Articles on Hedges | Topics: hedges, hedge, bushes, bush
by Basha Orr
There is really nothing to growing a healthy hedge. A hedge is one of the easiest plants to attempt to grow on your property. They really require no more attention than most trees. This is in general of course. There are a select few hedge varieties that are a bit picky and require a little more attention and love than others. Overall however, a hedge is the best thing you can do for your yard, even when you have no or very little time to dedicate to its growth. If you are thinking of planting a hedge on your property, be sure to check out these secrets to growing a healthy hedge before you begin.
Property Location
When choosing a hedge species, be sure the first thing you note is what areas the hedge grows best within. Most plants will have the areas marked off by "zone". Located your zone and see which species to begin with. Most hedges are very hardy and will thrive in almost any location, even during the winter months. If you live in a location that experiences harsh and extreme winters or summers however, you may want to take care in choosing an appropriate species for your property. Choosing the right species of hedge for your property location is a key to growing a healthy hedge. If you choose an inappropriate species, it could be more difficult to deal with or even die after the first year.
Planting Area
The next secret to growing a healthy hedge involves picking a great planting area. There may be an area you have in mind before you even choose a species. This is fine but you should note the amount of sun the spot gets before choosing a species. If you have already chosen your hedge plant but are unsure of where it should go, consider a few things. First, be sure that the area you choose is large enough to handle the hedge once it reaches maturity. You will not want to plant a really tall hedge beneath an electrical line for instance. You will also want to make sure other plants that may be around the hedge will have plenty of room to continuing their growth as well. Hedges can quickly take over other plants around them.
How to Plant
| Historical Quote |
Devil: I’ll tell you what. You want to hedge your bet with me? Make eternity a little less ... hellish?
Amanda: What did you have in mind?
Devil: Did you see Rosemary’s Baby?
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Once you have the perfect plant and the most appropriate spot, you are ready to plant your hedge. One secret, that few planters know, is that a hedge should only be planted a few inches underground. You should always allow a sufficient amount of room on each side of the plant, but the depth of your hold should only be a few inches deep. Make sure it is deep enough to house the entire root system however. Hedges grow best when they get more air from above the ground. Again, the most important thing to remember is to give the plant as much room as needed for the root system to expand.
Aftercare
After planting your hedge, give it a little drink of water. After this initial water, you really don't need to do much to maintain your new plant. If you are planting in a dry season, you may want to water it a bit for the first week or so. Once the season stabilizes however your plant will be able to thrive on rainwater alone. As far as pruning goes, it is really up to you with most species. If you want a more formal hedge, you can prune it accordingly. If you like a more natural look, leave your hedge to grow as it wishes. Remember however that some species require more pruning than others. So take note when purchasing your plant.
Choosing and planting a hedge is really a very simple task. You cannot go wrong with hedges on your property. They add beauty, protection, and are perfect for attracting local wildlife to your yard. They are much more attractive than fences and can work in the same manner. The benefits are numerous and you will see them almost immediately. Just use these secrets when completing your task and you will have a healthy and lovely hedge that all of your neighbors will admire.
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Please note: All personal opinions expressed in the "Shaping Up – Secrets to Growing a Healthy Hedge" article belong to the contributing author and are not necessarily shared by FlowersPlantsGardening.com. |
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