Taller hedge plants can typically be set 3 to 4 feet apart, however, many of the selections on this list were chosen for their narrow stature and will require closer spacing.

"They can be used in narrow or small spaces where other shrubs would get too large," says Janet Sluis, director of Sunset Western Garden/ Perennial Programming, Plant Development Services, Inc.

Whether you're looking for something needly or broadleaved, low-growing or tall, these evergreen shrubs will add year-round finesse to your garden.

The shrubs grow narrow and upright, requiring less shaping than many other plants. ... Despite its wide growing range of zones 5 through 9, sweetshrub is remarkably underused as a hedge plant.

Plant Doctor Tom MacCubbin shares advice on pruning camellia hedge, how to control mealybugs and ridding cactus plant of ants. ... Our camellia hedge is blooming nicely but is thin at the base.

Planting the shrubs in well-prepared soil is important to make sure they grow as fast as possible. First, get rid of any unwanted vegetation and till the soil in a strip about 2 feet wide ...

For sheared hedges, you obviously want to look for plants that can handle regular, heavy pruning. Sure, yews ( Taxus ) and boxwood ( Buxus ) work well. But there are many other options out there.