Landscape Garden Hedges
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Posted by Georgene A. Bramlage Jun 4, 2008 |
My greatest fantasy is evaluating, perhaps correcting and then looking after every landscape garden hedge I see. Yes indeed, monitoring hedges locally and worldwide is the foundation of the duty roster for my alter ego super hero, "Landscape Lady."
Many times, in the course of a real day, I am able to help correct troublesome and inconvenient problems. Moreover, judging by e-mails received at landscaping@suite101.com, many faithful readers say that landscape garden hedges do create misgivings and problems.
Landscape hedge problems usually begin by failure to consider basic questions and observations:
Design
- What is the function of the hedge?
- Does plant material reflect this function?
Style and Plant Choices
- Is the hedge style relative in design and proportion to nearby buildings, walkways, etc?
- Does plant material reflect basic design and proportion of chosen hedge style?
- Is plant installation correct?
Maintenance
- Does the person responsible for maintenance possess a clear understanding of necessary and appropriate upkeep?
- Does a maintenance budget – even homeowners need this! – include adequate time and money for proper hedge upkeep?
My recent article Garden Landscape Hedges: Provide Shelter, Privacy, Physical and Psychological Barriers explores some of these basic questions. Barberry Shrubs (Berberis spp.):Selections for Physical Barrier Landscape Hedges begins to explore the successes as well as evils of well-known and successful shrub materials. This series will slowly unfold as "Landscape Lady" and her camera continue the quest for perfect landscape hedges.
©Text by Georgene A. Bramlage. 2008. Reproduction without permission prohibited