Choosing The Perfect Hedge Shrub

By: Andrew Bicknell

As with anything choosing the right hedge shrub comes down to personal preference and the type of look you are trying to gain in your yard. The kind of shrub you purchase will also depend on some other factors such as how much sun your planting area gets, the type of soil you have and how much time do you want to spend caring for your new plant.

That last point is important when it comes to choosing a hedge shrub. While some require little to no maintenance there are other types that require a large amount of time to prune and take care of. If you don't they will grow out of control and could make your yard not look so good. If you don't want to spend much time caring for your new shrub then consider getting a forsythia or privet. On the other hand, if you like trimming and sculpting your new hedge shrub and have the time to do so then you have many more options to choose from.

The next thing to consider before getting a new hedge shrub is how much sun does the area in which you want to plant it get. Carefully check the amount of sun any plant you wish to buy requires and makes sure that it is suited to the amount of light. The more sun you planting area gets the larger selection of hedge shrubs you will have to choose from.

Third on the list of things to consider is what type of soil conditions you have in your yard. Different shrubs like different types of soil so it pays to check the requirements of the shrub you are looking at before you but it. If you don't and you get a hedge shrub that doesn't like the dirt in your yard you could end up with a dead plant and the money lost. It's much easier to find a hedge that grows well in the soil you currently have. If you just can't live without a certain type of shrub then be sure to amend your soil before you plant it.

The fourth thing to think about is what you want the hedge for. Is it going to be used as a privacy fence or barrier, or do you just want the decorative look of a hedge shrub? If you want a privacy screen be sure to get a hedge that will grow tall enough for what you want it to do. It won't do much good if it only grows two feet tall and anyone can jump over it.

Of course the most important point when it comes to buying a hedge shrub is what do you like. As you narrow down your list to meet the criteria outlined above start asking yourself which ones appeal to you the most. Remember, unless you dig it up and throw it away it will probably live in your yard longer then you live in the house. You'll be seeing it year after year so it makes sense to get one that appeals to you.



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