Right now, you could be wondering - "what exactly are hedges?" When shrubs or trees are planted at regular intervals to form a continuous screen, that screen is called a hedge. A garden hedge can serve the purpose of compound wall, give shelter from strong winds, ensure privacy, and form a background screen for a flower garden, vegetable garden etc. A live impregnable garden hedge, reinforced with barbed wire, is inexpensive compared to a boundary wall and if appropriately maintained, it also looks much better. 

So, let's look at some of the best hedge plants that you can use to create your own garden hedge from scratch.

• Top 10 Plants That Can be Used as Hedges in Live Fences

1. Euphorbia Antiquorum (Tridhara)

This is the most common spiny succulent shrub grown in India along the fence-line of farmlands. Due to its look, this garden plant is often misidentified as a Cactus. However, what you must know is that this is one of the best hedge plants because once established, it makes an impregnable, tall, protective hedge and reaches up to 3 meters high. 

2. Pedilanthus Tithymaloides (Devil's Backbone)

This spineless & often leafless succulent belonging to spurge family is commonly used as an ornamental hedge plant. It's a very hardy and low maintenance plant that forms a thick live fence in real quick time. Stem cuttings are planted 10-15 cm apart in double rows spaced 15 cm from each other.

Learn More: Growing Plants by Stem Cuttings

3. Clerodendrum Inermis (Vilayti Mehendi)

This shrub is the most suitable for ornamental and protective hedging. The leaves are attractive and polished green in color. It is hardy, drought resistant, stands trimming very well, and does not harbor snakes as the leaves have an offensive odor. However, just remember that these are not the most fast growing plants and can take about two years to become a good garden hedge. It is planted 15-20 cm apart in double rows spaced at the same distance.

4. Bougainvillea Spectabilis

Many hardy varieties of Bougainvillea form protective and ornamental hedges, capable of withstanding frequent trimming. Planting is done at 60 to 90 cm spacing, and these hedge plants are usually trained against the barbed wire of a fence. Stems, including side shoots, are trimmed to form bushy appearance. Plants without support can also be prepared as a live fence, but supported garden hedges of Bougainvillea looks neat.

5. Carissa Carandas (Karonda)

These are also some plants best for hedging. The Karonda is a thorny, bushy shrub which is used as an effective and protective hedge. Apart from this, this hedge plant produces delightful berries in summer which are cherished all over India. Seeds are sown 60-75 cm apart in single rows. Stem cuttings also root easily in monsoon. 

Also Read: Which Indian Berry Can You Grow?

6. Jatropha Curcas (Mogli Erand, Biodiesel)

Jatropha is a perennial poisonous shrub, up to 5 m high. It is an uncultivated non-food wild-species which has naturalized in India. These are used as living fences and fast-growing hedges often used to protect gardens and fields from animals as no livestock feeds on the leaves. Stem cuttings of this hedge plant root easily in rains. While poisonous, Jatropha still makes some of the best hedges with ease. 

7. Duranta Erecta

This large, fast-growing, multi-stemmed shrub is famous as a screen, background planting and live garden hedge. Pale blue flowers attract butterflies in summer and are followed by bunches of golden-orange berries, popular with birds. The variegated or golden yellow varieties look very ornamental. It is planted 30-40 cm apart in multiple rows & can be kept quite low by trimming.

Also Read -- Duranta Erecta (Golden Dewdrop): Plant Care and Uses

8. Lawsonia Inermis (Henna, Mehendi)

These hedge bushes can grow up to 2.5 m tall. They grow without care and are a good hedge plants for dry localities. The white sweet-scented flowers are borne in perfusion, followed by berries. The crushed leaves are used for colouring nails and palms. The shrub needs severe pruning if you wish to keep it in shape. It is grown from seeds or cuttings spaced at 40-60 cm apart.

9. Murraya Paniculata (Kamini, Kunti)

A tall shrub, growing up to 3 m and sometimes even more. The foliage is beautiful, dark green, glossy and pinnate. White flowers appearing in rains are fragrant. This plant stands to prune well and forms a good, tall, attractive hedge when adequately trimmed. The shrub is propagated from seeds or by air layering.

Also Read: Why Is the Madhu Kamini Plant a Must-Have for Your Garden?

10. Hamelia Patens (Firebush)

A perpetually flowering, handsome shrub with branching habit that makes for a wonderful and evergreen hedge plant. It has ornamental shining foliage. A well-trimmed hedge of Hamelia is an object of beauty. It goes very well in a fence and grows well either in light shade or full sun. It is planted 30 cm apart, and branches at the centre require pruning every year.

Apart from these, there are many more plants that can be used for hedging viz. Palms, Acalypha, Caesalpinia, Aralia, Eranthemum, Lantana Tecoma, Cactus etc.

Also Read: How to Build a Hedge Like a Pro