Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Friendly fences and hedges
I gave a shout out to all those who follow my Garden Bite facebook page and asked folks what topic they’d like more information on. A friend asked what would make a great hedge for a fence. Friendly fences are awesome!
Years ago I planted a friendly fence of Alpine Currant. It’s a hardy mounded shrub that can be kept at about 3 feet or, do like I did and let it grow more wild. I prefer that but some folks prefer an orderly look. Trimming them is easy. Plants are tolerant of full sun to full shade. Very low maintenance, but keep in mind, they have no ornamental appeal other than dense green foliage.
Hydrangea ‘Annabelle’ is on the list. Go to any old neighborhood and you’re likely to find ‘Annabelle’. There was a lot of years where they were passe! I say please plant. They grow in sun to part shade and grow quickly to 5 feet tall and wide with big bodacious white blooms.
There are several types of boxwood shrubs. They take well to shearing so can be kept trimmed neatly. They can provide a real dense hedge especially if you plant them half as far away from each other as the mature width listed on the plant tag. They keep their color all winter, bonus!
There are many spirea to choose from if you’re looking for something more colorful. I just bought ‘Candy Corn’ last year but as a specimen plant.
There’s also weigela! I just bought this ‘Fine Wine’ late last season.
Bonus is Viburnum!
