It would seem that it’s easier than ever to fence ourselves off from the outside world with a hedge: plant shrubs, trees or liana-like plants for yourself around the perimeter of the site - that's all the wisdom. But each hedge, created with his own hands, is a real work of art, which is not given to everyone. This requires knowledge, painstaking work and even design taste. A hedge is planted even inside the site.
Types of hedges and plants for them
The creation of a living fence begins with the choice of the type, shape, size of plants and the type of fence, because green fences are:
- different in height: low, medium, high;
- multi-row or single-row;
- coniferous, deciduous, mixed;
- soft, prickly;
- evergreen or deciduous;
- formed or free growing.
Only specific plants are suitable for each item. The length of the hedge and the number of plants required to create it directly depend on the shape of the green fence: the more bizarre it is, the more seedlings you will have to buy and the longer it will turn out.
Low
A low hedgerow is used to highlight, emphasize or accentuate attention to any element of the site. The height of low fences is from 0.2 to 1.0 m. Fences measuring 0.2 - 0.5 m are also called curbs. Zoning of plantings is carried out with such fences. A low hedge has a unique function - it increases the decorative effect of the site.
Planting slow-growing, densely branched, small-leaved shrubs from freely growing or formed species, we get curbs. Deciduous low living fences are obtained from brilliant cotoneaster, weigela, Japanese spirea. They are made from barberry, Fortune euonymus, action. Low-growing shrubs - Cossack juniper, boxwood, black spruce, microbiota - these are plants that are used as evergreen low green fences.
Formed borders are made of officinalis rosemary, low sarococcus, variegated resin seed, evergreen boxwood, and nodding honeysuckle. Free-growing borders - from Japanese spirea, Russian broom, Potentilla shrub. Suitable for them are heather, erika, Japanese henomeles, holly mahonia. Borders are created from undersized or dwarf plant species, for example, from globular or heather-like western thuja or common nest-like spruce. They are planted along paths, paths, in front of a house or outbuildings.
To create low fences of bizarre shapes, boxwood is best suited - it perfectly tolerates any metamorphosis with branches.
Average
A hedge with a height of 1.0 - 2.0 m is considered average. This species includes the largest number of trees and shrubs. Medium hedges are often used as fences, and they also serve as a separation or zoning function on the site. For such a fence, plants are selected that have been tested by the climatic conditions of the area. These are unpretentious, winter-hardy, fast-growing crops that quickly recover from damage or haircuts, as well as plants with increased immunity to diseases and pests. They are divided into 2 categories:
- deciduous thornless - black cotoneaster, brilliant cotoneaster, common privet, white and blood-red turf, meadowsweet;
- prickly - common barberry, scarlet pyracantha, narrow-leaved sucker.
Especially for the creation of medium fences, landscape designers recommend planting hornbeam, thuja, juniper, hawthorn. These types tolerate shaping well with a haircut.
High
These include fences with a height of more than two meters. The main function is to fence the site, protect the area from noise, dust, wind. A tall living fence is often referred to as a wall. Tatar maple, golden honeysuckle, western thuja, small-leaved bush linden are suitable for them. Small-leaved elm, Berlin poplar, Siberian hawthorn are good.
For unformed fences, Hungarian or common lilacs, Tatar honeysuckle, common mock orange, spikelet irga, Siberian apple tree are suitable. To coniferous hedges: spruce - Canadian, prickly, ordinary; juniper - medium, Chinese columnar; cypress - pea, Lawson.
A coniferous wall is considered unpretentious in care, good for health (coniferous crops emit more phytoncides than deciduous trees). The disadvantage of conifers is the accumulation of dust and dirt on the needles, so they need to be cleaned.
To create forming living walls, common spruce, common hornbeam, white willow, linden, thuja are suitable. Living high hedges make complex: wooden, stone or metal fences with climbing plants on them. For example, vines (ivy, hydrangea), or flowering shrubs (wild rose, rose, spirea, lilac).
If the site is small, the territory can be fenced off with fruit or berry crops: cherry plum, irga, apple, viburnum, buckthorn.
Such a hedge in the country will perform two functions: it will yield a crop, and also protect the site from winds and unwanted guests.
Fast growing plants
To create fast-growing hedges, plants are used that, 1-3 years after planting, will fully correspond to the desired effect. Such crops are called fast growing. Such species are found in shrubs and trees. These include annual liana-like plants.
Annual fast growing plants
They have the highest growth rate - during the season they add up to 3 m in length. Disadvantages of annuals:
- they will have to be planted every year;
- without support, they will not become a fence.
Positive sides:
- a support serves as a growth restrictor for them;
- most of them are flowering herbs;
- do not require trimming and garters.
Annual vines that have reached the top of the support will grow further, but in a different direction.
The best annual fast-growing plants: sweet peas, twisted pans (morning glory), decorative beans, dolichos. Another advantage of flowering annuals is that the fence turns out to be, as it were, created from flowers.
Fast growing shrubs
This option is suitable for those who want to get at least a low green fence in a couple of years. A fast-growing perennial hedge of shrubs requires a lot of time, labor, because they need constant pruning. Regular pruning achieves an increase in the density of the branches, the growth of green mass. Crop Names for Fast Growing Fence:
Barberry... The main difference is the high decorative effect of the hedge during flowering and fruiting. The types of barberry are used, which attract attention with their foliage. The plant has a pleasant, delicate aroma of flowers.
Hawthorn... A tall, deciduous shrub with a round, dense crown and red thorny shoots, often used for hedges. White or pink flowers of the shrub are large and beautiful.
Rose hip... He has beautiful scarlet or pale scarlet flowers, original, and besides, medicinal fruits. Suitable for outdoor living fences because the plant has thorns.
Thorn... A highly branched bush that grows up to four meters in height. When it grows, the fence becomes impassable. Fruiting in 2-3 years after planting. Suitable for outdoor hedges - it is prickly.
Cotoneaster... Shade-tolerant and unpretentious, up to 5 m tall, with a lush crown and dark shiny leaves. The fruits of the cotoneaster are edible.
Spirea... 2m long deciduous shrubs suitable for emerging fences. Some types of spirea have unusual foliage that changes color depending on the season. The leaves of the spirea are purple-red, bright orange or yellow. The flowers of the bush are white.
Fast growing trees
Fast-growing trees with shrubs require constant pruning and shaping, otherwise the hedge becomes unattractive, neglected, even ugly. There are coniferous and deciduous fast-growing varieties. Conifers include:
- thuja - differs in species diversity, forms, amenable to haircut;
- fir - tolerates drought, low temperatures, has many varieties;
- juniper is a medicinal plant, multi-cultivar.
To deciduous:
- sea buckthorn - creates an impassable, six-meter barrier that requires trimming;
- maple is a forty-meter, winter-hardy deciduous tree that requires pruning;
- poplar - decorative deciduous, very tall (up to 60 m) tree;
- mountain ash - unpretentious, winter-hardy, drought-resistant, flowering, fruiting;
- birch - frost-resistant, does not need pruning;
- willow - unpretentious to care for, multi-species, requires constant crown formation, hygrophilous.
Deciduous and coniferous fast-growing trees have their own advantages and disadvantages, which must be taken into account, based on specific climatic conditions, soil composition, and the desired effect.
Shade-tolerant bushes
There is no garden or area that does not have shaded areas. Even grass does not want to grow in these places, and ornamental crops, not receiving enough heat and light, often suffer from insects, snails, and diseases. In such places, only shade-tolerant or shade-loving bushes are planted under a living fence. The difference between them is obvious: shade-loving bushes prefer to grow away from the sun; shade-tolerant shrubs love light, but grow well in the shade.
Of the bushes that prefer shade, there are:
Honeysuckle... This is a tall shrub to match the tree (about 2.5 m), easily tolerating frost, and besides, with edible fruits. Advantages of the culture: it is slightly damaged by pests and diseases, it quickly grows in height and width, it is not cut off until the age of seven.
Mexican jasmine... Beautifully flowering, and several times during the growing season, shrub with a maximum height of 3 meters. Jasmine flowers exude a citrus scent. Disadvantages: requires protection from frost, does not like to get a haircut, grows slowly.
Hazel... A shrub in need of constant sanitary pruning, feeding with phosphorus-nitrogen fertilizers. When a bush grows in a hedge, the crown is formed from 4-8 thick branches. This is a fruiting shrub, but the abundance of the crop depends on the degree of illumination - the more light falls on the bush, the higher the yield will be.
Only young branches bear fruit, so annual pruning (rejuvenation) is recommended, after which three old trunks are left. In a dense shady area, such unpretentious hedge shrubs as brilliant honeysuckle, common privet, holly mahonia, snowberry, St. John's wort do not lose their decorative qualities. They have a simple appearance, characteristic color of leaves, there are fruits.
Raspberry bushes grow well in damp shady places. The advantage of the bushes is beautiful, abundant flowering, tasty fruits. The downside of the shrub is that it grows very quickly. Hydrangeas with willows are suitable for fencing in such places, although varietal hydrangeas bloom weakly in such a place. In densely shady areas, the apical pazyhandra (borders) is planted - a slow-growing shrub of the boxwood family. It is not damaged by pests and diseases, does not require shelter, but only grows on dry soil. In semi-shady areas with heavy soils, sod, flowering weigela, spirea, barberry (Ottawa, Tunberg) are planted. Potentilla with forsythia looks interesting. Shade-tolerant bushes include: winged euonymus, paniculate or tree-like hydrangea, red viburnum, Tatar honeysuckle, black elderberry.
A common disadvantage of plants of green fences planted in shady places is a decrease in decorative qualities, a decrease in the yield of bushes, an increase in the likelihood of the appearance of diseases or pests.
Ornamental bushes
Almost all bushes that are used as hedges are decorative. They are subdivided into flowering, decorative deciduous, and coniferous. Breeders have created a huge number of varieties, choosing from which the required plant is not easy. To achieve a constantly blooming hedge, crops are selected that bloom alternately. And if they still bear fruit, then such a fence will decorate the site even in late autumn. Flowering shrubs for hedges:
- Syrian hibiscus;
- Japanese spirea;
- hydrangea;
- fragrant mock-orange;
- multi-flowered rose;
- action;
- Juliana's barberry;
- Tatar honeysuckle;
- common rosehip.
Ornamental foliage plants for hedges, in which the main advantage is beautiful foliage:
- yellow-bordered, white, silvery turf;
- Japanese quince;
- holly mahonia;
- viburnum vesicle;
- mountain ash-leaved fieldfare;
- black (variegated) elderberry;
- Japanese Spirea Goldflame;
- purple willow.
Conifers: cypress, cryptomeria, pyracantha, microbiota.
Thorny species
Plants with thorns are used in landscaping to form outdoor living fences. With their help, impassable fences are created along the entire perimeter of the site.
The most impenetrable fences are obtained from thorns, yellow acacia, hawthorn, and the highest - from yew, thuja, juniper, spruce.
A spiky fence is formed by:
- hawthorns - large-thorny, Siberian, blood-red, round-leaved, common, monopathic;
- barberries - Amur, common, tunberg;
- roses - thorny, cinnamon, wrinkled (rugosa), dog;
- rose hip;
- turn;
- prickly eleutherococcus;
- Manchu Aralia;
- Chinese prinsepia.
Unpretentious plants
All plants require care. This is especially true of the crops from which green living fences are created, as they must keep their shape. It takes a lot of time, and it takes a lot of skill with dexterity.
But there are plants, care (haircut) for which is minimized. Plants for tall hedges: yellow acacia, almost all types of barberries and hawthorns. For medium living fences - a brilliant cotoneaster, spirea - gray, van gutta, oak-leaved, arguta. Suitable for curbs or low ones: kurilian tea (cinquefoil), Japanese spiraea, tunberg barberry, boomald spirea, boxwood.
Spirea is an ideal low-maintenance plant for hedges. They are compact, bloom late (second half of summer). There are varieties with decorative leaves ("golden princess"). But the willow hedge is unpretentious to the environmental conditions and to the soil, but it needs constant pruning, as it starts up a lot of growth.
Coniferous hedge
Coniferous living fences have many advantages, although there are also some disadvantages. Their main advantage is that they look equally good, green all year round. The coniferous hedge is an evergreen hedge for a summer residence.
In addition, conifers are thorny, so they are suitable for creating external fences. Due to the high density of plantings, such crops are better than others to be able to protect the site from dust, noise, winds, and also become an excellent background for crops growing inside the site. To create hedges from coniferous crops with your own hands, it is recommended to plant:
- thuyu emerald, western or varietal: columna, reingold, fastigiata, brabant;
- juniper, Cossack, Virginian, ordinary or its columnar or pyramidal varieties: suecik, hibernica, buffalo, tamariskifolia;
- spruce - common, gray, prickly, echinoformis, Gregorian;
- berry yew, its decorative varieties: robusta, aurea;
- decorative forms of cypress: ellvody, alumi, kolumnaris, goldenwonder;
- Siberian fir;
- Scotch pine, mountain.
When buying seedlings, pay attention to the correct spelling of the variety. If the name is spelled incorrectly or incorrectly, then it is likely that this planting material was not grown in a nursery. As a result, you can buy a plant that is not at all what you wanted.
The positive qualities of coniferous hedges are uniformity, consistency, rigor, the ability to withstand haircuts. Green hedges have disadvantages - they grow slowly. If at least one plant falls out of the row, then another in its place will not grow to the required height soon.
Climbing plants
Almost all climbing plants that can be planted in hedges are fast growing. The basic rule, without which the fence will not work, they need support. The height of the support will determine the height of the hedge.
Maiden grapes... It is a perennial climbing culture. It is frost-resistant, therefore, does not require shelter for the winter. Maiden grapes are not attacked by pests, do not get sick, do not require special soil, grows well in the shade. Positive qualities - decorative foliage (dark crimson), rapid growth. Negative - annual pruning of heavily overgrown, broken, old lashes. A dense hedge is formed 3-4 years after planting.
Honeysuckle honeysuckle... This is a shade-tolerant, beautifully flowering fast-growing liana. To make the fence original, several varieties of honeysuckle are used at once. Due to the different flowering times, the fence will bloom throughout the growing season. Moreover, with timely pruning of wilted buds, honeysuckle blooms again. Honeysuckle is not a capricious culture, it only requires shaping with watering.
Ivy... Liana grows best in areas with a mild, temperate climate. The disadvantage of the plant is that it cannot stand hot sunlight and sultry air. Prefers moist soil, coolness.
Hop... This is an aggressive vine. She loves the sun, is unpretentious, quickly covers the support. The culture is valued for its decorative qualities: beautiful leaves, fragrant flowers. Hop cones are used medicinally.
Campsis... Creepers have large tubular flowers that are yellow, orange or red. The decorativeness of the culture is emphasized by its unpretentiousness to care, the place of growth. Campsis needs sun, mild winters, support. The plant tolerates drought, frost-resistant, although it needs shelter for the winter. This vine is a fast growing plant that requires annual pruning.
All climbing crops have one prerequisite - regular pruning.
What plants are better not to plant
There are plants that, although they grow well, are not suitable for hedges. For example, varietal types of lilacs, having a compact crown, expose the lower part with age. But wild lilacs: drooping, gray, Amur, Hungarian are suitable for creating a wall. Wild plants grow quickly, form a voluminous, dense fence, are resistant to pests and diseases, and are unpretentious in care. Red viburnum is also not a suitable plant for hedges, although it has a decorative appearance. Viburnum is susceptible to attacks by pests that can eat the bush completely.
There are plants on which intermediate phases of diseases "live". Rust spores develop well on junipers, so it is better not to fence off an area with garden trees with this plant.
Rose hips, fieldfare, irga, raspberries - all these are fruit bushes, with which you will not end up with a hassle. These crops are spread very quickly by root suckers, so they can "swallow" the entire area. Lilac also belongs to the "scatter" crops. Although the growth rate of these plants is easy to control, they should be planted in areas where they will not interfere with other crops.
You should not plant crops that are afraid of frost or frost, because they will freeze slightly, so you will have to plant new bushes in the hedge. For example, weigela, a varietal crop, is afraid of frost and frost, but its wild-growing species is frost-resistant.
If the hedge has been badly damaged by frost, diseases or pests, you can carry out a radical rejuvenation - cut down all the plants, leaving 20 cm of hemp. They will give rise to new growth, which will eventually turn into a new green fence. Plants that quickly lose their decorative appearance are not suitable. So, jasmine mock-orange after flowering becomes unsightly.
These uniform type hedge shrubs are best avoided, although they will look decent in mixed stands.
Landing rules
When planning to make a living fence in the country, they are studying the rules for planting plants from which it will be created.
The main rule is to adhere to technologies, crop planting dates. So that their survival rate is higher, and the hedge is denser and more decorative, young plants are planted. For deciduous shrubs and trees, the optimal age of seedlings is 2-3 years, for conifers - 3-5.
Large-sized planting material is used only with a closed root system in special containers. It is suitable for creating free-growing hedges, but for a fence that is being cut, it is not suitable, since it must be formed by oneself from the first year of life.
The advantage is you get a live fence in one day. But quickly creating a green fence, get ready to deal with its shortcomings - the slow adaptation of plants to new growing conditions and a lot of money, because adult plants are expensive.
When transporting seedlings, make sure that their roots do not dry out: the root system is placed in plastic bags with wet sawdust.
Step-by-step instructions for planting a hedge is as follows.
Preparation of the land strip
First, determine the place where the fence will pass. To protect the neighbors, prevent the roots of plants from the hedge from penetrating into neighboring areas, a barrier is dug in along the border of the future trench - slate or plastic shields. With the help of a stretched rope, they outline the landing site, where they subsequently dig a trench. Take into account the distance from the fence to the nearest objects:
- from a tree living fence to a path - 70 cm or more;
- from a bush fence to a path - 50 cm or more;
- from fence to hedge - from 40 to 100 cm.
Trench preparation
The width of the trench depends on the row of the hedge:
- with a single row - 0.4 - 0.5 m;
- with two-row - 0.7 - 1.0 m;
- with multi-row - 0.4 - 0.5 m plus 0.3 - 0.4 m for each subsequent row.
Trench depth - 0.4 - 0.6 m.The distance between rows and in a row depends on:
- from culture;
- type of root system;
- fence heights;
- rows;
- the density of the crown of the planted culture;
- plant growth features;
- the speed of growth of each crop, if a living fence is planted from different varieties or species;
- type of enclosure: forming or free growing.
At the bottom of the dug trench, lay the upper (fertile, soddy) layer of soil, tamp it. The rotted manure, peat or compost are mixed with the earth, the trench is filled with the resulting mixture up to half, watered, sprinkled with soil on top.
No manure, peat or compost is applied when planting fir or spruce.
Choosing the type of crops, planting sizes
For short, medium-sized, tall fences, the clearance between crops in the rows and the distance between the rows are significantly different:
- for tall, freely growing species, the distance between crops is 100-200 cm, between rows - up to 200-300 cm;
- for tall, formed species, the distance between crops is 80-120 cm, between rows - up to 100 cm;
- for medium-sized freely growing species, the distance between crops is 80-100 cm, between rows - 100-150 cm;
- for medium-sized formed crops, the distance between crops is 20-30 cm, in rows - 30-40 cm;
- for low single-row crops, the distance between crops is 20-25 cm (for 1 p. m 4-5 plants);
- for low two-row, multi-row, the distance between crops is 30-35 cm, in rows - 30-60 cm (the second row is shifted by half a step relative to the first, adhering to a checkerboard pattern).
Single-row hedges are created from densely branching crops or forming a lot of growth, two-row hedges - from plants that have loose branching. A mixed hedge is planted according to the same rules, but taking into account the characteristics of the species.
Preparation of seedlings
Culling of seedlings is carried out - their roots, stems, crown are examined. Roots - for damaged, dried out, sore roots. If found, they are carefully trimmed. The stem should be even, smooth, without damage, the crown should be uniform in density, not one-sided.
Immediately before planting, the root system of the seedlings is dipped in a "talker" (soft clay mixed with mullein). It will increase the survival rate of plants, accelerate their acclimatization. If deciduous seedlings are used for the hedge, then before planting they are first kept in water for 2-4 hours, and then they are dipped in a "chatterbox".
When buying a seedling, pay attention to the roots. If they are cut or short, then they either dug it out in the forest or in a nursery, did not adhere to the technology of growing planting material.
Planting a hedge
The roots of each seedling are carefully straightened at the bottom of the trench, sprinkled with earth, lightly tamping the soil over them. There should be no air pockets at the roots.
The root collar of seedlings is left at the level of the soil surface or buried in it by 10-20 mm. After tamping, the soil is watered in two steps - this will allow the earth to lie tightly to the roots. If, after the first watering, the soil has subsided greatly, add the earth, and then water it again. It is necessary to provide air access to the roots, therefore, the topsoil is slightly loosened and mulched.
If required, props are made at a height of 30–40 cm from the soil surface to support the not yet matured stems. Planting hedges from plants with open roots should be in April – May. Cultures with a lump or from containers are planted before the second decade of June. Autumn planting: coniferous crops - in August, deciduous - from August to October.
Subtleties of care
To grow a hedge, you need to know the intricacies of caring for it. Care consists in loosening, weeding, feeding, combating diseases and pests, pruning.
Loosening... It is imperative to carry out it, since the topsoil quickly hardens through the high density of plantations, preventing air with moisture from penetrating to the roots. The soil is loosened at a distance of 60 cm from the fence. If the root system of the crops is pivotal, then this distance can be dug up with a bayonet shovel.
Weeding... This process is carried out constantly, as the row is overgrown. Weeding is especially important in the first years after planting. As the plants mature, the need for this procedure will disappear by itself - few weeds can grow in the shade of bushes or dense plantings.
Mulching... They carry it out after disembarking the green fence. Mulch helps to retain moisture in the soil, prevents weeds from sprouting. In subsequent years, mulching is not necessary.
Watering... They are necessary in the first year of life, especially if the crops are planted in the spring. The fall planting will get enough moisture from the melted snow. In especially dry times during the growing season of plants, up to 25 liters of water are poured into 1 linear meter of hedges.
Young plantings can be sprayed early in the morning or at sunset. Spraying is especially important for conifers, trees with "suede" leaves (catalpa) - a lot of dust and dirt accumulates on them. Older hedges are sprayed or watered as needed, taking into account the characteristics of the variety.
So that the water after irrigation does not "run away" from the fence, earthen rollers or grooves are made on the sides, where it will linger.
Top dressing... Green hedges are dense plantings, so the soil is losing nutrients at an accelerated rate. To increase the decorative appearance of crops, it is necessary to apply mineral, organic or complex fertilizers regularly, as needed, taking into account the needs of the plants. Poor soils are fertilized once every two years, rich soils - once every 3-4 years. Experts recommend the following fertilization rates for hedges, kg / m²:
- rotted manure (2-4);
- compost (2-4);
- peat (4-6);
- potassium salt (0.03 - 0.04);
- ammonium sulfate (0.06 - 0.08);
- superphosphate (0.06 - 0.08).
Fertilizers can be applied when spraying or as root dressing.
Pruning, haircut... The survival rate of seedlings is increased if they are cut immediately after planting. Pruning is carried out at the same height from the ground level and on the sides, removing ⅓ or ½ the length of the shoot. If the crops are dug out in the forest, they are cut at a level of 0.2 - 0.3 m from the ground level. The crown of plants of a living fence is formed during the first four years. But for some shrubs, climbing plants, pruning is not carried out in the first two years.
Coniferous crops need a pyramidal haircut - it will prevent the needles from shedding from the lower branches. In the first two years, the plants grow intensively (bush), so they are cut three times during the growing season.
The first time in early spring, before budding, or at the end of winter, the second haircut is carried out in the summer (July), the third - before wintering. First of all, damaged, diseased branches are removed, and then those that are already out of shape.
In fast-growing varieties, haircuts are also carried out inside the crown in order to maintain the overall neatness of the bush or the entire hedge. In the future, crops are sheared as needed, it depends on the growth rate of the plants, the speed of shoot formation, the type of hedge (free-growing or formed), the desired effect.
Pruning is not carried out in winter, this will lead to frosting of the branches, damage to them by diseases, pests. Waste from the procedure is collected and incinerated. If large branches are removed, the cut is smeared with garden pitch.
There are four types of trimming:
- Formative. They are used only for young plantings in order to form the correct crown, to create a shape for the planting.
- Anti-aging. Cut off old branches, sometimes down to the trunk, to form a new crown or shape.
- Regulatory. Carries out continuously during ongoing rounds. Cut off old, damaged, dry, interfering branches in the crown and outside the crown in order to provide the culture with the necessary density of branches, to give the plant the required parameters.
- Sanitary. It is carried out as needed, in the fall or spring. This process can be called "treatment" of crops, since branches and leaves damaged by diseases or pests, as well as broken and even frozen specimens are removed.
Advantages and disadvantages of a hedge
Hedges have their pros and cons. Advantages:
- they create a favorable microclimate on the site, comfortable conditions for recreation;
- keep moisture in the ground;
- attract birds that devour pests;
- masking unsuccessful buildings or decorating unattractive areas;
In the country, it is a good alternative to the usual fence. In addition to the fact that the green screen perfectly protects the site from uninvited guests, it simply attracts admiring gaze with its living beauty, enriching everything around it not only with natural aesthetics, but also with fresh air. How beautiful and durable a living fence will be directly depends on the correct choice of plants for it.
What plants are suitable for a hedge
When choosing plants for planting on your site as a green fence, it is best to rely not only on taste preferences or a comparison of the whimsicality of individual species. The correct guideline in such a matter is the degree of resistance of the selected plant to the climatic conditions of your area. Consider the three main regions of Russia, which include the key natural factors affecting the growth of "street" plants.
A hedge in the Moscow region
There are many types of plants for planting in the Moscow region, it remains to decide what height you prefer the hedge.
Green walls
For those who have decided to literally isolate themselves from the outside world and surround themselves with an impregnable fence more than 2 meters high, you need to pay attention to the types of plants described below.
Serbian spruce is a wonderful evergreen tree for creating tall hedges. It can reach a height of up to 5 m. The diameter of the crown of an adult tree is about 8 m. This type of spruce is not whimsical at all and does not need a haircut. The needles have a rich, shiny dark green color. The variety tolerates winter frosts and grows well in urban conditions.
Serbian spruce is a whole group of spruce varieties with radically different looks. The photo shows a miniature variety of Serbian spruce - Karel.
Fruit trees, namely the Apple tree of Nedzvedsky looks good in any area due to its peculiar crown, the color of which is rich green on top, and purple below. The apple tree is especially beautiful during flowering. She has magnificent purple flowers. This variety bears fruit with abundant small red apples. Low tree, rare specimens reach a height of 8 m. But it has a high growth rate, life expectancy, unpretentiousness and good resistance to diseases, pests and frost.
It is a cone tree, reaching a height of 4 m in a fence, and in a free planting up to 20 m.With sufficient watering per year, the crown of a thuja grows no more than 10 cm in width, and an average of 30 cm in height.This is a tree with a cone-shaped crown is widespread in landscape design because of its rich bright green color and unpretentiousness. If you want to grow a branchy coniferous plant, regular pruning will help.
Thuja western "Brabant" lends itself well to a haircut. The photo shows a fairly free version of the hedge from this thuja, however, it allows you to set even clearer forms.
Hornbeam has a lot of types that are successfully used in landscape design. But the most popular and more suitable for the Moscow region is the common hornbeam. It not only creates an impenetrable hedge, but also perfectly protects the site from noise and dust. It is this variety that is unpretentious, easy to mold and resistant to winter conditions. In addition, the common hornbeam is not susceptible to diseases and is resistant to the vital activity of pests.
An example of a creative green hornbeam sculpture.
Hawthorn Is a traditional plant in Russia, used as a hedge. The most commonly used species is Prickly, which has powerful thorns and an oval crown. The plant reaches a height of 5 meters. The variety blooms in May with five-petal flowers of white or pink color, while the fruits ripen at the end of September and have a purple color with yellow pulp.
An example of a tall hawthorn hedge.
Hawthorn Green-Meat... This variety is highly prized in landscape design for its dark dense greenery, delicate white inflorescences and long thorns (up to 1.5 cm). It can grow up to 8 m. It got its unusual name due to the dark fruits with green flesh. Begins to bear fruit at the age of 9 years.
Low hedges
To create a small green fence, use any varieties... They are equally unpretentious and resistant to any climatic conditions. It stands out for its decorative qualities barberry Thunberg... Its small leaves can be of different colors: yellow, red, pink and even brown. Another feature is not susceptibility to fungal diseases. But this variety belongs to slow-growing shrubs with inedible fruits, reaching a maximum height of 1.5 m.
Thunberg barberry hedge
It is an unpretentious shrub that grows from 2 to 4 m. Its leaves are distinguished by an oblong shape, a brilliant dark green color. Flowering begins in early July with small creamy flowers with a pleasant aroma. The fruits ripen at the end of September and acquire a small size and glossy black color. In the common people they are called as wolfberry. Privet is easy to mold, but also looks good when grown wild.
A hedge made of common privet.
Thuja Western, one of the varieties of which is described above, has high decorative qualities. For hedges, you can use not only the Brabant species. But also, for example, Smaragd. Reaches a height of no more than 2 meters and is well served for processing. This variety of thuja belongs to evergreens with a neat bright green crown. She perfectly tolerates winter and many plant diseases.
Decorative living borders
For creating a small hedge up to 1 meter high is perfect alpine currant... She tolerates cold and wind well, but does not like high temperatures. If you are looking for what is better to make garden figurines of varying complexity, then this kind of currant is perfect for this. You can find subspecies with small green or large yellowish jagged foliage.
Attention! Alpine currants are sensitive to aphids, rust and spider mites, so they must be sprayed with fungicide and insecticide. This shrub should also be systematically fertilized in spring and autumn, and the affected branches should be carefully removed.
It is a beautiful shrub with a lush crown and delicate flowers of various colors. The most common are white and pink. This is a very thermophilic plant, so it should be planted in areas well-lit by the sun and protected from the wind, at a distance of about 2 m from each other. She also does not like waterlogging, so in September they stop watering her altogether. Action loves fertilized soil, but it is best to feed it during the flowering period.
In the photo - graceful action ‘Nikko’
Spirea Japanese is a slow-growing shrub, no more than 60 cm in height. But it has a lush dark green crown of 1.5 meters in diameter and an exuberant red-pink flowering that occurs in July for no more than 45 days. The shrub is quite frost-resistant and tolerant of growing in the shade.
Japanese Spirea Double Pink
It is known for its beautiful flowering of lush inflorescences of a delicate cream color. It has been going on for over two months. The hydrangea is no more than 1 m high, but it has a very lush crown and large leaves of rich green color. Quite unpretentious and winter-hardy. However, it is susceptible to disease.
A hedge in central Russia
The middle zone of Russia is distinguished by a very harsh climate, therefore, it is better to choose plants for hedges that are unpretentious and resistant to harsh weather conditions.
High fences
In addition to thuja Western, it grows well in this area. spruce Plain and Blue... Both of these species are highly resistant to frost and wind. The first type is distinguished by a conical crown, reaching a height of more than 5 m and crescent needles. Thorny or Blue spruce is known for its interesting color of needles: from bright blue to gray-green. It does not tolerate too fertile soil and a large layer of snow on the branches.
Blue spruce hedge
Red cedar very similar to a coniferous tree, but differs in small needles - no more than 2 mm. It has a pyramidal and dense crown, which thins out over time in a continuous planting. But this can be corrected by planting shade-loving herbs.
Medium height hedge
In such a climatic region, they perfectly take root any kind of barberry, blackberry, raspberry, hawthorn and spirea... Grows especially well juniper Cossack, which is a shrub, the height of which reaches no more than 1.5 meters. It is usually used in specimen plantations.
A wild-style blackberry hedge, but the bushes can look pretty neat.
Or, as it is often mistakenly referred to as jasmine, it is a lush, deciduous shrub with delicate flowers of white, cream or pale pink in color with varying intensities of aroma. Leaves are small, matte, light green. This is a fairly winter-hardy shrub with a powerful root system, although it loves sunny places for planting.
"Curly" hedge
Grape Maiden presents with lush, dense green foliage of a bizarre shape, which is colored in the autumn period from bright red to lemon yellow. It is very unpretentious, but it is able to fill a huge area with its sprouts. For those who do not know how to make a hedge with their own hands or create it for the first time, then girlish grapes are an excellent solution.
'Veitch Boskoop' five-leafed maiden grape
Creates a beautiful decorative liana ivy... He is able to decorate any fence and structure. Refers to slow-growing and shade-tolerant plants, requiring fertile soils. There are many species that are equally resistant to harsh weather conditions, but differ in the shape and color of foliage and inflorescences.
Hedge in Siberia
Siberia is rich in all kinds of vegetation, but not much of it is suitable for a hedge.
Medium and high fences
In addition to barberry, hawthorn and all kinds of conifers in a harsh area perfectly takes root chokeberry, characterized by high resistance to wind and frost. The dense crown consists of small glossy dense green leaves, which turn into a crimson color in autumn. The height of the tree can be more than two meters.
Derain white very unpretentious and tall plant. Its leaves are light green with white edging. Due to its simplicity and susceptibility to light haircuts, it is widespread in the northern part of Russia.
Climbing plants
The maiden grape is well known in the northern countryside. But its popularity does not overshadow a plant like. They are lush with beautiful flowers of various colors. This is a fast-growing and very unpretentious bindweed that gets along with any plants.
It is a wonderful decoration of the indoor area. Its processes die off during the cold period, but grow back very quickly in the spring. The plant is distinguished by large and dark green leaves, densely covering any structure.
Actinidia kolomikta stands out for its increased density of vegetation. Its shade may vary depending on age. In the warm season, it blooms with small white flowers for about three weeks. Shoots die off in winter, so actinidia must be cut off in spring.
Actinidia kolomikta
The choice of seedlings for planting hedges is huge, the main thing is to determine which plants are suitable for your climatic zone.
About suitable plants in the video
A detailed story about the crops from which you can make a hedge, in the program "TeleDom".
A fast-growing, perennial, evergreen hedge is a good option to replace a conventional fence in your own suburban area.
Such a hedge will appeal to people who live in their home all year round.
In order for it to please the owners, it is necessary to select and plant the plants correctly so that afterwards you do not have to suffer to give it beauty.
Pros and cons of hedges
An evergreen hedge will help to give the site an attractive look and save the family budget on the construction and maintenance of the fence (painting, applying an anti-corrosion agent). Live fencing has the following advantages:
- good protection of the site from curious passers-by;
- saving money;
- constant oxygen production;
- a positive effect on the mental state of a person;
- protection of the site from dirt, noise, dust, wind;
- the ability to divide the site into zones (summer kitchen, garden beds, bathhouse, etc.);
- a barrier to the entry of strangers and animals into the site;
- improvement of the microclimate;
- giving the site an attractive look.
In addition to advantages, a live fence also has disadvantages:
- requires constant care;
- it will take time for the plants to grow.
You can buy already grown plants for a living fence, but in this case you will have to pay more for them.
Vegetation requirements for hedges
In modern landscape design, vegetable fencing is widely used in the design of sites. With its help, zonal division is carried out, used as an element of decoration around some buildings, framing paths and paths on the site. Recently, such a fence began to be used as an alternative to the usual concrete, metal or wooden fence.
When working with evergreens for hedges, it is possible to experiment and grow tall, compact or low hedges.
You can create a tall, living fence of plants with thorns, then no hooligans will definitely be able to get into someone else's area. When choosing a height, the owner of the site has no restrictions, as for the width, it should not exceed 0.8 m.
A thick high hedge can become a complete fence
When choosing vegetation, it is necessary to take into account some parameters: with a large perimeter of the fence, you need to make sure that the selected plant is not whimsical and does not need constant care. It will be very difficult for the owner to care for each plant planted if there are 100, and sometimes much more.
With the wrong choice, you will have to spend all your free time on caring for the hedge, and not on rest or beds and fruit trees.
People living in cold climates need to choose not only unpretentious plants, but also frost-resistant, so that in the future they do not have to dig up frozen plants and plant new ones instead. In this case, the owner will have to constantly spend money on the purchase of bushes.
In addition to the above parameters, you need to pay attention to the fact:
- how long the selected plant will grow;
- can it be shaped;
- whether there are fruits or flowers on it;
- the number of growing seasons;
- and it is desirable that they have constant care.
You can choose plants that curl or weave for the fence. Trellises are erected for them, or they are simply left to curl over the existing fence, thanks to these bindweed, a wonderful green fence will turn out. See the video about which fence to choose:
The curly railing will take up a small amount of space in width. This plant also does not need a lot of time to grow, after about a year it will grow and completely hide the site from curious neighbors. Deciduous, climbing and coniferous plants are very popular in creating hedges.
Climbing plants
Bindweed are the fastest growing plants that can grow more than 1 m per season and form a dense fence. For people living in harsh climatic conditions, the choice of climbing vegetation is quite small, because most vines are not able to withstand frost.
In cold latitudes, it is better not to use loaches for a fence.
Euonymus has a large number of varieties, including a climbing plant. You can also pick up varieties with the original color of the leaves. This plant needs loose soil and sufficient watering. This plant does not tolerate overflow and stagnation of water. When choosing a non-monochromatic variety with variegated shades, you should choose a sunny place for planting. If you plant a plant in the shade, it will not acquire variegated shades, but will be green.
If the choice fell on a variety with yellow or white leaves, they must be planted in the penumbra side so that the leaves do not burn out in the sun.
You do not need to choose this perennial in the presence of children in the family due to its toxicity.
When boarding, gloves must be worn to protect the hands. Before planting an euonymus stalk in the soil, it must be rooted (about 2 months) under a film cover and only after this procedure should it be placed in a prepared place. When planting, it is necessary to maintain a distance between the plants of about 0.2 m and install supports along which the euonymus will curl. In summer, bindweed must be fed once every 2 weeks with fertilizers of mineral origin. Plant pruning should be done in early spring. In winter, a covering material is applied to the euonymus, in the first few years this is mandatory.
For a periwinkle hedge, trellises are definitely needed
Periwinkle is a curly shrub that is widely used to create high hedges (1.5 m). It is a hardy plant that always looks great. Periwinkle usually blooms in large, blue or blue flowers, but other colors can be found. The plant feels great in any soil, can tolerate dry weather. When pruning the stems, they can be planted in moist soil, they will take root and grow.
The best time to plant is the beginning of September.
To create a hedge, it is imperative to build trellises of the required height so that the periwinkle does not creep along the ground. In order for the plant to have an attractive appearance, the soil must be loosened during planting and fertilized with organic fertilizers. A distance of 0.2 - 0.3 m should be left between the seedlings. It is necessary to cover the bindweed only in the first winter season; in subsequent winters, shelter is not required. Top dressing is recommended every few years. The plant tolerates pruning well, but it is better to pinch it. 
Ivy. This bindweed grows up to 3 m in height, has many varieties, with various shapes and shades. To maintain its beauty, ivy needs regular watering and feeding. He does not tolerate overflow and drought, you cannot overfeed him, otherwise the vine will not look attractive. Pruning and cleaning of plants from old, damaged leaves and shoots is carried out in the autumn.
Some varieties are not able to withstand cold weather, they are suitable for warm climates.
For propagation of ivy, cuttings are used, which must be rooted before planting. Rooted cuttings are planted at a distance of 0.3 to 0.5 m. Ivy is poisonous and can cause itching, redness and swelling of the skin. When working with bindweed, it is necessary to observe skin protection measures and at the end of work, be sure to wash those clothes that have come into contact with ivy.
Coniferous vegetation
Conifers do not grow as fast as bindweed, but they have their advantages. Such plants are frost-resistant, perfectly amenable to shearing and are not very demanding on the soil. These hedges look good in any season, and are combined with all types of plants and styles in which the site is decorated. Before purchasing an ephedra, you need to decide where it will be planted. Green plants love partial shade, and conifers with a variety of shades on needles prefer a sunny area. For information on how to make a hedge from conifers, see this video:
This vegetation should not be planted in places where water is stagnant. The best soil for them is a mixture of sand, peat and turf in equal quantities. The planting is carried out extremely carefully, it is impossible to disturb the earthen lump in which the rhizome of the plant is located. If an earthen coma or root is violated, the ephedra will take root for a rather long time, it may even disappear altogether.
The distance between seedlings ranges from 0.2 to 0.7 m, everything will depend on the type of hedge planned and the type of ephedra.
Ephedra fences are built in 1 row. This is necessary so that each plant has enough light, otherwise the branches below will be exposed. Planting is carried out in August and September, these months are the most optimal for conifers. Healthy and strong seedlings can be planted in the summer, but only during cloudy weather.
After planting in the summer, the seedlings need to be hidden from direct sunlight, these measures will help the plant take root faster. As soon as young shoots begin to appear on the conifers, they must be watered regularly and the crown should be sprayed from time to time. These procedures will help strengthen the plant and increase its frost resistance.
Deciduous perennials
In a large variety of deciduous plants, you can find evergreen varieties that can grow very quickly. Due to the fact that they are easy enough to trim, in a short period of time, a neat and attractive hedge will appear on the site. 
Barberry is a fairly strong bush, if properly formed, it can be used to create an impassable fence. Among the varieties, you can find not only evergreens, but also fast-growing ones. Barberry can be combined with other artisanal perennials. Evergreen barberry should be planted in a penumbra.
To make the bush look good, you need to fertilize the soil before planting.
Barberry is planted in spring and autumn, it is necessary that the root is with a clod of earth. During the acquisition of seedlings, you need to carefully examine the rhizome: if the seedling has bad, bare and small roots, then it is better not to buy it. A good plant will not grow from such seedlings. During planting, the earthen ball with the root should be located at ground level. The lump is dropped into the hole and sprinkled; the soil around the bush must be tamped tightly and watered.
In places with harsh climatic conditions, the bushes must be covered after the first frost. Pruning bushes to remove old leaves and branches is done in early spring, and this should be done regularly. To shape the bush, pruning is done in the summer period 3 times per season. This video will help to determine the choice of a perennial:
Boxwood is the most suitable option for creating a living fence. This plant is absolutely not whimsical, it does not require constant soil fertilization and watering. Almost all varieties of boxwood grow very slowly, especially the dwarf species. If you do not want to wait for a long time, then you need to choose tall varieties. During planting, the seedlings should be placed in 1 row at a distance of 0.15 m from each other.
After planting, boxwood must be thoroughly watered immediately and cut off the shoots by 2/3 of their length.
The most favorable time for planting a plant is spring. In the middle of 1 month of summer, 1 bushes are fed with fertilizer of mineral origin. You can trim boxwood one year after planting. Matured shrubs need to be trimmed every month from mid-spring to early fall. After cutting, the boxwood must be thoroughly watered and fed. 
To choose a suitable plant for a hedge, you need to know how climatic conditions will be tolerated, where it is best to plant, and what needs to be done to preserve an attractive appearance. Before purchasing any seedling, you must first pay attention to the condition of its roots. With the right approach to planting and caring for a plant, a living fence will delight the owner with its appearance for a fairly long period of time.
Live fences are conventionally divided into high and low. They are created from coniferous or deciduous shrub varieties. "Build" single-row or multi-row fences. Every single variety has a decorative function.
Evergreen varieties in a hedge are the most effective solution. They do not lose bright colors all year round and easily tolerate a haircut.
Bushes are selected for a living fence in accordance with the future purpose. Tall bushes are suitable for outdoor applications, undersized ones for indoor decorations. There are also mixed options, but they take up a lot of space and therefore are used less often.
Evergreen shrubs
A green hedge all year round is what every gardener dreams of. The environmental friendliness that these shrubs create is recognized already in the coniferous aroma.
Popular in our conditions are considered such non-fallacious:
- Conifers. For example, thuja and juniper.
- Fast growing. For example, thorns and cotoneaster.
- Stunted. For example, cypress and hydrangea.
Thuja- This is the most popular coniferous tree. The evergreen plant takes root well in the Russian climate. In nature, it can reach enormous sizes, but in fences they maintain a height of up to three meters.
Pyramidal and columnar crown patterns plus bluish green to dark green coloring in a living fence give a huge decorative effect. Tuyu is regularly cut in various shapes.
Juniper hedge formed in the form of impassable thickets. Bushes, depending on the variety, grow from one and a half to two meters. Juniper loves moist soil and sunlight. It is durable - it can live for over 200 years.
The color of the shrub is blue, yellow, yellow-green and green. Juniper is often planted in company with thuja.
Cotoneaster Is an evergreen fast growing variety, it has many varieties and they are all grown in our climate.
Shiny, thick-growing... It belongs to the number of fast-growing shrubs up to two meters high.
Black dogwood ripens only at the age of five.
Solid dogwood. The shape of its crown is round, the leaves are wide, large.
Multi-flowered (semi-evergreen) cotoneaster reaches three meters. Its leaves are larger in comparison with other species and can change color with the change of season: from gray in spring to burgundy and red in autumn. In summer they are green.
Creeping view- these are undersized bushes up to half a meter from the ground, has horizontal branches with dense leaves and small fruits.
Pressed. Its outstretched crown is, as it were, pressed to the ground, and its height is only half a meter.
Cypress perennial has many varieties. In the natural environment, it grows up to 60 meters, and in our conditions for a green coniferous hedge they often use Lawson and pea-like.
Bushes grow up to two meters. The crowns are conical, spherical and ordinary. They are planted both one at a time and in the company, creating reliable fences. Grows well in the shade and sun.
Yew in a hedge characterizes its owner with excellent taste. At the stage of forming such a fence, yew requires special attention. Bushes are planted at a distance of more than 20 cm from each other.
Yew grows quickly, beauty is maintained with regular haircuts. Natural protection of the territory can be from blue to dark green. Berries add contrast to the color.
Euonymus refers to both evergreen and deciduous. Bright fruits against the background of green foliage create a real sight. Following the berries, the foliage begins to "burn" in red and this makes the hedge more colorful.
Boxwood more often used to create low independent fences up to one and a half meters in height or to decorate a plot paired with another species planted with it in adjacent rows.
With haircuts, boxwood hedges are given a variety of unique geometric shapes and forms.
Deciduous trees and shrubs
Willow. An excellent option for creating a hedge is acutifoliate willow, beotal, black and purple. Willow is unpretentious in the choice of soil - it grows equally quickly in dry and wet soil.
Weeping willow varieties: goat, purple and holly have elastic, soft branches that are easy to intertwine. Even before complete landscaping, the fence will be decorated with the ornament of the weaving itself.
Barberry- This is the fastest growing plant, it has tall and undersized varieties. Barberry makes an impassable hedge
Such a living fence is replenished with a fruiting function. The decorative effect is expressed first in flowers, then in fruits. Jams and preserves are made from edible berries. There are many varieties, the main ones for this purpose: Golden, Ordinary, Ottawa.
The plant is prickly, but it is easy to cut it in any style. For lovers of bright colors, the deciduous variety of Thunberg is suitable: shades of flowers from pink to red and brown. The fruits of this shrub are inedible.
Derain white... The main advantage of this deciduous shrub is its growth rate in any climate and with any soil moisture. Bushes can grow up to three meters. Basically, its height is maintained at 120 centimeters.
Some gardeners create scenic fences on several levels. A white turf hedge indicates the status of the owner. From this shrub, gazebos are created inside the courtyard. The foliage color is green and silver.
Perennial viburnum perennial... It earned popularity among gardeners due to the ease of cultivation and the fact that it is not picky about care. They are equally adaptable to drought and frost. Bright multi-colored leaves and flowers in such a fence create a beautiful design.
Lilac also quickly grows in width and reaches two to three meters in height, tolerates haircuts well. Pruning its branches will not be difficult even for an inexperienced gardener.
Any climate is great for her. It freezes for the winter, but during the entire blooming period, the lilac will not leave indifferent any look. The color range of the shrub has more than 20 shades, of which, when alternating, beautiful decorations are created.
Forsythia has long been loved by our gardeners. It blooms before the leaves appear. At first it looks golden, then green leaves replace the flowers. The shrub reproduces easily in both heat and cold.
Alpine currant allows you to create a beautiful curly hedge of two meters in height. The color of the fence is green due to the leaves and light green flowers. The tasteless fruits are red when ripe.
The shrub perfectly tolerates any climatic conditions: frosts, winds and heat. The dense foliage provides reliable protection for the garden. For the fence, variegated, glossy and marble currants are used.
Thorny shrubs
Blackthorn Is a densely branched, thorny shrub, reaching a height of four meters. It doesn't need careful trimming. A powerful and impassable fence of thorns will protect you from wind, dust, prying eyes and even thieves.
It can be compared to a real building structure, so such bushes are used instead of an external fence. It is not difficult to grow such a fence. It is completely undemanding neither to the ground, nor to weather conditions.
The leaves of the bush are dense. Ripe fruits have a beautiful blue color. They are edible and have many health benefits. You need to collect them after the first frost.
Rosehip and tea rose. The hedge made from this pair is often called healing and colorful. Shrubs are unpretentious to climatic conditions. Such a fence grows up to two meters.
It is attractive with a variety of colors. In the beginning, these are double flowers from white to all shades of crimson and yellow. Then - bright red and brown-black fruits. This contrasting combination with green foliage creates a unique setting. Fruits from such a fragrant fence are used to prepare tasty and healthy drinks.
For the fence, the following types are planted: ordinary, Resonance, brown, Mont Blanc and wrinkled.
Sea buckthorn- a thorny bush with bright orange fruits in autumn. The leaves are small, gray-green. The branches are stiff. A fence made of berry bushes turns out to be impassable and gives a large yield of sour, healthy fruits.
It is easy to care for sea buckthorn - it is unpretentious. With the help of a haircut, they give the fence a neat appearance.
Mixed hedge- this invention is increasingly used by gardeners to give originality to the fence. This solution fulfills all the original functions of a hedge, but due to the play of colors, an unsurpassed decorative effect is created.
Thuja, gooseberries, barberries, rose hips and other shrubs can participate in this design.
How to care for a hedge
As all living things need care, so for the longevity of such a hedge, you cannot do without care. Every gardener cannot just plant a green fence and forget about it. In order for the fence to develop correctly and become thicker and thicker, it must be pruned regularly.
Pruning can be curly - new shoots are cut by 10-15 centimeters. This procedure for evergreen bushes is done once a year. The rest are pruned twice, and sometimes three times a year when new shoots ripen.
In the first years, pruning should be carried out in the dry season of spring or autumn. With age, pruning for shaping is done monthly. Cuts should be made between shoots and obliquely. The more often pruning is done, the more often the shrubs are fed.
A hedge is a multifunctional solution. A high and dense wall of shrubs, created by man together with nature, brings not only a beautiful design to the site, but also a favorable microclimate. It protects it from gusts of wind, noise and dirt.
A solid green fence is a great alternative to a traditional fence. If you use fast-growing varieties for this purpose, the names and descriptions of which have long been known to gardeners, then the result is obtained in a shorter time frame. And you can confirm your preferences by looking at the photo.
The Slavic soul is so built that in order to create our own cozy territory, we definitely need to fence ourselves off from the outside bustle, noisy neighbors and prying eyes. But the prospect of constantly catching your eye on a two-meter monolithic fence can hardly be called rainbow.
A hedge in the country - created with your own hands, this is a creative process with a practical result that anyone who loves plants can do.
The first climbing hedge was cultivated in the 18th century. Since then, breeders have been working on the creation of more and more varieties of plants that can bear the heavy burden of responsibility for the peace and privacy of their owners.
Types of hedges
Depending on the height, hedges are divided into three categories:
- Low curbs are up to 1 m high. They will look most organic as a frame for flower beds, lawns and paths.
- If the plants you have chosen reach 1-2 meters, they will perfectly cope with the task of dividing the suburban area into functional zones.
- Reliable protection along the entire perimeter of the site is provided by tall species with a height of more than 2 m.
Of no small importance is the intensity of the haircut, depending on this point, the hedges are:
- Free growing.
- Shaped.
Shaped plant compositions require constant haircuts, as they are based on a clear geometric shape. For molded hedges, it is better to plant representatives of the plant world with small foliage, due to which the density of the fence is ensured.
Free-growing ones are less picky and grow in the form that Mother Nature gave them.
Classification according to the number of rows
Single-row live fences are formed in one line, planting plants at an equal distance. If the basis of your landscape creation will be shrubs, choose a step within 35-50 cm, for trees the distance increases to 70-150 cm.
Multi-row hedges are created in several tier lines, seating the participants in the composition in a checkerboard pattern. For a multi-tiered structure, a variety of plants is not necessary; an excellent result with skillful use is given by combinations of different varieties of one plant, which differ in the color of the needles or foliage. Take a closer look at the tandems of green and purple beech, variegated and green privet.
Choosing the right one
When choosing plants, give preference to those specimens that grow in your climatic zone and have been tested for strength and resistance. Your attention will be deserved by unpretentious, frost-resistant species with a dense crown, which have a high ability to form shoots and recover in the shortest possible time after cutting.
No less spectacular is a hedge at a summer cottage of sea buckthorn, jasmine, rhododendron, wrinkled rose, barberry, lilac, honeysuckle, and irgi.
Disembarkation procedure
- When selecting applicants for a purchase, pay attention to the roots and crown. The root system should not be overdried, and the crown should maintain uniformity on all sides. Young seedlings no older than 6 years old are suitable.
- The laying of the future fencing is carried out in the fall or spring. The first option is suitable for winter-hardy plants that are adapted to low temperatures. The place of direct disembarkation should be located at a distance of more than 2 m from the house and 50–150 cm from a monolithic fence.
- Before you start digging a trench, mark out with a cord and two pegs. The depth of the trench should be 50 cm, the width is determined by the type of fence: for a single-row fence - 50 cm, for a multi-tiered fence - plus 0.5 m for each next tier.
Stocking density (1 linear meter):
- low bushes (spirea, magnolia) - 5–7 seedlings;
- medium shrubs (cotoneaster, snowberry) - 4–5;
- tall shrubs and trees (hawthorn, bladder) - 1-2
