Hi,
Its my very first post to the forum.I am a beginner & know nothing about gardening but I am quite determined to become a successful gardener.To begin with,I want to plant a hedge on one side of the garden.Can you please suggest me an economical,low maintainance evergreen hedge.My hubby loves flowers so it would be nice if I have a flowery one...will welcome any of your suggestions!
Many thanx!
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Michigan2Iowa
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...Can you suggest anything?-
Michigan2Iowa
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- Location: Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Zone 5a
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grandpasrose
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), then we'll know where to start!! 
In zone 8 - the first shrub that comes to mind is Lugustrum (it can also be a tree, with a very nice shape I might add, but if you keep it trimmed it's a great hedge). It doesn't bloom, but it stays very green.
If it gets just morning sun, there's the old standby of azaleas - those come in all different colors of bloom, bloom time is in the Spring.
If it's an area sheltered from the wind to an extent, then Camelias should do fine there too. Camelias do eventually get pretty tall, but it takes a number of years for them to do this. They also bloom in white, pink, deep pink, and have single or double-bloom varieties.
Another non-bloomer is boxwood - there are English, American, and Japanese varieties of these and I know they are hardy to zone 5 - but they do not like a lot of wind, either.
If it gets just morning sun, there's the old standby of azaleas - those come in all different colors of bloom, bloom time is in the Spring.
If it's an area sheltered from the wind to an extent, then Camelias should do fine there too. Camelias do eventually get pretty tall, but it takes a number of years for them to do this. They also bloom in white, pink, deep pink, and have single or double-bloom varieties.
Another non-bloomer is boxwood - there are English, American, and Japanese varieties of these and I know they are hardy to zone 5 - but they do not like a lot of wind, either.
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The Helpful Gardener
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Thanks Grey; it was the first plant to pop to mind for me as well, but some folks like the fragrance and some DO NOT; Taney's, I'd try a plant of Ligustrum this year and see what you think. While you are at it, try the boxwood (smell the foliage; some don't like that but it is evergreen, something the hedge is not). The camellia fits your description best but needs humusy soil and a bit of shade. you didn't mention eventual height, I would also look at Enkianthus ae a beautiful spring flower, semi-green foliage and simply amazing fall color. And England is famous for its yews. Lovely berry there in winter...
England is also famous for the mixed, pleached hedge. Actual trees saplingsof hornbeam (Carpinus betula ; 'Fastigiata', usually) and beech (Fagus sylvatica 'Purpurea' is the likely supect. What a great look, can be 6 or 60 feet high, your call, and this is a look from botanical gardens and old castles; very classy. Does that fit the bill or not?
HG
England is also famous for the mixed, pleached hedge. Actual trees saplingsof hornbeam (Carpinus betula ; 'Fastigiata', usually) and beech (Fagus sylvatica 'Purpurea' is the likely supect. What a great look, can be 6 or 60 feet high, your call, and this is a look from botanical gardens and old castles; very classy. Does that fit the bill or not?
HG
I'd go for Crataegus Monogyna, our native hawthorn. I'm a great fan of the species because it has so much potential.
Very pretty blossoms, edible leaves and makes a perfect hedge. If you ever want to grow fruit, you can graft foreign haws on to it of which there are many, many types and are apparently some of the nicest fruits of the world (I'll let you know next year). I believe, though I'm not sure, that you can graft apple and pear to it as well.
If that wasn't enough, you can get 50 trees for 20 quid. Look up Howardstrees on Ebay.co.uk and tell him mootube sent you for quickthorn.
Of course, I'm particularly biassed towards this remarkable species but you go with whatever you like. Cheers.
Very pretty blossoms, edible leaves and makes a perfect hedge. If you ever want to grow fruit, you can graft foreign haws on to it of which there are many, many types and are apparently some of the nicest fruits of the world (I'll let you know next year). I believe, though I'm not sure, that you can graft apple and pear to it as well.
If that wasn't enough, you can get 50 trees for 20 quid. Look up Howardstrees on Ebay.co.uk and tell him mootube sent you for quickthorn.
Of course, I'm particularly biassed towards this remarkable species but you go with whatever you like. Cheers.
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opabinia51
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The Helpful Gardener
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