Hedges in Front of House – A Comprehensive Guide

Putting hedges in front of your house can change how it looks and feels from the outside. If you choose the right hedge, it can give you privacy, make your home look better, and even help clean the air. This guide tells you everything you need to know about choosing front yard hedges, planting them, and taking care of them.

Benefits of Front Yard Hedges

Here are some of the best reasons to think about putting hedges in front of your house:

• Privacy – Hedges create a living screen to block views and noise from the street. This enhances your sense of seclusion. Taller hedges like arborvitae and leyland cypress offer maximum privacy.

• Curb Appeal – Hedges instantly boost your home’s curbside attractiveness. They soften hard edges and add natural beauty to the landscape. Flowering hedges like hydrangea look especially stunning.

• Pollution Reduction: When planted near busy roads, hedges help filter out pollution from car exhaust and other sources. Evergreen varieties like yew and boxwood work year-round.

• Windbreaks – Front yard hedges reduce cold winds hitting your home. This can lower heating bills. Dense, tall hedges like leyland cypress make the best wind barriers.

• Noise Reduction – Hedges absorb and block sounds from the street. They act as natural sound barriers to reduce noise pollution. The denser the hedge, the more noise reduction.

Choosing the Best Hedges for Your Yard

Several factors influence which hedges work best upfront:

• Hedges that are taller block more views but can cast shadows on your home. Hedges that are shorter add charm without blocking sunlight.

• Growth Rate – Fast growing choices like bamboo and leyland cypress deliver quick privacy Slow growers like boxwood take time but need less pruning

• Sun Tolerance – Select full sun lovers like arborvitae for open areas. Shade tolerant plants like yew suit partially shaded yards.

• Maintenance – Lower maintenance options such as podocarpus and cherry laurel require less frequent pruning. High care hedges like boxwood need regular trimming.

• Deer Resistance – Deer tend to avoid yew, boxwood, holly and leyland cypress due to toxicity or spiky leaves. This prevents damage.

• Evergreen vs. Deciduous – Evergreen hedges offer year-round privacy. Popular choices include yew, boxwood and holly. Deciduous hedges change with the seasons.

• Mature Size – Consider the hedge’s eventual height and spread. Leave enough room or plan to prune annually.

• Climate Match – Ensure the hedge variety you choose is suited for your planting zone.

Top Hedge Plant Picks for Front Yards

Based on the above criteria, here are 10 of the best hedging plants for front yards:

• Boxwood – A classic formal hedge, boxwood is dense, easily pruned and deer resistant. Needs well-drained soil and partial shade.

• Holly – This broadleaf evergreen has glossy foliage, red berries and natural spikes. It likes acidic, moist soil with partial sun.

• Arborvitae – A fast-growing conifer good for tight spaces. Choose compact varieties under 8 feet. Likes full sun. Deer resistant.

• Yew – Slow growing but takes well to pruning. Poisonous foliage deters pests. Give well-drained soil and partial shade.

• Cherry Laurel – Low maintenance broadleaf evergreen with thick glossy leaves. Grows quickly and resists disease.

• Bamboo – Very fast growing and provides airy, dappled screening. Ensure containment measures are taken when planting.

• Privet – A deciduous classic that’s fast growing and glossy. Needs frequent trimming to maintain shape.

• Leyland Cypress – Very fast evergreen that can reach 60 feet tall. Plant densely for a solid screen. Likes sun.

• Willow – Beautiful deciduous choice with colorful foliage and dappled light screening. Needs ample water and pruning.

• Podocarpus – Slow growing evergreen similar to yew. Makes solid hedge or can be shaped into tree form. Deer resistant.

Planting and Caring for Front Yard Hedges

Follow these tips to successfully grow hedges in your front yard:

• Amend the soil with compost or manure to improve drainage and nutrition.

• Space hedge plants 2-3 feet apart for a dense screen. Stagger plants in rows.

• Water new hedges daily until established. Then water during droughts.

• Apply a 2-3 inch mulch layer around hedge bases to retain moisture and reduce weeds.

• Fertilize in early spring with a balanced organic fertilizer to encourage growth.

• Prune formal hedges in summer to shape and dense up growth. Informal hedges can be pruned as needed.

• Monitor for disease and pests. Take action early to treat any problems.

• Wrap susceptible hedges like boxwood in winter to protect from cold and wind damage.

Adding hedges along the front of your home can dramatically enhance curb appeal, privacy and comfort. Carefully select varieties suited to your climate and yard conditions for success. Proper planting, pruning and care will keep your front yard hedges looking their best while providing security, beauty and improved air quality. The end result will be a welcoming, attractive facade for your home.