15 Best Low-Maintenance Shrubs for Creating Private Hedges
A wall of lush, green foliage can be so much more attractive than a wooden fence. The species on this list can all be grown easily into rows that repel intruders with thorns or tight branches, making passage difficult and protecting your yard.
The Mountain laurel is known for its showy, pink to rose-colored flowers that bloom in the spring and early summer. The shrub has glossy, dark green leaves, usually grows up to 6-10 foot tall. It is often used as a specimen plant or as a border shrub due to its attractive flowers and dense, compact growth habit.
Rose of Sharon is a deciduous shrub with trumpet-shaped pink, lavender, or white flowers. Although it was first collected by Western botanists from Syrian gardens, it is native to south-central and southeastern China. Because of its hardiness and prolific blooming, it is cultivated all around the world. It is the national flower of South Korea, mentioned in its national anthem.
The Common boxwood may appear as a tree, however, it is actually a large shrub with blooms. The green flowers may not be eye-catching, yet they release a delightful fragrance. This shrub thrives in soils rich in limestone and chalk and grows at a slow pace, resulting in dense and hard wood that is suitable for cabinet making, mallet crafting, and musical instrument production, such as flutes and oboes.
The Weeping forsythia is recognized for its brilliant yellow leaves and earned its nickname of the “golden bell”. Originating in Asia, it has been treasured by Chinese cultivators for centuries. The Weeping Forsythia is also a popular ornamental plant, often used in gardens and landscapes for its stunning display of yellow flowers in early spring.
The Spotted Laurel, also known as Aucuba japonica, is a durable green shrub native to Asia. It is a favorite among gardeners, thriving in moist soil in areas near water or rocks. The yellow speckles on its leaves have earned it the nickname “Gold Dust Plant.” Although its appearance is attractive, the Spotted Laurel is mildly toxic, with its fruit being avoided even by birds.
Japanese barberry is a shrub that is native to Japan and Korea. It is known for its attractive red leaves, which change to green in the summer and back to red in the fall, making it a popular ornamental plant for landscaping.
The American holly is a medium-sized evergreen tree, commonly found in southeastern areas of North America as an understory tree in humid forests. Its bright red fruits are poisonous to humans but are a very important source of food for numerous species of birds.
The Glossy Privet is a versatile plant that can be grown as either a shrub or a tree. With its glossy leaves and fragrant white flowers, it adds beauty to any landscape. However, it’s important to note that the flowers have a strong scent, so make sure you like the odor before planting. Additionally, the berries produced by the Glossy Privet are toxic, so it’s important to keep them away from pets and children.
English yew (Taxus baccata) is a medium-sized evergreen tree. Its leaves and seeds are highly toxic, so it should be planted away from areas where children or pets may be able to reach them. The English Yew is often used in landscaping as a decorative shrub or tree, and its wood is also prized for its fine quality, making it a popular choice for wood carving and furniture-making.
The Common lilac is a popular ornamental plant that is prized for its fragrant and beautiful flowers. It produces clusters of fragrant, showy flowers in shades of pink, purple and white in spring. The flowers are often used in cut flower arrangements. This plant is widely cultivated for its ornamental value in gardens and parks
The white cedar is a small- to medium-sized evergreen conifer native to North America. This tree can be found in a variety of environments, including forested wetlands and along cliffs. It is prized for its unique, flat-scale-like foliage that ranges in color from bright green to blue-green, depending on the variety. Its wood is durable, rot-resistant, and highly valued for use in outdoor furniture, shingles, and other building materials. It is also a favorite among bird lovers, as the tree provides shelter and food for many bird species.
Chinese privet (Ligustrum sinense) is a deciduous shrub that has been highly respected by Chinese martial artists – It’s tough, but flexible shoots were widely used for making spears and darts. The plant is prized for its glossy green leaves and fragrant white flowers that bloom in the spring and early summer. It is often used in hedgerows, as a screen, or in topiary gardens because of its quick growth and lush foliage. This plant is also often used as a bonsai plant due to its ability to be shaped and trained easily.
Rockspray cotoneaster is known for its low-growing, spreading habit and attractive, shiny leaves. It produces delicate, pink or white flowers in the spring, followed by clusters of small, red or orange berries in the fall. The berries are a food source for many species of birds, making this plant a popular choice for gardeners who are interested in creating a bird-friendly garden. It is also well-suited for use as a groundcover or for growing on walls or slopes, thanks to its prostrate habit and its ability to root along its stems.
The Flame azalea is known for its vibrant, golden-yellow flowers that bloom in late spring to early summer. These beautiful flowers make it a popular choice for gardeners who want to add some bright, eye-catching color to their landscape. The Flame Azalea is also popular for its attractive, dark green foliage that provides an attractive backdrop for its flowers. While it is not typically grown for its fruit, the shrub does produce small, dark blue berries that are enjoyed by wildlife such as birds.
Eastern hemlock is a slow-growing coniferous tree native to North America. It is prized for its lush green needles that grow on its branches, and its distinctive, delicate cones. In the garden, it makes a beautiful and unique addition to the landscape, especially when planted in groups. The wood of the Eastern hemlock tree is very soft and light, making it useful for paper and other cellulose products, as well as for construction in areas where the tree is abundant.