Hedges Plant List

Chalet has a wide range of plants perfect for creating informal or formal hedges. Informal hedging plants are characterized by large leaves and an open branching structure. Little pruning is needed to create a natural-looking hedge. Conversely, formal hedging plants have small leaves and a tight branching structure. Regular shearing is needed to maintain a desired shape. The table below categorizes hedging plants by general height. Spacing refers to the planting distance between the centers of each plant within the hedge. A bold SH at the end of a description marks a plant that is well-suited for shearing into formal shapes.

1 - 4 Feet

Name	Height	Spacing	Light	Description
Alpine Currant, Green Mound Ribes alpinum	3’	3’	Full Sun, Part Sun, Shade	Small leaves. Dense, mounded habit. Highly shade tolerant. SH
Barberry, Royal Burgundy Berberis thunbergii	2-3'	1 1/2 -2'	Full Sun, Part Sun	Small burgundy leaves. Thorny stems. Great as a low colorful hedge. SH
Barberry, Sunjoy Pillar Berberis thunbergii	3-4’	1’	Full Sun, Part Sun	Bright golden foliage turns orange-red in fall. Ideal where narrow form is required.
Boxwood, Green Velvet Buxus	2-3’	2-3’	Full Sun, Part Sun, Shade	Broadleaf evergreen. Our most popular boxwood. Grows naturally in a neat mounded form. Great for a small evergreen hedge. SH
Euonymus, Sarcoxie Euonymus fortunei	3-4’	3’	Full Sun, Part Sun	Broadleaf evergreen. Dark green leaves. Can be grown as a shrub or low vine.
Forsythia, Show Off Forsythia	4’	2-3’	Full Sun, Part Sun	Dark green foliage. Bright yellow flowers in early spring are densely packed on stems from the base of the plant to the tips.
Spirea, Double Play Artist Spiraea japonica	3-4’	2-3’	Full Sun, Part Sun	New leaves emerge purple-red, changing to green. Rosy lavender flowers in flat clusters in June.
Spirea, Tor Birchleaf Spiraea betulifolia	2-3’	2-3’	Full Sun, Part Sun	Fine textured, birch leaf-like gray-green leaves turn brilliant yellow-gold, bronze and red in the fall. White flowers in the spring.
Virginia Sweetspire, Little Henry Itea virginica	2-3’	2-3’	Full Sun, Part Sun	The smallest form of Virginia Sweetspire. Fragrant white flowers in June. Long-lasting reddish purple fall color. Green winter stems.
Weigela, Magical Fantasy Weigela florida	3-4'	3'	Full Sun, Part Sun	Variegated foliage with creamy white margins on green leaves. Profuse pinkish white flowers in early summer. Adaptable to different soils.
Yew, Dark Green Spreader Taxus media	3-4’	4-5’	Full Sun, Part Sun, Shade	Evergreen. Great variety with dark green color. Dense, slow growing makes for nice, low hedge. Tolerates shade, but intolerant of wet feet. SH

4 - 8 Feet

Name	Height	Spacing	Light	Description
Arborvitae, Technito Thuja occidentalis	8-10’	2-3’	Full Sun, Part Sun	Evergreen. Dark green foliage. A smaller and very dense version of its parent, Techny. Needs no shearing to maintain a tight pyramidal form. Great as short accent or hedge. Very slow growing. SH
Alpine Currant Ribes alpinum	4-5’	2’	Full Sun, Part Sun, Shade	Small leaves. Dense, upright growth. Highly shade tolerant. SH
Arborvitae, Holmstrup Thuja occidentalis	6-8’	3-4’	Full Sun, Part Sun	Evergreen. Shortest of the pyramidal arborvitaes. Dark green, nicely textured foliage.
Barberry, Helmond Pillar Berberis thunbergii	4’	2’	Full Sun, Part Sun	Small, reddish-purple leaves. Skinny form is perfect for thin hedge or accent in rock garden.
Barberry, Redleaf Berberis thunbergii ‘Atropurpurea’	5-6’	3’	Full Sun, Part Sun	Small, burgundy leaves. Thorny stems. Effective barrier hedge.
Barberry, Rosy Glow Berberis thunbergii	4-5’	2-3’	Full Sun, Part Sun	New leaves emerge marbled pink and burgundy. Thorny stems. Effective barrier hedge.
Boxwood, Green Mountain Buxus	3-5’	2-3’	Full Sun, Part Sun	Broadleaf evergreen. Pyramidal and tallest form of hardy boxwood. SH
Burning Bush, Compact Euonymus alatus	5-6	3’	Full Sun, Part Sun	Dense and compact form. Leaves turn brilliant watermelon-red in fall. Best used as rounded hedge.
Chokeberry, Red Aronia arbutifolia ‘Brilliantissima	6-8'	3'	Full Sun, Part Sun	White flowers in spring. Clusters of glossy red fruit in fall. Crimson fall leaves. Great in natural areas.
Chokeberry, Viking Aronia melanocarpa	4'	3'	Full Sun, Part Sun	Dense and compact form. Shiny dark green leaves turn scarlet in fall. White hawthorn-like flowers in spring. Very showy clusters of black fruit may persist until January.
Cotoneaster, Peking Cotoneaster acutifolia	5-8’	3’	Full Sun, Part Sun	Glossy, dark green leaves turn yellow and red in fall. Hardy and adaptable. Easy to maintain in a formal shape. SH
Dogwood, Gray Huron Cornus racemosa	5-6’	3’	Full Sun, Part Sun, Shade	Shiny dark green leaves become burgundy in the fall. Creamy white flowers in early spring followed by white berries. Disease resistant.
Dogwood, Variegated Ivory Halo Cornus alba	5-6’	3-4’	Full Sun, Part Sun	Red stems and variegated cream and green leaves.
Forsythia, Sunrise Forsythia	5-6’	3’	Full Sun, Part Sun	Covered in stunning yellow flowers in spring. Nice dark green foliage all summer. Dense, compact form of Forsythia.
Hydrangea, Panicle Hydrangea paniculata cultivars	6-8’	3-4’	Full Sun, Part Sun	Showy white cone-shaped flowers emerge in late summer and last well into fall, often turning a pink color. Useful as a naturalistic screen.
Juniper, Sea Green Juniperus chinensis	4-6’	3’	Full Sun, Part Sun	Evergreen. Arching habit. Soft-textured, bright green foliage. Makes an attractive unsheared hedge.
Lilac, Bloomerang Syringa	4’	2-3’	Full Sun, Part Sun	Blooms in spring, fall and in between! Fragrant pinkish purple flowers are most abundant in spring and fall. The plant is wonderfully petite and tidy.
Lilac, Dwarf Korean Syringa meyeri ‘Palibin’	4-5’	2-3’	Full Sun, Part Sun	Compact, densely branched plant with dark green, semi-glossy leaves. Fragrant, pinkish purple flowers in May. SH
Lilac, Miss Kim Syringa patula	5-7’	3’	Full Sun, Part Sun	Leaves are larger than Korean Lilacs. Fragrant, ice blue flowers in May. Mildew resistant.
Mockorange Philadelphus cultivars	varies	varies	Full Sun, Part Sun	Height from 4-8 feet depending upon type. Very fragrant white flowers in spring. Not for shearing.
Ninebark, Summer Wine Physocarpus opulifolius	5-6’	3’	Full Sun, Part Sun	Deeply cut dark purple-red foliage. Pinkish white flowers in spring. Colorful, vigorous and disease-free. A good substitute for Purple Leaf Plum.
Rose Rosa cultivars	varies	varies	Full Sun, Part Sun	Some roses make beautiful, colorful hedges. See the rugosa and shrub sections of our Rose Catalog for more information.
Viburnum, Arrowwood Blue Muffin Viburnum dentatum	5-6’	3’	Full Sun, Part Sun, Shade	Lustrous dark green foliage all summer turns orange to red in fall. White flower clusters are followed by blue fruit clusters in summer.
Viburnum, Cranberrybush Compact Viburnum trilobum	5-6’	3’	Full Sun, Part Sun	Dense, uniform, rounded habit. Red fall color. Shade tolerant.
Viburnum, Judd Viburnum	5-6’	3-4’	Full Sun, Part Sun	Pink flower buds are followed by incredibly fragrant white flowers around Mother’s Day. Dense foliage.
Viburnum, Summer Snowflake Viburnum plicatum var. tomentosum	5-6’	3-4’	Full Sun, Part Sun	Snow-white flowers bloom on and off from June to October. Green foliage turns purplish red in fall.
Yew, Densiformis Taxus media	5-6’	3’	Full Sun, Part Sun, Shade	Evergreen. Dense, broad-based spreading form. Intolerant of wet soil. SH
Yew, Hick’s Taxus media	6-8’	2-3’	Full Sun, Part Sun, Shade	Evergreen. Narrow, upright form with a naturally formal appearance. Intolerant of wet soil. SH

8 - 15 Feet

Name	Height	Spacing	Light	Description
Arborvitae, Emerald Green Thuja occidentalis ‘Smargd’	10-15’	2-3’	Full Sun, Part Sun	Evergreen. Our most popular arborvitae. Narrow form. Bright green foliage. SH
Arborvitae, Techny Thuja occidentalis	10-15’	4-6’	Full Sun, Part Sun	Evergreen. Popular broad-based pyramidal form. Dark green foliage holds color well in winter. SH
Birch, River Fox Valley Dwarf Betula nigra	10-12’	4-6’	Full Sun, Part Sun	Dense, compact form of river birch with exfoliating cinnamon brown bark and yellow fall color. Shear easily to make multi-season hedge. Very hardy, makes great rooftop plant, too.
Forsythia, Meadowlark Forsythia	8-10’	4-5’	Full Sun, Part Sun	Another hardy, old-time favorite. Arching habit. Bright yellow flowers in April. Useful as a large, rounded hedge.
Juniper, Blue Point Juniperus chinensis	10-12’	3-4’	Full Sun, Part Sun	Evergreen. Neat and dense pyramidal form. Blue-green foliage. Good privacy screen. SH
Lilac, Common & French Hybrids Syringa vulgaris & cultivars	6-10’	3-4’	Full Sun, Part Sun	Pruning of older stems may be necessary to maintain foliage near the base of the plant. See our Lilac handout for specific list.
Privet, Cheyenne Ligustrum vulgaris	6-9’	3’	Full Sun, Part Sun	Popular hedge plant for its uniform, upright habit. White flowers. Very vigorous. SH
Viburnum, Arrowwood Autumn Jazz Viburnum dentatum	8-10’	3-4’	Full Sun, Part Sun, Shade	More upright than Chicago Lustre. Shiny, dark green leaves turn burgundy in fall. Clusters of metallic blue fruit in fall.
Viburnum, Arrowwood Chicago Lustre Viburnum dentatum	8-10’	3-4’	Full Sun, Part Sun, Shade	Shiny, dark green leaves turn yellow-gold to orange in fall. Clusters of metallic blue fruit in fall. Hardy and adaptable.
Viburnum, Cranberrybush Wentworth Viburnum trilobum	8-12’	4’	Full Sun, Part Sun	Large, rounded shrub makes a nice naturalistic screen. White flowers are followed by clusters of red fruit. Red fall color.
Viburnum, Mohican Viburnum lantana	8-10’	4-5’	Full Sun, Part Sun	Large, coarse, matte-green leaves. Fall color may be burgundy-red. Best allowed to grow naturally in a wide area.
Yew, Adam’s Columnar Taxus cuspidata	8-10'	3-4'	Full Sun, Part Sun	Evergreen. Bright green foliage. Tall, narrow form is ideal where space is limited. Remains full at base. SH

15 - 60 Feet

Name	Height	Spacing	Light	Description
Arborvitae, Dark Green Thuja occidentalis ‘Nigra’	20-25’	4-6’	Full Sun, Part Sun	Evergreen. Tall pyramidal form. Medium green foliage. Useful as tall evergreen screen or planted in groups for year round color. SH
Arborvitae, Western Green Giant Thuja plicata	30’	6-10’	Full Sun, Part Sun	Evergreen. Very attractive, medium to dark green, shiny, aromatic foliage. Develops a bronze tint in winter. Deer do not like this plant!
Dogwood, Cornelian Cherry Golden Glory Cornus mas	20’	5’	Full Sun, Part Sun	Yellow flowers in early spring. Large, oblong cherry-red berries in summer. Purple fall color. Very hardy and adaptable tree.
Flowering Pear, Cleveland Select Pyrus calleryana ‘Chanticleer’	30-35’	8-10’	Full Sun, Part Sun	Tall pyramidal form. Glossy foliage turns purple and red in fall. Abundant white flowers in spring. Great for a formal look.
Hornbeam, Columnar Carpinus betulus ‘Fastigiata’	30-35’	6-8’	Full Sun, Part Sun	Dense, slender branches. Fine-textured, dark green leaves. Yellow fall color. Shears beautifully. Ideal where a tall, narrow screen is needed. SH
Juniper, Hetz Columnar Juniperus chinensis	15-18'	4-5'	Full Sun, Part Sun	Evergreen. Upright pyramidal form. Bright green foliage. Birds appreciate the blue fruit in winter. Great for screening in areas with adverse conditions. SH
Juniper, Spartan Juniperus chinensis	15-18’	4-5’	Full Sun, Part Sun	Evergreen. One of the finest upright junipers. Dark green foliage. Wind and salt tolerant.  SH
Juniper, Skyrocket Juniperus scopulorum	15-20’	3’	Full Sun, Part Sun	Evergreen. Narrow, columnar form. Silver-blue foliage. Excellent for tight areas. SH
Oak, Regal Prince Quercus robur x bicolor	25-30’	6’	Full Sun, Part Sun	Columnar form. Dark green lustrous foliage turns yellow-bronze in fall.
Spruce, Colorado Blue Fat Albert Picea pungens	15-20’	8-10’	Full Sun	Evergreen. Blue needles. Effective as single, large specimen or in corner groupings and along roads.
Spruce, Norway Picea abies	40-60’	15-20’	Full Sun, Part Sun	Evergreen. Dark green needles. Best used in large areas. Rapid growing.
Viburnum, Blackhaw Viburnum prunifolium	15-20’	6’	Full Sun, Part Sun	Largest viburnum for our area. Densely branched. White flowers in June, blue fruit. Purplish red fall color.