Looking for a beautiful, year-round solution for your yard? Evergreen shrubs for hedges are the perfect choice for privacy screens. They give you a living wall that stays lush and green through every season, blocking unwanted views and softening noise. Let’s look at how to pick, plant, and care for the best ones.
A good hedge does more than just mark a boundary. It creates a private sanctuary for your family, protects your garden from wind, and provides vital habitat for birds. Evergreen shrubs are the backbone of this structure because they never drop all their leaves. You get consistent coverage, winter interest, and a solid framework for your landscape.
Evergreen Shrubs For Hedges
The key to success is choosing the right shrub for your specific conditions. Not every evergreen will thrive in every garden. You need to consider your climate, the amount of sun your space gets, and how tall you need the screen to be. Here are some of the most reliable and popular choices.
For Formal, Clipped Hedges:
These shrubs have small, dense leaves and respond well to regular shearing. They create a very neat, architectural look.
* Boxwood (Buxus): A classic choice for low to medium hedges. It’s slow-growing, which means less frequent trimming. Prefers partial sun and well-drained soil. Watch for boxwood blight in humid areas.
* Yew (Taxus): Incredibly tolerant of shade and can be pruned hard if needed. It forms a very dense, dark green wall. All parts of the plant are poisonous, so avoid if you have pets or small children that might nibble on it.
* Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus): Has large, glossy leaves and grows quite fast. It’s excellent for a tall, imposing screen quickly. Prefers some shade in hotter climates.
For Informal, Natural Hedges:
These shrubs offer seasonal interest with flowers or berries and require less precise pruning. They’re great for a softer, more wildlife-friendly barrier.
* Holly (Ilex): Many varieties, like ‘Nellie R. Stevens,’ have beautiful berries and spiny leaves that deter intruders. Most need a male pollinator nearby to produce berries.
* Arborvitae (Thuja): A very common and fast-growing option for tall screens. The ‘Emerald Green’ variety is a narrow column, perfect for tight spaces. Can be prone to bagworms and deer browsing.
* Privet (Ligustrum): While some are deciduous, evergreen types like ‘Waxleaf Privet’ are tough, fast-growing, and adapt to many soils. It can become invasive in some regions, so check local guidelines.
For Unique Texture and Color:
Don’t overlook shrubs that add something special beyond just green foliage.
* Camellia: Imagine a privacy hedge that also provides stunning winter flowers. They prefer acidic soil and protection from harsh afternoon sun.
* Osmanthus: Often called false holly, it has fragrant fall flowers and holly-like leaves. It’s a slow-growing, low-maintenance gem.
* Photinia ‘Red Robin’: New growth is a brilliant red, giving your hedge a colorful flair throughout the growing season. It’s vigorous and needs regular pruning to look its best.
How to Plant Your Hedge for Success
Proper planting is the most important step. Rushing this can lead to poor growth and unhealthy plants. Follow these steps to give your hedge a strong start.
1. Plan and Measure. Decide on the final height and thickness you want. For a dense screen, you’ll plant shrubs closer together than their mature width. A common rule is to space them at about half their mature spread. Mark your planting line with string and stakes.
2. Prepare the Soil. Don’t just dig a hole in unprepared ground. Loosen the soil along the entire planting trench, about twice as wide as the root balls. Mix in some compost to improve drainage and fertility. Good drainage is critical for most evergreens.
3. Dig the Holes. Each hole should be as deep as the root ball and two to three times as wide. Gently tease out any circling roots before placing the shrub in the hole. The top of the root ball should be level with or slightly above the surrounding soil.
4. Plant and Water. Backfill with the native soil, firming it gently as you go to remove air pockets. Create a small soil berm around the base to form a watering basin. Give each plant a thorough, deep watering immediately after planting to settle the soil.
Pruning and Maintenance Tips
A little regular care keeps your hedge thick and healthy for decades. The goal is to encourage dense growth from the bottom up.
The First Prune: Don’t wait! For most shrubs, give them a light trim immediately after planting. This encourages them to branch out low from the start. A common mistake is letting them grow tall and thin before pruning, which results in a bare bottom.
The Secret Shape: Always prune your hedge so that it is wider at the bottom than the top. This is called a tapered or A-shape. It allows sunlight to reach the lower branches, preventing them from dying back and leaving you with a leggy, bare base.
When to Prune: The best time is late winter or early spring, just before new growth starts. You can do a second, lighter trim in mid-summer if needed. Avoid heavy pruning in late fall, as new growth may not harden off before frost. For spring-flowering shrubs like camellia, prune right after they bloom so you don’t cut off next year’s flower buds.
Feeding and Watering: Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring. A layer of mulch around the base (but not touching the stems) helps retain moisture and suppress weeds. During the first two years and in dry spells, deep watering is essential. Established hedges are more drought-tolerant but will appreciate water during extended dry periods.
Troubleshooting Common Hedge Problems
Even the best hedges can run into issues. Here’s how to spot and fix common problems.
* Brown Patches: This can be from winter burn (wind and sun scald), drought, pest damage, or disease. Identify the cause before treating. Browning on one side is often winter burn; browning in scattered patches may be fungal.
* Sparse, Leggy Growth: Usually means the hedge isn’t getting enough sun or hasn’t been pruned correctly. You can try a hard renovation prune for some species, cutting back into old wood in spring. Not all evergreens (like pine or spruce) will regrow from bare wood.
* Pests: Keep an eye out for scale insects, spider mites, and bagworms. Often, a strong blast of water from a hose can dislodge mites. For others, horticultural oil applied in dormant season can help. Proper plant health is the best defense.
Designing With Your Privacy Screen
Think beyond a straight line. A hedge can be a dynamic part of your garden design.
Consider planting a curved hedge to add softness and make a small yard feel larger. You can also layer hedges by planting a lower-growing variety in front of a taller one. This adds depth and fullness. Mixing different types of evergreens with complementary textures can create a stunning, multi-dimensional effect, though it requires more skill to prune.
Remember to check local ordinances about fence and hedge heights, especially near property lines or street corners. It’s also a good neighbor practice to discuss your plans if the hedge will be on a shared boundary.
FAQ
What is the fastest growing evergreen for a privacy hedge?
Leyland Cypress and Arborvitae are among the fastest, often growing 3 feet or more per year. However, fast growth often means more frequent pruning and sometimes weaker wood.
What is the best low maintenance evergreen hedge?
For a balance of toughness and looks, consider Cherry Laurel or certain holly varieties. They grow at a moderate pace, need less frequent pruning than very fast growers, and are generally disease-resistant.
How far from the fence should I plant my evergreen hedge?
Plant at least half the shrub’s mature width away from the fence. This gives it room to grow, allows for air circulation to prevent disease, and lets you get behind it for trimming. For a 6-foot-wide shrub, plant 3 feet from the fence line.
Can I grow an evergreen hedge in full shade?
Full, deep shade is challenging. Some of the best options for heavy shade are Yew (Taxus) and certain types of Aucuba. They will grow more slowly in shade but can still form an effective screen.
How long does it take for a hedge to fill in?
This depends completly on the plant and spacing. Fast-growers planted close together may form a solid screen in 2-3 years. Slower growers like boxwood might take 5-7 years. Proper care significantly speeds up the process.
Choosing and growing evergreen shrubs for hedges is a rewarding project. It’s an investment that pays you back with beauty, privacy, and a greener world right outside your window. With the right plant in the right place and some simple annual care, you’ll have a perfect privacy screen for many years to come. Take your time selecting, plant with care, and enjoy watching your living wall thrive.