Hedges and Shrubs

Hedges & Shrubs from K. van Bourgondien

Grown in prime Michigan soil, K. van Bourgondien's Ready, Set, Hedge!^® selections are some of the best-performing plants you can find. Thanks to nearby Lake Michigan, our hedges are grown in nutrient-rich sandy loam and nurtured right up until harvest, so their root systems are strong and healthy and ready for optimal performance. Our hedges are also shipped right to your door for your convenience.

Learn more about K. van Bourgondien's hedges and proper care below.

How to Choose Hedges for Your Garden

To choose the right hedges for sale that best fit your preferences, you'll first need to know about the different subtypes.

Flowering Hedges

Add a pop of color and personality to your yard or garden with beautiful flowering hedges. Use flowering hedges to enhance an otherwise bland space or simply to add enjoyable spring and summer blooms to your garden.

Drought-Tolerant Hedges

Drought-tolerant hedges are wise to have in any landscaped area, but they're especially valuable in drought-prone areas. If your region doesn't get a lot of rainfall, these hedges can withstand dryer conditions and prevent you from frequent watering.

Evergreen Hedges

Evergreen hedges act as a nice foundation for any yard. Their constant color ensures your space will always have some life and personality. Year-round foliage also provides a safe habitat for birds and other small wildlife.

Pollinator-Friendly Hedges

Our pollinator-friendly hedges are ideal for attracting butterflies, birds, and pollinating bees to your garden. They also add a pleasant fragrance and foliage. Plant these near walkways or garden borders to support pollinators and add structure to your space.

Deer-Resistant Hedges

Deer can present a challenge to the landscaped areas you've worked hard on. Combat these uninvited guests by planting deer-resistant hedges. Though no plant is 100% sure to keep deer away, these hedges are rarely damaged by deer, so their foliage is likely to remain intact.

Windbreaker Hedges

Windbreaker hedges offer a variety of benefits. They can protect other, more delicate plants from strong winds, and can help cut down on your utility bills. These hedges also make being outdoors more pleasant by acting as a wall on windy days.

Privacy Hedges

Privacy hedges are beneficial if you want to add a barrier on or around your property. They not only provide a barrier from onlookers, but also can help block sound if you live near a noisy highway or facility.

Owner's Guide to Hedges

To help your hedges flourish, there are a few things to know about their care.

Getting Started With Hedges

First, look for a hedge variety appropriate to your climate if you live in an area with more extreme weather conditions. Those further north will want to look for cold-hardy hedges, and those in hotter, dryer conditions will want to find plants that can tolerate heat and possible drought. Once you have selected the hedge variety you want and have vetted that it's appropriate for your region, you're ready to prepare it for planting.

When to Plant Hedges

Hedges grow best when planted in cooler months. Cooler air and soil temperatures help to reduce the stress put on the plant, allowing them to better take root. In northern areas, planting during fall is optimal. Early winter may be best suited for southern areas. Ideally, you want to pick a time that is cool but far from freezing.

How to Plant Hedges

To begin, you'll want to prep your soil. If your soil is lacking in nutrients (tests are available to guage this), you'll want to add in compost to enhance soil nutrition and help with water retention and drainage.

Next, you'll need to find the right location for your hedges. Be sure that the space you intend to plant in allows for enough room to accommodate the advised width and height your hedge will grow to.

From there, you will need to dig a trench roughly 12 inches deep and 20 inches wide, though a more specific size may be included with your hedge according to its root ball. Plant the hedge and gently cover the roots with soil. Be careful not to pat the soil down so tightly that the roots cannot breathe.

Lastly, water your hedge well after planting. Surround the base of the plant with one or two inches of mulch to protect the roots and retain water. Fertilize hedges with a slow-release fertilizer to help them take off.

Pruning vs. Trimming Hedges

Though the terms pruning and trimming are often used interchangeably, there is actually a difference. To prune a hedge means to cut away dead or diseased parts of the plant. To trim means to cut back the hedge or cut it into a desired shape.

When to Trim Hedges

It's best to trim hedges when they're dormant, which is fall to early spring. It's critical to not prune these plants when the weather is too cold or too hot. Prune them before freezing temperatures hit, and be sure not to prune during hot, dry weather. To avoid leaf burn, choose a cool, overcast day.

How to Trim Hedges

Hedges can be trimmed with electric or hand-held pruners. The tool you use should be sharp to avoid inflicting unnecessary stress on the plant. Eyeball the size and shape you want your hedge to be, and take your time in trimming off the tips. To help sunlight reach the base of your plant, cut the top portion a little shorter than the bottom.

When to Prune Hedges

When to prune your hedges largely depends on what type of hedge you have. Winter is often the best time for dormant pruning, with six to 10 weeks before the average last frost in your area. It is important, however, to avoid pruning shrubs in winter that will bloom in spring. You'll cut off flower buds. The best time to prune these hedges is shortly after it finishes blooming.

For diseased plants, cut the affected area away as soon as you spot it.

How to Prune Hedges

As with trimming, use a sharp tool to avoid stressing the plant. Snip away any dead, loose, or infected plant material, careful not to injure the healthy parts of the plant. Dead plant material can be used for composting.