Selecting and Planting Hedges

Hedges serve many functions in the home landscape. They provide privacy, block undesirable views, reduce wind, and trap snow. Homeowners also use hedges to mark boundaries, guide pedestrian traffic, and create living barriers. In addition, hedges offer valuable habitat for birds and other wildlife.

Hedges vary widely in form and function. They may be deciduous or evergreen, short or tall, and formal (sheared) or informal (natural). Understanding these options helps gardeners choose plants that meet both aesthetic goals and long-term maintenance expectations.

Types  |  Selection  |  Spacing  |  Care & Pruning  |  Rejuvenating Overgrown Hedges  |  Recommended Species  |  More Information

Choosing the Right Hedge for Your Landscape

Deciduous or Evergreen

Before purchasing plants, carefully consider your landscape needs and the characteristics of different shrubs. Deciduous shrubs lose their leaves in fall and provide effective screening primarily during the growing season. However, even without leaves, deciduous plants can slow winds, trap snow, benefit wildlife, and provide privacy, especially if they are particularly twiggy. Evergreen shrubs retain foliage year-round, providing continuous privacy, wildlife cover, and wind protection.

Formal or Informal

Gardeners considering a formal, sheared hedge should be aware that it requires frequent pruning, often two or more times per year, to remain dense and attractive. In contrast, an informal hedge maintains its natural shape and typically requires only minimal pruning. Selecting shrubs that mature at the desired height reduces the need for constant trimming. For example, planting a tall-growing shrub where a low hedge is intended results in constant maintenance and poor plant health.

Most home gardeners would benefit most from selecting an informal hedge, as the maintenance requirements for a formal hedge are almost always more than anticipated. Many hedging problems can be avoided by matching plant size, growth rate, and form to the intended use. 

Selecting and Purchasing Plant Material

Buy hedge plants from a reputable garden center or mail‑order nursery. Bare-root plants are the most economical option and work well for long hedgerows, but they are small at planting. Container-grown and balled‑and‑burlapped plants cost more but provide immediate visual impact.

Plant bare-root shrubs from late March to mid‑May, before buds break and new growth begins. Container-grown and balled‑and‑burlapped shrubs establish best when planted in spring or in late summer to early fall.  More information about planting can be found here: How to Plant Shrubs.

Proper Spacing

Correct spacing is essential for healthy hedge development.

• Formal (sheared) hedges: Space shrubs 1 to 2½ feet apart to encourage dense growth.
• Informal hedges: Space plants according to mature size.
• Medium shrubs (6–8 feet tall): 2–4 feet apart
• Large shrubs (8–12 feet tall): 4–6 feet apart

For bare‑root deciduous shrubs, prune plants back hard at planting time. Cut stems to 4–6 inches above the ground to stimulate vigorous, low branching. This step is critical for creating a full hedge from the base upward.

Hedge Maintenance and Pruning

Consistent care keeps hedges functional and attractive.

• Water deeply during establishment (first one to two years), especially during dry periods.
• Mulch with 2–3 inches of organic material to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.
• Fertilize sparingly in early spring if growth is weak; excessive fertilizer promotes leggy growth.

Pruning for Formal Hedges is Frequent. Pruning for Informal Hedges is Only Occasional

For formal hedges, shear early and often, starting while plants are young. Shape hedges so they are slightly wider at the base than the top, allowing sunlight to reach lower branches. This prevents thinning and bare spots near the ground. Learn more in this article: How to Prune Formal Hedges

Informal hedges need only occasional thinning to remove dead wood or correct shape. Prune these hedges immediately after flowering if grown for ornamental blooms.

Rejuvenating Overgrown or Neglected Hedges

Overgrown hedges can often be restored with proper rejuvenation techniques.

• Deciduous hedges respond well to renewal pruning. In early spring, remove up to one‑third of the oldest stems at ground level. For severely overgrown hedges, the entire planting can be cut back to 6–12 inches, though flowering may be reduced for a season or two.
• Evergreen hedges should be rejuvenated more gradually. Avoid cutting back into leafless wood, as many evergreens will not resprout.

After rejuvenation, provide adequate water and mulch to support recovery. Expect two to three growing seasons for full restoration.

Recommended Species for Hedges

Whenever possible, consider native species, which often require less maintenance and provide greater ecological benefits.  Additionally, many common hedge species have some potential for invasiveness. Those species are listed below because they are commonly found, but if invasiviness is a concern, they should be avoided.

*  N = Native to eastern North America; SN = Some species native to eastern North America; I = Potenitally invasive

** The heights of mature, informal shrubs are provided above. Sheared plants can be kept at lower heights.

More Information

• How to Prune Formal Hedges
• Pruning Large, Overgrown Shrubs
• How to Transplant Deciduous Shrubs
• Landscaping for Wildlife
• What are some good native shrubs for my landscape?
• Trees and Shrubs Suitable for Partial Shade
• Trees and Shrubs for Wet Soils
• Trees and Shrubs for Alkaline Soil Conditions
• Summer-Blooming Shrubs for Iowa
• Broadleaf Evergreen Shrubs for Iowa
• Trees and Shrubs with Great Fall Color
• Deciduous Shrubs (PDF)

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