Blog: Cold Hardy Hedges (2024)

FAQs

Can hedges survive winter? ›

They can be evergreen or deciduous depending on the type of hedge you need. Evergreen hedges provide a dense wall of privacy all year round as well as some deciduous hedges that have leaves that persist through the winter.

Whatever the form or function of your hedge, and whether you choose evergreen or deciduous plants, spacing out those plants correctly for your needs is vital. Too close and you will have an overgrown mess that will quickly thin out at the bottom – besides costing you more than it should to plant.

Rolls and rolls of burlap are needed to cover my hedges and shrubs each winter. After every season, any burlap still in good condition is saved for use the following year.

In winter, many plants enter a period of dormancy. While dormant, plants slow down or completely cease growing to conserve their strength for when conditions improve – that is, once spring comes and the weather warms. Broadly speaking, the best time to trim your hedges is in late winter.

Trimming the top encourages the sides to grow out further, thickening your hedge.

Spacing plants in hedges is another matter. Plants must be spaced closer together to form a full, dense screen. Low hedge plants (3 to 4 feet high) should be spaced about 18 inches apart. Tall hedge plants will need to be spaced 3 to 4 feet apart.

Pruning and trimming overgrown hedges is an essential gardening skill that involves removing the dead or overgrown stems, roots and branches on hedges, trees and shrubs. By trimming each year, it encourages healthier, thicker and more symmetrical growth of your plants. Something that every gardener wants.

Known as the King of Hedges, the English Yew Hedge Plant (Taxus baccata) is an evergreen species with an elegantly stylish appearance. A true British classic, English Yew is the most popular conifer hedge, admired for its versatility, ease of maintenance and year-round interest.

Holly. Many species of holly work well as hedge plants. Smaller hollies, such as yaupon holly, meserve holly, and inkberry (pictured here), are the easiest types to use because they don't require much pruning. Many varieties of holly bear red or orange berries but may require a male pollinator nearby.

Bulbs have got to be your go-to companions for underplanting shady hedges and under canopies. Bluebells, Crocus, Daffodils, Muscari, Snowdrops, Snake's head fritillaria, Snowdrops and Sweet Woodruff mean you'll never be short of stunning plants in the shade.

What is the fastest growing shrub for a hedge? ›

GREEN GIANT ARBORVITAE

This hybrid Thuja typically grows 3 feet per year, with some reports circulating of it growing 5 feet in one year! If you need a fast-growing, large, evergreen Arborvitae hedge, Green Giant is a perfect choice.

As winter progresses, the ground freezes and the sun and wind evaporate more water from the leaves or needles than the plant can uptake to replace it, and the plant gradually turns from green to brown, bronze, or even orange or purple.

Meanwhile, you will be able to enjoy the elegant autumn colour of your common beech hedge during even the winter months, when most other deciduous hedging plants have shed their foliage and, as a result, look rather monotonous.

During a temporary cold snap, cover entire shrubs with burlap, sheets or blankets for insulation. For the best protection, use a frame to prevent the covering from touching the plants. Extend the cover all the way to the ground to retain heat radiating from the soil.