March 22nd I am thinking about creating a low hedge made up of two compatible species along the boundary line beside a neighbor's driveway. I live in central MA, Zone 5, and am considering using Taxus media and Ilex aquifolium perhaps, a variegated cultivar. Would anyone please comment or suggest cultivars to accomplish this? The site has a north-eastern exposure, and gets full sun. Our irrigation system keeps the area moist. There is a drainage problem at one end of the site comprising perhaps six feet of the 60 foot hedge line. I think the hedge should aesthetically be somewhere between casual and highly formal. I might want to have the flexibility to shear the hedge if I deem it desirable. I would plan to continue plantings but use the mosaic hedge as an anchor or backdrop. Any thoughts??? Chpielme
Probably too cold for that particular holly. What about European beech? Not evergreen but when sheared dead leaves retained until spring. Named forms available in various foliage colors. Would probably be a bit indulgent making expensive grafted beech cultivars into a sheared hedge, but slow-growing evergreens like yew and holly can be a little pricey too unless purchased small and/or choosing only common, comparatively cheap cultivars like might be stocked at a big box store.
Good points, Ron. The site sits on the left side of my front yard. I want to dress it up without being too formal. Chpielme
What about a wood fence instead? Good backdrop for a mixed border, with much less upkeep and no waiting for it to get up to size.
Yes, but I really want a living fence ! There must be a beautiful solution. I am not expert enough to find the answer yet. I just don't want a row of Arborvitae which everybody has in this area. I want it to have 4-season distinction. chpielme
Maybe if it's going to be a backdrop it doesn't have to be that varied or colorful. It might even be preferable to have a comparatively dark, uniform backdrop to contrast with other subjects in front of it. The appeal of a tapestry or mosaic hedge would be the added interest provided by varying foliages rippling through it, this being desired because the hedge is the only plant feature present in that view.
Good point, Ron. I came to the same conclusion over the week-end while I was skiing. Still, if I want to make a tapestry hedge a focal point, I have several locations where I could do it. I still don't know what plant materials to use. I definitely need winter interest as we have a 5-6 month winter. chpielme
