by Roxanne Collier
When there is talk of flowing hedges; the first thing that comes to mind is beauty. The five favorite flowing hedges all happen to be flowering varieties. Flowering hedges are perhaps so popular because they add brightness and instant beauty to your property. They typically bloom in spring and summer seasons. Although they are all considered flowering, they do range in size, fragrance, and colors. If you are looking for lovely flowing hedges to add to your existing landscape, consider one of these five favorites.
Bonica Rose
The Bonica Rose has nationally been named the world's favorite rose in the past. This beautiful plant is so popular because it looks wonderful and also provides the benefits of a hedge. The species is very easy to grow, making it a favorite of gardeners of all skill levels. The hedge is also very hardy and rarely gets diseased. Although they are not overwhelmingly fragrant, the species does put off a soft scent. With bright pink blooms, this hedge is likely to stay on the top of many "best" lists for years to come.
Spiraeas
The hedge [of hawthorns] formed a type of suite of chapels disappearing under the wall of their flowers heaped as on an altar; under them, the sun placed on the ground a grid of light, as if it had come through a glass window; their fragrance was as smooth and as clearly defined in its form as if I had stood before the Virgin’s altar, and the flowers, so ornamented, each distractedly held its dazzling bouquet of stamens, fine and shining ribs of flamboyant style like those which in the church line the ramp of the rood-screen or the mullions of stained-glass windows and which bloomed into the white flesh of strawberry blossoms.
—Marcel Proust (1871–1922)
If you want to enjoy the beauty of your hedge, but are also interested in attracting wildlife to your area, try the Spiraeas. This lovely hedge is great for attracting butterflies. They love the varying colors of the hedge, which range from white to yellow and pink. The blooms are indeed lovely and the true attracting point for butterflies, however they are only slightly fragrant. The butterflies love them most because the blooms will start to appear in June and continue to come and go throughout the entire summer. Although these types of flowering hedges are some of the most gorgeous, they do not get very tall. The average height for a mature Spiraeas hedge is between two and four feet.
Texas Scarlet Flowering Quince
If you are looking for a lovely early blooming hedge, the Texas Scarlet Flowering Quince is what you need. This hedge will always be one of the first to bloom in your yard. The interesting thing about this plant is that bright red blooms appear first, followed by green foliage. Another great aspect is that they bear apple-like fruit, which tends to attract local wildlife. These hardy plants are lovely to see and add brightness to your yard at the beginning of blooming season. They are the perfect way to get things started.
Burning Bush
One of the most popular and familiar varieties of flowering hedges is the Burning Bush. This bush, named properly for its red color, is a great choice for any yard or property. The fun thing about the Burning Bush is that it changes color through the seasons. In the summer, the Burning Bush is dark green. In the fall, the bush is crimson. The Burning Bush is one of the easiest hedges to grow. It spreads quickly and can thrive almost anywhere. You can find these hedges in regular and dwarf varieties, making them as versatile as ever.
True variety is in that plenitude of real and unexpected elements, in the branch charged with blue flowers thrusting itself, against all expectations, from the springtime hedge which seems already too full, while the purely formal imitation of variety ... is but void and uniformity, that is, that which is most opposed to variety....
—Marcel Proust (1871–1922)
Rose Of Sharon
Last, but definitely not least, is the Rose of Sharon. This amazing hedge can provide excellent coverage for your property while adding beauty at the same time. The Rose of Sharon begins to blooms its wonderful double blooms in August. The blooms can be red, white, blue, or pink. The blooms are such a welcome in late summer and early fall because so many plants will have already bloomed by this point. The Rose of Sharon may be one of the only bloomers in your yard at this time. This hedge can grow to be 8 feet tall and works well in both sunny and partial shaded areas.
If you are looking to add flowing hedges to your home, strongly consider these flowering varieties. They are among the most beautiful hedges available and will not only provide all of the same benefits of a traditional hedge, but will also provide color and beauty for you and your family to enjoy. So, check out these five favorites and see which one suits your tastes and the style of your yard the best! Once you see the results of adding them to your property, you will likely want to add more each year.