Add Dimension & Color to Your Garden with the Right Hedges

Creating a beautiful and dynamic landscape can be a challenge, especially when it comes to finding the right plants to add a pop of color. While flowers and shrubs can add bursts of color, they require a lot of maintenance and often have a limited lifespan. But have you considered using colorful hedges?

Hedges are an excellent solution for adding color without the high maintenance requirements of flowers. They are a fantastic way to create beautiful borders or to divide your property into sections.

1. Choose the Right Varieties

When it comes to hedges, there are many different varieties available, each with unique features and growth requirements. For a colorful hedge, consider plants like the Japanese Barberry or the Boxwood, which both have colorful foliage. If you’re looking for flowering hedges, consider the Rose of Sharon or the Forsythia. These are great choices if you wish to add pops of color to your landscape.

2. Plan the Layout of Your Hedge

The first step in creating a beautiful hedge is to plan your layout. Consider the height and width of each plant, as well as their overall growth habits. You don’t want any of your plants to grow too wide or too tall and start crossing over other plants in your landscape. Make sure you know the expected growth rate of the plant, and give them the necessary space they require.

3. Shape Your Hedge

Once you have established the layout of your hedge, it’s time to shape it. You can create a range of shapes, including spheres, pyramids, and rectangles. Shaping your hedge will require regular pruning, so make sure you have the right tools and knowledge to complete the job. When shaping your hedge, make sure that you don’t cut back too much at once and avoid cutting into the woody section of the plant. If you’re unsure, it’s always better to be safe and prune a little at a time.

4. Add Color Contrast

To make your hedges stand out even more, you can try planting them adjacent to plants of different colors. Fine textured ornamental grasses paired with bold leaves can add depth and interest to your landscape. Additionally, blooming plants with bright colors, such as black-eyed susans or dwarf crape myrtle, can be easily added to hedge beds for extra contrast.

5. Maintenance

Finally, it’s essential to maintain your hedges to keep them looking healthy and vibrant. Regular pruning and fertilizing will help your plants grow at their best. You should also be mindful of insect infestations or diseases that the plant might be susceptible to, and take care of any problems promptly.

Conclusion

Hedges can be an effective and rewarding landscape feature. With the right color combinations, these multi-functional plants can create an eye-catching contrast with colorful flowers and shrubs. The best part of using hedges is that they too require minimal maintenance and offer long-term value. Unlike annuals or perennials which are short-lived and often expensive to maintain, hedges bring a lifetime of beauty with minimal effort. So, the next time you’re looking to add a burst of color to your garden or lawn, take some time to consider hedges as part of your design plan. You won’t regret it!