Best Hedge Types to Plant in Ontario
When it comes to creating a private, lush, and secure outdoor space, hedges are an excellent option. They can provide privacy, add aesthetic value, and act as windbreaks for your home. There are many choices of hedges for your Ontario property, but it’s important to choose one that will thrive depending on the region you live in. Here’s our list of the best hedges for privacy, growth, and hardiness in Ontario.
1. Arborvitae
Privacy Level: High
Growth Rate: Moderate to Fast
Arborvitae is one of the most popular hedge choices for Ontario properties because of its ability to grow fast, creating a privacy screen fairly quickly. They can grow quickly, anywhere from 1 to 2 feet a year to form a dense, tall screen, perfect for privacy. They thrive in full sun to partial shade and do well in most soil types, though they prefer slightly moist, well-drained soil.
Arborvitae is also highly resistant to cold, making it ideal for the harsh Ontario winters. And they maintain their vibrant green foliage throughout the year, providing year-round privacy. To ensure optimal growth, regular pruning is needed to maintain the shape of the hedge.
2. Eastern White Cedar
Privacy Level: High
Growth Rate: Moderate to Fast
Cedar, particularly Eastern White Cedar, is a very popular choice for privacy hedging in Ontario due to its dense foliage and strong resistance to Ontario’s winters. Cedar hedges can grow tall and provide year-round coverage, making them ideal for privacy and wind protection. These evergreen trees thrive in a variety of soil types, though they prefer well-drained, moist soil. They perform best in full sun to partial shade.
Cedars are durable and can withstand both cold temperatures and strong winds, which makes them a go-to option for regions with harsh winter conditions. With proper care and maintenance, including regular pruning and occasional disease management, they can be long-lasting and beautiful additions to your landscape.
3. Boxwood
Privacy Level: Moderate
Growth Rate: Slow to Moderate
Boxwoods are another classic choice for formal hedges. They are dense, evergreen shrubs that can be pruned to create a neat, uniform appearance. Boxwoods grow slower compared to other hedge types, but their dense foliage makes them great for providing privacy once they are mature. They thrive in well-drained, slightly acidic soil and can tolerate partial shade, making them versatile for various locations.
While boxwoods are relatively cold-hardy, they do need some winter protection in Ontario’s harsher climates. A light winter mulch can help protect the roots, and proper drainage will prevent issues like root rot in cold, wet conditions.
4. Yew
Privacy Level: High
Growth Rate: Moderate
Yews are another evergreen shrub that thrives in Ontario’s climate. Known for their dense, dark green needles, yews are ideal for creating dense privacy screens. They are slow-growing, but they live a long time, making them an excellent investment for your property. Yews tolerate a wide range of soil conditions, including both acidic and alkaline soils, and they can grow in full sun to full shade, making them incredibly versatile.
Yews can handle Ontario’s winters, though they should be planted in a sheltered location to protect them from extreme winds. Their slow growth means they may require more time to reach the desired height, but they’re well worth the wait for their dense, full coverage.
5. Lilac
Privacy Level: Moderate
Growth Rate: Moderate to Fast
Although not traditionally thought of as a hedge, lilacs can be an excellent option for a flowering privacy hedge. Their fragrant, purple blooms in late spring make them a beautiful addition to any garden. Lilacs also grow quickly and can form a dense hedge when pruned properly, providing moderate privacy.
They prefer full sun and well-drained, slightly alkaline soil. Lilacs are hardy enough to withstand Ontario’s winters, and once established, they require minimal care. Regular pruning helps keep the shape of the hedge and encourages better flowering.
6. Privet
Privacy Level: High
Growth Rate: Fast
Privet is one of the fastest-growing hedge plants, making it an excellent option for those seeking a quick privacy screen. It is deciduous, meaning it will lose its leaves in the winter, so it’s important to be aware of that, but it will offer dense foliage in the warmer months. Privet thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, and its fast growth can quickly fill in spaces, creating a solid privacy barrier.
While privet is hardy enough to withstand Ontario winters, it may not provide year-round privacy because of its leaf drop in the colder months. However, its rapid growth and dense foliage in the warmer seasons make it an ideal choice for privacy throughout the growing season.
Privacy Hedges in Ontario
When selecting hedges for privacy, growth, and hardiness on your Ontario property, it’s essential to consider the specific conditions of your landscape, such as sun exposure, soil type, and the level of privacy you want to achieve. Arborvitae, cedar, and yew provide excellent year-round coverage, while boxwood and privet are great for those seeking fast-growing, dense hedges. For a unique touch, consider lilacs, which offer both beauty and privacy.
By choosing the right hedge for your needs, you’ll create a beautiful, private, and low-maintenance barrier that enhances the beauty and function of your property for years to come. If you have a hedge that needs pruning, don’t hesitate to contact Sequoia TreeScape your top-rated arborist in York Region.