Home and Garden
Hedges 101: The Ultimate Guide to Stylish Greenery
There is no better piece of décor for your outdoor space than nature itself. Hedges have long been regarded as a staple in garden design, offering a unique view of greenery, privacy and security. Whether you’re looking to create a garden oasis for yourself or add a unique, structured fence to your yard, you’ve come to the right place.
Hedges serve a multitude of purposes, from bringing a new sense of comfort and aesthetic appeal to your space to serving as a completely natural fence for your property. Adding these fences to your garden might be just the thing your home is missing.
Let’s explore everything you need to know about hedges and hedged fences before choosing and planting one of your own.
Different Types for Every Garden
source: thepost.co.nz
Although looking at inspo photos is a great way to get excited about this new home improvement project, it’s essential to remember that every space is different, and your garden might need different types of hedges than those you’ve come across on social media.
Planting a hedge plants around your property can be a stressful task, and in order to lighten the load on your shoulders, you should know the type of hedge to choose for your space.
- Formal: These types are neatly cut into structured shapes that offer a unique symmetrical look to your garden. They are best used as pathways in your garden and not as an actual fence.
- Informal: If you want to build a low-maintenance green space in your home, then this type is just the thing for you. They are regularly pruned to maintain clean lines, but grow more freely and aren’t defined into shapes.
- Evergreen: These hedging plants for sale stay green and retain their leaves no matter the season, making them ideal for building natural privacy fences.
- Seasonal: These hedge plants change the colour of their leaves as the seasons pass, offering a pop of colour to your garden and a unique texture each season.
Benefits of Having Hedges in Your Outdoor Space
As you design your garden and outdoor space to your liking, you’ll eventually run into a problem most homeowners go through. What do you do with the extra space?
Usually, even after you’ve added your furniture, décor, and a wide array of plants, your space still might look empty, as if it’s missing a magical touch.
A living fence is the perfect, budget-friendly way not only to fill empty spaces but also to add a completely natural wall of privacy between you and your neighbours.
A recent study has shown that many people have been adding natural fences to their gardens to create a safe environment for local animals to nest, feed and hide from predators. The only thing better than natural greenery is the company it brings. So while protecting your garden, why not save the animals as well?
Hedges, unlike regular fences, can also slow the wind down. This way, your garden gets a friendly breeze, without the wind wreaking havoc on your furniture.
If all these benefits aren’t enough, they also look amazing as an aesthetic piece for your garden. Decorate your space with an eco-friendly, cooling fence that you’ll enjoy for decades to come.
How to Choose the Right Hedges for Your Space
Depending on where your ideas and goals lie for building your dream garden space, your needs for a hedged fence will be different. When deciding to plant a hedge on your property, here are a few things you must consider before choosing the right one for your needs.
- Maintenance Effort: Some of them require more maintenance than others. If you don’t have the time or energy for regular shaping and pruning, consider getting some that require only some simple maintenance.
- Free Space: Carefully consider the amount of space you can afford to spare for your hedged fence. You don’t want your hedge plant to take up more space than your garden allows, since this can cause problems and even property damage.
- Reason to Buy: Think about why you’re purchasing a hedge. Is it for privacy, décor, or maybe some extra security? Different needs require different types. This is why your reasons for getting a hedge must be defined well before you go shopping.
- Climate and Soil: Choose a hedge that thrives in your local climate and soil conditions. Some plants like warm weather, and some prefer cold winds. If you want your new garden to look its best, make sure you get plants that can grow under your local weather conditions.
How to Style Hedges for Your Garden
When your garden hedge is already planted and grown, it’s time to spice up your garden with some creative styling.
Here are some ideas on how to style your plant fences for a beautiful, private home garden:
- Mix ‘n Match: Plant them of different varieties next to each other. This way, when they sprout leaves, you get a fun, textured garden.
- Unique Shapes: Have fun with shapes and designs when pruning and styling them. Garden hedge plants are highly customisable, and you can build any shape you like with just a pair of shears and a little creativity.
- Edible Fun: Plant ones that can bear fruit. This way, you get a beautiful green garden and a delicious snack to go with it.
- Green Walls: Use evergreen ones to build walls of greenery around your property. This is perfect for those who love extra privacy and want to keep the wind out of their garden all year round.
- Flower Paradise: Plant flower hedge plants for an extra pop of colour and fragrance in your yard. They are not only beautiful, but also attract beautiful butterflies and bees to your garden with their sweet beauty.
