Uses

• Hedges can do anything from hiding the messy area underneath a deck to completely blocking the view of the neighbor's yard. Hedges don't need to extend the length of your yard. Evergreen plants grow together in reduced spaces, forming a continuous and attractive barrier of green. Plant groups of evergreen, such as mountain laurel or azalea in a group to block an ugly air conditioning unit, dirt pile under the deck or to break up the long lines of a fence.
  You can plant evergreen trees such as yew or pine in a staggered line to create an effective fence for your yard. You'll need to wait a few years before the plants grow in to fill in all the gaps. However, allow enough space, based on planting recommendations, to ensure healthy evergreens and minimal grooming. Check with your local garden center for recommendations for plants that suit your soil and climate. Some evergreens can grow over 20 feet high, so also keep the mature height in mind.
  
  

Planting Conditions

• Some evergreen privacy hedges grow like weeds with minimal care, water and grooming. Choose plants based on the level of maintenance you are comfortable with. Hedge clippers come in handy, but sometimes, a more natural hedge may look better with your property. Decide on how much maintenance you're willing to do and how manicured you want your hedge to look.
  Before planting, enrich the soil with peat moss and compost. Work these additives into the top 12 inches of soil. Allow plenty of room for the plants to grow and expand. Many homeowners mistakenly plant the trees too close together, resulting in one bush choking out another. It will take a few years for the hedge to fill in, so you'll need to be patient.
  Evergreen hedges need water, especially during dry, hot summers, so water the plants occasionally to avoid stressing the shrubs and creating a gap in your hedge with a dead plant. Mulch around the base of the hedge plants, making sure to keep the mulch away from the trunks to avoid insect infestations. Each plant comes with a label with planting recommendations as well as sun tolerance. Check carefully regarding sun exposure, because many evergreen privacy hedge plants require and thrive in full sun.
  
  

Choosing Evergreens

• Due to the wide variety of evergreen plants, choosing the right ones can be difficult. Consider exactly what type of plant your prefer. Flowering evergreens, such as azalea and rhododendron offer brilliant blooms in the spring with a more sedate green leaf barrier after flowering. Mugo pine, junipers and yew all provide an elegant addition to any landscape. Bamboo is an evergreen plant, offering vibrant green leaves throughout the year. Bamboo requires special planting conditions to prevent uncontrolled spreading of the hedge. Investigate some of the many varieties of bamboo for a modern evergreen privacy hedge.