thisplace.com.au - Hedges for Modern Living

Hedges over time have meant many things to different people - delineation, design, privacy, contrast, colour, and as a means to create anticipation within an area. Hedges can be used to suggest space and perspective, and can comprise any grouping of plants - however few. A good gardener can use a hedge to delineate an area - accentuate the design - and with a clever choice of plants can add colour. However, usually in a modern urban setting, hedges are used to provide privacy, as an alternative to fences and walls, or to screen out large adjacent buildings. A hedge is a more or less uniform row of plants planted closely together. They are sometimes shaped or clipped and perform the function of a wall, fence, screen, wind, or noise break.

Hedge Types

Formal - These are plants with dense twiggy growth cut into a regular shape by constant clipping, which suppresses most of the flowers and fruits. This type is usually used for borders, or an alternative for a wall or fence.

Semi-Formal - These are plants that are allowed to develop some flowering and fruiting wood. This type of hedge is not subjected to clipping as meticulously as the formal hedge. This type is also used as an alternative for a wall or fence.

Informal - In this case the plants are allowed to grow almost naturally, they are clipped infrequently, if at all, and then only to keep tidy. This type is basically a line of tall shrubs or trees to create a screen. Most hedges are planted for privacy, and therefore evergreen plants are selected. However, sometimes a compromise is made to let the sunlight through in winter months, by planting deciduous specimens.

Soil Preparation

It is important to give your hedge a good start by preparing the area properly. Remove all weeds, and dig in cow manure generously. If the soil is poor, an improver such as Amgrow Mulch and Feed will be beneficial, and Debco Coprapeat will additionally improve the quality of the soil. After you have prepared the soil, water well, and leave for a week or so before planting.

Planting

Spacing of the plants is necessarily close so as to form a dense mass of foliage and stems to ground level. A hedge with the plants too far apart may take years to grow together - so spacing is most important. Most plants used for hedges should be spaced 1/5 to 1/4 of the average spread of a free standing specimen apart - e.g. a plant width of 2.5m - 3.0m will require a spacing of .6m . After planting, ensure the hedge is thoroughly watered. It is recommended that the soil be suitably mulched - lucerne mulch, sugar cane mulch, or straw mulch will help control weed growth and conserve moisture in the soil during the drier months

Clipping

Clipping should commence during the first year. Shears must only be used lightly until the hedge has developed a bushy side growth. The general aim should be to make a short bushy hedge first then allow the height and width to increase as required. This method usually takes a little longer, but the dense well-leafed result will be worth the effort.

Watering and Fertilising

Because hedge plants are planted close together, special attention should be paid to regular watering and feeding. An application of Greengold All Purpose Fertiliser should be given in early spring and mid summer - except for Australian natives. These should be fed with Greengold Blood and Bone or slow release Osmocote for Natives, pests and diseases Because hedge plants are very close together, it is important that any sign of an insect or fungal problem be treated quickly, as it can rapidly spread through the hedge. Different plants are susceptible to different insects and disease infestation - consult your Greengold Garden Centre for advice on treatment.

Source : Greengold