Hedge Borders
Georgia Cinq-Mars
Posts: 6
i notice that many English gardens, formal and informal, are surrounded by a low hedge. i have been studying the gardens of our countries founders and see they often did the same thing. George Washingtons, Mt Vernon's vegetable gardens even have hedges around them.
I love the look and would like to copy it on a small scale in my front yard garden. Is there a reason, other than aesthetic, for the hedges? I seldom see that done here other than in very formal estate or historic gardens. Is there a preferred plant for the hedge and are hedge like flowers, like asters, ever used as an alternative or only evergreen plants?
I am in the Phildelphia, Pennsylvania area in the US, although I garden with primarily native plants, I have been an admirer of Englitch gardens and gardeners my entire gardening life.
Thank you,
Georgia
Posts
I think hedges in gardens are a throwback to hedges in fields. They are markers of the edge of a property. Hedges within gardens make rooms in the manner of Vita Sackville West at Sissinghurst. Each room in a large garden can have a different theme. In many gardens the hedges are there for shelter. A hedge will filter wind and there is a more benevolent micro climate than an open field. A wall or fence that is solid does not do this,instead eddies and vortices are set up which can be more damaging than the wind on its own.
Thank you all, so much, for the replies!