A beautiful garden is the dream of many, but maintaining it can sometimes be quite a job. Fortunately, there are several types of hedges that you do not have to prune often, so your garden always looks neat without too much effort. In this article we will discuss some of these low maintenance hedges so you can make the perfect choice for your garden.
1. The hornbeam (Carpinus betulus)
The hornbeam is a popular choice for gardens because of its dense foliage and rapid growth. Although it initially requires more frequent pruning to maintain a compact shape, the hornbeam requires little maintenance in the long term. Due to its strong natural growth, this hedge will maintain itself and pruning is limited to removing dead branches and updating the shape.
2. The privet (Ligustrum)
Privet is a versatile hedge plant suitable for both formal and informal gardens. It is a hardy plant that thrives in different soil types. Privet requires annual pruning, but grows slowly enough to require little attention the rest of the year. With proper pruning, the privet will form a dense and compact hedge that requires little maintenance.
3. The yew (Taxus baccata)
The yew is a classic choice for garden hedges because of its slow growth and the fact that it can be easily pruned into shape. Although the yew hedge requires a little more attention in the beginning to achieve the desired shape, over time it will need to be pruned less and less often. The yew is an evergreen hedge that offers a beautiful appearance all year round without too much effort.
4. The cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus)
The cherry laurel is a fast-growing hedge plant that requires little maintenance. With annual pruning, the cherry laurel can form a beautiful, dense hedge that gives your garden a green and lush appearance. It is important to prune the cherry laurel properly at a young age to promote a strong structure. Once the hedge has reached the desired height, minimal maintenance is required.
5. The thuja (Thuja occidentalis)
The thuja, also known as the tree of life, is a popular choice because of its fast growth and easy care. Although the thuja initially requires regular pruning to maintain its shape, over time it requires less and less maintenance. The thuja is evergreen and offers privacy and beauty to your garden all year round.
In conclusion, maintaining a beautiful garden doesn’t have to be a daunting task. By choosing the right type of hedge, you can have a neat and well-maintained garden with minimal effort. The hornbeam, privet, yew, cherry laurel, and thuja are all excellent options for low maintenance hedges. While each hedge may require some initial pruning to achieve the desired shape, they all have the advantage of requiring less and less maintenance over time. These hedges offer dense foliage, rapid or slow growth, and year-round beauty, making them perfect choices for any garden. With these low maintenance hedges, you can enjoy a stunning garden without spending too much time on upkeep.
