Hedges mark boundaries such as property lines, walks and drives, provide barriers to animals and people, serve as windbreaks, and screen off undesirable views. The desired size of the hedge is determined by its function. Even with sheared hedges, select material which has a mature height only slightly greater than desired. While almost any plant can be used for a hedge, select plants with fine to medium textured leaves. While suited to naturalistic designed landscapes, they are generally not attractive in highly manicured designs.
Evergreen hedges maintain their foliage all winter.
Thus, they are effective as windbreaks during the winter, and are particularly attractive when the ground is snow-covered. However, if not properly located, evergreens can cause snow to accumulate on the driveway or walks. Also, heavy snow can cause severe structural damage to evergreen hedges. Avoid locating them where snow will drift onto them from roof tops. Planting To establish a deciduous hedge, buy bare root stock.