A hedge can be an important addition to the garden, providing privacy, act as sound barrier or define property lines. Which hedging to choose will depend on a number of factors. Deer will be one of those factors and will determine which plants to pick. Some plants are quite resistant but none are totally Deer proof, what they leave alone in one area they may eat in another. Check around the neighborhood and see what your neighbors use if you live in a high Deer area. Estimate how much room is available, if the space is very narrow, don’t use plants that grow excessively wide. Take in account power lines, scenic views you might not want to block and if vision will be restricted when leaving your driveway. Consider the impact a large hedge or screen will have on your neighbors (especially in city plots). It will not only restrict their view but could create heavy shade in their yard which they might not want.
Before getting started decide on a budget, because of the number of plants needed, hedging can be become expensive if you are doing a long stretch. Younger plants sold in 1 or 2 gallons are much cheaper than more established plants. Although larger plants will provide privacy faster, they will be more expensive, may be harder to find and take more work to install.
The best time to plant is in spring or fall, but you can plant in summer if the plants are container grown. Water regularly for the first two years, this will give the roots a change to develop, soaker hoses work best and saves time. Use a slow release fertilizer in spring to insure a vigorous and healthy hedge. Pruning time will depend on the type of plants used, but may need to be done annually once established, for a neat and tidy look.
1# Beech ‘European’ Fagus sylvatica: Deciduous: A popular hedge in Europe, it makes a dense barrier that’s long-lived, very tolerant of pollution and salt spray. Fall color is copper-brown and the dried leaves persist throughout winter, adding extra privacy. Plant 3′ or 4′ feet apart for a pruned hedge and can be maintained at 6′ tall. Plant in full sun or light shade in any type of well-drained soil. Average water requirements during the summer months and pruning can be done in summer or fall. Considered Deer resistant in most areas
2# Boxwood ‘Little Gem’ Buxus microphylla: Evergreen: A dense rounded form with small green leaves. Suitable for knot gardens, sheared or shaped hedges and can be maintained at 1′ tall. Plant 8″ or 12″ inches apart for knot gardens, 12″-18″ for sheared hedge and 2′ feet apart for shaped. Grow in full sun or part shade in fertile well-drained soil. Water regularly if the summers are hot and dry. Prune once a year after spring growth or late summer. Deer resistant
3# Boxwood ‘English Variegated’ Buxus sempervirens: Evergreen: English boxwoods are used as low hedges, defining property lines or borders and can be maintained at 3′ to 4′ tall. This variegated cultivar has green and creamy yellow foliage and makes a colorful dense hedge. Plant 1′ or 2′ apart in fertile well-drained soil and water regularly if the summers are hot and dry. Prune once a year after spring growth or midsummer. Deer resistant
4# Cedar ‘Emerald’ Thuja occidentalis: Conifer: Narrow pyramidal form with rich emerald green foliage. Suitable as a privacy hedge, noise barrier or for small gardens. Also makes a nice green background for colorful garden beds. Grows about 12′ tall x 3′ wide and needs no pruning except to top to desired height, can be maintained at 4′ tall. Plant about 2′ apart for sheared hedge and 3′ feet as a screen. Needs fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or part shade. Not drought tolerant, water regularly during the summer months. Not Deer resistant
5# Cedar ‘Excelsa’ Thuja plicata: Conifer: Related to our native Western Red Cedar. Excelsa cedars have glossy dark green foliage and makes a very dense large sheared hedge. Plant 3′ or 4′ feet apart and can be maintained at 6′-7′ tall by 4′ wide. If a higher hedge is desired adjust the width accordingly. Fast to moderate growth rate and capable of growing 2′ feet a year. Needs fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or part shade. Prune in late spring or summer. Not Deer resistant when young
6# Cypress ‘Leylandii’ X Cupressocparis: Conifer: Very fast growing up to 3′ to 4′ feet a year and makes a very large sheared hedge suitable for privacy, windbreak or a sound barrier. Plant 3′ or 4′ feet apart and can be maintained at 6′-7′ tall by 4′ wide with frequent pruning. If a higher hedge is desired adjust the width accordingly. Also makes an excellent screen but keep in mind they grow very large and fast, so take in account your neighbors, views that will be effected and the shade a very large hedge or screen will cast. Grow in any well-drained soil in full sun or part shade. Prune anytime between spring and fall and is tolerant of both pollution and salt spray. Deer resistant
7# Holly ‘Sky Pencil’ Ilex crenata: Evergreen: Very narrow columnar form with dense dark green leaves. Suitable as a privacy hedge for small gardens or very narrow spaces. Grows about 8′-10′ tall x 2′-3′ wide at maturity. Plant about 1′.5 or 2′ feet apart as a hedge and needs little or no pruning except to top to desired height. Plant in fertile well-drained soil in full sun or part shade with average water requirements during summer months. Considered Deer resistant in most areas
8# Osmanthus ‘Burkwoodii’ Osmanthus x burkwoodii: Evergreen: A dense rounded shrub with dark green leaves and very fragrant white flowers in spring. Grows around 8′ tall x 8′ wide, may grow larger under top growing conditions. Plant 3′ or 4′ apart for a pruned hedge. Plant in fertile well-drained soil in full sun or part shade. Water regularly if the summers are hot and dry. Prune after flowering or allow to grow naturally as a large screen. Deer resistant
9# Pieris ‘Mountain Fire’ Pieris japonica: Evergreen: A dense compact shrub, producing white bell-shaped flowers in spring. Has attractive dark green foliage with bright red new growth, 11′ tall x 7′ wide at maturity. Makes an nice hedge or screen for privacy, plant about 3′ apart. Prune in mid spring or after danger of frost is over. Grow in fertile well-drained soil in full sun or part shade. Water regularly if the summers are hot and dry. Deer resistant
10# Prunus ‘Portuguese Laurel’ Prunus lusitanica : Evergreen: Dense rounded shrub with glossy dark green leaves. As a pruned hedge it provides privacy and acts as a noise barrier. Can be maintained at 3′-4′ tall, although rarely keep this short. If left natural as a screen keep in mind this shrub will become very large with time. Plant about 3′ feet apart for pruned hedge. Grow in full sun or shade in average well-drained soil. Water regularly for the first two years, after that it becomes fairly drought tolerant. Considered Deer resistant in most areas.
