Advice on Choosing the Right Plants for Hedging

The hedgerow is an old symbol of boundaries. However, hedges, like real walls, can cause difficulties for those who attempt to build them. First, hedges are often planted in front of problem views or places where privacy is desired. If you plan to use hedging as a visual barrier, choose quick-growing hedging plants that will shield your view quickly- before the problem arises.

Hedges also need maintenance if they are to function as barriers that block troublesome views and sounds. The hedges must be kept at least 4 feet high if they are to provide any kind of privacy. Since hedging should not normally be pruned more than once every year or two, this means that hedges may grow several inches per year. If hedges are not regularly topped, the hedges soon begin to lose their shape and become lanky. Usually, hedging is used as internal or external hedges, but some gardeners use hedging as hedgerows that run down the middle of long rows.

The hedge is an ancient symbol of division; however, hedges like real walls can cause problems for people who attempt to grow them. First, hedges are often planted in front of problem views or places where privacy is desired. If you plan to use hedging as a visual barrier, choose plants that will shield your view quickly- before the problem arises. 

The definition of 'hedge', according to Merriam Webster is an artificial fence made by planting closely growing bushes or trees, etc.; (sometimes) a line formed by such a barrier; "the city was built on both sides of the hedgerow"

According to Wikipedia: "A hedgerow is a line of closely spaced shrubs and sometimes trees, planted and tended to provide privacy and often for other uses such as tracking or hedges. Hedgerows are also an important habitat for many animals. The planting of hedges around fields began in Britain in the Bronze Age, about 3,500 years ago. The first hedges enclosed land for cereal crops during the Neolithic Period (Stone Age)."