Low shrubs for hedges. What shrubs for hedges are unpretentious and fast-growing

It would seem that it’s easier than ever to isolate yourself from the outside world with a hedge: plant bushes, trees or liana-like plants around the perimeter of the site - that’s all wisdom. But each hedge, created with your own hands, is a real work of art, which not everyone can do. It requires knowledge, hard work and even design taste. A hedge is planted even inside the site.

Types of hedges and plants for them

Creating a living fence begins with choosing the type, shape, size of plants and the type of fence, because green fences are:

• different in height: low, medium, high;
• multi-row or single-row;
• coniferous, deciduous, mixed;
• soft, prickly;
• evergreen or deciduous;
• formed or free-growing.

Only specific plants are suitable for each item. The length of the hedge and the number of plants required to create it directly depend on the shape of the green fence: the fancier it is, the more seedlings you will have to buy and the longer it will turn out.

Low

A living low hedge is used to highlight, emphasize or focus on any element of the site. The height of low fences is from 0.2 to 1.0 m. Fences measuring 0.2 - 0.5 m are also called borders. Such fences carry out zoning of plantings. A low hedge has a unique function - it increases the decorativeness of the site.

By planting slow-growing, densely branched, small-leaved shrubs from free-growing or formed species, we get borders. Deciduous low living fences are obtained from brilliant cotoneaster, weigela, Japanese spirea. They are made from barberry, Fortune's euonymus, action. Low-growing shrubs - Cossack juniper, boxwood, black spruce, microbiota - these are plants that are used as evergreen low green fences.

Formed borders are made from officinalis rosemary, low sarococcus, variegated resin seed, evergreen boxwood, and honeysuckle. Free-growing borders - from Japanese spirea, Russian broom, shrub cinquefoil. Heather, Erica, Japanese chaenomeles, holly mahonia are suitable for them. Borders are created from low-growing or dwarf plant species, for example, from spherical or heather-shaped western thuja or ordinary nest-shaped spruce. They are planted along paths, paths, in front of the house or outbuildings.

Boxwood is best suited for creating low fences of bizarre shapes - it perfectly tolerates any metamorphoses with branches.

Medium

A hedge with a height of 1.0 - 2.0 m is considered medium. This species includes the largest number of trees and shrubs. Living medium hedges are often used as fences, and they also perform a dividing role on the site or provide zoning. For such a fence, plants are selected that have been tested by the climatic conditions of the area. These are unpretentious, winter-hardy, fast-growing crops that quickly recover from damage or shearing, as well as plants with increased immunity to diseases and pests. They are divided into 2 categories:

• deciduous non-spiny - chokeberry cotoneaster, brilliant cotoneaster, common privet, white and blood-red turf, meadowsweet;
• prickly - common barberry, scarlet pyracantha, narrow-leaved sucker.

Especially for creating medium fences, landscape designers recommend planting hornbeam, thuja, juniper, hawthorn. These species perfectly tolerate shaping with a haircut.

High

These include fences with a height of more than two meters. The main function is the fencing of the site, protection of the territory from noise, dust, wind. A high living fence is often called a wall. Tatar maple, golden honeysuckle, western thuja, small-leaved bush linden are suitable for them. Small-leaved elm, Berlin poplar, Siberian hawthorn are good.

For unformed fences, Hungarian or common lilac, Tatar honeysuckle, common mock orange, spike-flowered shadberry, Siberian apple tree are suitable. To coniferous hedges: spruce - Canadian, prickly, ordinary; juniper - medium, Chinese columnar; cypress - pea-bearing, Lavson.

A coniferous wall is considered unpretentious in care, good for health (coniferous crops emit more phytoncides than hardwoods). The disadvantage of conifers is the accumulation of dust and dirt on the needles, so they need to be cleaned.

To create emerging living walls, common spruce, common hornbeam, white willow, linden, thuja are suitable. Living tall hedges are complex: wooden, stone or metal fences with climbing plants on them. For example, creepers (ivy, hydrangea), or flowering shrubs (rose hips, rose, spirea, lilac).

If the site is small, the territory can be fenced off with fruit or berry crops: cherry plum, shadberry, apple tree, viburnum, buckthorn.

Such a hedge in the country house will perform two functions: it will give a harvest, and also protect the site from winds and unwanted guests.

fast growing plants

To create fast-growing hedges, plants are used that, 1–3 years after planting, will fully correspond to the desired effect. Such crops are called fast growing. Such species are found in shrubs and trees. These include annual liana-like plants.

annual fast growing plants

They have the highest growth rate - they add up to 3 m in length per season. Disadvantages of annuals:

• they will have to be planted every year;
• without support, they will not become a fence.

Positive sides:

• a support serves as a growth limiter for them;
• most of them are flowering herbs;
• do not require pruning and garters.

Annual vines that have reached the top of the support will grow further, but in a different direction.

The best annual fast-growing plants: sweet peas, twisted pans (Ipomoea), ornamental beans, dolichos. Another advantage of flowering annuals is that the fence turns out to be made of flowers, as it were.

fast growing shrubs

This option is suitable for those who want to get at least a low green fence in a couple of years. A fast-growing perennial shrub hedge requires a lot of time, labor, because they need constant pruning. Regular pruning achieves an increase in the density of branches, an increase in green mass. Names of crops for a fast growing fence:

Barberry. The main difference is the high decorativeness of the hedge during flowering and fruiting. Barberry species are used that attract attention with foliage. The aroma of flowers in the plant is pleasant, delicate.

Hawthorn. Tall deciduous shrub with a dense rounded crown and spiky red shoots is often used for hedges. The white or pink flowers of the shrub are large and beautiful.

Rose hip. It has beautiful scarlet or pale scarlet flowers, original, and besides, medicinal fruits. Suitable for outdoor living fences because the plant has thorns.

Turn. A highly branched shrub that grows up to four meters in height. As it grows, the fence becomes impassable. It bears fruit 2-3 years after planting. Suitable for external hedges - it is prickly.

Cotoneaster. Shade-tolerant and unpretentious, up to 5 m tall, with a lush crown and dark shiny leaves. The fruits of the cotoneaster are edible.

Spirea. Two-meter deciduous bushes, suitable for emerging fences. Some species of spirea have unusual foliage that changes color depending on the time of year. Spirea leaves are purple-red, bright orange or yellow. The flowers of the bush are white.

fast growing trees

Fast-growing trees with shrubs require constant pruning and shaping, otherwise the hedge becomes unattractive, neglected, even ugly. There are coniferous and deciduous fast-growing varieties. Conifers include:

• thuja - differs in species diversity, forms, can be cut;
• fir - tolerates drought, low temperatures, has many varieties;
• juniper is a medicinal plant, multi-varietal.

For leafy:

• sea ​​buckthorn - creates an impenetrable, six-meter fence that requires trimming;
• maple - a forty-meter winter-hardy deciduous tree that requires pruning;
• poplar - decorative and deciduous, very tall (up to 60 m) tree;
• mountain ash - unpretentious, winter-hardy, drought-resistant, flowering, fruiting;
• birch - frost-resistant, does not need pruning;
• willow - unpretentious in care, multi-species, requires constant crown formation, moisture-loving.

Deciduous and coniferous fast-growing trees have their own advantages and disadvantages, which must be taken into account based on specific climatic conditions, soil composition, and the desired effect.

Shade Tolerant Bushes

There is no such garden or area in which there are no shaded areas. In these places, even grass does not want to grow, and ornamental crops, not receiving enough heat and light, often suffer from insects, snails, and diseases. In such places, only shade-tolerant or shade-loving bushes are planted under a living fence. The difference between them is obvious: shade-loving bushes prefer to grow away from the sun; shade-tolerant shrubs love the light, but also grow well in the shade.

Of the bushes that prefer shade, they distinguish:

Honeysuckle. This is a tall shrub to match a tree (about 2.5 m), which easily tolerates frosts, and besides, with edible fruits. Advantages of culture: it is little damaged by pests and diseases, it grows rapidly in height and width, it is not cut off until the age of seven.

mexican jasmine. Beautifully flowering, and several times during the growing season, a shrub with a maximum height of 3 meters. Jasmine flowers exude a citrus scent. Disadvantages: requires protection from frost, does not like to be cut, grows slowly.

Hazel. A shrub that needs constant sanitary pruning, top dressing with phosphorus-nitrogen fertilizers. With the growth of a bush in a hedge, the crown is formed from 4–8 thick branches. This is a fruit-bearing shrub, but the abundance of the crop depends on the degree of illumination - the more light hits the bush, the higher the crop will be.

Only young branches bear fruit, so annual pruning (rejuvenation) is recommended, after which three old trunks are left. In a dense shady area, such unpretentious hedge shrubs as brilliant honeysuckle, common privet, holly mahonia, snowberry, cup St. John's wort do not lose their decorative qualities. They have a simple appearance, a characteristic color of the leaves, there are fruits.

Raspberry bushes grow well in damp shady places. The dignity of the bushes is a beautiful, abundant flowering, tasty fruits. The disadvantage of the shrub is that it grows very quickly. Hydrangeas with willows are suitable for a fence in such places, although varietal hydrangeas bloom poorly in such a place. In densely shady areas, the apical pasihandra (borders) is planted - a slow-growing shrub of the boxwood family. It is not damaged by pests and diseases, does not require shelter, but grows only on dry soil. In semi-shady areas with heavy soils, deren, flowering weigela, spirea, barberry (Ottawa, tunberg) are planted. Potentilla with forsythia looks interesting. Shade-tolerant bushes include: winged euonymus, paniculate or tree-like hydrangea, red viburnum, Tatar honeysuckle, black elderberry.

The general disadvantage of green fence plants planted in shady places is a decrease in decorative qualities, a decrease in the yield of bushes, and an increase in the likelihood of diseases or pests.

decorative bushes

Almost all bushes that are used as hedges are decorative. They are divided into flowering, decorative-deciduous, coniferous. Breeders have created a huge number of varieties, from which it is not easy to choose the necessary plant. To achieve a constantly flowering hedge, crops are selected that bloom alternately. And if they still bear fruit, then such a fence will decorate the site even in late autumn. Flowering bushes for hedges:

• Syrian hibiscus;
• Japanese spirea;
• hydrangea;
• fragrant mock orange;
• multi-flowered rose;
• action;
• barberry Juliana;
• Tatar honeysuckle;
• common rosehip.

Decorative deciduous plants for hedges, in which the main advantage is beautiful foliage:

• yellow-bordered, white, silvery turf;
• Japanese quince;
• holly mahonia;
• viburnum vesicle;
• rowan-leaved fieldfare;
• black (variegated) elder;
• Japanese spirea goldflame;
• purple willow.

Conifers: cypress, cryptomeria, pyracantha, microbiota.

spiny species

Plants with thorns are used in landscape design when forming external living fences. With their help, impenetrable fences are created around the entire perimeter of the site.

The most impenetrable fences are obtained from thorns, yellow acacia, hawthorn, and the highest - from yew, arborvitae, juniper, spruce.

The barbed fence is formed by:

• hawthorns - large-spined, Siberian, blood-red, round-leaved, ordinary, single-pistil;
• barberries - Amur, ordinary, tunberg;
• roses - prickly, cinnamon, wrinkled (rugosa), dog;
• rose hip;
• turn;
• spiny eleutherococcus;
• Manchurian aralia;
• Chinese princepia.

unpretentious plants

All plants require care. This is especially true of the cultures from which green living fences are created, as they must keep their shape. It takes a lot of time, and a lot of skill and dexterity is required.

But there are plants, care (haircut) for which is minimized. Plants for tall hedges: yellow acacia, almost all types of barberries and hawthorns. For medium living fences - a brilliant cotoneaster, spirea - gray, van gutta, oak-leaved, arguta. Suitable for borders or low: Kuril tea (cinquefoil), Japanese spirea, thunberg barberry, bumald spirea, boxwood.

Spirea is an ideal hardy plant for hedges. They are compact, bloom late (second half of summer). There are varieties with decorative leaves ("golden princess"). But the willow hedge is unpretentious to the environmental conditions and to the soil, but needs constant pruning, as it allows a lot of overgrowth.

coniferous hedge

Coniferous living fences have many advantages, although there are also disadvantages. Their main advantage is that they look equally good, green throughout the year. The hedge from coniferous plants is an evergreen live fence for giving.

In addition, conifers are thorny, so they are suitable for creating external fences. Due to the high density of plantings, such crops will be better than others to protect the site from dust, noise, winds, and will also become an excellent backdrop for crops growing inside the site. To create do-it-yourself hedges from coniferous crops, it is recommended to plant:

• thuja smaragd, western or varietal: columna, reingold, fastigiata, brabant;
• juniper, Cossack, virgin, ordinary or its columnar or pyramidal varieties: suetsica, hibernica, buffalo, tamariskifolia;
• spruce - ordinary, gray, prickly, echinoformis, Gregorian;
• yew berry, its decorative varieties: robusta, aurea;
• decorative forms of cypress: ellvodi, alumi, columnaris, goldenwonder;
• Siberian fir;
• common pine, mountain pine.

When buying seedlings, pay attention to the correct spelling of the variety. If the name is misspelled or incorrect, then it is likely that this planting material was not grown in a nursery. As a result, you can buy a completely different plant that you wanted.

The positive qualities of coniferous hedges are uniformity, constancy, rigor, and the ability to withstand shearing. The green hedge has the disadvantages that it grows slowly. If at least one plant falls out of the row, then another in its place will not grow to the desired height soon.

climbing plants

Almost all climbing plants that can be planted in hedges are fast-growing. The main rule, without which the fence will not work, they need support. The height of the support will determine the height of the hedge.

girlish grapes. This is a perennial climbing culture. It is frost-resistant, so it does not require shelter for the winter. Girlish grapes are not attacked by pests, do not get sick, do not require special soil, and grow well in the shade. Positive qualities - decorative foliage (dark crimson), growth rate. Negative - annual pruning of heavily overgrown, broken, old lashes. A dense hedge is formed 3-4 years after planting.

honeysuckle honeysuckle. This is a shade-tolerant, fast-growing, flowering vine. To make the fence original, several varieties of honeysuckle are used at once. Due to the different flowering periods, the fence will bloom throughout the growing season. Moreover, with timely pruning of wilted buds, honeysuckle blooms again. Honeysuckle is not a capricious culture; it only requires shaping with watering.

Ivy. The liana grows best in areas with a mild, temperate climate. The disadvantage of the plant is that it does not tolerate hot sunlight and sultry air. Prefers moist soil, coolness.

Hop. This is an aggressive vine. She loves the sun, unpretentious, quickly covers the support. The culture is valued for its decorative qualities: beautiful leaves, fragrant flowers. Hop cones are used for medicinal purposes.

Campsis. The creeper has large tubular flowers that are yellow, orange or red. The decorativeness of culture is emphasized by its unpretentiousness to care, the place of growth. Campsis needs sun, mild winter, support. The plant tolerates drought, frost-resistant, although it needs shelter for the winter. This vine is a fast growing plant that requires annual pruning.

For all climbing crops, there is one prerequisite - regular pruning.

What plants are best not to plant

There are plants that, although they grow well, are not suitable for hedges. For example, varietal lilac species, having a compact crown, bare the lower part with age. But wild lilacs: drooping, gray, Amur, Hungarian are suitable for creating a wall. Wild plants grow quickly, form a voluminous, dense fence, are resistant to pests and diseases, and are unpretentious in care. Red viburnum is also not a suitable plant for hedges, although it has a decorative appearance. Kalina is prone to attacks by pests that can completely devour the bush.

There are plants on which the intermediate phases of diseases "live". Rust spores develop well on juniper, so it is better not to enclose a plot with garden trees with this plant.

Rosehips, fieldfare, shadberry, raspberries - all these are fruit bushes that you won’t get into trouble with. These crops spread very quickly by root offspring, so they can "absorb" the entire area. Lilac also belongs to the "scattering" cultures. Although the growth rate of these plants is easily controllable, they should be planted in areas where they will not interfere with other crops.

You should not plant crops that are afraid of frost or frost, because they will freeze slightly, so you will have to plant new bushes in the hedge. For example, weigela, a varietal crop, is afraid of frost and frost, but its wild-growing species is frost-resistant.

If the hedge has been badly damaged by frost, diseases or pests, you can carry out a radical rejuvenation - cut down all the plants, leaving 20 cm of hemp. A new shoot will come from them, which will eventually turn into a new green fence. Plants that quickly lose their decorative appearance are not suitable. So, jasmine mock orange becomes unsightly after flowering.

These hedge shrubs of a uniform type are best not used, although they will look decent in mixed plantings.

Landing Rules

When planning to make a living fence in the country, they study the rules for planting plants from which it will be created.

The main rule is to adhere to technologies, planting dates. In order for their survival rate to be higher, and the hedge to be denser and more decorative, young plants are planted. For deciduous shrubs and trees, the optimal age of seedlings is 2-3 years, for conifers - 3-5.

Large-sized planting material is used only with a closed root system in special containers. It is suitable for creating free-growing hedges, but for a sheared fence, it is not suitable, since it must be formed by yourself from the first year of life.

Advantage - you get a live fence in one day. But having quickly created a green fence, get ready to deal with its shortcomings - the slow adaptation of plants to new growth conditions and the big waste of money, because adult plants are expensive.

When transporting seedlings, make sure that their roots do not dry out: the root system is placed in plastic bags with wet sawdust.

Step-by-step instructions for planting a hedge are as follows.

Land strip preparation

First, determine the place where the fence will pass. To protect the neighbors, to prevent the roots of plants from the hedges from penetrating into neighboring areas, a barrier is dug in along the border of the future trench - slate or plastic shields. With the help of a stretched rope, a landing site is marked, where they subsequently dig a trench. Take into account the distance from the fence to the nearest objects:

• from a woody live fence to a path - 70 cm or more;
• from the shrub fence to the path - 50 cm or more;
• from the fence to the hedge - from 40 to 100 cm.

trench preparation

The width of the trench depends on the row of the fence:

• with a single row - 0.4 - 0.5 m;
• with a two-row - 0.7 - 1.0 m;
• with multi-row - 0.4 - 0.5 m plus 0.3 - 0.4 m for each subsequent row.

Trench depth - 0.4 - 0.6 m. The distance between rows and in a row depends on:

• from culture;
• type of root system;
• fence height;
• rows;
• crown density of the planted crop;
• characteristics of plant growth;
• the growth rate of each crop if a live fence is planted from different varieties or species;
• fencing type: forming or free-growing.

At the bottom of the excavated trench, the upper (fertile, soddy) layer of soil is laid, and it is compacted. Rotted manure, peat or compost is mixed with soil, the trench is covered with the resulting mixture to half, watered, sprinkled with soil on top.

Manure, peat or compost is not applied when planting fir or spruce.

Choice of crop type, planting size

For undersized, medium-sized, tall fences, the clearance between crops in rows and the distance between rows differ significantly:

• for high free-growing species, the distance between crops is 100-200 cm, between rows - up to 200-300 cm;
• for high-formed species, the distance between crops is 80-120 cm, between rows - up to 100 cm;
• for medium free-growing species, the distance between crops is 80-100 cm, between rows - 100-150 cm;
• for medium formed, the distance between crops is 20-30 cm, in rows - 30-40 cm;
• for low single-row distance between crops - 20-25 cm (4-5 plants per 1 p. m);
• for low two-row, multi-row distance between crops - 30-35 cm, rows - 30-60 cm (the second row is shifted half a step relative to the first, adhering to a checkerboard pattern).

Single-row hedges are created from densely branching crops or forming a lot of shoots, double-row hedges are created from plants that have loose branching. A mixed hedge is planted according to the same rules, but taking into account the characteristics of the species.

Seedling preparation

Saplings are culled - their roots, stems, crown are examined. Roots - for damaged, dried, sick roots. If any are found, they are carefully trimmed. The stem should be even, smooth, without damage, the crown should be uniform in density, not one-sided.

Immediately before planting, the root system of seedlings is dipped in a "talker" (soft clay mixed with mullein). It will increase the survival rate of plants, accelerate their acclimatization. If hardwood seedlings are used for the hedge, then before planting they are first kept in water for 2-4 hours, and then dipped in a “talker”.

When buying a seedling, pay attention to the roots. If they are cut or short, then it was either dug up in the forest or in a nursery, they did not adhere to the technology of growing planting material.

Planting a hedge

The roots of each seedling are carefully straightened at the bottom of the trench, sprinkled with earth, lightly tamping the soil above them. Air "pockets" at the roots should not be.

The root neck of the seedlings is left at the level of the soil surface or buried in it by 10-20 mm. After tamping, the soil is watered in two steps - this will allow the earth to lie tightly against the roots. If after the first watering the soil sank heavily, pour the earth, and then water it again. It is necessary to provide air access to the roots, so the topsoil is slightly loosened and mulched.

If required, then at a height of 30–40 cm from the soil surface, supports are made to support the stems that have not yet grown stronger. It is necessary to plant hedges from plants with open roots in April-May. Cultures with a lump or from containers are planted until the second decade of June. Autumn planting: coniferous crops - in August, deciduous - from August to October.

Subtleties of care

To grow a hedge, you need to know the intricacies of caring for it. Care consists in loosening, weeding, top dressing, disease and pest control, pruning.

loosening. It must be carried out, since the topsoil quickly hardens through a high density of plantings, preventing air and moisture from penetrating to the roots. Loosen the soil at a distance of 60 cm from the fence. If the root system of crops is pivotal, then this distance can be dug up with a bayonet shovel.

Weeding. This process is carried out constantly, as the row grows. Weeding is especially important in the first years after planting. As the plants mature, the need for this procedure will disappear on its own - few weeds can grow in the shade of bushes or dense plantings.

Mulching. It is carried out after the landing of the green fence. Mulch helps retain moisture in the soil and prevents weeds from sprouting. In subsequent years, mulching is not necessary.

watering. They are needed in the first year of life, especially if crops are planted in the spring. Autumn planting will receive enough moisture from the melted snow. In especially dry times during the growing season of plants, up to 25 liters of water are poured per 1 running meter of hedges.

Young plantings can be sprayed in the early morning or at sunset. Spraying is especially important for conifers, trees with "suede" leaves (catalpa) - they accumulate a lot of dust and dirt. Older hedges are sprayed or watered as needed, taking into account the characteristics of the variety.

So that the water after irrigation does not “run away” from the fence, earthen rollers or grooves are made on the sides where it will linger.

top dressing. Green hedges are dense plantings, so the soil loses nutrients at an accelerated pace. To improve the decorative appearance of crops, it is necessary to regularly, as needed, taking into account the needs of plants, apply mineral, organic or complex fertilizers. Poor soils are fertilized once every two years, rich soils once every 3-4 years. Experts recommend the following fertilization rates for hedges, kg / m²:

• rotted manure (2-4);
• compost (2-4);
• peat (4-6);
• potassium salt (0.03 - 0.04);
• ammonium sulfate (0.06 - 0.08);
• superphosphate (0.06 - 0.08).

Fertilizers can be applied by spraying or as a root top dressing.

Pruning, haircut. The survival rate of seedlings increases if they are pruned immediately after planting. Pruning is carried out at the same height from ground level and on the sides, removing ⅓ or ½ of the length of the shoot. If the crops are dug out in the forest, they are cut at a level of 0.2 - 0.3 m from the ground level. The crown of living fence plants is formed during the first four years. But for some shrubs, climbing plants, pruning is not carried out in the first two years.

Coniferous crops need a pyramidal haircut - it will prevent the needles from shedding from the lower branches. In the first two years, the plants grow intensively (bushes), so they are cut three times during the growing season.

The first time in early spring, before budding, or at the end of winter, the second haircut is carried out in summer (July), the third - before wintering. First of all, damaged, diseased branches are removed, and then already out of shape.

In fast-growing varieties, shearing is also carried out inside the crown in order to maintain the overall neatness of the bush or the entire hedge. In the future, crops are sheared as needed, it depends on the growth rate of plants, the speed of shoot formation, the type of hedge (free-growing or formed), and the desired effect.

Pruning is not carried out in winter, this will lead to frosting of the branches, their damage by diseases and pests. Waste from the procedure is collected and incinerated. If large branches are removed, the cut is smeared with garden pitch.

There are four types of pruning:

1. Formative. They are used only for young plantings in order to form the correct crown, to create a shape for the plantation.
2. Anti-aging. Old branches are pruned, sometimes all the way to the trunk, to form a new crown or shape.
3. Regulatory. Performs continuously during ongoing rounds. They cut off old, damaged, dry branches in the crown and outside the crown that interfere with others in order to provide the culture with the necessary density of branches, to give the plant the required parameters.
4. Sanitary. It is carried out as needed, in autumn or spring. This process can be called the “treatment” of crops, as branches and leaves damaged by diseases or pests, as well as broken and even frozen specimens, are removed.

Advantages and disadvantages of hedges

Hedges have their pros and cons. Advantages:

• they create a favorable microclimate on the site, comfortable conditions for recreation;
• retain moisture in the soil;
• attract birds that eat pests;
• mask unsuccessful buildings or decorate unattractive areas;

Linear plantings of shrubs or trees are called hedges in green building. Plant walls and fences are not only picturesque - they protect the site from prying eyes, uninvited guests, winds, noise and dust. In addition, natural hedges can successfully disguise outbuildings, aesthetically divide the homestead territory into different zones and at the same time serve as a certain background for landscape compositions.

Woody hedges: how do they differ

Hedges are created from low-growing trees, various types of ornamental shrubs, less often from perennial herbaceous plants on trellises.

Height and width

Green fences are conditionally divided by height into three groups:

• walls - more than 3 meters high,
• hedges themselves (low, medium, high) - from 0.5 to 3 meters,
• curbs - up to 0.5 m.

Each of these groups has its own range of plants. So, tree crops with a vertically directed crown are suitable for living walls, while dwarf forms are used for borders.

The height of the fence, designed for visual isolation from prying eyes, must be at least 2 meters. When choosing the height of a living fence, it is necessary to foresee in advance whether the shadow that it will cast on the fenced area and, possibly, on the neighboring garden will not cause unwanted problems. In order to delimit the internal space of the backyard territory, hedges are planted with a height of no more than 1.5 meters.

The width of a living border depends on the number of rows of plants in it. Landings can be one-, two-, three-row. Moreover, the rows are both from one type of plant, and from different ones; both identical in height and differing in this parameter.

Some trees and shrubs eventually begin to become bare from below as a result of the natural death of the lower branches. Given this, the “legs” of such plants are immediately covered with a number of lower, stably ornamental shrubs when planting. So, a line of lilacs with a line of spireas planted in front of it will look spectacular.

The form

Hedges can be cut (shaped) and uncut (free-growing).

The molded hedge has the correct geometric contours (parallelepiped, trapezium, sphere, hemisphere), which are obtained as a result of regular pruning. Sheared hedges, in addition to straight ones, are wavy, zigzag. The top surface also does not have to be strictly horizontal. It all depends on the imagination of the owner, the design idea and the skill of the garden "hairdresser".

For clipped hedges, most flowering shrubs are not suitable, since molding excludes their flowering. The "building material" of a living "geometric" fence is most often tree and shrub crops with good branching, small decorative leaves. The smaller the leaves or needles, the more dense the texture of the sheared surface, and the more effective the living barrier looks. A small nuance is that, for all its "beauty", the molded hedge is quite monotonous and will require playing with flower beds, contrasting companion plants or small garden forms.

For free-growing hedges, plants with a compact crown are chosen - decorative foliage, beautifully flowering, beautifully fruited.

Attention! Unshaped hedges will definitely need pruning too, but these will be stimulating, corrective, sanitary haircuts without giving the bushes a clear shape.

Colour

Thanks to a wide range of tree and shrub crops, there are now many more options for coloring hedges than just using the usual green color. Using plants with different colors of leaves or needles, you can plant golden yellow, silver, purple, fences combined from different colors on your site.

Using shrubs with colorful leaves to create hedges.

Important! Colored hedges on the site are a powerful accent. They themselves become an element of landscape design and it is much more difficult to harmoniously fit them, unlike monotonous green ones, into the overall holistic picture of the garden.

« Colored "hedges on the site allow you to play with the illusion of perception of objects. A barrier of warm-colored trees or shrubs (such as the purple-leaved barberry) appears closer than it really is. The use of cold shades (for example, thuja with bluish needles), on the contrary, visually distances it.

You can visually lengthen the garden path (and, therefore, increase the size of a small garden) by starting a double-sided border of varieties with dark flowers of any plant species and ending with varieties with light colors. To create such an effect, for example, paniculate hydrangea with its wide color palette is suitable.

An interesting design novelty is the creation of heterogeneous ("marble") hedges. For example, an original motley fence can be obtained by planting seedlings of two (or three) differently colored varieties of common barberry in three rows. After some time, the branches of closely planted plants penetrate each other into the crowns, and then come to the surface of the hedge in different places. The view of the sheared freakishly spotted living fence is very impressive.

"Marble" hedge.

The use of flowering plants in the hedge requires a developed sense of proportion. The low fence made of the purple-leaved form of the common barberry looks exclusive, but the high dark purple walls of the Ottawa Superb barberry will make a gloomy, depressing impression.

Hedges in your area

When choosing shrubs for hedges, it is important to decide what main function the living fencing of the local area should perform:

1. To weaken the winds while maintaining the ventilation of the site, a loose hedge of deciduous crops (amorphous, turf, hawthorn, etc.)

Important! The screen fence should catch and partially pass the wind through itself, and not reflect it completely. An impenetrable plantation is almost indistinguishable from a stone or metal fence wall. The wind speed when passing over the top of a too dense strip (it does not penetrate through it) is reduced by half, but immediately behind the fence, the air flows begin to swirl. This phenomenon adversely affects the well-being of neighboring plants.

1. The best curtain from street dust is conifers and tree and shrub crops with wrinkled and pubescent leaves (willow, rough elm, field maple, etc.)
2. Sounds are most effectively absorbed by coniferous trees and, above all, by pine and spruce.
3. A reliable barrier from uninvited visitors - people or animals - is a prickly obstacle made of common barberry, prickly rose, large-thorn hawthorn, European gooseberry.
4. To create green "rooms" and secluded corners inside the garden, decorative undersized shrubs are suitable - spirea (Japanese, Bumalda, etc.), privet, undersized varieties of western thuja, etc.

Attention! Low-growing, so-called dwarf, varieties of both deciduous and coniferous species grow very slowly (annual growth does not exceed 15 cm).

As a rule, adult, well-developed specimens are of the greatest aesthetic value, the cost of which in the nursery is much higher. Therefore, when buying planting material to create a border of "dwarfs", you will have to take into account its high cost.

The durability of green spaces (and living fences are their special case) decreases sharply if the atmosphere in the area of ​​​​their growth is polluted with dust, gases and the water-air regime of the soil is disturbed due to a hard coating.

Fast growing shrubs for hedges

To create a perennial hedge, they try to use shrubs with fast growth, so that they show their protective and decorative properties as early as possible. The favorite "building material" for fences from deciduous shrubs in central Russia are recognized:

• barberry,
• privet,
• cotoneaster,
• vesicle Kalinolistny,
• chokeberry,
• hawthorn,
• deren,
• bloodroot,
• spirea,
• currants golden and alpine,
• forsythia.

The annual growth of shoots in many of them is up to 1 meter.

With a single-row planting, from 2 to 5 seedlings are planted per meter of the border strip, taking into account the diameter of the crown of an adult plant.

Planting seedlings.

Already from an early "youth" the hedge should acquire a thick base. Strong pruning of the bush stimulates the appearance of side shoots. In seedlings planted in autumn, in the spring of next year, all shoots are shortened by one third of the length. When planting a hedge in spring, plants are given the opportunity to build up the aerial part during the season for the subsequent formation of good roots. Pruning is then done next spring. Gardener's scissors during each season will be needed, depending on the type of plant, 2-4 times.

Vesicle viburnum

One of the popular types of ornamental fast-growing shrubs used in the construction of hedges is the viburnum (Physocarpos opulifolius).

Vesicle viburnum

All parts of this shrub are of decorative value - flowers, leaves, and fruits. Bush up to 2-3 meters tall - sprawling, with a dense hemispherical crown. Small leaves are serrate-toothed along the edges. Small flowers with red stamens, collected in white or pink umbrellas, bloom in June. Composite fruit bubbles change color from green to reddish when ripe. In garden design, the following varieties of viburnum vesicle are most often used:

• Dart's Gold (Darts Gold) - with lemon yellow leaves,
• Diabolo (Dyabolo) - with purple foliage,
• Luteus (Luteus) - yellow-orange in spring, green in summer and golden in autumn,
• Red Baron (Red Baron) - with dark red leaves.

For borders, dwarf varieties of the vesicle type Nana (Nana) are used with dark green leaves and a bush height of up to 1 m.

The vesicle tolerates partial shade, but varieties with golden and purple leaves prefer sunny places to maintain a rich color. Does not like waterlogged soil. The undoubted advantages of this shrub include:

• frost resistance,
• undemanding to soil fertility,
• good environmental tolerance.

The high unpretentiousness of the vesicle allows it to be planted as undergrowth even along roads and railways.

Cotoneaster brilliant

Cotoneaster brilliant ( Cotoneaster lucidus)- one of the best deciduous shrubs for creating dense clipped hedges. Bush cotoneaster brilliant upright, densely leafy, up to 2 meters high. Glossy dark green elliptical leaves turn crimson in autumn. Due to the abundance of black fruit balls on the branches, the cotoneaster remains picturesque for a long time even against the dull background of late autumn.

Cotoneaster brilliant

The value of cotoneaster brilliant for landscaping is that it:

• winter-hardy,
• drought-resistant
• unpretentious,
• shade-tolerant, although it develops better with sufficient light.

The gas and dust resistance of the cotoneaster makes it indispensable in the fence, if the site is located near the highway or in the city. Cotoneaster does not differ in rapid growth, but in one place it grows up to 50 years.

Karagana shrub

Caragana shrub (Caragana frutex) is one of the commonly used species in the creation of green fences.

Karagana shrub

This variety is very similar to its "sister" - the tree-like caragana, popularly known as the yellow acacia. The same plentiful "golden" flowering in May, the same thin shoots with light green paired leaves, creating an openwork crown. The height of the bush is not more than 2 meters, it grows very actively, a powerful root system is able to strengthen the slope from shedding the soil. Karagana shrub is frost-resistant, hardy, withstands drought, loves the sun, but also puts up with partial shade.

The most popular varieties of shrub caragana in garden design:

• Grandiflor(Grandiflor) - large-flowered variety,
• Latifolia (Latifolia) - large flowers and shiny leaves,
• Globosa(Globoza) - compact spherical crown.

Shrubs for flowering hedges

Hedges of flowering shrubs are usually not given a clear geometric shape, but are allowed to grow freely. In this case, the distance between the bushes in a row should be approximately 0.8 of the diameter of an adult bush. In such a not too dense planting, the crowns of neighboring bushes will only partially overlap.

Ornamental shrubs with a long flowering period are most suitable for creating flowering frames:

• spirea Vangutta,
• varieties of Japanese spirea,
• weigela varieties,
• varieties of cinquefoil shrub,
• varieties of white turf.

Spirea Vangutta

Spiraea Vanhouttei (Spiraea x vanhouttei) surprises with the size of the bush, a lush cascading crown and the luxury of snow-white flowering. The height of the bush and the diameter of the crown reach up to 2 meters. Flexible shoots, strewn with numerous hemispherical inflorescences, lean to the ground from gravity. Beautiful and jagged leaves - dark green above and bluish below. Spirea Vangutta is distinguished by rapid growth, unpretentiousness, tolerance to shade. It should be noted that such a picturesque border strip will require a lot of space.

Spirea Vangutta

Derain white

White dogwood (Cornus alba) is an extremely ornamental shrub, very promising in the green construction of central and northern Russia. The second name of this handsome man is white svidina, the third is white dogwood, and among the people he is most often known as red. Beautiful foliage, green and white in summer, turns red-violet by autumn. The graphics of flexible reddish-brown shoots are very expressive against the background of white snow and greenery of coniferous trees. It blooms profusely, in two waves - in May-June and August-September. Small white or cream flowers are collected in numerous inflorescences up to 5 cm in diameter. White fruits at the end of summer are adjacent to newly emerging flowers.

Derain white

Decorative and deciduous varieties of white dogwood are the best for flowering hedges:

• Sibirica Variegata(Sibirika Variegata) - the bush is dense, compact, the leaves are decorated with a white edge;
• Spaethii (Shpeta)– the leaves are bordered around the perimeter with a golden yellow wide stripe, young leaves are bronze in color;
• Aurea(Aurea) - plain golden leaves.

For all their attractiveness, these varieties are resistant to frost and heat, unpretentious, but fully show their decorative properties only in good light. In order not to turn into an impenetrable overgrown jungle over time, a fence made of such material will require a systematic correction of height and width, as well as alignment of the planting line.

evergreen hedges

Evergreen hedges are good because they noticeably enliven the boring picture of the winter garden and the colorless period of late autumn. They come from coniferous and deciduous trees.

Mahonia holly

Holly mahonia (Mahonia aquifolium) from the barberry family is a real gift of nature to gardeners and designers. This is a very showy evergreen shrub up to 1.5 meters high. For the aroma of flowers, mahonia is called lily-of-the-valley shrub, for edible blue-gray berries - holly grapes. Large, glossy, toothed leaves are deep green in summer, turning bronze-red in autumn. It blooms in late spring - early summer with fragrant, yellow inflorescences collected in a brush. The border of holly mahonia remains picturesque all year round.

Mahonia holly

The indisputable advantage of coniferous trees and shrubs is that they are decorative from the very beginning, durable and enrich the air with the aroma of pine needles and phytoncides. But among there are no fast-growing species.

A respectable hedge can be planted from spruce (ordinary, prickly, Ayan). But there is one significant trouble: if for some reason bald patches appear in the crown of these trees, then such holes in the fence will irreparably spoil this status living border.

As a natural barrier, numerous varieties of junipers have proven themselves well - Virginian, ordinary, Cossack. These are small trees or large shrubs with a more active annual growth of shoots. There are columnar and pin-shaped varieties suitable for high walls, there are lower sprawling varieties that are good in free-growing hedges.

In the climate of central Russia, well-known varieties of hardy and winter-hardy western thuja (Thuja occidentalis) feel good:

• Brabant (Brabant) - with a conical shape,
• Smaragd (Smaragd) - with a conical silhouette,
• Sunkist (Sunkist) - with a golden color of needles.

Using the color scheme of modern varieties of thujas and junipers, a natural fence can be made combined - play with shades of green or include blue, yellow, gray colors in it.

Miniature ("dwarf") varieties of thujas and junipers are great in borders, but significantly increase the cost of such elegant frames.

If the question is about choosing the most spectacular, unpretentious, easy to take root and inexpensive shrubs for hedges, then here are the top six:

• vesicle Kalinolistny,
• turf white,
• cotoneaster shining,
• spirea,
• cinquefoil shrub,
• barberry.

A hedge, protecting the territory from the outside or decorating it from the inside, really lives - it breathes, grows, blooms, changes, pleases the eye, creates a favorable microclimate in the garden for both plants and people.

How to make a fast growing hedge in the country?

The hedge is especially beautiful on summer days. It will not only protect the site from strangers, but also help to form certain zones for various purposes on it.

For a green fence, you can use a variety of growing material: shrubs, climbing plants and trees. Properly selected plants will delight with greenery and flowering for many years without losing their decorative qualities with regular care.

Estimated time frame for hedge formation

A hedge of plants that grow quickly can be equipped with several types of plantings. Such a fence requires constant care, both during the growth of only planted shoots, and during the already formed fence. Plants for the hedge are selected so that the hedge is of the same height and density. After all, different types of greenery grow unevenly - some specimens stretch upwards, others have time to grow in width during this time.

A full-fledged two-meter hedge can be formed from fast-growing perennials in about 2 years.

Plants are selected so that they fence off the territory, but do not penetrate into the neighboring area. Both perennials and annuals are used for hedges. Annual plants need to be replanted every year, which is not always acceptable. Annuals are also not suitable for fencing the outside of the site.

fast growing shrubs

Fast-growing bushes are the best solution for forming a dense hedge in a short time. Suitable for fencing the site from the outside specimens with thorns. The result is an impenetrable fence that will qualitatively protect the territory from intruders and animals. Can be picked not only ornamental shrubs, but also fruit-bearing. You will receive both a chic fence and blanks for the winter.

Shrubs are selected taking into account the characteristics of the site, soil composition and climate. Different types of bushes can be combined with each other.

Instances are selected so that the result is a fence of approximately the same size. Some shrubs have a negative attitude towards the removal of tops. Next, consider the most suitable species for a fast-growing hedge.

Dogwood

Shade-tolerant and unpretentious shrub. It is ideal for outdoor hedges. It has beautiful leaves and ornamental fruits that are edible. Berries due to their nutritional properties are used in folk medicine. The height of the bush is 2-5 m. It blooms from March to April for about two weeks, then the leaves bloom. Fruits abundantly in open areas and neutral soil, but grows well under any other conditions.

Planted in spring or early summer. You can form a dogwood hedge bookmark in the fall, but no later than 3 weeks before frost. When planting in the fall, the leaves are removed from the seedlings. For laying a hedge, specimens under the age of two years are suitable. Autumn planting for the winter can be covered with foliage.

Kalinolistny vesicle

Unpretentious shrub with excellent decorative qualities. The plant has a lush rounded crown. It can grow in the shade, but the leaves lose their rich color. The bush is great for urban hedges located along highways.

Container specimens are suitable for laying hedges. They can be planted throughout the warm period. Frost-resistant, does not require shelter. Only in very severe frosts can the tips of the shoots freeze slightly.

Barberry

A thorny shrub that can grow in any soil and is drought tolerant. Poorly refers to the stagnation of water in the area. Thanks to the thorns, an impenetrable fence is formed.

For hedges, both low-growing and tall varieties are used. The plant is decorative, especially during the flowering period and when the fruits ripen. For the fence you will need a large amount of material. The fruits are suitable for home preparations.

Turn

Unpretentious and undemanding in care. Bushes are compact up to 3 m high, do not require careful pruning. The fence is thick and impenetrable. The fruits are edible after frost, have medicinal properties. The hedge is especially beautiful in the spring during the flowering period, when the leaves have not yet blossomed on it. It attracts with almond aroma.

When laying a hedge, each bush is cut, leaving a height of up to 15 cm. This measure allows you to accelerate the growth of the shrub. To obtain an impenetrable fence, pruning for the next year can be repeated. Next, maintain the desired height.

climbing plants

For a fast-growing hedge, you can take annuals, provided that they are located on a support as a decorative element. They are sown quite thickly. Such plants will not protect the territory from animals and strangers, but they will carefully cover it from unwanted eyes. Plants are renewed every year.

Suitable for an annual fence kobeya, sweet pea, morning glory (twisted panych), ornamental beans, nasturtium and others. They are intertwined with each other, as a result, a solid green flowering panel up to 5 m high is obtained, depending on the type of annuals.

Also popular are the following types of perennials.

Climbing (curly) roses

Very decorative during flowering. The fence of them turns out to be impenetrable due to the thorns and the interlacing of the vine. The shrub is recommended to be slightly separated from other flowers. The plant does not tolerate stagnant water. It should not be planted in places where groundwater is located closer than 2 m.

The laying of the hedge is carried out in autumn until mid-October. They form the appearance of the hedge from the second year after planting the bushes. Plants are tied up. A horizontal garter gives only growth in height, a vertical garter gives a large number of shoots. This must be taken into account when forming the density of the fence.

Clematis

Decorative throughout the warm period. For laying the fence, bushes no older than two years are used, they are planted in the fall. Plants grow optimally in open areas. Clematis do not tolerate acidic soils, water overflow and constant dampness, fertilizer with peat and manure. In hot weather, the soil must be protected from overheating by mulching with humus.

In order for clematis to bloom profusely, they must be cut. For the winter, the bushes are covered, since the root neck of the bush is subject to freezing, especially those parts of it that have not yet risen to the surface.

Honeysuckle

An ornamental shrub up to 6 m high. It attracts landscapers with high decorative qualities throughout the warm season. The hedge can be formed from various varieties of honeysuckle. The result is a flowering fence of various shades: yellow, carmine red, rose red and orange yellow. Pairs beautifully with climbing roses.

The fruits are edible, in some varieties they crumble themselves. The first 5-7 years, only sanitary pruning is needed, the crown of the hedge is formed at a later age.

Ivy

Decorative due to its foliage, which develops in large numbers. Fences can be assembled from different plant varieties. The bush tolerates shade well, but in too shaded places it loses foliage. Does not tolerate scorching sunlight. Ivy is not picky about soil, pruning and care, the main thing is that the soil does not dry out.

Trees for fast growing fence

Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus is the fastest growing among trees. For landscaping, the varieties Gunni, few-flowered and lemon are used. They are undemanding to the soil, drought-resistant. The height of the fence is adjusted by pruning. It is recommended to cover for the winter. Do not allow the soil to dry out.

Willow

Suitable as a fast-growing hedge, unpretentious to the quality of the soil. Some varieties can be given the shape of a shrub by cutting the trunk. There are low-growing and dwarf trees, for example, purple willow, goat willow; they are very decorative as a green fence, but love moisture. It is recommended to spray the hedge in the heat.

Aspen

It is unpretentious and grows in any soil. The hedge is formed from young shoots no older than a year. The branches are intertwined with each other, it turns out an impregnable fence. The tree does not require maintenance. The height of the hedge is controlled by pruning, in which case a lot of overgrowth appears. Aspen mushrooms appear under such a fence over time.

field maple

Suitable for hedges 2-4 m high. Does not tolerate acidic soil. It grows equally in the sun and in the shade, easily tolerates drought and heat. Responds well to haircuts. It is pruned twice a year, removing thick lignified branches. Very decorative throughout the warm period, especially in autumn.


You can learn about other types of fast-growing trees from the following video:

Unwanted hedge plants

It is not recommended to use plants for hedges that grow strongly in different directions, digging the soil. Such instances include raspberry and blackberry, irga, fieldfare and the like. Such plants should not be planted on the border with another site. They are very difficult to control by pruning.

It is not recommended to plant bushes prone to attack by pests and diseases as a hedge, for example, viburnum. A dense fence during an “epidemic” is difficult to treat with chemicals, moreover, such treatment is harmful to health. Such a fence quickly loses its beautiful appearance due to pests, it is extremely difficult to completely protect it from diseases.

Not recommended for fast growing hedges. non-hardy perennials. Freezing specimens will need to be systematically replaced; in severe frosts, the hedge can completely die. Do not plant plants that need replant periodically. Such a fence gradually degenerates, losing its original appearance.

Landing and care

Initially mark the territory. Material for a fast-growing hedge can be planted in two ways: dig a trench at least 40 cm deep and 60-100 cm wide, depending on the number of rows, or dig holes for each instance separately. The planting step is chosen depending on the type of plants.

The minimum distance between specimens in a single-row planting is 25 cm for climbing varieties, for shrubs 0.5-1.5 m, for trees - from 1.5 m. With a two-row planting, the planting step is from 0.5 m.

The soil in the hole is recommended to be replaced with a nutrient composition. The mixture is prepared according to the needs of the plant species. The crown of the hedge is formed during the first 4 years. Not all types of plants need pruning after planting. Usually, in the first 2 years, pruning is not used for climbing varieties and some shrubs. Some types of plants, such as conifers, need pyramidal pruning to prevent shedding of the lower branches. All types of plants need systematic watering and top dressing during the period of rooting and growth.

The choice of shrubs must be approached very carefully, but before you decide to purchase seedlings, be sure to find out about the pros and cons, the main characteristics of fast-growing types. This will allow you to understand where to make a hedge, what possible problems you may have when leaving, and much, much more.

• Advantages. First of all, most of the fast-growing shrubs are characterized by a certain height. And if varieties of plants that grow slowly can grow above the designated standards, then these species cannot. They are also characterized by a high frequency of growth and excellent density. But the most important advantage is the high growth rate, and that is why such shrubs are chosen by those who want to grow an impenetrable "green fence" on their site as soon as possible.
• The disadvantages include the fact that such shrubs are difficult to change in the process of their growth. And all due to the high speed, which leads to difficulties in the process of forming bushes. But in many ways, the general appearance of the hedge depends on the appearance of the plants.

Thus, you need to weigh the pros and cons a thousand times, consider whether you are ready to spend so much time doing all the necessary work, because creating such a fence will require a lot of labor from you.

Fast growing plants and shrubs for hedges

You will quickly get a hedge if you use willow for planting. First of all, the tree grows at an incredible rate. The second advantage is that you will be able to intertwine the branches, forming a green and dense clutter. Most of all, their unpretentiousness attracts, since these varieties of trees grow on almost any soil, quickly take root and tolerate a haircut. The most famous varieties include the well-known weeping willow, red willow, goat and purple willow. Perfect for creating a barberry hedge, which will not only serve as a “fence”, but will also bring practical benefits in the form of berries from which you can make delicious jams. A quick hedge will also be made from a plant such as a thorn, which will become a real obstacle to animals and thieves, since its branches are incredibly prickly. Attracts ease of care for him, as well as undemanding plants to the conditions of detention, frost resistance. Rose hips also have many useful properties, which not only grows rapidly, but also delights you with valuable and tasty fruits. Among other things, such a shrub will attract birds to your site, which will become a real protection against harmful insects. Decorative varieties of shrubs have also found their wide application, which, although they do not have much practical use, can become a magnificent decoration of the garden. So, they include, which, with proper care, will reach three meters in height, various types of viburnum vesicle, lilac.

Proper fit and care is the key to obtaining a spectacular result

As we have already said, when planting fast-growing breeds, you need to be as careful and accurate as possible, especially when it comes to shaping (cutting) a bush. Otherwise, you can run the plant hard, then you will either have to spend a huge amount of time and energy on its restoration, or uproot the whole bush. First of all, it’s worth starting with a landing. So, we mark the territory in advance and, just in case, be sure to create its borders with the help of a rope. After that, we dig small ditches for planting seedlings, while their dimensions should be larger than the seedlings. When planting, be sure to ensure that the root system is intact, otherwise, this can lead to the fact that the plant simply withers. Be sure to use mineral fertilizers, and after planting the seedlings, water your hedge abundantly for three weeks.

Even though you have selected fast growing shrubs for your hedge, don't expect them to reach their maximum size the following year.

This should take at least three to four years. to give the desired shape, be sure to stretch the wire along the line of the desired height. You will need to cut exactly at its level, and not do everything “by eye”, otherwise you will not get the perfect shape. At the same time, pruning of shrubs is necessary only in summer, so that the fast-growing hedge does not have “bald spots” at the roots.

At that time, they were treated with great respect, it was believed that fairies, elves and other kind fairy-tale creatures were hiding in the crowns of trees, protecting the territory from adversity.

Plantings perform the following functions:

• retention of water in the soil due to the reduction of the drying effect of winds;
• even distribution of snow in winter and slow melting in spring;
• reduction of mechanical damage caused by wind to plants located inside the fenced area;
• protection of livestock from bad weather and heat;
• preventing snow from covering roads;
• the habitat of birds that destroy harmful insects.

Experienced gardeners believed that a properly laid and grown hedge is much more reliable and durable than the most durable fences. Their only drawback is the unsatisfactory development of some plants, which must be taken into account when designing the site.

The hedge looks especially beautiful in the summer, it not only protects the site from prying eyes, but also ensures the formation of certain zones for various purposes.

A fast-growing hedge plays an important role in landscape design, reaching the required height in a short period.

Trees, climbing plants and shrubs can be used for a green fence. For arranging a hedge, several varieties of plantings can be used, which are selected in such a way that the green fence in all areas is of the same density and height.

It must be taken into account that different types of plantings grow at different rates.

Species and varieties

The following plants are used to create a fast-growing perennial hedge:

Willow. It grows quickly, the pliable branches of the tree are easily intertwined. The plant gets along well in various climatic zones, feels good on different soils. In wetlands with high humidity, willow quickly forms a wide root system.

Weeping willow is most suitable for weaving branches, the best effect is achieved when weaving branches of the following varieties: goat, purple, holly willow and red.

Barberry. In addition to the decorative effect, barberries can bring significant benefits; berries grow on their branches, from which jams and jams can be made. The shrub can be cut, given almost any shape, a hedge is quickly formed from the thorn. Common varieties: Thunberg barberry, Kornik, Red Chief, Atropurpurea, Superba, Golden Rocket.

Rosehip and tea rose. The plant has many useful properties; when planting, it is allowed to alternate bushes through one or in a certain configuration. Rosehip grows rapidly, the fruits contain many useful substances, drinks from berries are very useful in winter.

The most common varieties are Junzilla, Mont Blanc, Scabrosa, Robin Hood, Ballerina, Resonance.

Derain is white. The shrub is a hedge, the height of which very quickly reaches 3 m, the given growth can be maintained at 1.2 m. The flower baskets have a milky hue, flowering occurs twice a summer: in June and August. The hedge grows well in any light, the shrub is hardy, does not require frequent watering.

Deren feels great on soils with a close location of groundwater to the surface. To prevent the hedge from growing in width, the lower branches must be trimmed regularly. The shrub allows you to grow picturesque green fences of different heights.

The shrub is large in size, its length can reach 3 m in height, length - up to 4 m, the hedge is dense in winter and dense in summer. Decorative effect is achieved due to arched shoots with foliage of different colors, the shade of which depends on the variety.

The plant feels best on acidic and neutral soils, the shrub is drought and frost resistant, not affected by harmful insects and diseases. The vesicle is represented by two main varieties: red-leaved and yellow-leaved.

The shrub is often used to create a figured hedge, the flowers have a greenish tint, the fruits are red, have no taste. The plant is resistant to frost and winds, does not tolerate dryness and heat. With regular fertilization, dense foliage is formed, from which curly compositions are easily created.

Common varieties: marble, cut-leaved, variegated, glossy.

Turn. The plant has dense beautiful leaves, the fruits of dark blue color have a pleasant sweet and sour taste. The tree is unpretentious, has high winter hardiness, you can hide an ugly building or fence behind a thorn.

thuja. In central Russia, different varieties of thuja are widely used, it grows well in the shade, is frost-resistant, and is not demanding on the soil. The plant is well suited for pyramidal and columnar hedges (Brabant, Holmstrap, Smaragd). Thuja tolerates haircuts well, after which the crown becomes thicker, a hedge of various shapes can be formed from the plant.

Cotoneaster. Cotoneaster horizontalis a shrub up to 50 cm high, the shoots of which can stretch to a width of up to 1.5 m. The flowering period occurs at the end of May, lasts about three weeks, the flowers are inconspicuous, have a bright pink color with a red tint, the fruits are unsuitable for food.

The most famous varieties are: ordinary (whole-edge), many-flowered, pressed, chokeberry and red-fruited, shiny horizontal.

Hedges from these plants, see the photo:

Landing

Many hedge plants are propagated by seed, so you can buy one seedling to start with and see how it develops. If everything suits you, then you can collect seeds from the fruits and start growing planting material.

Usually, fast-growing 2-3 year old plants are used to form a hedge, while buying large bushes is not recommended, as they do not tolerate transplanting well.

Plants along the perimeter of the site do not have to be the same, large shrubs can be planted on the north side, and small light-loving plants on the south side. On the western and eastern side, you can create a hedge of medium height from medium-sized crops.

A good time to plant fast growing hedge plants is early spring and fall.

The best time to plant is early spring, before the buds begin to open. Planting can also begin in the fall, but no later than mid-October, at the same time of the year, a site for a hedge is being prepared. If bushes are planned to be planted at the same time, the site should be prepared 10-12 days before the start of planting.

For a sheared hedge, trenches are dug 50-70 cm deep; during planting, it is necessary to ensure that the roots do not bend, and the root collar rises slightly above ground level. The width of the trench for uniform planting should be 50 cm, for 2-row - 70 cm, for 3-row - 90 cm.