornus alba sibirica).

Evergreen Hedges

For an evergreen hedge, nothing has been used more than Box. This is not hardy in all parts of the North, and is a very slow grower. It is almost the only plant to use except the Dwarf japanese yew (Taxus cuspidata var. brevifolia). It is very hardy and has hardly become known as yet in American gardens. Ilex crenata microphylla and Euonymus radicans can also be used.

Tall Hedges

Taller hedges are best made of the Ibota (Ligustrum Ibota) and common Privet (Ligustrum vulgare). The California Privet (Ligustrum ovalifolium) should not be planted in the Northern States; it freezes down too frequently so that it never attains any character.

The Golden Privet is very bright and cheery, but hard to buy. The Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica) is a useful and not easily penetrable hedge. Hedges of Hemlock, Arborvitae and Norway Spruce are substantial when the taller ones are wanted.

The Hemlock is the finest, since each plant merges into the next admirably.

Popular Hedges

One of the most popular hedge plants is the California Privet. This is a very rapid growing plant which forms a solid , even green wall, and is easily trimmed.

However, it is sometimes winter-killed and not adapted for Northern sections. There are other splendid Privets such as the Amoor River (Northern type), which is hardy and has a beautiful, fine foliage. This splendid hedge should be more largely planted as it is a rapid, hardy grower and satisfactory in every respect. The Ibota is perhaps the hardiest of all the Privets. It is very upright and has long, pointed, glossy leaves. The common privet (Vulgaris) is also popular.

For hardy hedges see Barberry

Naturalistic Hedges

Other plants which make good hedges are the Spirea Van Houttei, Philadelphus Coronarius, Lilacs, Japanese Rose (Rosa Rugosa), Weigela and Snowberry. Hedges of any of the plants just mentioned need not be trimmed after the first year or two, but if left to grow naturally will be very satisfactory. Spirea Van Houttei is one of the best shrubs for making a naturalistic hedge. After two or three years its branches begin to droop over in graceful curves clear to the ground. The foliage is of a splendid green, and when it is in bloom in the Spring it appears as a "snowbank of flowers."

The Japanese Rose (Rosa Rugosa) and the Rugosa Hybrids such as Conrad F. Meyer make an excellent hedge, as they are exceptionally vigorous growers with splendid foliage. The thorns act as a protection, and the attractive pink and white blossoms are followed by large, orange-red seed pods which have a good landscape value in the Fall after the blossoms are gone.

However, where a low flowering hedge is desired, the Baby Rambler type (Dwarf Polyantha) makes excellent hedges. These roses are not only hardy, but they are exceptionally free blooming they are laden with masses of flowers from Spring until late Fall. Some of the best varieties for this purpose are the Clothilde Soupert (Flesh Colored) Baby Rambler (Red), Jessie (Pink), etc.

Honeysuckle and Rose Hedge

One type of hedge of great beauty and also one which gives excellent protection from intrusion, is the following: a strong woven wire fence of medium height is placed where the hedge is desired; at intervals of three or four feet are planted (alternately) Hall Japan Honeysuckle and Dorothy Perkins rose, which will quickly make a solid, impenetrable hedge. Other combinations for this same purpose are the Hall Japan Honeysuckle, and Trier rose. Another combination is American Ivy (Ampelopsis Quinquefolia), Dorothy Perkins rose and Hall Japan Honeysuckle; and there are a number of other combinations that will give equally as good results.

Mistakes with Hedges

A common blunder with hedges is to locate them too near walks so that they are injured by the constant brushing against them by people as they pass.

Planting Hedges

see Planting hedges