The Best Evergreen Hedge

Choices

• Take a close look at the site where the hedge will go and at the needs it must fill. Washington State University considers three questions important to this determination: the amount of sun at the desired location; the height of the hedge needed to create privacy or protection; and the overall design of the hedge. Hedges are planted in full or partial shade, have formal or informal designs and have heights ranging from 1 foot upward. Other considerations include the amount of maintenance required and the size of the planting area including overhead and underground limitations.

Most Common Used

• Popular evergreens for hedges range from trees such as the linden cypress and cedars, to shrubs such as arborvitae and lilac, to bushes such as English yew or roses. Many plants became common for hedges due to their longevity and ability to ward off diseases as well as the many variations within species. Popular cedars include Thuja occidentalis "Smaragd" and western red cedar (Thuja plicata). Popular arborvitae species include Pyrimidalis, Emerald Green, Degroot's Spire and Holmstrup. The Vancouver Sun adds more to the list with English yew and English laurel, both used for their deep colors and density.

To Screen Windows

• Using hedges around windows has two benefits along with aesthetics: protection and privacy. According to an article in the Vancouver Sun, the Japanese barberry makes a window above it burglar-proof. Japanese holly and boxwoods kept short make protective barriers when mass-planted. Rhododendrons planted close together and trained also create privacy and shade in front of windows when planted in locations with morning sun and afternoon shade.

For Privacy

• Arborvitae was once a standard for privacy planting, along with pine, spruce and other needle-leaf varieties. Today a mix of various plants is recommended to avoid once common issues. The National Arboretum cites an example in which Leyland cypress was used exclusively around the Washington metro area. A fungal disease strikes a single tree and spreads outward, thereby creating large gaps in the screen as the evergreens die. A single type of tree creates perfect conditions for diseases to spread. The National Arboretum recommends using a variety of plant materials such as spruce, pine and holly.

Fast Growers

• Plant laurels such as English, Portuguese or wax-leaf privets when you want fast-growing thick hedges. Trim these hedges yearly unless you want very them tall. Laurels grow up to 20 feet and privets reach 12 feet, states the National Arboretum.

By Size

• Identify the best hedge for your needs by the scale required. Both large and small evergreens exist. Examples provided by the National Arboretum include large arborvitae plants such as Picea orientalis, Pinus strobus "Fastigiata" and Thuja plicata "Virescens." Each grows to heights between 35 to 40 feet with average widths of 7 to 15 feet. The National Arboretum lists small scale examples of arborvitae such as Juniperus chinensis "Spartan,"Juniperus virginiana "Emerald Sentinel," Taxus x media "Flushing" and Myrica cerifera.