The best way to make a good hedge or windbreak is to choose the right plants from the start. Depending on where the hedge is, you might want plants that can tolerate shade.
So, what are some plants for hedges? Plants hedges include: Bay Laurel, Common Lantana, Common Lilac, English Lavender, Panicle Hydrangea, Red Yucca, Rose, Russian Sage, Star Jasmine, and Trumpet Creeper. Some of these plants also have attractive foliage or flowers you can enjoy.
Of course, some of these plants will be a better fit for your garden than others, depending on water, temperature, and soil needs.
In this article, we’ll talk about 10 plants for hedges. We’ll also take a look at what they need for light, water, and other important growth factors.
Let’s get started.
10 Plants For Hedges
There are plenty of plants you can use for hedges, but here are 10 to start with:
- Bay Laurel
- Common Lantana
- Common Lilac
- English Lavender
- Panicle Hydrangea
- Red Yucca
- Rose
- Russian Sage
- Star Jasmine
- Trumpet Creeper
Let’s begin with Bay Laurel.
Bay Laurel
Bay Laurel (Laurus nobilis) is an evergreen tree that produces showy, tiny (less than 1 inch) green and yellow flowers in spring or early summer. It is a good addition to a windbreak or hedge.
Bay Laurel needs moderate to dry moisture levels. Too much water causes root rot and can damage the plant.
Bay Laurel prefers full sun, but it can tolerate partial or full shade. It prefers strongly acidic to strongly alkaline soil (pH of 5.1 to 9.0).
Bay Laurel can tolerate some cold. As an outdoor plant, it is hardy to Zone 8a (as cold as 10 degrees Fahrenheit or –12 degrees Celsius).
This plant grows to a height of 10 to 40 feet, with a width of 10 to 30 feet.
You can propagate Bay Laurel by offsets, root cuttings, tip cuttings, or seed.
You can learn more about Bay Laurel from the National Gardening Association’s Plant Database.
You can find Bay Laurel from Forest Farm.
Common Lantana
Common Lantana (Lantana camara) is a perennial evergreen shrub that tolerates salt and produces small (1 to 2 inch) showy lavender, mauve, orange, pink, yellow, or bicolor flowers in late spring, summer, or early fall. It is a good addition to a windbreak or hedge.
Common Lantana needs moderate to dry moisture levels, and it can resist drought, making it suitable for xeriscaping. Too much water causes root rot and can damage the plant.
Common Lantana prefers full sun, but it can tolerate partial shade. It prefers acidic soil (pH of 5.5 to 6.5).
Common Lantana cannot tolerate much cold. As an outdoor plant, it is hardy to Zone 9b (as cold as 25 degrees Fahrenheit or –4 degrees Celsius).
This plant grows to a height of 3 to 4 feet.
You can propagate Common Lantana by stem cuttings.
You can learn more about Common Lantana from the National Gardening Association’s Plant Database.
You can find Common Lantana from Plant Delights Nursery.
Common Lilac
Common Lilac (Syringa vulgaris) is a perennial deciduous shrub that produces showy, fragrant, tiny (less than 1 inch) lavender, pink, or purple flowers in spring or early summer. It is a good addition to a windbreak or hedge.
Common Lilac needs moderate moisture levels, but it is suitable for xeriscaping. Too much water causes root rot and can damage the plant.
Common Lilac prefers full sun, but it can tolerate partial shade. It tolerates a wide range of soil pH (pH of 6.6 to 8.4).
Common Lilac can tolerate extreme cold. As an outdoor plant, it is hardy to Zone 2a (as cold as -50 degrees Fahrenheit or –46 degrees Celsius).
This plant grows to a height of 10 to 15 feet, with a width of 6 to 12 feet.
You can propagate Common Lilac by division or by stolons and runners.
You can learn more about Common Lilac from the National Gardening Association’s Plant Database.
You can find Common Lilac from the Tree Center.
English Lavender
English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is a perennial (annual in humid climates) that produces showy and fragrant flowers that are often purple but can also be lavender, mauve, blue, or white (in late spring, summer, or early fall). It is a good addition to a windbreak or hedge.
English Lavender needs moderate to dry moisture levels. It needs good drainage in a container. Too much water will cause root rot and eventually kill the plant.
English Lavender prefers full sun, but it can tolerate partial shade. It prefers neutral to slightly alkaline soil (pH of 6.6 to 7.8).
English Lavender can tolerate extreme cold. As an outdoor plant, it is hardy to Zone 5a (as cold as -20 degrees Fahrenheit or –29 degrees Celsius).
This plant grows to a height of 18 to 24 inches, with a width of 24 to 48 inches.
You can propagate English Lavender by division, stem cuttings, or by seeds.
You can learn more about English Lavender from the National Gardening Association’s Plant Database.
You can find English Lavender from Direct Gardening.
Panicle Hydrangea
Panicle Hydrangea (Hydrangrea paniculata) is a perennial shrub that produces showy flowers (on new wood) that are green, pink, red, or white (in summer, fall, and early winter). It is a good addition to a windbreak or hedge.
Panicle Hydrangea needs moderate to wet moisture levels. It needs good drainage in a container. Too much water will cause root rot and eventually kill the plant.
Panicle Hydrangea prefers full sun, but it can tolerate partial shade. It prefers neutral soil (pH of 6.6 to 7.3).
Panicle Hydrangea can tolerate extreme cold. As an outdoor plant, it is hardy to Zone 3a (as cold as -40 degrees Fahrenheit or –40 degrees Celsius).
This plant grows to a height of 6 to 8 feet, with a width of 6 to 8 feet.
You can propagate Panicle Hydrangea by hardwood cuttings, root ball division, or by seeds.
You can learn more about Panicle Hydrangea from the National Gardening Association’s Plant Database.
You can find Panicle Hydrangrea from White Flower Farm.
Red Yucca
Red Yucca (Hesperaloe parviflora) is a perennial evergreen cactus that produces showy flowers in summer or fall. It is a good addition to a windbreak or hedge.
Red Yucca needs moderate to dry moisture levels. It needs good drainage in a container. Too much water will cause root rot and eventually kill the plant.
Red Yucca prefers full sun, but it can tolerate partial shade. It prefers neutral soil (pH of 6.6 to 7.3).
Red Yucca can tolerate severe cold. As an outdoor plant, it is hardy to Zone 5b (as cold as -15 degrees Fahrenheit or –26 degrees Celsius).
This plant grows to a height of 2 to 4 feet, with a width of up to 6 feet.
You can propagate Red Yucca by division, offsets, or seeds.
You can learn more about Red Yucca from the National Gardening Association’s Plant Database.
You can find Red Yucca from High Country Gardens.
Rose
Rose is a perennial flowering vine that produces showy, fragrant flowers (pink, red, and other colors are possible) in spring, summer, or fall. It is a good addition to a windbreak or hedge.
Rose needs moderate moisture levels. It needs good drainage in a container. Too much water will cause root rot and eventually kill the plant.
Rose needs full sun. It prefers somewhat acidic to slightly alkaline soil (pH of 5.6 to 7.8).
Rose can tolerate severe cold. As an outdoor plant, it is hardy to Zone 5b (as cold as -15 degrees Fahrenheit or –26 degrees Celsius).
This plant grows to a height of 10 to 20 feet, with a width of 5 to 6 feet.
You can propagate Rose by stem cuttings or tip cuttings.
You can learn more about Rose from the National Gardening Association’s Plant Database.
You can find Rose bushes from Heirloom Roses.
Russian Sage
Russian Sage (Salvia yangii or Perovskia atriplicifolia) is a perennial deciduous shrub that tolerates salt and produces showy, fragrant blue or lavender flowers in summer, fall, or early winter. It is a good addition to a windbreak or hedge.
Russian Sage needs moderate to dry moisture levels, and it can tolerate drought, making it suitable for xeriscaping. Too much water will cause root rot and damage the plant.
Russian Sage needs full sun. It prefers alkaline soil (pH of over 7.0).
Russian Sage can tolerate extreme cold. As an outdoor plant, it is hardy to Zone 2a (as cold as -50 degrees Fahrenheit or –46 degrees Celsius).
This plant grows to a height of 2 to 4 feet, with a width of 2 to 4 feet.
You can propagate Russian Sage by cuttings.
You can learn more about Russian Sage from the National Gardening Association’s Plant Database.
You can find Russian Sage from Bluestone Perennials.
Star Jasmine
Star Jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides) is a perennial vine that produces showy and fragrant white flowers in late spring or summer. It is a good addition to a windbreak or hedge.
Star Jasmine needs moderate moisture levels. It needs good drainage in a container. Too much water will cause root rot and eventually kill the plant.
Star Jasmine needs full sun. It prefers slightly acidic to slightly alkaline soil (pH of 6.1 to 7.8).
Star Jasmine can tolerate some cold. As an outdoor plant, it is hardy to Zone 8a (as cold as 10 degrees Fahrenheit or –12 degrees Celsius).
This plant grows to a height of 15 to 40 feet.
You can propagate Star Jasmine by stem cuttings.
You can learn more about Star Jasmine from the National Gardening Association’s Plant Database.
You can find Star Jasmine from the Nursery at Ty Ty.
Trumpet Creeper
Trumpet Creeper (Campsis radicans) is a perennial vine that produces showy medium (2 to 3 inch) orange flowers in summer or early fall. It is a good addition to a windbreak or hedge.
Trumpet Creeper needs moderate to dry moisture levels. It needs good drainage in a container. Too much water will cause root rot and eventually kill the plant.
Trumpet Creeper prefers full sun, but it can tolerate partial shade. It prefers slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH of 6.1 to 7.3).
Trumpet Creeper can tolerate severe cold. As an outdoor plant, it is hardy to Zone 4a (as cold as -30 degrees Fahrenheit or –34 degrees Celsius).
This plant grows to a height of 30 feet, with a width of 30 feet.
You can propagate Trumpet Creeper by layering, stem cuttings, or seed.
You can learn more about Trumpet Creeper from the National Gardening Association’s Plant Database.
You can find Trumpet Creeper from Tennessee Wholesale Nursery.
Conclusion
Now you know about 10 plants that are good for hedges or windbreaks and how to take care of them. They might provide inspiration to help you to improve your landscape and add beauty to your yard.
I hope you found this article helpful. If so, please share it with someone who can use the information.
If you want to read some of my most popular posts, check out the “Best of GreenUpSide” page here. Enjoy!
~Jonathon