Yew is the most ultimate plant for topiary hedging, used in formal European gardens for centuries. ‘We mostly plant substantial-size plants, as they will grow faster, since they already have large roots that will establish better in the ground.’ 8. Growing tips: ‘Don’t start with seedlings or baby plants,’ advises Irene. I add deciduous ones into the mix (for example, Viburnum x burkwoodii), as well as tall grasses, such as miscanthus.’ Some of the evergreen shrubs I like to use in a hedge include skip laurel, Myrica pensylvanica, Ilex glabra, Prunus lusitanica, yew, euonymus, and andromeda. The Japanese do the same: they mix shrubs and hard prune them into hedges. ‘It is livelier, better for the environment, and easier to maintain. ‘I don’t like the uniformity of traditional hedges, so I prefer to mix shrubs and grasses with perennials for privacy screens,’ says Irene Kalina-Jones, landscape designer at Outside Space NYC (opens in new tab) in New York City. Mixed hedging is a great option for a contemporary wildlife garden, creating a tapestry-like wall of different colours and textures and offering birds and bees a range of food sources. Purchase larger plants in order to create a hedge in less time, and – since its form is columnar – plant them closer together than you would most hedging shrubs. It does not require a lot of pruning, but can be clipped in early autumn. Growing tips: Plant in well-drained soil in sun or semi-shade. virginiana can spread invasively, so opt for other juniper forms, such as ‘Blue Arrow’.’ ‘It is native to the eastern half of the US, very hardy in zones 2 to 9, and a significant source of food and shelter for wildlife. ‘Juniper is an alternative to the ubiquitous arborvitae for creating a privacy screen,’ says Illinois-based landscape designer Carolyn Gange (opens in new tab). Juniperus scopulorum ‘Blue Arrow’ is a conifer with dense ice-blue foliage that looks good all year, but is particularly dazzling during the cold months when it glows in the pale light and has a magical winter-wonderland look. As its name suggests, it is happy in coastal conditions. ‘Pacific wax myrtle is likewise climate adaptable and more drought resistant than traditional hedges.’ Grow in an open position in well-drained soil, in sun or semi-shade. Growing tips: ‘It grows quickly, withstands pruning and shearing or can be let to range as a softer, informal hedgerow,’ says Bethany Rydmark.
‘Its berries support birds and the leaf texture is a pleasant alternative to boxwood.’ ‘As an alternative to more rigid and formal hedges, I love the evergreen Pacific wax myrtle for its dense yet wispy form,’ says Oregon-based landscape architect and garden designer Bethany Rydmark (opens in new tab). Pacific wax myrtle ( Morella californica, Myrica californica, or California wax myrtle) is an upright, fragrant evergreen shrub, native to the west coast of the US, that is fast-growing and long-lived, making it ideal for hedging. In a more sheltered location, it will retain its fox-red leaves well over winter. Unlike dense evergreen hedges, which can be damaged by strong winds, beech is able to filter wind well, meaning it could be used in an exposed site this creates lovely sound when the wind blows, but means the leaves are shed sooner, in turn reducing privacy. Growing tips: An established hedge must be cut in August in order to retain the leaves over winter. ‘Cooper beech hedges are handsome,’ wrote the late great Christopher Lloyd, who created the legendary garden at Great Dixter (opens in new tab) in East Sussex, ‘especially after their annual trim, when the secondary young growth is almost pink and in striking contrast to the mature dark background.’ In summer, the claret-colored leaves form an elegant barrier then, throughout fall and winter, the spent rust-orange leaves remain on the hedge, rustling wonderfully on the breeze, and preserving your privacy. Copper beech forms a sophisticated hedge that can be clipped into neat lines.
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