by Marta Meggiolaro.
Five golden rules for turning the garden into your safe haven with the right plants and methods.
It’s wonderful to spend time in the garden or on the terrace surrounded by fencing that protects us from indiscrete looks and unpleasant sounds. One of the best solutions available is the classic hedge. It increases the property’s value, is sustainable, and protects biodiversity. Here are some golden rules for choosing one and taking care of it.
A single-variety evergreen hedge created by the Photinia and its red buds.
1 – Single-variety or mixed
The single-variety is created from just one species; meanwhile, the mixed hedge is made up of more than one variety. The most common one is the single-variety evergreen with tall and compact plants which require the same maintenance. Lately, the Photinia has replaced the Prunus laurocerasus, as it is resistant and easy to mechanically prune. It can be recognized by its bright-red sprouts. The mixed hedge requires one to pay more attention to its blossoming, but allows for experimentation with various heights, widths, and shapes.
2 – Evergreen or decidua
If privacy is the goal, one must choose an evergreen: either the Photinia or various varieties of Viburnum like Tinus and Lucidum. If it is especially necessary to save on space—and if the neighbors agree—it is possible to opt for evergreen climbers like jasmine, ivy, and clematis armandii.
On the other hand, the deciduous species provide various features throughout all the year’s seasons with buds, blossoms, color variations of the leaves, various heights, habits, berries, and fruits. It improves the garden’s biodiversity, providing nutrients to lots of pollinating insects.
Climbers are interesting solutions. The Clematis Armandii is an evergreen which quickly covers large surfaces and has a gorgeous blossom.
3 – Checking conditions
Having chosen a plant based on purpose, budget, features, and personal taste, it is now necessary to speak to a professional and and establish whether they are fit for the location, checking the type of terrain, exposure to the sun and other atmospheric agents, the availability of water, and the space at one’s disposal. This is essential for not losing on one’s investment. It is also possible to add a gardener into the budget for maintenance.
The Viburnum Tinus is a solid alternative to the Photinia. The blossom is stunning and includes bunches of dark-blue berries in autumn.
4 – Planning for height and depth
To properly protect one’s privacy, the first step is to plant the evergreen species along the perimeter — while respecting the distances from the border — which can reach up to two meters high to create a proper barrier. It should be noted that it is possible to experiment with the depth with short and medium-height species, including deciduous ones. In this way, the eye will not come up against a green wall, but will expand to various points of interest.
The Buddleja is a deciduous plant which becomes the focal point of the hedge in summer with its fragrant blossom which attracts bees and butterflies.
5 – On the terrace and balcony: only the most durable species
Container gardening requires a bit more care. It requires an automatic irrigation systemand species which are fit for pots and high temperatures caused by the glare of light from the walls and floors (for example, bamboo); and one should check the capacity of the structurewhich could influence the use of plastic pots and limit their number. However, this does not mean that the result will be less beautiful. It just means one must find the right plant for the right place.
The pots with bamboo effectively fence off the space yet remain gentle and attractive. Credit Adobe Stock.
Pictured in the cover image, a mixed hedge with various evergreen species in order to experiment with the color variation of the leaves. Photos Adobe Stock.
