New Jersey Garden Hedge Plants

Inkberry

• Remember, when creating hedges from inkberry (Ilex glabra), that the shrub can produce new growth from the roots, known as suckering. This means you must schedule regular maintenance to remove the new shoots so the hedge does not take over your yard. Inkberry, a New Jersey native species, grows to 8 feet and does exceptionally well in acidic, damp sites. Inkberry's flowers bloom in late spring, resulting in a black berry that birds savor. Inkberry's foliage remains evergreen, staying a dark shade of green year round.

Washington Hawthorn

• Washington hawthorn (Crataegus phaenopyrum) is a small tree you can maintain as a hedge in New Jersey by pruning a row of individual specimens. Otherwise, it can grow to 30 feet. Washington hawthorn is native to the southeastern United States, but is a naturalized species as far north as Massachusetts. Washington hawthorn's white flowers only remain in bloom for from a week to 10 days in early June, notes the University of Connecticut Plant Database. Inch-long to 3-inch thorns arm the stems, making it necessary to exercise caution when landscaping around this species. Washington hawthorn is not hard to grow, with full-sun habitats and moist soil preferable.

Japanese Barberry

• Japanese barberry (Berberis thunbergii) will survive even the coldest locales in New Jersey, since the shrub is hardy to zone 4. Native to Japan, Japanese barberry grows to 6 feet, with the best growth occurring in full sunshine. Featuring a densely branched form with many spines, the shrub has green leaves that go to vivid fall colors such as orange and red. Japanese barberry works as both a hedge and as a barrier, as its spiny veneer discourages anyone from barging through your property.

Black Chokeberry

• While black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) is suitable as a hedge plant in New Jersey, you can also use it to prevent erosion and in mass plantings. Black chokeberry is a multi-stemmed shrub, growing 5 feet tall, that adapts to many conditions. You can place it close to ponds, lakes and streams, since it handles wet areas with ease. Black chokeberry's flowers bloom in May and precipitate purple-black fruits that birds will eventually eat when more tasty fare is long gone in the winter. The foliage of this native of the eastern states and southern Canada gives you a show every fall, as the leaves turn shades of purple and orange.