Planting Near a Hedge

Planting Options

Unless your border faces south, and is sunny for most of the day, select shade-tolerant plants to grow in front of hedges.

Check plant labels before you buy and select those whose foliage isn't exactly the same color as your hedge, or they will simply disappear into the background. Pastels and white flowers show up best against a dark yew hedge, and large-leaved plants work well with hornbeam or beech hedges that have a more textured look. Dark foliage creates a striking contrast when matched with golden privet or shrubby honeysuckle such as 'Baggesen’s Gold'.

Schmidt bergenia (Image 1), St. John's wort (Image 2), false solomon seal (Image 3), Bicolor barrenwort (Image 4), Serbian bellflower (Image 5)