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When looking for options to install a privacy screen around your property, hedges are a popular, more natural alternative to fencing. Privacy hedges are an attractive, living component of your landscape and add beauty and color to your backyard. There are a number of species of fast growing hedge plants that will quickly establish a privacy border, as well as provide wind screens, block undesirable views, and act as a security barrier. Hedges are dense which makes it hard for intruders or animals to get through. Some hedges have thorns which act as an additional deterrent to unwanted visitors.
Fast Growing Hedges For Privacy - Varieties
Hedge plants come in a variety of sizes and can be shrubs or small trees; deciduous or evergreen. When planting hedges for privacy, you should consider that deciduous shrubs will lose their leaves in the winter, which reduces the effectiveness of the privacy barrier. Therefore, evergreen plants are preferred for use as privacy hedges. Popular evergreen hedge species include Boxwood, Privet, and Leyland Cypress. Good plants to use for a privacy AND security hedge are Holly and Hawthorne. Both have thorned branches and thus provide an excellent barrier against unwanted intruders. All of these species can grow to at least 12 feet.
Fast Growing Hedges For Privacy - Installing
It makes sense when installing a privacy hedge, that you would desire plants that will establish quickly and create that barrier as soon as possible. Be careful what you wish for. In a perfect world, the hedge would grow rapidly and thickly to a predetermined height and then stop. The reality is that the hedge is going to continue to grow just as vigorously once it has reach the desired height and thickness. Regular pruning is required.
Fast Growing Hedges For Privacy - Maintenance
All privacy hedges need some trimming at least once per year, and some will need it more often. It is better for the health of the plants to prune lightly two or three times per year, as opposed to a single heavy pruning. More frequent pruning will also encourage the plants to increase the foliage density, adding to the privacy factor. If installing hedges for a length of more than eight feet, the purchase of a set of powered hedge trimmers is strongly recommended. Not only will the power trimmer speed up the process, but the uniform cutting edge will help to maintain the straight lines and dimensions of more formal hedges.
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Author Bio Box: Patricia Wainwright
Get all the facts about Trees and Shrubs and organic gardening at GreenThumbArticles.com!
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