Shaping Up Your Landscape with Creative Hedging Techniques

You can do a lot with hedges surrounding your property and make your home or business look beautiful. They bring versatility along with privacy and make your property visually interesting. Usually we associate hedging with rows of neatly trimmed evergreen and boxwood shrubs. Sometimes it is fun to go beyond this classic approach and do something non-traditional. Making your hedges look creative and unique needs some techniques.

Hedges that bloom throughout the season add a touch of color and fragrance to your landscape. Lilacs, abelia, and flowering quince are some examples.

Hedges that produce edible fruits like blueberries, raspberries, or gooseberries offer both beauty and a delicious harvest.

Native plants provide habitat for pollinators and are often well-adapted to your local climate, requiring less maintenance. Consider viburnum, inkberry, or serviceberry.

Formal hedges are characterized by a straight, manicured appearance, while informal hedges can be rounded, sculpted, or allowed to grow in a more natural form.

For a touch of artistry, consider shaping your hedges into geometric shapes, animals, or even letters. This technique requires some skill and planning but can create a truly unique focal point in your landscape.

Planting different hedge plants in tiers can add depth and visual interest to your property line. Use taller shrubs in the back and shorter ones in the front for a layered effect.

Create a charming and private walkway by planting hedges on either side. Choose plants with a manageable height and width to ensure there's ample space for walking.

Hedges can be used to create privacy screens, blocking unsightly views or providing a buffer between your property and a busy street. Opt for fast-growing hedge plants like arborvitae or Leyland cypress for quicker screening.

Choose plants that will reach the desired mature height and width for your hedge purpose. Consider how fast they grow and how often you're willing to trim them.

Select plants that thrive in your climate zone and receive the amount of sunlight available in your planting location.

Some hedges require frequent trimming to maintain their shape, while others are more low-maintenance. Consider your time commitment for upkeep.

Match your chosen hedge plants to the existing soil conditions in your yard. Some plants prefer well-drained soil, while others tolerate clay or sandy soils better.