The best shrubs for hedges. Hedge: what plants can it be made from

A hedge is more reliable than a structure made of stone or wood, and is much less expensive. It may well become not only protection from prying eyes, but also an interesting element of garden decor. Before you start creating it, you need to decide what kind of hedge you want to see on your site. The formed hedge will have to be trimmed periodically, wild will need less care. The next stage is the selection of shrubs for hedges, on which its appearance directly depends.

Barberry

fast growing barberry

Perfect protection against intruders and a leader in the ranking of thorny hedge plants. The beauty of the barberry not only pleases the eye, but also helps to keep intruders and stray animals away from the site. This plant tolerates a haircut well and is suitable for a living border.

Barberry bushes as a hedge

A hedge of Thunberg's velvet barberry, multi-horned barberry, Amur barberry, common barberry or Siebold's barberry will win you over with its unpretentiousness, shade tolerance and stability to harmful environmental factors.

The disadvantage of using barberry as a hedge shrub is the unpleasant shearing process to maintain shape, associated with increased pricklyness.

yellow acacia

thorny yellow acacia hedge

Somewhat yellow acacia is like a barberry and can also stand guard over the property of their owners. Foreign cats and dogs will not enter your site, and your own birds or animals will not go beyond its borders. Due to the possibility of dense, hopeless planting, drought resistance, protective spines, shade tolerance, melliferous and frost resistance, yellow locust hedge is popular.

The disadvantage of using yellow acacia as a hedge shrub is similar to barberry - the thorns cause discomfort when cutting.

Hawthorn

It can be called a classic of the hedge genre. He is unpretentious to the soil, makes it possible to create a beautiful dense hedge. Hawthorn single-petaled, Siberian, prickly and obtuse well suited for the role of a living fence.

A living green hawthorn hedge is suitable both for fencing the entire area in diameter and for dividing into functional zones

Single-petal hawthorn grows faster than other species and does not need moist air and warmth so much, like his other brothers. Shade tolerance is the main feature of the single-petal hawthorn, which can grow both in the sun and in partial shade.

The disadvantage of using many types of hawthorn as hedge shrubs is the need for good lighting, which is not always possible to provide.

Deren

An excellent economical option with many positive features. This plant is unpretentious, fast-growing and winter-hardy.

Hedge of white Derain

In addition, deren has a bright bark, which looks good in winter against the backdrop of snow. Derain white, offspring and blood red are suitable for creating beautiful compositions.

The downside of using turf as a hedge shrub is that it needs a lot of space to grow.

Currant

Alpine currant hedge

Currant bush hedge looks fantastic. Its advantages simply cannot be counted: a pleasant aroma of flowers, heat resistance, frost resistance, dust resistance, drought resistance, smoke resistance, edible berries, insensitivity to pathogenic factors and high adaptability.

The disadvantage of using currant bushes as shrubs for hedges is the uneven ripening of berries, which slightly violates the aesthetic appearance.

Willow

Do-it-yourself original willow fence

Thanks to a wide range of shrub varieties, a hedge of them can be planted in areas of any size. Suitable for planting in a small area willow white, purple, ashy, whole-leaved and rosemary, for big - Schwerin willow and basket willow. Willows of all kinds are easy to propagate, unpretentious and fast growing.

The downside to using shrub willows as hedge shrubs is that they need moist, acidic soil.

Lilac

The brightest, flowering and beautiful shrub is lilac. Its main difference from other plants for hedges is a wide range of varieties: different types of common lilac, Hungarian lilac and Amur lilac.

A lilac hedge will become an undoubted decoration of your site, without requiring special care.

This shrub significantly surpasses the rest with its beautiful appearance, with the possibility of selecting unpretentious varieties.

The disadvantages of using lilacs as a shrub for hedges are the growth of basal shoots and photophilous

.

Undoubtedly, this is not all, but only most popular plants but using their example, you can choose the right shrubs for your own hedge, which will be strong, beautiful and durable.

Video how to create a hedge with your own hands

The Slavic soul is so complex that in order to create our own cozy territory, we definitely need to isolate ourselves from external fuss, noisy neighbors and prying eyes. But the prospect of constantly catching your eye on a two-meter monolithic fence can hardly be called rosy.
A do-it-yourself hedge in the country house is a creative process with a practical result that anyone who loves plants can do.

The first climbing hedge was grown in the 18th century. Since then, breeders have been working to create more and more new varieties of plants that can bear the heavy burden of responsibility for the peace and privacy of their owners.

Types of hedges

Depending on the height, the fences are divided into three categories:

• Low curbs have a height of up to 1 m. They will look most organically as a frame for flower beds, lawns and paths.

• If the plants you have chosen reach 1-2 meters, they will do an excellent job of dividing the summer cottage into functional zones.
• Reliable protection around the entire perimeter of the site is provided by tall species with a height of more than 2 m.

Of no small importance is the intensity of the haircut, depending on this point, the hedges are:

• Free growing.
• Molded.

Molded plant compositions require constant shearing, as they are based on a clear geometric shape. For molded hedges, it is better to plant representatives of the plant world with small foliage, which ensures the density of the fence.

Free-growing ones are less picky and grow in the form that Mother Nature has endowed them with.

Classification depending on the number of rows

Single-row live fences are formed in one line, planting plants at an equal distance. If the basis of your landscape creation will be shrubs, choose a step within 35–50 cm, for trees the distance increases to 70–150 cm.

Multi-row hedges are created in several tier lines, seating the participants in the composition in a checkerboard pattern. For a multi-tiered design, a variety of plants is not necessary; combinations of different varieties of the same plant, which differ in the color of needles or foliage, give excellent results with skillful use. Take a closer look at the tandems of green and purple beech, variegated and green privet.

Choosing the Right

When choosing plants, give preference to those specimens that grow in your climate zone and have been tested for strength and durability. Your attention will be worthy of unpretentious, frost-resistant species with a dense crown, which have a high ability to form shoots and recover as soon as possible after cutting.

No less spectacular is the hedge in the summer cottage of sea buckthorn, jasmine, rhododendron, wrinkled rose, barberry, lilac, honeysuckle, shadberry.

Disembarkation order

1. When selecting applicants for the purchase, pay attention to the roots and crown. The root system should not be overdried, and the crown should maintain uniformity on all sides. Suitable young seedlings under the age of 6 years.
2. The laying of the future fence is carried out in autumn or spring. The first option is suitable for winter-hardy plants that are adapted to low temperatures. The place of direct landing should be located at a distance of more than 2 m from the house and 50-150 cm from the monolithic fence.
3. Before you begin to dig a trench, mark out with a cord and two pegs. The depth of the trench should be 50 cm, the width is determined by the type of fence: for a single row - 50 cm, for a multi-tiered one - plus 0.5 m for each next tier.

Planting density (1 running meter):

• low shrubs (spirea, magnolia) - 5-7 seedlings;
• medium shrubs (cotoneaster, snowberry) - 4–5;
• tall shrubs and trees (hawthorn, vesicle) - 1-2

Perfect for decorative and fast growing perennial hedges willow. The plant is growing really fast. The branches can be intertwined, as they are very smooth and pliable. It is possible to form a kind of hedge from natural wattle.

Willows take root in many climatic zones; any soil habitable for plants is suitable for them. In swampy areas flooded during spring floods, trees quickly develop an extensive root system.

Be sure to monitor the amount of moisture, in a dry climate, the bush must be watered regularly. Plantings can tolerate shearing, so you can give them the desired appearance.

If you plant several willows on the site, you can sort out their varieties and plant several species by designing them in size and shades. Weeping willow is most suitable for weaving branches. Purple, goat, holly willow and red willow look best when weaving branches. To make a motley fence, you need to plant several trees, avoiding repeating species, then successively form their crown or allow natural ornaments to develop.

Can be used for hedges fast growing shrubs. In addition to decorativeness, some varieties bring significant benefits. Berries grow on their branches, for which you do not have to go to the forest or to the store. You can close the jam from fruits grown on your own plot. Barberry often sits down. It grows quite quickly, it can be cut into any possible shape. Fragrant and quite tasty jam is made from its berries.

From thorns can be one of the fastest ways to form a hedge. You can not follow the conditions of its maintenance, it is advisable to water and monitor soil fertilizers during drought, however, even without proper care, the turn can not lose shape for quite a long time. Having planted bushes at the same distance, you can not engage in their further formation for a long time, since they grow quite compactly. It is very difficult to get through this fence. You can get original, tart fruits. You can make excellent jam, unusual tkemali sauce and liqueur from them.

Rosehip and tea rose include many useful features. You can alternate the bushes when planting through one or a certain pattern. They grow quickly, able to provide valuable vitamins for the winter. Rosehip tea will allow you to get a large dose of vitamin C, tea rose jam is used to treat inflammatory diseases of the oral cavity, as well as sore throats and colds. From its petals you can make a fragrant liqueur with a bright red tint.

If you leave rose hips for the winter, they will decorate the site, and also become food for birds.

Photo of a wild rose hedge.

Tall shrubs for hedges

Derain white- This is a bright, hedge that grows quickly up to 3 m, you can maintain a given height of 1.2 m. Flowers can be seen 2 times per season. Once in June, and the second in August. Flower baskets have a milky color. In the process of growth, clusters of berries, blue with a slight yellow bloom, are formed, on which birds flock.

In winter, you can see the cherry-red tint of the branches, which looks especially beautiful against the backdrop of snow. The hedge can be grown both in the shade and in the sun, requires little watering, is very hardy. The close location of groundwater does not become an obstacle to its active growth and flowering.

To prevent the hedge from spreading more than 1 m wide, it is necessary to trim its lower branches.

oval reaches 3 m in height if regular shearing is not applied. Blooms in May. Bright yellow bells form before the leaves appear. They give an elegant look to the site. In cold climates, the oval or egg-shaped forsythia are considered the most persistent. If you do not use a haircut, the crown will be oval.

privet fence ordinary reaches up to 2 m in height. It can grow up to 50 cm per year. It is quite unpretentious. Bushing immediately after cutting. Pruning should be carried out constantly, as the bush will not grow evenly without additional correction. If you let the plant take its course, it will look quite interesting, white flowers will appear, and berries by autumn, but they are forbidden to eat. The bush is so dense that sometimes it can be compared with the texture of the wall.

The plant is quite strong, so it does not need frequent and plentiful watering.

Video of a privet hedge.

Evergreen shrubs for hedges

boxwood compact and versatile. They can plant the edges of the site adjacent to the roads. It is possible to delimit several zones with a shrub for a separate planting, for example, vegetables and flowers. With it, you can create a composition with your own design.

They can be planted in dim, dark places in the garden, under trees or near tall structures. Many varieties do well in well-drained soils.

So that the leaves do not burn out from bright sunlight, in clear weather, the soil must be well moistened.

Video clipping a boxwood hedge.

Fatsia notable for bright, glossy leaves that completely cover thick, strictly vertical trunks. The shrub is quite hardy, so it is suitable for planting in shady areas of the garden. The stems are cream in color, they are placed in spherical umbrellas, they form in early autumn. Bees often flock to them, so for beekeepers this will be an excellent option.

Lavender grown by gardeners quite often, as it has fragrant flowers and interesting green foliage with a silver sheen. May be purple or pink. The shrub is quite hardy and versatile. They can be used for edging and bordering or grown in containers. Butterflies and bees flock to the flowers. Flowers create a spectacular contrast with dark-colored shrubs due to the presence of silvery, light leaves.

thorny shrubs for hedges

Hawthorn allows you to form a real thorny fence. Many of these flowers have thorns, you can pay attention to the varieties of American origin. An adult shrub grows quite high, so it can become an obstacle, for example, for neighboring animals in the country. Large-thorn hawthorn grows up to 5-6 m, if no measures are taken to cut it.

The length of each spine is on average 1.2 cm. The Siberian hawthorn does not have such impressive spines. Some plants have broad, highly spreading foliage combined with small spines.

mahonia endowed by nature with thorny leaves. Their rich green color is brightly combined with yellow, small, but frequent flowers. They appear already at the end of the winter months. Flowers are located on long racemes or ends of graceful branches. They are able to give brightness to the entire garden at a time when other plants are still sleeping. The only condition is to plant them as often as possible.

You can arrange flowers on the shore of a reservoir, near a strong shadow. Clay soils do not interfere with their excellent flowering. Bees flock to them. There are varieties that grow very low, so they can be used as ground covers.

princepia chinensis has decorative, unusual foliage, beautiful flowering. The bush is very lush, the crown is semicircular, some branches may lie scattered.

It boasts small but interesting flowers, which later turn into small berries that look like cherries. It is used in medicine as a strong tonic. Unpretentious and frost-resistant shrub, easily grown in mid-latitudes.

Photo of hedges from the bushes. Shrubs for hedges.

Proper planting and proper care of fast growing shrubs will allow significantly ennoble your own garden and any piece of land. By choosing the right variety of plants, you can decorate the yard according to your own taste.

The choice of shrubs must be approached very carefully, but before you decide to purchase seedlings, be sure to find out about the pros and cons, the main characteristics of fast-growing types. This will allow you to understand where to make a hedge, what possible problems you may have when leaving, and much, much more.

• Advantages. First of all, most of the fast-growing shrubs are characterized by a certain height. And if varieties of plants that grow slowly can grow above the designated standards, then these species cannot. They are also characterized by a high frequency of growth and excellent density. But the most important advantage is the high growth rate, and that is why such shrubs are chosen by those who want to grow an impenetrable "green fence" on their site as soon as possible.
• The disadvantages include the fact that such shrubs are difficult to change in the process of their growth. And all due to the high speed, which leads to difficulties in the process of forming bushes. But in many ways, the general appearance of the hedge depends on the appearance of the plants.

Thus, you need to weigh the pros and cons a thousand times, consider whether you are ready to spend so much time doing all the necessary work, because creating such a fence will require a lot of labor from you.

Fast growing plants and shrubs for hedges

You will quickly get a hedge if you use willow for planting. First of all, the tree grows at an incredible rate. The second advantage is that you will be able to intertwine the branches, forming a green and dense clutter. Most of all, their unpretentiousness attracts, since these varieties of trees grow on almost any soil, quickly take root and tolerate a haircut. The most famous varieties include the well-known weeping willow, red willow, goat and purple willow. Perfect for creating a barberry hedge, which will not only serve as a “fence”, but will also bring practical benefits in the form of berries from which you can make delicious jams. A quick hedge will also be made from a plant such as a thorn, which will become a real obstacle to animals and thieves, since its branches are incredibly prickly. Attracts ease of care for him, as well as undemanding plants to the conditions of detention, frost resistance. Rose hips also have many useful properties, which not only grows rapidly, but also delights you with valuable and tasty fruits. Among other things, such a shrub will attract birds to your site, which will become a real protection against harmful insects. Decorative varieties of shrubs have also found their wide application, which, although they do not have much practical use, can become a magnificent decoration of the garden. So, they include, which, with proper care, will reach three meters in height, various types of viburnum vesicle, lilac.

Proper fit and care is the key to obtaining a spectacular result

As we have already said, when planting fast-growing breeds, you need to be as careful and accurate as possible, especially when it comes to shaping (cutting) a bush. Otherwise, you can run the plant hard, then you will either have to spend a huge amount of time and effort on its restoration, or uproot the whole bush. First of all, it’s worth starting with a landing. So, we mark the territory in advance and, just in case, be sure to create its borders with the help of a rope. After that, we dig small ditches for planting seedlings, while their dimensions should be larger than the seedlings. When planting, be sure to ensure that the root system is intact, otherwise, this can lead to the fact that the plant simply withers. Be sure to use mineral fertilizers, and after planting the seedlings, water your hedge abundantly for three weeks.

Even though you have selected fast growing shrubs for your hedge, don't expect them to reach their maximum size the following year.

This should take at least three to four years. to give the desired shape, be sure to stretch the wire along the line of the desired height. You will need to cut exactly at its level, and not do everything “by eye”, otherwise you will not get the perfect shape. At the same time, pruning of shrubs is necessary only in summer, so that the fast-growing hedge does not have “bald spots” at the roots.

A hedge is a fence of shrubs and trees that performs both decorative and protective functions. Reduces noise level, protects from wind and dust. Hedge shrubs fit perfectly into any landscape style.

There are 2 types of hedges:

1. Unformed - the plants are given complete freedom, it is necessary to prune only interfering and dry branches.
2. Decorated - shrubs are given a certain shape.

Fast-growing hedge shrubs allow you to get a full-fledged green fence in a couple of seasons. Trees take much longer. What shrubs for hedges to choose? Let's ask gardeners.

Fast growing hedge shrubs

Dogwood

Shrubs for hedges, 2-5 meters high. It blooms profusely in March-April, then the leaves bloom and decorative fruits appear. A shade-tolerant shrub, it is better to choose plants up to 2 years old for laying a hedge. Prefers soil with a neutral PH and well-lit areas. The annual plant grows slowly, but by the next season the growth rate increases to 30 cm per year.

vesicle

photo: Vesicle hedge

The leaves of the vesicle are similar to viburnum. It blooms in the first half of summer, winter-hardy and unpretentious. Does not like stagnant water - the root system quickly rots. Suitable for forming a free or decorated hedge. It can reach 4 meters in height. Dwarf shrubs for hedges - up to 1 meter. On average, the vesicle grows by 40 cm per year. It retains an attractive appearance throughout the season.

Snowberry

photo: Snowberry hedge

A fast growing hedge shrub belongs to the honeysuckle genus. Undemanding to the quality of the soil and watering. The growth per year is 30-35 cm. The height of the finished hedge is 80-130 cm. The combination of bluish-green leaves with pink or white flowers looks very elegant. By the end of summer, unusual berries appear, resembling lumps of snow. They can persist on hedges even in winter.

Evergreen shrubs for hedges

thuja

photo: Thuja Brabant hedge

There are more than 100 varieties of thuja, but two are used for hedges: Brabant and Smaragd. Brabant has a pronounced cone-shaped crown, the height of the bush is up to 4 meters. In a year, thuja grows by 25-30 centimeters. Smaragd is less branched, grows by 20 cm a year. They like well-lit spaces, young plants need to be covered for the winter. To get a dense hedge, thujas are planted at a distance of 50-70 cm.

photo: Thuja smaragd hedge

boxwood

photo: Boxwood fence

It grows rather slowly - up to 15-20 cm per year, but attracts gardeners with its decorative qualities and unpretentiousness. From boxwood, a dense green hedge of the correct geometric shape is obtained. Height - up to 1 meter. Easily rooted, loves warmth. If the cottage is located in a cold region, the box will grow small. In severe frosts, shrubs need to be covered.

photo: Boxwood easily accepts and "holds" geometric shapes

Important! Hedge shrubs such as boxwood are poisonous, so it is not advisable to choose it if there are small children in the family.

Juniper

photo: Juniper fence

Shade-loving plant that tolerates winter well. Juniper does not need to be watered often, it is unassuming to the quality of the soil. For hedges, it is better to choose cone-shaped varieties. Sprawling are used to decorate borders. It grows by 20 cm per year, the height of the bush is up to 1.5 meters. Berries appear on plants older than 2 years. Planted in a checkerboard pattern, the distance between plants is at least 60 cm.

Shrubs for hedges that do not require regular shearing and pruning

Calmia

photo: Calmia as a shrub for hedges

Lush evergreen plant with beautiful flowering. It grows quite quickly - 25-30 cm per year. It is better to plant bushes in partial shade, in loose soil. It does not tolerate stagnant water - the roots quickly rot. Each variety blooms differently. Gardeners prefer broad-leaved, multi-leaved and narrow-leaved kalmia. The height of the shrub is 1-1.5 meters. Flowering occurs at the end of spring.

Spirea Vangutta

photo: Vangutta spirea as a shrub for hedges

Large shrubs for hedges that take up a lot of space. Flexible shoots in spring are covered with spherical white inflorescences. The leaves are toothed, with a bluish tint. It grows rapidly - up to 35 cm per year. In height, the bush can grow up to 2 meters, the diameter of the crown is also 1-2 meters. An unpretentious plant that feels great both in the shade and in the sun.

Shrub caragana

photo: Shrub caragana fence

Bush with openwork leaves and golden flowers. It grows actively, has a powerful root system, therefore it is often used on uneven areas. Karagana can grow up to 2 meters, it is better to plant in well-lit areas or in partial shade. The quality of the soil is unpretentious, withstands frost and drought. The most popular varieties are Globoza, Latifolia, Grandiflor.

What shrubs for hedges can be found in the forest

Deren

photo: Deren shrub hedge

The name of the shrub for the hedge is translated from Latin as "horn". This plant has a very strong bark. In nature, it grows as a small tree or spreading bush. It reaches a height of 3 meters, a width of more than 5 meters. It can bloom twice a season: in late spring and early autumn. Such shrubs for hedges are unpretentious, they take root well both in the shade and in lighted areas. They love humidity. The most popular subspecies are white, offspring and red.

Rose hip

photo: Rosehip fence

A fast growing hedge shrub that adapts well to any environment. Does not require regular pruning, more than 50 species grow in Russia. Fruits appear on plants older than 2 years. Flowering occurs in May-June. It grows by 30-40 cm per year. It reaches 2 meters in height. Likes moist soils and well-lit areas.

Blackberry

photo: Blackberries can be used to create a hedge

In nature, it grows as a shrub or liana. Powerful root system, flexible stem. Even if part of the bush freezes in winter, it quickly recovers. If you put a support next to it, you can get a fence that is more than 2 meters high. Blossoms in June, berries ripen towards the end of August. It does not require special care, the annual growth is from 30 cm. The shrub is rather prickly.

Flowering hedge shrubs

Mahonia holly

photo: Holly mahonia hedge

Belongs to the barberry family. Spectacular fast-growing shrub for hedges, up to 2 meters high. Designers also called it holly grapes for its characteristic carved leaves. In the spring and summer they are green, and in the autumn they are painted in a bronze-red hue. Flowering occurs at the end of spring. Inflorescences are large, painted yellow. For a year, mahonia can grow by 20-25 cm.

forsythia

photo: Forsythia hedge

Such bushes for hedges will decorate any site. In early spring, the plant is covered with golden inflorescences. Flowering continues from late April to June. The branches are long and graceful, grow up to 2 meters. Forsythia needs to be covered for the winter. The best place to land is a well-lit area. In the shade, the bush will bloom weakly. Pruning is done annually. Recommended varieties: oval-leaved, European, Giralda.

Barberry Thunberg

photo: Thunberg barberry hedge

The name of the hedge shrub was given in honor of the Swedish naturalist Carl Thunberg. This subspecies of barberry reaches a height of 2.5 meters. Loves the sun, grows quickly. Foliage can be golden brown, purple, green, burgundy. In May it blooms with white inflorescences, at the end of August fruits are formed. The barberry crown is dense, the hedge is dense. There are dwarf varieties for border gardening.

Characteristics and features of shrubs for hedges

shrub name	Complexity of care	evergreen or not	Flowering	Perennial	Notes
					There are more than 50 types of dogwood. Grows fast.
vesicle					About 20 varieties. Fast growing.
Snowberry					15 types of shrubs. Refers to fast growing.
					Over 100 varieties. Grows slowly.
					More than 100 types. The shrub grows slowly.
Juniper					About 70 species in nature, 15 of them are cultivated. Grows slowly.
					This genus includes 10 species of shrubs. Grows fast.
					There are 90 types of spirea. Showy flowering.
Shrub caragana					The genus Caragana includes 70 species. Grows actively.
					More than 10 types. Grows at an average rate.
Rose hip				There are annual and perennial varieties.	More than 50 species grow in Russia, there are more than 300 of them in the world. It grows rapidly.
				There are annual and perennial varieties.	More than 200 types. Grows fast, needs extra support.
					More than 50 types of mahonia. Grows slowly.
forsythia					6 types of forsythia are known, the most popular is European. Grows slowly.
Barberry		There are deciduous and evergreen varieties.			More than 100 types of barberry. Unpretentious, growing quickly.

Hedge trimming

Mowing and pruning are basic hedge care activities. They help to preserve the beauty of the composition and the health of plants. It is very important to carry out pruning in the period strictly established for each shrub, otherwise you can simply destroy the plant.

First pruning of shrubs in a hedge

Shearing after planting promotes the development of a strong root system and stimulates the growth of shoots:

• For deciduous plants. In the process of pruning, dry and weak shoots are removed. A sprawling bush is cut at a height of 35-40 cm, weak plants - at a height of 15 cm. About 1/3 of the length of the seedlings is left. If the hedge was planted in the fall, pruning is done in the spring. A hedge formed in spring or summer can be put in order after planting.
• For conifers. These shrubs have well-formed crowns, so they are not cut off in the first year. If necessary, only damaged and dried shoots are removed in July-August.

• If the hedge is of a complex shape, it is better for beginners to cut it according to a pattern - it is made of cardboard or chipboard.
• Coniferous hedges are cut in July-August. In autumn, the shoots are not touched, otherwise they may not have time to enter into force and suffer from the cold.
• If you trim your hedge frequently, you need to fertilize. The optimal period is early spring. You can use both compost and multicomponent fertilizers.
• You will need such tools: secateurs, loppers (for thick branches), electric shears (for forming a hedge). It is important that the tool fits comfortably in the hand and is not heavy.

Pruning when the hedge has grown

To keep the hedge looking neat and well-groomed, it needs to be cut. Deciduous bushes are pruned twice a year, conifers - once a year if necessary (if the plants grow poorly). If the hedge is unshaped, it is enough to cut it in the spring. Then the branches will grow thicker, but the shape of the bush will remain natural.

Pruning molded hardwood hedge produced once a month. Coniferous - twice a year, in spring and summer. Columnar shrubs are practically not pruned. Once every few years, thinning of the crowns of deciduous plants is performed - this procedure must be performed in early spring before the buds appear. Old shoots are removed, and new ones are cut by a third.

Important! You need to understand the difference between cutting and trimming. Mowing is simply maintaining the desired shape of the hedge, pruning is the care of the plant. Pruning involves removing excess branches for more intensive growth and density.

Benefits of shrub hedges

The living fence has a lot of advantages:

• This is a great decor for your backyard.
• Provides protection from the wind, retains moisture in the soil.
• Reduces street noise.
• Protects from dust.
• Helps to zone the area. The outer fence can be high and massive, and the inner fence can be low, from 50 cm.

Of the minuses, it should be noted:

• It takes several years for the "living fence" to grow.
• The hedge needs to be looked after (cut, trimmed, watered, fertilized).
• If one of the plants dies, a gap is formed in the fence that cannot be closed so easily.

A hedge will perfectly complement the site in any style! And if you pick up unpretentious plants, then care for them will be reduced to a minimum!