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Hedges and screens are ‘living walls’ and are currently enjoying a revival as people increasingly seek to protect their privacy while avoiding the monotony of wood or chain-link fencing. Sometimes the two can be used together with the fence securing an area and a row of plants in front to soften it. Alternatively, vines can be grown on a fence to create a hedge-like appearance, add colour and improve the screening value. Excessive winds can be baffled or broken by properly placed hedges or screens and dust and wind-borne debris similarly reduced. Consider using ‘barrier’ plants to keep people out of areas where you don’t want them and guide them to areas where you do. Select barrier plants for their density and sturdiness. Thorny or prickly plants, for example, are ideal barriers. Hedges or screens can also be used in foundation plantings to modify, accentuate or soften architectural lines and shapes. They can provide colour and symmetry or a visual interruption to the monotony of a long brick wall or driveway.
FORMAL HEDGES AND SCREENS
Associated more with our rural or natural landscape, informal hedges can be extremely attractive and offer the additional advantage of little or no maintenance. Flowering shrubs such as roses, whose blossoms would be lost by pruning, are colourful and ideal for this purpose. Almost any shrub can be used as a hedge but remember to select a variety suitable to the ultimate height you require.
INFORMAL HEDGES AND SCREENS
 Associated more with our rural or natural landscape, informal hedges can be extremely attractive and offer the additional advantage of little or no maintenance. Flowering shrubs such as roses, whose blossoms would be lost by pruning, are colourful and ideal for this purpose. Almost any shrub can be uses as a hedge but remember to select a variety suitable to the ultimate height your require.
EVERGREEN HEDGES AND SCREENS
Evergreens are extremely valuable for this purpose since they are effective for a full twelve months a year. Additionally, the winter interest of an evergreen dusted with snow is unrivalled in the garden.
PLANTING
Hedging plants are not usually planted in individual holes but rather the hedge line is dug as a trench. Dig it at least 40 cm wide and deep (bigger for larger plants) and incorporate equal parts peat moss and composted manure into the soil. For evergreens, increase amount of peat moss by half. Bare-root plants (available only in April and again in Oct.-Nov.) and small container plants should be spaced 30 cm apart for a full thick hedge. Larger plants can be spaced further apart.
Water the new planting thoroughly and fertilize weekly with Humber Plant Starter 5-20-5 for the first season.
PRUNING AND TRAINING
Deciduous plants should be cut immediately to an equal height by at least one-third. Evergreens such as cedar should have the tops cut back by at least 10 cm and the sides trimmed lightly.
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A deciduous hedge allowed to develop without hard initial pruning. Note the lack of basal shoots.
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A deciduous hedge pruned hard at planting. Dense even growth has resulted throughout the hedge.
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Following is a partial list of plants commonly used for hedging and screening, although many others may be suitable for your situation.
PLANT SELECTION
Prickly or Thorny Plants for Barriers
Genus
Acanthopanax
Berberis
Chaenomeles
Elaeanus
Ilex
Pyracantha
Rosa
Picea
Juniperus |
Common Name
Five Leaf Aralia
Barberry
Flowering Quincy
Russian Olive
Holly
Firethorn
Rose
Spruce
Juniper |
Sun/Shade
Full sun/shade
Full sun
Full sun/part shade
Full sun
Full sun/part shade
Full sun/part shade
Full sun/part shade
Full sun/part shade
Full sun/part shade |
Ideal Plants for Formal Hedges
Genus
Buxus
Thuja
Taxus
Euonymus
Juniperus
Ligustrum
Salix
Ribes |
Common Name
Boxwood
Cedar
Yew
Euonymus
Juniper
Privet
Blue Arctic Willow
Alpine Currant |
Sun/Shade
Full sun/shade
Full sun/part shade
Full sun/shade
Full sun/part/full shade
Full sun/part shade
Full sun/part shade
Full sun
Full sun/shade |
Ideal Vines for Screening
Genus
Parthenocissus
Clematis
Hydrangea
Aristolochia |
Common Name
Virginia Creeper,
Boston Ivy
Clematis
Climbing Hydrangea
Dutchman's Pipe |
Sun/Shade
Full sun/shade
Full sun/shade
Full sun/part shade
Full sun/shade |
Ideal Plants for Informal Hedges
Genus
Rosa
Spiraea
Cornus
Syringa
Forsythia
Juniperus
Viburnum
Sambucus |
Common Name
Rose
Spirea
Dogwood
Lilac
Forsythia
Juniper
Snowball
Elderberry |
Sun/Shade
Full sun/shade
Full sun/shade
Full sun/shade
Full sun/part shade
Full sun/part shade
Full sun/part shade
Full sun/shade
Full sun/part shade |
Plants for Tall Screens
Genus
Acer
Fagus
Elaeagnus
Pinus
Picea
Thuja
Tsuga
Populus
Tilia |
Common Name
Maple
Beech
Russian Olive
Pine
Spruce
Cedar
Hemlock
Poplar
Linden |
Sun/Shade
Full sun/part shade
Full sun/part shade
Full sun
Full sun/part shade
Full sun/part shade
Full sun/part shade
Full sun/shade
Full sun
Full sun/part shade
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