The Best – and Worst – Shrubs for hedges

There is no lack of good shrubs for use in hedges. Here is a list of the better varieties for use in colder temperate areas (Canada and the northern United States).

1. Alpine currant (Ribes alpinum) zone 4b
2. Amur maple (Acer tataricum ginnala) zone 2a
3. Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis) zone 3b
4. Arctic willow (Salix purpurea ‘Nana’) zone 2
5. Blizzard mock orange (Philadelphus lewisii ‘Blizzard’) zone 2
6. Boxwood (Buxus spp.) zones 4 to 9, depending on variety
7. Common privet (Ligustrum vulgare) zone 6b
8. Dwarf European Cranberry Bush (Viburnum opulus ‘Nanum’) zone 2b
9. Dwarf lilac (Syringa spp.) zones 3 to 5, depending on variety
10. Eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) zone 4
11. Hedge cotoneaster (Cotoneaster lucidus) zone 2b
12. Honeysuckle* (Lonicera spp.) zone 2
13. Japanese barberry** (Berberis thunbergii) zone 4
14. Ninebark (Physocarpus spp.) zone 2b
15. Shrub rose (Rosa spp.) zones 2 to 7, depending on variety
16. Shrubby cinquefoil (Potentilla fruticosa) zone 2
17. Siberian peashrub (Caragana arborescens) zone 2
18. Snowberry (Symphoricarpos spp.) zones 2 to 5, depending on variety
19. Spirea (Spiraea spp.) zones 2 to 6, depending on variety

*Varieties resistant to witch’s broom only.

**Considered invasive in certain areas. Always check with local authorities before planting.

Shrubs to Avoid

The following shrubs are often offered as hedge plants, but actually make poor choices in most cases:

1. Honeysuckle (Lonicera spp.): Avoid varieties subject to witch’s broom.
2. Siberian elm, also called Chinese elm (Ulmus pumila): Popularly sold as a “fast-growing hedge”, Siberian elm is actually a tree and will quickly outgrow its role. It soon loses its lower branches and is highly subject to diseases when heavily pruned.
3. Spruce (Picea spp.): Their tendency to thin out at the base and to react badly to harsh pruning make them poor hedge specimens.
4. Yew (Taxus spp.): They make excellent hedges in zone 6 and above, but are subject to winter burn in colder climates.