Articles on Hedges | Topics: hedges, hedge, bushes, bush
by Ivan Jarvis
Deciduous hedges are a beautiful informal way to mark boundaries, give depth to landscape and create privacy. They are beautiful and flower in season, and correctly planted can be exactly what you are looking for. Deciduous hedges do lose their leaves at the end of the growing season and go dormant. Pruning these hedges on a regular basis over a long period will help them for a tangle of twigs at the base. This tangle of twigs will provide a screen during the winter. Hedges will grow better and form a dense bushy growth if planted as small plants. If planted correctly they will overtake those hedges that were planted with larger pot grown plants. In fact, you may have gaps in your hedge with starting out with larger plants, thinking your hedge will be what you want faster.
Deciduous hedges that are formal will need to be pruned or reshaped at least twice during each season. The first pruning should bring them to the height you want, and then one more pruning later in the season should be sufficient. If you have planted faster growing plants, you may choose to prune more often to keep them at the desired height.
When planting deciduous plants, make sure they are well watered throughout the season. New plants should be watered regularly even if it looks like rain. The soil should be well drained and if it isn't, tile or drain coil should be placed around your hedge line. Mulch is needed after planting to keep the moisture in the ground. Mulch doesn't need to be replaced as it is only used at the beginning of the plant life to ensure proper moisture and promote growth. Usually, deciduous plants will be planted from small plants in a straight line. If you want a denser hedge, planting them staggered in two rows will give you the effect you want.
The Japanese anemone is a beautiful flowering shrub that produces flowers in late summer and in early autumn. They are simple, but pretty borders and need lots of sun. They have blooms of white or pink.
The Butterfly Bush is a medium to large shrub that is fast growing and is covered with fragrant with different colors available. White, lilac, dark purple and even some orange colored varieties are available. They bloom during the summer and are a natural attraction for butterflies. You will frequently see each cone shaped bloom covered in butterflies.
Forsythia is a beautiful deciduous plant that blooms early in the spring and has brilliant yellow flowers. It can be formed into a nice shrub with heights from 3-8 feet. You will love looking out your window and seeing the yellow flowers telling you, spring is here.
Barberries also are an excellent choice for low hedges and are deciduous. These lovely looking shrubs are available with green or red foliage and can be grown both in shade and in sun. They produce attractive red berries that often last through the winter.
| Bit of History |
All praise of the hawk on fire in hawk-eyed dusk be sung,
When his viperish fuse hangs looped with flames under the brand
Wing, and blest shall
Young
Green chickens of the bay and bushes cluck, “dilly dilly,
Come let us die.”
| —Dylan Thomas (1914–1953) |
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Dogwood, Spirea and Lilacs are also excellent choices for hedges. Lilacs also bloom in early spring and have a delicious fragrant aroma that is popular in many areas of the country. They keep their green color throughout the season and can easily be pruned to produce a thicker, denser hedge at the bottom.
Azaleas and barberry shrubs are also excellent choices for flowering deciduous shrubs. They both have many different varieties and bloom at different times.
If you plan carefully and mix your shrubs you should have a beautiful hedge line that will provide blooms and color throughout most of the year.
Burning bush is a lovely shrub that will give you a fall display of color. Interspersed with the other plants we have talked about above they provide beautiful color when other shrubs are beginning to lose their blooms.
Bittersweet plants are also something that gives incredible color in the fall. They produce berries that are green in the summer and turn into yellow husks in the early fall. Later into the fall, these husks peel back and a bright orange berry is revealed. Not only that, numerous leaves will turn a bright yellow. This is truly a fall plant to keep the color in your hedge during the fall season.
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