A hedge that looks good without trimming?

Question

I want to plant a privacy hedge on both sides of my property but I want one that looks nice with no trimming. I'd like a non-flowering one too so I don't have to walk on my neighbors' properties to do clean-up of spent flowers. I saw a picture of Canadian Hemlock and it looks nice untrimmed. Any other suggestions?

Forgot to add I'm in Zone 7 and the hedge will get full sun.

To me, cleaning up spent flowers that come from MY hedge the aren't blown away is just the neighborly thing to do. I don't like seeing messy, dead flowers on the ground so I assume my neighbors won't either.

Answer 1

Hedge, Wall of China

Grows fast for an instant hedge!
A fast-growing barrier plant that withstands snow, ice, wind, disease and subzero temperatures. During the first year, it grows up to 3' tall, eventually reaching a mature height of 12-15'. Becomes fuller after each trimming. It thrives in any soil and makes an excellent windbreak. Eight plants make a 24' hedge. Plant 'Wall of China' Hedge in full sun. Bareroot
Zone 4 to 9

Unfortunately, most shrubs used for hedges do require some pruning!

Answer 2

I am also in zone 7 and can give you some suggestons.

English Laurel is a good idea. I have seen it look good pruned or unpruned. They will eventually reach 12 to 15 feet tall. They have large leaves.

American boxwood is a good choice but it is very slow growing.

If it is a tall hedge you're looking for then emerald green arborvitae is a good choice because they grow tall (15 feet), narrow (5 feet) and at a slow rate. They keep a great shape that requires no pruning. They like full sun but can take a half day. They run about 30 dollars for a 5 gallon specimen 4 feet tall.

Hemlock are not very heat hardy for this zone and would require some shade in zone 7.

Answer 3

Just a note: even with a Canadian Hemlock, you will need to trim it...since it does grow upward. Most hedges will grow up, and to keep the thick and full and to a controllable height, you will need to trim and maintain them, but obvioiusly not as much.

Other suggestions that the BBC recommends:

Laurel has big, shiny leaves that are perfect for reflecting light into dark corners. The only trouble is, if you cut it with shears or hedge-trimmers, the leaves that are chopped in half turn brown. It really needs pruning by hand, but the good news is you don’t need to do it every year.

Box grows well in both sunny and shady areas. You can get away with clipping it once a year but I would recommend twice, once in spring and again in early August if you want it to stay fuzz-free.

Answer 4

A mixed shrub hedge can be very beautiful, and excellent habitat for birds and such. Try arborday.org, check out their tree wizard. Musser Forest and Henry Fields Nursery have many shrubs to choose from, as well; you can get a lot of info from their catalog or website.
Many of the arborvitae will stay a nice size without trimming, also yew, dwarf lilac (flowers, tho), viburnums. Ask at a local nursery and they can tell you what grows well in your area.
I must say I've never heard of anyone cleaning up spent flowers on their neighbors property. Do you have extra-particular neighbors? Usually the flowers break up, blow away, and aren't a problem.

Answer 5

Sorry, you will not find a hedge type plant that will not need trimming. Some may grow slower than others but, the branches do not grow exactly the same amount.