Apparently, we are spending more of our time outdoors. People love being close to nature. There is something really calming about being outside. The introduction of innovations like hot tubs and patio heaters means that we can stay outside even in fairly cold weather.
Naturally, when you use your garden like this, you want it to be a private space. For this reason, more of us are installing fences or planting hedges.
Buy from a specialist plant nursery
If you want to create a hedge in your garden, the best approach is to buy the plants or trees that you need from a specialist. Firms like The Tree Center make it easy for you to do this. They have been growing trees and hedging plants for decades, so really know which varieties work in which settings.
Buying from a specialist increases your chances of every plant or tree in your hedge taking root and flourishing. They are more likely to be disease free and strong.
Shrubs or trees
When it comes to hedging there are two options. You can either plant trees or shrubs. Both approaches have their merits. A good garden or tree centre will be able to advise you about what is the right one for you.
Trees are usually the best option. Varieties like Leyland Cypress grow really fast. Typically, about 3 feet per year, so it does not take long to create the hedge you want. However, if you opt for trees you will tend to end up with just a long green hedge. This is fine if that is what you want. But, it is not a look that works for everyone.
If you want to add a bit more colour to your garden, shrubs are probably a better way to go. There are some wonderful flowering varieties that will give you a stunning display as well as create the hedge you need.
The only problem is that shrub hedges tend to need quite a bit of maintenance. You need to know how to look after them to keep them dense enough to be an effective privacy screen. You can learn about how to trim shrubs to keep them lovely and thick by reading this article.
Climbing plants
If you already have a wooden or chain link fence, there is a third option. You could simply invest in some climbing plants. They tend to grow fast, so in a year or two, that chain link fence that everyone can see through can be turned into an effective privacy screen.
Climbing plants are an excellent way to cover up an old fence. However, you do need to make sure that it is stable before you start planting. It needs to be structurally sound to be able to hold the weight of the plants that are going to grow up it. Taking down a fence that has collapsed under the weight of a plant is hard and tedious work. It is something you really do not want to have to do.