If you want a green garden all year round and guaranteed privacy, you should evaluate an evergreen hedge species. The leaves of this type of plant remain in all seasons, including autumn and winter. Therefore, your green space will be lush all year round and will allow you to spend time in the garden in full privacy during all seasons.
There are different types of evergreen hedges you can choose from. In this article, thanks to our garden expert Marco, we will help you understand how to choose the most suitable species for your garden and your needs.
By choosing a fast-growing species you can have a formed and ready hedge in no time. These types of plants are ideal if you want your peaceful garden to be ready in a short time. You will also make sure all small inhabitants of your garden have a safe place they can use as their little home or nest.
Growth speed
A fast-growing evergreen species can grow up to even more than 1 metre per year. Given their size and growth speed, these types of plants are recommended for owners of medium to large gardens. In fact, these hedges may be very invasive. Therefore, they would require too much maintenance for those who have limited green space.
Maintenance
Due to the rapid growth of these plants, the maintenance activity is essential. Pruning this hedge variety is recommended between late spring and early summer. Also, consider refining operations when necessary and based on the place where they are inserted, the result to achieve, and the selected variety.
Suggested species
Prunus laurocerasus
Photinia fraseri ‘Red Robin’
Ligustrum japonicum
Ligustrum texanum
Cupressocyparis leylandii
On the other hand, a slow-growing evergreen variety allows you to achieve the desired results in much more time. However, once the hedge has finished growing, it will welcome hedgehogs and blackbirds that usually nest within it.
Growth speed
A slow-growing evergreen species takes more time to reach its maturity, it grows just a few centimetres per year. These types of hedges are suggested if there is no rush in defining the garden or recreating a peaceful area within it.
Maintenance
Thanks to its moderate growth speed, these evergreen hedge varieties are ideal for those who want a perfect garden all year round but don't have the time to take care of their hedge. Slow-growing species may be left with a more natural, less geometric appearance and do not need to be pruned every year. However they may require only small adjustments and touch-ups.
Suggested species
Osmanthus aquifolium
Osmanthus fragrans
Taxus media hilli
Taxus media hicksii
Thuja occidentalis 'Smaragd'
Camellia japonica
Camellia sasanqua
Lonicera nitida ‘Maigrum’
The low evergreen hedge is made with different types of plants that reach a maximum height of 1.5 metres . This hedge is ideal for creating small ‘’rooms’’ inside the garden or defining certain areas, with no limitations in terms of visibility.
Growth speed
Low evergreen hedges can be created with both fast/slow-growing species. Therefore, the time required to achieve the final result can be different depending on the hedge species chosen.
Maintenance
Thanks to the numerous plants that can be selected for your low evergreen hedge, you should also consider the different maintenance requirements. Fast-growing varieties, unlike slow-growing ones, will require systematic pruning, more care and attention throughout the seasons. Proceeding with small operations at a high frequency during the year will facilitate their management and guarantee good results, especially with those species with rapid growth.
Suggested species
Osmanthus x burkwoodii
Buxus sempervirens
Rosmarinus officinalis e Rosmarinus officinalis 'Prostratus’
Lavandula angustifolia
Nandina domestica inn varietà
Nandina pygmaea ‘Fire Power’
