skip to main content

Swamp Loving Hedge

13 years ago

What native New England shrub can grow into a conventional hedge shape and can survive in a swampy area that is flooded in the Spring? It is intended to create a border with a tiny wetland. Berries, flowers, or evergreen would all be good traits, but I don't expect all three. Should be low maintenance.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

Liz
13 years ago
Maybe buttonbush? Haven't grown it yet myself, though. It defintely tolerates wet, and the flowers are great, but I'm not sure about the hedge part. I'm thinking maybe an informal hedge, not something clipped like a yew.
RugbyHukr
13 years ago
A lot of Viburnum can tolerate seasonal wetness.
Related Discussions
Help! Need shade-loving tall evergreen privacy hedge
Q
Comments (17)
We had a similar situation in our backyard. We planted arborvitae, which did very well along our side fence, in pretty dense shade. However, in the past few years they have been decimated by deer. If you don't have a deer population passing through, arborvitae should work well. We used Canadian Hemlocks along our back property Line, which also has a significant amount of shade and competes with other trees. They grew quickly, but after their third year, they were attacked by wooly adelgid (an aphid-like disease), and in spite of our efforts to save them, they are looking pretty bad, and I need replacing. I'm told that Hemlocks are not susceptible to disease, but my experience was not good.
...See More
Just returned home from the swamp
Q
Comments (15)
Flaurabunda, I understand your reaction to the lushness of the terrain and gardens down here in south Louisiana and I agree that people in general are very knowledgable about their gardens and plants--strong attachment to the land is part of the cultural tradition here. The land IS part of one's identity and Cajuns who leave home seem to pine for it and ultimately return. I had the same reaction as you when I first visited, and walks and boat trips around the bayous and swamps still give me a thrill. Yes, if you live here you have to learn ways to survive the heat and humidity, and the abundance of insects. As for snakes and biting critters, you learn never to put your hands or feet where you can't see, and to make a little noise if you're taking a walk so the snakes will flee. For those who prefer living in a place that's teeming with natural life--indeed, to witness the whole cycle of life and death--as opposed to a more sanitized environment, it's wonderful. And there aren't many places where you can so easily grow such magnificent teas, Chinas, and noisettes. If anything, the challenge is to tame their exuberance, which is why we say down here, "Every rose here is a climbing rose." Thanks for saying such nice things about this part of the world!
...See More
Why don't Americans love hedge like Brits?
Q
Comments (72)
I also live in Virginia, and was thinking about the British hedge for privacy reasons. I took a roadtrip in the UK several years ago, and my first notice of hedgerows was while driving a one-lane country road in my car rental. The roads were extremely narrow, with little room for mistakes. Initially, I feared accidentally scratching the paint while maintaining the center of the lane. Then, my fear turned into terror when the hedgerows intermittently vanished in favor of a stone walls. It scared the crap out of me. Needless to say, the hedgerows return was a welcome sight. I know I am writing this well after the first post, but for anyone wanting a look at hedgerow building, you should check out Season 2, Episode 6 of Clarkson's Farm on Amazon Prime. As for the "Americans are lazy" comment.. Americans rank relatively high as one of hardest working people in the world, especially against most developed countries. I do think Americans wouldn't take the time to maintain a hedge, but I believe it is more about 'how' they prioritize their time. Even I have berated my brother on the amount of time he spends on his yard. I have commented to him that he spends more time on maintaining it, rather than enjoying it.
...See More
Dividing Swamp Lily (Hymenocallis)
Q
Comments (1)
Does no one know anything about these plants?
...See More
edlincoln
Original Author
13 years ago
What species of Viburnum are native and like swamp?

So far the suggestions I've got are:
Blueberry
Winterberry
buttonbush
Viburnum
Blackberry
Roses
Swamp azala (Rhododendron viscosum)

Not native, but I like it anyway so I'll put it in...Hydrangias.

Which of these can make a dense privacy hedge? Which can be trimmed into a formal hedge shape?

The idea is to plant it along a fence at the bottom of a slope. On the far side of the slope is a wooded wetland inhabited by frogs and deer that is swamp all year. On the near side is a yard that is flooded in Spring inhabited by various domesticated predators. Not sure if the plan will be to replace the rather ugly fence or hide it. Zine 6. There is part shade and nearly constant wet right next to the fence, but if you step a few feet away it becomes seasonal wetness and full sun.
Liz
13 years ago
Honestly, buttonbush is worth considering. It is one plant that really tolerates wet feet, even flooding. I would highly recommend checking out Donald Leopold's book, "Native Plants of the Northeast." Maybe you can find it in the library. He has an appendix listing plants that favor wet conditions. Willow, alder, and Bayberry are also worth considering. Bayberry is a very tough plant that is commonly used as an informal hedge.

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES 9 Low-Growing Hedges That Make Good Neighbors

Define garden areas or borders without blocking the view, with these evergreen shrubs that take kindly to trimming

LANDSCAPE DESIGN How Low Can Hedges Go? Discover Unusual Garden Borders

Short enough to step over, high enough to be a stretch ... check out these radically different hedge styles and tell us your opinion

GARDENING GUIDES These Hedges Can Add Interest to Your Winter Garden

Evergreen trees and shrubs provide structure and color in the winter months — and can attract wildlife too

GARDENING GUIDES 8 Plants That Snobs Love to Hate — and You'll Love to Grow

Don't dismiss these common annuals, perennials and shrubs — there are reasons they've been popular for so long

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Great Design Plant: Sun-Loving Bougainvillea Showers Yards With Color

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Bring unbeatable vibrancy to a garden or wall with this unfussy and trainable shrub packed with colorful bracts

GARDENING GUIDES How to Stop Worrying and Start Loving Clay Soil

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Clay has many more benefits than you might imagine

ARCHITECTURE Design Workshop: Reasons to Love Narrow Homes

By Eric Reinholdt, Architect

Get the skinny on how a superslim house footprint can work wonderfully for your site, budget and quality of life

FALL GARDENING A Garden With a Love Story

Over 23 years, a North Carolina couple has created an inviting, magical garden that harmonizes with its woodland setting

FRONT YARD IDEAS 10 Ideas for a Front-Yard Edible Garden Your Neighbors Will Love

By Laura Gaskill

Choosing attractive, well-mannered plants and sharing the bounty will go a long way toward keeping the peace

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Asclepias Incarnata for a Butterfly Garden

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Beautiful swamp milkweed makes it easy to help monarchs and other pollinators in eastern U.S. gardens

Sponsored

Peabody Landscape Group

8 Reviews

Columbus' Reliable Landscape Design & Contracting

More Discussions

cold stratification?

1