Choosing A Hedge Shrub 

The kind of hedge shrub you choose will depend largely on your needs and how much attention you want to give it. It also depends on how much sun you get, the quality of your soil, and any other factors that go into choosing any kind of plant.

First, ask yourself how much time you want to invest in your hedge. If you have little time for pruning, then you should look at a hedge shrub such as forsythia or privet. If, however, you want a more formal hedge shrub, and you have the time to invest in keeping it pruned, your options are much broader.

A second question to ask yourself is how much sun or shade a particular area gets. Check the sun requirements of your favorite hedge shrubs to see if they are suited to your area. If you have a sunny location, your choices are going to be much greater than for shade.

Third, what kind of soil and water can you give your hedge shrub? Again, look at the requirements for the shrub, just as you would for any plant; a hedge shrub that needs good drainage and rich soil isn't going to do well in clay or churt unless you amend the soil heavily beforehand and keep it maintained afterwards. Better to find a shrub that grows well in your existing conditions!

Fourth, what is the purpose of your hedge? Is it purely decorative, or does it serve as a privacy screen or create an outdoor room in your garden? Deciduous plants and low-growing shrubs are a poor choice for privacy screens, although they may do very well for defining a space. Hedges designed for adding extra security to a property do best with hedge shrubs that have thorns, such as roses, holly, or Japanese barberry.

Finally, one of the most important considerations in choosing your hedge shrub is to ask yourself, "What do I like?" By now, you should have narrowed the almost-endless selection of hedge shrubs down to the ones that suit your purpose, fit your area, and go well with your sun and soil. Now ask yourself which one you really like. Which one is best for you? A hedge shrub is a personal thing; you may be looking at it for a long time to come. Make sure it's one you enjoy!

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