Which Hedge To Plant By The Water

Last updated on October 23rd, 2023 at 08:27 pm

There are many different types of gardens. Some gardens are large and landscaped, others are smaller and more simple in design. Today’s blog is about gardens that are waterfront. What hedge plants fit well in these gardens?

Which Hedge To Plant By The Water
Are you looking for a good garden partition that can replace the fence? Then conifers such as the yew, thuja or mock cypress are a good option. (mock cypress)

Garden on a canal


The majority of waterfront gardens border a canal. The canal behind the garden offers a wide view. Especially in built-up areas like big cities, these gardens are always very popular. In a waterfront garden, the hedge is often used as a boundary between your own garden and your neighbor’s. The back of the garden, where the water is located, is also used as a boundary. However, this side is rarely screened by a hedge. More often, a wall or even a small wooden walkway is built on this side to make the most of the water.

Which Hedge To Plant By The Water

Even if a garden is located directly on the water, the soil is often the same as in other gardens in the area. This means that most hedge plants can be planted in a waterfront garden without the need for additional precautions. Is the soil wetter than in other gardens? Then you can take that into account when choosing plants or create a raised bed which will be well drained. To avoid “wet feet” you can poke holes in the ground with a pitchfork when planting the hedge to help the water drain away.

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In principle, all hedge plants can be used in a waterfront garden. Are you looking for a good garden partition that can replace the fence? Then conifers such as the yew, thuja or mock cypress are a good option. If you cut these hedge plants back at least once a year, they will form a beautiful, dense, formal, evergreen hedge that will stay with you for a long time. If you have an existing fence and want more greenery in your yard, you can also opt for an ivy hedge. It can grow against the fence and make the garden much more colorful.

Which Hedge To Plant By The Water
Another plant that can withstand the conditions of coastal areas is the wintergreen olive willow or thorny olive willow.

Garden near the coast


A “garden near the water” does not have to mean that your garden borders directly on the water. A garden near the coast often needs special attention and is therefore certainly worth considering. Problems that coastal gardens often face are particularly strong winds and salty soil. Both can cause some hedge plants to grow less well near the sea. The most common hedge plants, such as yew or cherry laurel, are not recommended on the coast.

Fortunately, there are a number of plants that do very well in areas with strong winds and lots of salt. A good example of this is Griselinia (Griselinia littoralis). This hedge plant is somewhat less well known than, for example, boxwood or thuja, but that doesn’t make it any less suitable for use as a hedge. It is an evergreen hedge plant from New Zealand and therefore used to some sea air. Unfortunately, this also means that this plant is used to a slightly warmer climate. So don’t plant it in the shade and protect it from the cold in the winter.

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Another plant that can withstand the conditions in coastal areas is the wintergreen oil willow or thorny oil willow. Both the Griselinia and the Olive Willow are evergreen and have a nice, dense growth habit, making them suitable for formal hedges. Griselinia littoralis grows taller than the oil willow. While the oil willow reaches a maximum height of about 2 feet, the Griselinia can easily reach 5 or 6 feet. Like the Griselinia, the Oil Willow, does not tolerate the cold very well, so it too needs extra protection in the winter.

Which Hedge To Plant By The Water
Would you like to have a lively garden? Then flowering hedge plants, such as the butterfly bush or yellow dogwood, are a wonderful addition to your garden. (Yellow Dogwood)

Garden with a pond


It could also be that you have a pond in your garden and want to know which hedge plants go well with it. In principle, of course, a pond does not change the composition of the soil or the amount of light in your garden. This means that any hedge plant that would normally grow in your garden can also grow near a pond. A pond can be part of a naturally designed garden with lots of informal native hedge plants but equally part of an elegant modern garden with formal hedges and topiary.

A pond often adds life to the garden. You may have fish in your pond but even without fish, frogs are often attracted to garden ponds. Do you want to have a lively garden? Then flowering hedge plants, such as the butterfly bush or yellow dogwood, are a wonderful addition to your garden. Some hedge plants are also very popular with birds, which build their nests in the hedge or eat the berries. This is the case with privet, for example. Privet is a beautiful semi-evergreen plant that can find its place in almost any garden design.

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Water in or near your garden can greatly enhance the landscape and your view. The good news is that in most cases, this water has very little impact on the plants you can plant in your yard. Do you have specific questions about the soil conditions of your garden or do you want to know if the hedge plants you want can grow well near the ocean? Then please do not hesitate to contact us. We will be happy to help you.

Author

  • James Jones

    Meet James Jones, a passionate gardening writer whose words bloom with the wisdom of an experienced horticulturist. With a deep-rooted love for all things green, James has dedicated his life to sharing the art and science of gardening with the world. James's words have found their way into countless publications, and his gardening insights have inspired a new generation of green thumbs. His commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship shines through in every article he crafts.

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