The Ultimate Guide to the Best 13+ Shrubs for Ornamental Hedges

Often referred to as the living walls of a garden, ornamental hedges bring aesthetics and functionality together to form one captivating green masterpiece. The allure of these architectural elements is far from skin-deep; beyond their visual appeal, they create inviting garden rooms, offer wind protection, help reduce noise, and provide a wildlife sanctuary.

Be it the year-round rich display of evergreen varieties, the remarkable seasonal spectacle of deciduous kinds, or the perennial charm of flowering shrubs—ornamental hedges can significantly spark up the design of your outdoor space. In this article, we’ve greenlighted the cream of the crop; the best 13+ shrubs that can be grown as ornamental hedges for a sensual, full-of-life space.

Evergreen Shrubs

1.     Boxwood

A popular choice for hedges and topiaries, Boxwood provides glossy evergreen foliage that can be pruned into distinctive forms and designs. Extremely adaptable and hardy, this hedging plant can prosper in various soil conditions and endure full sun to part shade. Its slow to moderate growth allows for precise shaping, contributing to a well-maintained garden aesthetic all year round.

With boxwoods, there are numerous ways to add a much-needed blend of calmness and peace to your outdoor experience. From Calgary Boxwood, Cranberry Creek Boxwood, and Green Beauty Boxwood to Green Velvet Boxwood and many more, ShrubHub Garden Marketplace offers you a wide variety of Boxwood hedging plants to help you create spaces of respite where you get to unwind while surrounded by mind-soothing lush greenery.

2.     Oakleaf Holly

Known for its distinctive green foliage and dense growth, Oakleaf is a hybrid holly with an upright and pyramidal form. This handsome cultivar displays leaves that resemble those of an oak, boasting an attractive deep color that persists year-round. During the fall and winter, this evergreen hedge showcases bright red berries that stand out against the foliage, providing seasonal interest and food for local bird species.

3.     Arborvitae

Arborvitaes are renowned for their tall, columnar form and rich green foliage that stay vibrant throughout the year. These fast-growing conifers are excellent for crafting tall screens and privacy hedges, requiring little maintenance despite their grand stature. The Arborvitae is also resistant to drought, demonstrating durability and strength.

4.     Cherry Laurel

Originating from Europe and Asia, the Cherry Laurel is prized for its hardiness and adaptability, flourishing in a range of conditions from full sun to heavy shade. In early spring, this effective hedging plant adorns itself with clusters of fragrant, creamy-white flowers, adding a delightful contrast to the deep green foliage. This is followed by the appearance of small, cherry-like fruits which, though not edible for humans, attract a variety of birds.

Deciduous Shrubs

5.     Lynwood Gold Forsythia

Covering its bare branches in brilliant golden flowers even before its leaves appear, this robust, deciduous hedge is among the first to celebrate the arrival of spring. As the season progresses, it adorns itself with a dense foliage of dark green lance-shaped leaves. Lynwood Gold Forsythia has an upright, arching growth habit, making it striking as a relaxed, informal hedge.

6.     Lilac

Famous for their aromatic spring blooms, Lilacs' clusters of colorful flowers are a delight to the senses. These stunning deciduous plants need good drainage and full sun for the most abundant bloom. Their broad-spreading nature makes them an excellent choice for screens, windbreaks, or a beautiful background in a border garden.

For a lilac hedge that resembles the electric blue shades of the ocean, don’t hesitate to go for California Mountain Lilac. However, a soft, charming look that feels like a part of a fairytale can only be guaranteed with the enchanting pink to purple shades of Common Purple Lilac. When it comes to bringing peace, serenity, and calmness to your outdoor space, Miss Kim Lilac should be your first choice.

7.     Goldflame Spirea

Prized for its vibrant seasonal color palette and its compact, easy-to-maintain size, the captivating Goldflame Spirea showcases a dazzling foliage spectacle throughout the year. It features golden-yellow leaves in the spring, maturing to soft pastel greens in the summer, and eventually transitioning to striking hues of coppery orange in the autumn. In mid-to-late summer, the shrub graces your outdoor space with clusters of rosy pink flowers.

8.     Snow White Sensation Mock Orange

Thanks to its abundant blossoms that create an almost ethereal display in late spring to early summer, Snow-White Sensation Mock Orange never fails to play up the architecture of your landscape. It carries multiple layers of pure white, double flowers that exude a sweet, citrus-like fragrance, capable of perfuming an entire garden.

9.     Japanese Kerria

Noted for its bright golden-yellow, roselike spring flowers and slender, arching green stems, Japanese Kerria provides a spectacular display. Its preference for partial shade, tolerance to various soil conditions, and resistance to most pests make it a perfect shrub for hedge growth.

Flowering Shrubs

10.  Hydrangeas

Hydrangeas are well known for their large, round flower clusters that can change color based on soil pH. A well-drained, fertile soil and ample sunlight are necessary for this shrub’s thriving. When planted as flowering hedge plants, they produce a stunning summer display that can turn into a breathtaking focal point.

Spreading an angelic feel throughout your outdoor space calls for a one-of-a-kind hydrangea that graces your garden with incredible heads of creamy-white blooms: Incrediball Hydrangea. If you are looking for the same effect but with an elegant touch, you can opt for Anabelle Hydrangea; it feels like you are exhibiting a host of bridal bouquets. However, go for Endless Summer Summer Crush Hydrangea for some daring pink shades that bring liveliness into your space.

Do you feel like these flowering shrubs require loads of love and care to thrive? These amazing plants demand little of your attention and can be easily maintained through our experts’ simple step-by-step pruning guide for hydrangeas. Whenever you feel at a loss, take a tour through our blog, and all the tips and tricks will surely make your gardening life much easier.

11.  Blue Chiffon Rose of Sharon

Electric and lively, the Blue Chiffon Rose of Sharon is an enchanting deciduous shrub that exudes grace and beauty with its elegant, blue flowers. Blooming from mid-summer to early fall, it presents large, semi-double blossoms, featuring delicate blue petals and a captivating lacy center to give an overall charming, chiffon-like appearance. The shrub exhibits an upright, vase-shaped growth habit and can reach heights of 8-12 feet with spreads of 6-10 feet at maturity, making it an ideal choice for hedges, screens, borders, or as a single focal point.

12.  The Pink Crape Myrtle

Pink Crape Myrtle is a dazzling flowering shrub that brings an infusion of cheerful color to any landscape with its vibrant pink blooms. Floral clusters appear in profusion from mid-summer to early fall atop the shrub's rich, glossy green foliage. These showy, pink flowers create a visual treat, inviting birds, butterflies, and other pollinators to your garden.

Low-Growing Shrubs

13.  Gem Box Inkberry Holly

Slightly resembling Boxwoods, the Gem Box Inkberry Holly is a compact, densely branched evergreen shrub characterized by its rounded and robust habit. This vibrant shrub features tiny dark green leaves that remain glossy throughout the year, lending a sense of perennial vitality to your garden. Despite its delicate appearance, it's a hardy variety that's easy to grow and maintain.

14.  Box Honeysuckle

This versatile, low-growing evergreen is perfect for small hedges or borders. The tiny leaves form a dense, mat-like look, providing constant greenery. Its ability to withstand heavy clipping makes it even more suitable for formal hedging or topiary.

Incorporate Ornamental Hedges into Your Landscape Design

Whether you are growing evergreen, deciduous, flowering, or low-growing shrubs, creating an ornamental hedge requires careful selection based on the desired aesthetic, local climate, and soil conditions. With mindful planning and care, an ornamental hedge can turn an ordinary garden into a captivating landscape.

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