Evergreen hedges provide beauty, structure, and continuity during all four seasons in the garden, but let’s be honest… Gardeners most often value evergreens for their ability to serve as a four-season privacy screen from annoying neighbors. Fellow New England Robert Frost was on to something: Good hedges make good neighbors.
The term evergreen encompasses a diverse range of broad-leafed and coniferous (cone producing) trees and shrubs, including many native species that retain their foliage over the winter. Evergreens can include cultivars of Arborvitae, Cypress, False Cypress, Yew, Boxwood, Holly (Inkberry), Juniper, Pine, Rhododendron/Azalea, Spruce, Fir, Hemlock, Mountain Laurel, Euonymus, and more. They come in a wide array of hues, sizes, shapes, and textures to appear traditional or contemporary, subdued or showy, formal or informal.
Evergreens can be used for wind shelter, noise muffling, air cleaning, and as a subdued backdrop to a garden’s more ephemeral plants. They can be very effective as specimen plants, ground covers, or for hiding ugly areas, such as cement foundations. In winter, they take center stage and help to maintain appeal, bringing much-needed color and life to our sleeping landscapes. They are also an essential source of food and shelter for wildlife.
Which Evergreens Make Good Hedges?
We have these taller, upright evergreens in stock right now for a Seacoast Zone 5-6 hedge. If you are looking to create a natural barrier or perimeter, these particular evergreens are good choices. We have signs placed by each plant detailing their characteristics and preferences. Give us a call or come on in if you want any advice on hedging choices.
- Arborvitae:
Emerald Green
Green Giant
Holmstrup - Cypress:
Fernspray
Hinoki - Juniper:
Blue Point
Eastern Redcedar (it’s actually a Juniper) - Pine:
Kotobuki Japanese Black
Short-needled Japanese
Deciduous Hedges and Privacy Screens:
- Privet
- Serviceberry
- Red-Twig Dogwoods
- Ninebark
- Bayberry
- Weigela
- Lilac
- Willow
- Viburnum
- Hydrangea
- Rhododendron
- Rose of Sharon
- Tall Grasses
JOHN LOWY
/ 08 Nov 2019IF I PURCHASED A FEW RHODDIES, COULD YOU RECOMMEND SOMEONE WHO COULD PLANT THEM ON MY PROPERTY? TEN DAYS AGO, I HAD A PACEMAKER IMPLANTED, SO GARDEN OR ANY OTHER PHYSICAL WORK IS OUT FOR ME.
WILL MISS A FEW FARMERS’ MKTS, HIGHLIGHTS OF MY SEASON
rgnursery
/ 13 Nov 2019Hi John! Thanks for writing in to us. Beth will email you to give you some advice on local folks who can help plant. And if it’s too late to plant this year, you can at least overwinter them and plant in spring. Look for Beth’s email – she will be writing to you soon, or call us if you don’t catch her email. 603.436.2732. Talk soon!
Angelea
/ 01 May 2020Will any of these grow well in containers and, if so, would that likely mean they would need to be brought inside over winter? Thanks!
rgnursery
/ 05 May 2020These are probably not best for containers because they will get huge. Like, 20 foot+ tall huge. But, there are many dwarf or mid-size evergreens that would be good for containers.