Mark the holes before planting to ensure even spacing. Place the plants evenly side by side in the trench, and backfill. Straight-line planting makes pruning and watering easy. Give yourself a little insurance by planting a hedge made up of several kinds of plants. Choosing Plants for a Hedge Determine your goal, and buy shrubs accordingly.
Evergreens offer year-round privacy, whereas deciduous shrubs create only a temporary divider.
Consider the plants' mature size, and leave ample room between them. Don't forget the effort involved in maintaining a hedge. Flowering shrubs such as forsythia and lilac fill in quickly but must be pruned often. Many evergreens are easier to maintain but may grow more slowly. When making color choices, keep in mind that lighter flowers stand out in shady areas, and brilliant flowers work best in sunny spots.