Suitable Shrubs for Hedges

Evergreen Shrubs

• Evergreens produce a dense hedge. Some varieties retain their green shade throughout the winter months, but others take on a visually appealing bronze or burgundy coloration in inclement weather. The Leyland cypress produces a fast-growing hedge that grows up to 40 feet tall and requires very little maintenance to look good. Lusterleaf holly, a broadleaf evergreen, grows to a height of 20 feet. Some cultivars produce red berries that persist into the winter months.

Deciduous Shrubs

• Deciduous shrubs lose their leaves during the winter, but in the spring, summer and fall they provide privacy and beauty. The amur maple sports brilliant fall foliage before dropping its leaves, and requires very little pruning to maintain its overall looks. Barberry shrubs can thrive on nutrient-poor soil with virtually no care. Most are low-growing and compact in shape. The Osage orange has a fast growth rate of up to 50 feet; its thorny stems make it virtually impenetrable once established.

Tropical Shrubs

• Shrubs, such as camellias, gardenias, azaleas, hibiscus and oleander, all produce an abundance of flowers in various shades in tropical and subtropical locations. Gardeners should consider the planting location for such hedges -- many do not withstand salt spray from a tropical storm well, but some do. In most cases, heavy pruning is needed to maintain a shrub's size and shape in tropical regions. If the hedge falls below 18 inches in height, it is considered an edging plant.

Planting and Training

• Hedges require regular pruning when the shrubs are young to encourage the shrubs to branch out at the base instead of growing tall and lanky. Each time a shrub grows 12 inches, trimming it down by 6 inches will help encourage density. Formal hedges require regular shearing to maintain overall appearance. Large shrubs require spacing of 18 to 30 inches apart to form a hedge, and smaller varieties should be spaced 6 to 8 inches apart.