The living hedges they have always been of great use to humans. Whether for protection or to reduce noise, they are a very important figure in gardens around the world. In nature we can see natural hedges, which are known as country hedges, where a great variety of plants and animals coexist in the shelter of the trees and / or shrubs that form them. Thus, the hedge contributes to preserving the biodiversity of the place.
Today, after having improved maintenance techniques, which include pruning, we can count on hedges for different uses. And it is that, there are a huge number of ornamental shrub species that we can use as a natural barrier.
Most used plants
Plants most commonly used to form hedges are trees and / or shrubs with small leaves that tolerate pruning well. Some examples are:
- Cupressus macrocarpa
- Fagus sylvatica
- Buxus sempervirens
- Pistacea lentiscus
- Taxus baccata
- Berberis sp.
All of these plants are easy to find in any nursery or garden center. It is even likely that you will find what they call "hedge packs", which are plants that are already prepared to be planted directly in the ground.
Types of hedges
As we said, not all hedges serve the same purpose. There are three types of hedges:
- Hedge against noise: to make this type of hedges mainly tall and well dense plants are used, such as conifers and some trees. In addition to reducing noise, they fix the particles emitted by vehicles preventing them from entering the home.
- Hedge for protection: As in the previous case, tall and well dense evergreen plants are used. The common cypress (Cupressus sempervirens) for its rapid growth, but it is not advisable as it is very susceptible to serious fungal problems.
- Hedge to border paths or garden areas: for this type of hedges low ornamental shrubs, no more than one meter high, are used.
Hedges can look spectacular in your garden. Choose native plants or that you know can live in your climate, and you will not have any problems.