What are the most common hedges?
Hedges can be either evergreen or deciduous, depending on the type of leaves they have. Evergreen hedges have left all year round and are less common than those that lose their leaves in autumn. Deciduous hedges reproduce a new layer of branches annually but there’s a period during winter when they don’t grow any new branches, which means the hedgerow also loses its leaves each year.
It might seem like hedges are similar, but if you want to create an attractive garden with them – it is important to know what types exist and what is better suited for your needs!
First of all, there are two main groups of hedging plants: flowering hedges and popularised hedges. A flowering hedgerow is just what its name suggests – hedges that have flowers. They are often referred to as ‘flowering hedges’ because the flowers of these hedges are usually used in flower arrangements. Topiarised hedges, on the other hand, are shrub hedges that feature leaves or needles rather than flower buds.
More specific types of hedging plants are available for purchase nowadays so there’s no need to stick with what you see in this article if none of them suit your needs! You can be creative when it comes to building a garden and selecting the most appropriate bushes for your yard.
Evergreen flowering hedgerows
If you’re looking for an evergreen hedger that will provide year-round hedging, you need to check out the most common types of hedgerows: yew hedges and privet hedges.
Yews, which are evergreen trees, are often confused with holly hedges but it’s easy to distinguish between them because yew bushes have flat leaves while hollies have spiky ones. These hedges are great for formal hedgerows since they grow in neat shapes – perfect if you want your garden or lawn to be perfectly symmetrical! Yew hedges may not be as popular as other types but they’re gaining popularity among gardening fans.
Privet hedges are another type that is suited for creating a classic English-style garden. They can grow into any shape you want and hedges of this type can have a height of more than 4 meters! Privet hedgerows are also quite popular because they flower from spring to autumn which means you don’t need to wait for them to turn green before they start looking beautiful.
Evergreen topiaries hedges
Topiarised hedging plants, as mentioned above, feature needles not flowers. The best-known types include box hedges and yew hedges. They’re great if you’re looking for an evergreen hedge that won’t take too long to establish. Box hedges (often referred to as boxwood hedges) grow quickly and will therefore provide fast results after planting them – perfect if you need your hedgerows right away! This hedging type is known for being the most durable hedgerow as its leaves stay green during winter as well.
Yews, on the other hand, look extremely beautiful at night when they’re illuminated by floodlights. They provide a very formal look and perfect hedges for topiarising include those with needles that are around 4 inches or 10 centimeters long! So if you want hedges of this type to feature a uniform appearance, go for hedgerows with needle-shaped leaves.
Deciduous flowering hedgerows
In case you prefer hedges that lose their leaves in autumn – there’s another group of deciduous shrubs that can provide all-year-round beauty: flowering hedgerows! The best-known types of hedges include hornbeam hedges and laburnum hedges.
Laburnums, which are also known as golden chain trees, can be planted in spring or autumn. If you plant them in spring, they’ll provide hedging by the end of summer and you won’t even need to wait for years before your hedgerow grows into a reliable shelter for your outdoor space! They’re perfect if you want your hedging to grow quickly and at the same time block noise from roads or railways.
Hornbeams, on the other hand, look great when their leaves change color in autumn – orange, yellow or brown shades add an interesting dimension to any garden. This type is not so common because it requires a lot of maintenance and hedgerows that have been neglected will quickly lose their leaves. However, hornbeams hedges are ideal if you’re looking for hedges that grow into a dome shape.
Deciduous popularised hedges
Other types of hedging plants include deciduous popularised hedgerows. You can select a type of your choice from the following list: birch hedges, linden hedges, privet hedges, and hazel hedgers. If you want to know more about these bushes, read on!
Birch hedging is extremely popular because it provides an elegant look – perfect to create a formal hedge. Usually, it features dark green leaves with light-colored bark that can make hedges look much lighter. One another thing that makes hedgerows of this type so popular is because birches can grow into any shape you want!
Linden hedging also provides an enchanting sight – their beautiful flowers are loved by bees and other insects which makes hedgerows of this type perfect if you want to attract wildlife in your garden. This hedging type features soft grey bark, heart-shaped leaves, and fragrant yellow flower clusters. Linden hedges are extremely easy to maintain so if you wish to have a neat hedge, go for hedgerows with leaves featuring pointed tips.
Hazel hedgers have similar characteristics as box hedges since they’re evergreen but they feature yellow flowers instead of white ones. This hedging type is very popular because hedgerows of this type don’t take too long to develop and provide a perfect shelter by the second year after planting. On the other hand, privet hedges can make wonderful hedges but they require regular pruning – hedgerows that have been neglected usually sprout leaves from all sides which makes them lose their pristine shape easily.