A living fence of evergreen shrubs is a great way to enhance your garden, create a natural barrier and add privacy to your area.
Such bushes remain green throughout the year, protect against wind, noise and dust, and also serve as an excellent background for flower beds and other decorative plants.
1. Wedding
Thuja is one of the most popular evergreen shrubs for living fences, thanks to its dense and compact crown, which provides reliable protection from prying eyes.
Advantages:
- It tolerates cutting well, which makes it easy to control the height and shape of the hedge.
- Resistant to pests and diseases.
- It grows quickly, especially such varieties as western thuja ‘Smaragd’.
Care:
- It needs regular watering, especially in the first years after planting.
- Prefers sunny places, but grows well in partial shade.
2. Boxwood
Boxwood is a classic choice for low hedges and borders. It has dense foliage that tolerates shaping and cutting well.
Advantages:
- Suitable for creating various geometric shapes.
- It grows slowly, so it does not need frequent pruning.
- It tolerates shade well, which makes it a versatile option for different areas of the garden.
Care:
- Boxwood likes moderately moist soil and regular watering, especially in summer.
- It needs protection from severe frosts, so in cold regions it should be sheltered for the winter.
3. Cherry laurel
Laurel is another great option for hedges. This shrub has large shiny leaves that give the hedge a decorative look.
Advantages:
- It grows quickly and creates a dense hedge.
- Tolerates haircut well.
- Resistant to most pests and diseases.
Care:
- Requires regular watering, especially during drought.
- Bay cherry grows well in sunny places, but it can also tolerate partial shade.
4. The conifer is shiny
Dogwood is an excellent shrub for living fences, which combines decorativeness and resistance to adverse conditions.
Advantages:
- It has a thick, branched structure, which is well suited for forming a dense fence.
- The leaves glisten in the sun, which adds a decorative effect.
- It tolerates both pruning and different growing conditions — from sun to shade.
Care:
- Undemanding to soils, but likes sunny places for maximum decorative effect.
- Requires regular pruning to maintain shape.
5. Thousand
Yew is one of the oldest evergreen shrubs used to create hedges. It is distinguished by its thick crown and dark green needles.
Advantages:
- Long-lived, some species can grow for centuries.
- It tolerates cutting well and can be used to create tall hedges.
- Shade tolerant, making it ideal for shaded areas.
Care:
- Yew likes moderately moist soil, but tolerates drought well.
- Regular watering and periodic fertilization are required to maintain the density of the crown.
Tips for creating a hedge of evergreen shrubs
- Selection of plants . Choose shrubs depending on the climatic conditions of your region and the type of soil.
- Location . Most evergreen shrubs grow best in sunny locations, but there are options for shade.
- Distance between plants . Plant the plants at the optimal distance from each other so that they can develop normally. Usually it is 30-50 cm.
- Regular haircut . To maintain the density and shape of the living fence, the bushes need to be cut at least twice a year.
- Watering and fertilizer . Young plants need regular watering, and adult shrubs need periodic fertilization to support healthy growth.
Evergreen shrubs are an excellent choice for creating a living fence that provides privacy, protection and aesthetic appeal all year round. Properly selected and well-kept shrubs will be a real decoration of your garden.
