The hedge as a natural privacy screen is an excellent way to protect yourself from unwanted glances. The range of hedges is versatile; for example, there is the option to buy a photinia or a Japanese holly. However, conifers such as yew species and pines are also in demand.
But photinia is being bought more and more frequently, as it is available as a standard tree or as a shrub. The winter-hardy plant can grow up to three meters high and produces white flowers in the summer months. A play of colors is created whenever reddish leaf shoots are also formed.
What is necessary to consider when planting the hedge?
The type of planting can vary; on one hand, there is the possibility of digging planting holes or even a trench. The safest option is the trench, because the planting holes are usually too small – they must be at least twice as large as the root balls.
Depending on the plant, the depth must also be taken into account at the same time, although it is usually not a problem for most plants if the root collar is buried deep in the planting hole. For beeches, however, this constriction is problematic; beeches are sensitive to this.
The hedge plants are usually bought in a nursery, where you can pay attention to how deep the plants have been buried. According to this scheme, this should also succeed in your own Garden garden.
Soil type could be a challenge
The soil type has an indirect effect on the plant. If it is heavy soil, then lava granules or sand should be mixed in, possibly also an organic fertilizer such as compost or horn shavings. If the soil is rather sandy, then planting soil or compost should be mixed in.
As soon as the plants have been evenly distributed in the trench (or are standing in the planting hole), it can be filled with a soil mixture, then tread the soil down well so that cavities are avoided. An additional covering with bark mulch is recommended so that the soil does not dry out.
Distance between plants
The plant spacing must be considered overall, as problems can occur, especially with hedges. The branching and size are decisive. As a guideline, one to two loosely growing hedges should be planted per meter. For a very dense hedge, there should be three to five, which is the case with cherry laurel, for example.
Pruning
The right cut is what matters. Deciduous shrubs or hornbeams must be pruned twice a year, while conifers only need to be pruned once a year. If you plant in the spring, you can also prune immediately. The trapezoidal hedge cut is advantageous because more light falls through the hedge.
Basically, the rule applies that for hedges up to two meters high, each side should deviate by about 20 centimeters from the vertical; for hedges with only one meter, it should be 10 centimeters.
Preventing neighborhood disputes
Depending on the federal state, there are also different rules regarding hedges. The boundary distances must also always be maintained with a hedge, otherwise it can lead to neighborhood disputes. If you want to keep it comfortable when pruning, you should keep at least 30 centimeters free on each side to the neighboring property, so the hedge can be pruned without disturbing the neighbor.
