Total newby to conifers......question about hedge

17 years ago

I am planning to plant a hedge this year in good soil with full sun to part shade.

Here is the thing. I am in Waterloo Canada and we get some serious snow and cold. The hedge will be in an open location and will most definately get harsh winter winds.

Is there a conifer that is good for a smallish hedge that does NOT need to be winter protected? My yard is small and therefore the hedge can not be more than 2-3 feet wide and 5-6 feet tall max but would prefer 4 ft tall.

Any thoughts would be appreciated. thanks.

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Comments (4)

wisconsitom
17 years ago
Enjoy

Consider one of the globe arbor vitae cultivars. "Woodward", the old standby, makes a wonderful low hedge when planted on 5 or 6 ft. centers and left unsheared. I planted a curved row of 15 when my folks built their new house a while back. It has turned out just perfect if I do say so myself. When standing, they can see over it, but when sitting on their patio, it screens the view. Key to this usage is to NOT prune the plants. They have a natural rounded shape already that need not be messed with. There are other globe arb cultivars too, some of which do not get as tall.

+oM
iog-6
17 years ago
Hello in Waterloo.

I was going to suggest Thuja occidentalis 'Rushmore' which is compact and narrow and was bred for extremely harsh winters but it grows 12" a year heightwise. Are you definitely wanting to limit height as well as width?

Wisconsitom, your hedge sounds very nice indeed.

If you definitely want a low hedge, Thuja occidentalis (Arborvitae) 'Sherwood Frost' might also be nice. It has variegated white foliage, is globose and grows at the same rate as 'Woodwardii' so you could have a mixed hedge or choose one or the other. They will either be small or expensive or both however. Whereas, a 3 ft. 'Rushmore' could be had for about 36 USD which is what I paid for one a year ago just to use as a single specimen.

Good luck.
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enjoy
Original Author
17 years ago
That sounds great! I would like it to grow fairly quickly. Height is not as much of a problem as width is. It is not a very long hedge so cost isn't so much a factor either. Just to clarify.....This will stand up to winter winds without burlap protection, right? I have absolutely NO experience with evergreens.

Is there any chance that Holly or Euonymous Sarcoxie would work? (They are on sale close to me just now)

thanks for the help!
wisconsitom
17 years ago
Enjoy

The Woodward globe arbs are very carefree plants, at least where I am. I've seen lots of globe arbs looking very shabby this spring, but in all cases, these were plants that had been sheared last year, needlessly, I might add. I'm not the type to install plants that need hideous protection like burlap and such. Furthermore, my folks are only at their house in WI from May 'til early Oct. My dad cuts the grass, my mom pulls a weed or two, and that's about it. No supplemental watering.

I don't know about those other plants you mention.

+oM