Looking for short hedge ideas

16 years ago

Hi! I'm looking for ideas for a short (4-5 feet), evergreen hedge to define the property line between us and the neighbors, and serve as a backdrop for a mixed border.

It would need to handle wind, especially in the winter, part shade, clay soil (to be tilled and amended prior to planting - we're doing the whole yard) and deer resistant.

Yew is out because it's highly toxic and we have a small child and hopefully will someday have a (small) dog again. Arborvitae is out because the deer around here think they are gourmet.

Ideally we wouldn't have to clip it too often, and I'm very open to a an unclipped natural look (would a row of short mugo pines work??) Doesn't need to be a dense hedge - just pretty and clearly define the line.

It won't be too long....I think we have about 25 yards to cover at most. I'm also thinking it would be fun to break it up with a few accents like a chaemcyparis nootkentsis or something cool.

Thanks!

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Comments (7)

taxo_man
16 years ago
Leyland Cypress or maybe Western Red Cedar. Both are usually rated as deer resistant, but who knows. Also, Green Giant Arborvitae was supposed to have some sort of resistance to deer...
Eastern White Pine, also some sort of holly tree would also do.

All of trees above grow large and would have to be trimmed.

J
Embothrium
16 years ago
Maybe some dwarf cryptomerias would be hardy there, if you want to spend the money. Multiple different cultivars on the market.

Do not incorporate organic amendments into landscapes destined for permanent installations;
topdress with mulch instead

Here is a link that might be useful: The Myth of Soil Amendments, Part III
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davidv
16 years ago
I had(2)hedges of blue spruce (1) Hoopsi the other (2) was Thume. The Hoopsi I cut the top out of every 3 years and kept it at 8'. I have seen Thume up to 8' but that is a very old plant. Thume is a globe. Both are very resistant to deer and they give a very nice color all year long.

Dave
Embothrium
16 years ago
Those would definitely be an expensive hedge.

For a page on many different kinds, with photos...

Here is a link that might be useful: DWARF COLORADO SPRUCES
tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱
16 years ago
Well, if you want something that never outgrows its spot, never needs trimming and is just the size you want you could try this . Its some sort of Stone Pine, I think, or maybe Pinus lithodermis...no wait, that's now called Pinus heldnomortarii ;-)

tj
davidv
16 years ago
Here is a picture of my hedge of Thumes. Not that expensive if you buy at 4 or 5 year olds. Already 10" round before this springs growth. Should finish off at around 15 to 18".

Dave

Here is a link that might be useful: http://davesnursery.com/source/plants/8072001g.htm
smord
Original Author
16 years ago
tsugajunkie - heheh...nice stone pines...I think I can handle a LITTLE more maintenance than that, though.

Thanks everyone for the dwarf blue spruce links (are they really from Colorado originally? that's my home state) I haven't decided whether I like the blue or not...I'm planning a mixed border in front of them and had planned on a basic green, but the blue definitely adds a certain zing to the mix...Also, how sharp are the needles? When I was a kid we had a lot of juniper that always had dead, dried, sharp needles which was a real pain when I had to go fetch a ball from underneath them...is that an issue with the blue spruces? (I have a young son...)

Do blue spruces handle wind ok?

Thanks!