Hedges are "out of style"? But what would you put your Halloween cobwebs on?!

I'm no expert, but I'd hate to see "style" supersede your wants and needs, i.e. safety and privacy. I'm not certain what could provide such solutions as well as a hedge of some sort.

I'm biased, perhaps, because I've been thinking about some low hedges myself, not for privacy but for some practicality and perhaps a bit of safety. We've got a sloping front yard (see my thread about front garden design), and I'd mulled over whether a low hedge might be incorporated. Style, schmyle!

Good design is the marriage of function and aesthetics, not what is perceived as trendy (which, I have to say- my firm never got the memo about no more hedges. Heads are gonna roll over this oversight!). Just be sure you communicate your functional needs clearly to your designer, and go from there.

Dave

Charming house. And I think your need for a hedge (small children) trumps your designer's want to eliminate it. Never being a slave to "trends", I have three hedges - the primary being 130+ feet of lilacs which, when in leaf, effectively make the yard private from the front... not to mention spectacular when in bloom in June. The second, a row of Alpine Currant along a portico and the third being yews under a wall of floor to ceiling den windows. I can't think of any good reason - aside from massive death of the plant material - that would make me eliminate some or all of my hedging.

We plan to rip the old hedge out, but I would like to replace it with something. What do you think?

I think you may need to interview a couple more landscape designers. No, seriously. Form follows function isn't just a saying. Your hedge is FUNCTIONAL--your LD should address that function. A fence would serve similar functions... but will need up-keep as well. And any hedge you plant in the place of the one that is there is going to take time to get established. Is the current hedge sick/dead/dying? Why are you planning on replacing it?

Disclaimer--I'm not a landscape designer...merely an avid gardener and retail garden center worker.

"I'd hate to see "style" supersede your wants and needs", me too. If your designer is ahead of the curve and can offer a way to provide the assurance you need regarding the kids without a hedge then you should listen to it. Having said that "install sod to the street line" sounds a tad 1940's.

Um yeah... what they said.

Your LD is working for you, you are not working for the LD. You do not have to rip out something you like to serve the LD's need to be trendy.

KarinL

Mjsee might not be a professional designer, but she said what I would say.

Karin said "Your LD is working for you ...". No, your LD is not designing for you by the sound of it. Read Mjsee again. Hedges have never been out of style - out of context sometimes, over used sometimes, under maintained, .... but never out of style. Your designer most likely has a limited repetoire, which is true with most of us and not always a bad thing. But, if it that does not include listening to you, understanding your situation (even from just reading you and seeing it), and addressing them, a good result will not be.

He might make the prettiest garden in town, but if it does not address your needs it is not a success.

This is a good thread to go with the one about flowers vs.planning.

Looking at your pictures (if I'm seeing things right) I'm puzzled at the position of the existing hedge, the way it divides the lawn. What purpose does the lawn between it and the sidewalk serve? It seems a shame to get rid of a good hedge but if you do why not grow a new one by the sidewalk, expanding the kids' play area?

Hedges are great, they can offer food, shelter and nesting areas for birds, windbreak, privacy, and as you said a physical barrier between kids and potential danger. I'm interested in growing the hedgerow kind - lots of possibilites.

Grass to the sidewalk? That is original!

This may sound and look a bit wierd for a while, but consider putting in a new hedge near the sidewalk, and leave the old one in place - for a few years, until the new one gains some size. Then remove the old one.

I am a landscape designer, and I agree with mjsee. An attractive landscape that doesn't meet the needs of its location is useless. I admit, looking at your pictures, that perhaps your shrub isn't the most eye catching of features, and I also concede that you can often date a landscape by what is planted in it. (Ivy and junipers = 1970's.) That being said, madtripper is right- it will take time to fill in a new hedge, and there's no use tearing out what you have and starting over again if you could leave it in place while you establish something more attractive. Do you like your bushes shaped that way? If not, consider something which will limit its growth at a certain height and width, and looks good, but doesn't require hedging. Consider shrubs which flower or have attractive fruit. They put on a show, and they often attract birds, as well.

As a side note, I don't know what ages your children are, but if they are young, make sure to avoid shrubs with poisonous berries and/or thorns.

I likr the privacy of a yard enclosed with hedge. I would not replace it, nor plant it closer to the sidewalk. the space between hedge and sidewalk can be a flower bed. Hedges go with your 1920-40's tudor. If you do replace them don't do privat unles you love to trim.

Thank you for confirming what I'm feeling!

Mjsee, the hedges are overrun with thorns and rose of sharon, and are bare in spots.

PaulNS, I wanted to plant the new hedge close to the street, but the designer told me that the town owns the first 11 feet so we can't plant there. Many of my neighbors have done that, however. I'm going to look into that myself.

Tibs, I like the idea of a flower bed in front of the hedge.

I appreciate all your responses -- I have no landscape experience or ability, and I value your imput.

The first time I read this post, I laughed at the absurdity of that statement. While I'll grant that there may be some regional influence to it (and most certainly with plant selection), as both a designer AND a nurseryperson, I can say without reservation that it is simply not true. The hedging plant area of my nursery (referred to here as "living fences") experiences some of the largest sales volumes of any department in the nursery. And that doesn't include a myriad of other, less commonly used plants that also make great hedges.

But with more reflection, the statement made me a bit angry. It sounds to me like your designer is applying what is likely a personal opinion as a blanket statement. I have no objection to landscape designers expressing or exercising personal opinions as long as they are clearly indicated as such and meet with the agreement and approval of the client. But to diss any type of planting style/method without consideration of the client's needs or to suggest a design element in direct conflict with the client's needs/requirements is not a valuable attribute of a designer. Personally, if I were you, I'd reconsider my choice of a designer to one that is a bit more receptive to your intentions and less dogmatic in approach.

Having said that, it is good to remember that there are always multiple ways to achieve a similar end. A low brick wall in the same position with a planting bed either in front or behind (or both) would suit the character of your home and achieve the same result. Ditto with a low iron fence, perhaps ending in brick pilasters with lights at the walk. If planting along the inner side, select durable small shrubs that will hold up to the occasional ball being kicked into them or possible other kid-related damage. And do investigate exactly where the front property line is located and the potential for planting in front of the existing hedge. Often this IS your property, but is held as an easement - in most cases, planting is fully allowed in this area but with the understanding that should your city or municipality require access, the plantings could be disturbed. That might preclude planting a valuable tree or similar in such an area but leaves it wide open for smaller and more easily transplantable shrubs or perennials.

But to suggest a just a plain swath of lawn to the street when you have expressed a need for some sort of barrier, both for the safety of your children and for some degree of privacy, is not a responsible alternative. And IMO indicates your current designer is not listening to your needs and is exerting his/her wishes above your own.

FWIW, some plants make better candidates for hedging than others. And if untended over time or not pruned correctly, old hedges can certainly lose vigor and become unhealthy and unsightly and may best be replaced. Yours currently seems to fall under this heading and I would consider replacing it. It may make sense for you to do some research on your own to see what types of plants most suitable for your area will provide the function and character you want and suit the style of your home. Hedging plants do not have to be pruned into precise, sheared shapes - informal, unpruned hedges of dwarf conifers or other small broadleaf evergreens can be equally as attractive and functional yet have a bit of a more 'contemporary' look. But is that what you want given the classic architecture of your home?

I'd suggest you look at your library or bookstore for a copy of the Front Yard Idea Book by Jeni Webber, Taunton Publishing. This should provide an nearly endless source of inspiration for various approaches to handling a front entry garden with both formal and more casual approaches. There is always more than one way to skin a cat :-) And at the very least, I think you need to have a serious discussion with your designer to make sure you are both on the same page.

Rachel--where in zone 7 are you? I could easily recommend some things for a hedge that would work well...without too much pruning...but only if you are in the southeast. I don't know enough about gardening in other climes. You'd still have the "growing in time" to worry about. Also--are deer an issue? That would make a difference as to my suggestions. I like the idea of a perennial/flower bed in the city easement. Just be aware that a mixed border requires a fair amount of maintenance. (It would work really well with your 1920's Tudor.)

I love the wall idea. Expensive in the beginning...but then you are DONE. Of course...I have a front garden full of walls...so I may be a wee bit prejudiced.

I STILL think you need to interview more garden designers! : P

melanie

I've done a little research--

"Fencing constructed of wood, such as picket fences, can be of plain features or with ornamental carving at the top.

Wood fencing is appropriate with many types of architecture, such as: Colonial Revival, Craftsman and California Bungalow, PrairieSchool, and Period Revival, such as English and French Tudors. "

Here's a picture of one such fence (ignore the hedge):
{{gwi:53040}}

Howsomever...most of the TR's I saw that had front yard enclosures had hedges. Just like the one you have.

As to planting a hedge on the city's easement...you can do that...but don't get upset when they dig it up to get to the sewer/water/gas lines that are almost certainly IN that easement. That's why, if it were my house, I would leave my enclosing structure (be it hedge, wall, or fence) where it is and put in a mixed boarder between the hedge and the street. It's much less heartbreaking when you have to dig up a perennial. Plus, it's easier to lift perennials ahead of the work crew and keep 'em alive in a pot until the work is finished.

Another reason many cities have a 12 foot easement (though doubtful in zone 7) is to give the plows someplace to pile the snow.

melanie

It does seem as if the hedge is located such as to cut the front yard in half, and would work better in my view if it were moved closer to the street, and perhaps kept lower as well, to give abit more of a welcoming view from the street. I would also be sorely tempted to add a gate at the walk where it bisects the hedge, so as to really "enclose" the garden and make it more young kid safe for active play. Reducing the area in front of the hedge to more like 6 to 8 feet would still allow for snow plow and maintain sight lines, and could easily be planted out with ground covers or flowering lower shrubs and perennials. I'd also be tempted to add a flowering border at the inside of the new hedge to give more visual interest as one looks out toward the street.

The picture is fantastic -- thank you Melanie! Zoning prohibits a fence without a variance. I'm not in the southeast -- I'm in New York (Long Island). I like the idea of a living fence (hedge) with flowers in front. Thank you for all your imput!

Any other suggestions for my sorry front yard would be greatly appreicated.

So you are, supposedly, zone 7. In that case, Ilex vomitoria 'nana' might be a good choice. Deer resistant, fast growing, nice shape. Check with a local independent garden center (NOT Slowes or Home Despot) and see if it is hardy/happy/healthy in your area.

Good luck with your hedge, let us know how you make out with the "duh"singer. (As our beloved Mich would have said.)

melanie

Here is a link that might be useful: NC State plant facts sheet ilex vomitoria 'nana'

I would like to know more about where you are in the life of your family and your landscape plans. Meaning, more about short-term vs. long-range goals. For example, if you are only fond of a hedge or wall there because of the kids, and if it weren't for that you would prefer a different design, it might make sense to leave and spruce up/rejuvenate the existing hedge until your children are older, and meanwhile achieve some other landscape goals that could co-exist with that (whether that be curb appeal, flowers for cutting, potager garden toward the street; or, do you have in mind, maybe from some other home landscape you've admired, and have the budget for, a totally preferred concept such as the stone wall idea, or a preferred hedge species, which works for you with kids or no kids.

What type of plant is the existing hedge? I have miles of privet and you have to shear it to keep it in bounds and keep trees from growing up into it. But it is one of the easiest hedges to rejuvinate, get out the chain saw and hack it to aboaut 6" from the ground and next year it will be full and lush again. They can grow 4' a year. Just getting in and pulling out or cutting to the base orphan trees, cleaning out the leaves, pulling weeds snd trimming a little can make all the difference in the world to a hedge. And after this you will remove it immediatly because it sounds like a lot of work. But not if you keep up with it once all tidied.

I think that house would look so beautiful with a fence like the one in the picture, even a picket fence,or a brick and wrought iron fence, of course that's expensive.

Frankie, I would want a hedge no matter how old the children because I don't like feeling totally exposed when I'm lingering in my front yard. We've tentatively decided to plant a hedge of inkberry (ilex glabra), but to plant a pretty crape myrtle on either side of the path and a hydrangea on the outside edge of the hedge (one by the driveway, and one on the opposite end). I think this will be pretty. A fence really isn't an option in our town because of zoning laws, though it looks beautiful in the picture melanie sent. Thanks everyone for your imput!

Are deer an issue? Because they are more likely to munch on Ilex glabra than Ilex vomitoria... Just something to consider!

melanie

No, deer aren't an issue here. Are there other hedges that are hardy and attractive that you might recommend? I like the size I have now -- just over 4 feet tall. Thanks again!

rachel 17--

Your question as to hardiness is really best answered by someone local...however--find out if Ilex glabra 'Shamrock' is hardy in your area. It is a cultivar that stays 3'-4' tall. It's fairly slow growing...so be prepared to wait a bit if you can't find/afford fairly mature specimens.

melanie