Let’s focus for a second on the small hedge. Why? Because it’s a landscaping super-tool that everyone needs to know about. But first, a definition: a hedge is a row of the same plants that are deliberately grown together to form a continuous living barrier. Most people notice big hedges because they are tall and often form a wall of green along a property boundary. Small hedges might be harder to spot, because they are small – knee to hip high – but the benefits of small hedges are numerous, as we’ve listed below…

Small hedges form great garden edges. A garden bed often needs an edge where it meets a lawn or path. Often this edge is sorted by building something out of brick, timber, concrete or steel, which can look good but there’s no question it’s a hard-edged look. This is where a small hedge is a great option. It does the job of defining the edge, but in a soft, living, low-key way.

Small hedges are good at directing foot traffic. Some garden paths are deliberately designed not to take you along the most direct route. The effect is lost if pedestrians then cut corners and take their own direct route through a garden bed. You could pound a few stakes into the ground, tie string between them and put up a few friendly notes, but it won’t look as pretty as planting a strategically positioned small hedge. Something knee-high is enough to deter most people.

Small hedges help keep paths and patios cleaner. It’s true, because the mulch and leaf litter on a garden bed that’s edged with a small hedge stays on the garden bed. Neither the wind, nor worm-chasing birds can flick the debris over a small hedge and onto paved areas, so there’s less sweeping.

Small hedges buy you time. Some gardeners love growing plants that have the habit of becoming garden dominators. In other words, they out-grow their spot in the garden bed and start to smother the plants all around. A small hedge can be really useful here because it can keep the bully plants corralled until you have the time to trim them back.

Pick the right plant. Obviously when planting a small hedge it makes sense to use plants that are easy to grow and will grow to the right size; you want something that will thrive with no effort and not need to be continually cut back to size. Go online and check these options out… coprosmas (look out for the Pacific^™ Coprosmas which have two gorgeous colour options), lavender (for a classic look), hebe (very tough and easy to grow), cistus (rock roses love a hot spot), rosemary (is handy in the kitchen anytime) and fragrant daphne (be sure to plant Daphne Perfume Princess^™ which is easy to grow).