Which hedge to choose for the Estonian climate?
Thuja, spruce or a deciduous shrub? We compare the most popular hedge plants by growth speed, maintenance and winter hardiness.
A hedge is a long-term investment: the choice you make today will shape your garden for the next couple of decades. In the Estonian climate, winter hardiness comes first.
Thuja: the most popular choice
Thuja 'Brabant' grows fast, about 30 cm a year, and forms a dense green wall. 'Smaragd' grows more slowly but keeps a beautiful shape with less trimming. Thuja needs proper watering in its first years and protection from the March sun in spring.
A spruce hedge: the classic that takes everything
Common spruce is absolutely winter-hardy in Estonia and forms a very dense hedge when trimmed. It grows more slowly than thuja and needs trimming once a year. An excellent choice for windy plots and as a fence replacement.
Deciduous options: privet, lilac and spirea
Deciduous hedges are beautiful and dense in summer, more transparent in winter. Privet and chokeberry take trimming exceptionally well; lilac and spirea suit free-form hedges. A deciduous hedge grows fast and forgives care mistakes.
What to think through before planting
- How tall a hedge you want and how much trimming you are ready to do - Whether the hedge must stay green all year round - How fast you need the result: larger plants cost more, but the hedge is finished years earlier
We bring hedge plants directly from nurseries in the Netherlands and Poland: a wider selection and better prices than local centres. Ask for a quote together with planting.