"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.

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.

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.

Under your hedge, plant violets, wood anemones and celandine to attract nectar-loving insects. Hedges make perfect nesting sites for birds as foliage is dense and protective but access is easy.

Durable for generations, living fences protect soil, contain livestock, provide wildlife habitat, and sometimes even provide wood. Learn techniques and which shrubs or tree species are best for ...