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Using Shrubs to Define Space By Charlie Proutt, VCH
April
2002 Volume 15, No. 1
The shrub border not only adds
visual interest to a landscape, it
builds a wall that defines and separates
spaces. Fast growing and easy to install,
the border should be one of the first
projects undertaken in a landscape. It
provides the setting that accents all
other features. We have used shrub borders
at the nursery to separate our gardens
and displays from the roads and
parking areas.
Shrub borders can be as simple
as a single species hedge. Arborvitae,
spirea, lilac, viburnum, and burning
bush are the most common hedges,
but I’ve used many other plants over the
years. Space the plants from 21⁄2'–5' on
center, depending on the species chosen.
We usually dig the sod out and plant
the shrubs in a single mulched bed to
keep grasses and weeds from competing
during the first few years. Groundcovers
can also be added beneath the plants.
Multi-species borders have always
been popular. When there’s room for
more than a single row of plants, you
can provide more depth and interest to
the border. Carefully select the plants
you use by height and fullness. Small
flowering trees such as serviceberries,
crabapples or Japanese tree lilacs
should be placed at strategic spots. Use
lower shrubs such as the shorter spirea,
potentilla, daphne, or ‘Crimson Pygmy’
barberry in the front of the border.
Lilacs and viburnums anchor the tall
corners and accents. Spirea, forsythiaThe shrub border not only adds
visual interest to a landscape, it
builds a wall that defines and separates
spaces. Fast growing and easy to install,
the border should be one of the first
projects undertaken in a landscape. It
provides the setting that accents all
other features. We have used shrub borders
at the nursery to separate our gardens
and displays from the roads and
parking areas.
Shrub borders can be as simple
as a single species hedge. Arborvitae,
spirea, lilac, viburnum, and burning
bush are the most common hedges,
but I’ve used many other plants over the
years. Space the plants from 21⁄2'–5' on
center, depending on the species chosen.
We usually dig the sod out and plant
the shrubs in a single mulched bed to
keep grasses and weeds from competing
during the first few years. Groundcovers
can also be added beneath the plants.
Multi-species borders have always
been popular.
When there’s room for
more than a single row of plants, you
can provide more depth and interest to
the border. Carefully select the plants
you use by height and fullness. Small
flowering trees such as serviceberries,
crabapples or Japanese tree lilacs
should be placed at strategic spots. Use
lower shrubs such as the shorter spirea,
potentilla, daphne, or ‘Crimson Pygmy’
barberry in the front of the border.
Lilacs and viburnums anchor the tall
corners and accents. Spirea, forsythianinebark and weigela are all good in the
central areas.
With enough room (and gardening
energy) you can intersperse drifts of
bulbs and perennials within the border
as well.
When chosen with care, the shrubs
in your border will provide a wonderful
progression of spring through summer
flowers, fall colors, and winter fruits. As
a bonus, wildlife will be attracted to the
cover provided as well as eat some of the
fruits and berries many shrubs produce.
In addition to our field-grown lilacs
and viburnums, Horsfords now grows
over 40 varieties of flowering shrubs in
our growing area behind the barn. We
grow only shrubs that are hardy to our
area and will do our best to recommend
the right plants for your soils and light
exposure. The listings in our catalog
provide more detailed information. For
pictures of plants at the nursery, visit us
at www.horsfordnursery.com. |
