Did your conifer hedge pass unexpectedly and now it looks a little drab? You probably want to hide it or do anything to make it look better, but aren't sure how. Well, you've come to the right place. We've put together this guide to give you ideas on how you can hide that unsightly dead hedge.
- Remove It
- Spray Paint
- Grow Climbing Plants Over It
- Install A Privacy Fence
- Use Hedge Privacy Screen
- Use Tall Plants And Grasses
At this point, you must be wondering which option is best for you. And which option is the quickest? Keep reading to learn all about the different ways to hide a dead hedge.
Your Hedge Died, Now What?
Hedges and coniferous trees and shrubs can fall ill to a variety of diseases that can kill them prematurely. Pests, a severe drought, and even age can cause a hedge to die, so what do you do with it after?
It's an unsightly look for any home to have a dreary dead plant decorating the yard, so you'll need to find a way to make it look more pleasant.
1. Remove It
Removing the hedge as soon as possible is going to be the best way to hide it from sight without any added maintenance. You can hire a tree service to come in and perform the work, or you can do it yourself with a saw and some labor.
To get rid of the leftover parts, rent a wood chipper, burn it for firewood, offer it for free at the curb or online and see if someone takes it.
If you enjoyed having a hedge, you can replant a new row in its place and enjoy your new hedge for years to come. You can also choose to try something new in this area of your yard.
2. Spray Paint
To make your hedges look lively, try using grass, shrub, or hedge paint to dye your hedges green again. It can make a huge difference in the appearance of a dead shrub, and it's a pretty believable cover-up.
You can find these types of paints in spray cans, pump bottles, and even gallon jugs that need to be poured into sprayers.
The downfall of painting or dyeing your hedge is that it's a temporary fix. The dye will fade over time as it gets exposed to weather, and you'll have to re-apply the solution to get it looking good again.
Seymour Shrub Renew Paint
This can of spray paint is designed for use on shrubs and hedges. One can will cover up to 18 square feet, so check the size of your hedges to see how many cans you'll need.
Click here to check out this paint on Amazon.
3. Grow Climbing Plants Over It
Use a fast-growing climbing plant to cover up the hedge and give it an illusion of lush greenery. You can even try using climbing vines that flower for added beauty, like clematis.
Try experimenting with a variety of different vines mixed together, and use species that thrive during different times of the year for more year-round coverage.
For colder environments, this method could still leave your hedge looking dead and dreary during the fall and winter when the climbing plants go dormant. Some varieties, like English ivy, stay green year-round, but it's not an option for every hardiness zone.
Greenwood Nursery Live English Ivy
This 25-pack of barefoot plants will provide your hedge with great coverage. This English ivy is supposed to be an evergreen variety that holds its color all year long, making it perfect for hiding dead hedges.
Click here to take a look at this ivy on Amazon.
4. Install A Privacy Fence
Installing a privacy fence is a quick but costly solution for hiding a dead hedge. You may need to trim the hedges down to hide them completely behind the fence, but even covering most of them up can have a big impact.
A privacy fence is also a good investment if you prefer some solitude on your land and in your yard. It can be a huge benefit to have for things like birthday parties and barbecues with the family.
Enclo Privacy Screen
This privacy screen is 45 inches tall, making it ideal for covering up shorter hedges. Each package contains two panels, but you can buy as many as you need and link them all together.
Click here to see this privacy screen on Amazon.
5. Use Hedge Privacy Screen
Create a row of 2x4 posts coming vertically out of the ground in front of your dead hedges.
Use a couple of rolls of faux ivy screening and staple or zip tie it to your 2x4s to create a quick and easy makeshift privacy screen that makes your hedges look like they've come back to life.
This method is a great way to keep the look f hedges without having to worry about their health.
DearHouse Artificial Ivy Privacy Fence
This faux ivy privacy screen is easy to use and offers options for creativity. Each roll is 118 inches long and 59 inches wide. Depending on the height of your hedge, you may need to stack rolls.
Click here to check out this privacy screen on Amazon.
6. Use Tall Plants And Grasses
Plant new flora around the hedge that will be tall enough to hide it and provide coverage. Tall ornamental grasses, new shrubs, or even several rows of sunflowers can all create a cover for your hedge to hide behind. This is a great, natural way to hide your dead hedge, but plants dying off in winter could become an issue.
Sow Right Seeds Mammoth Sunflower Seeds
These mammoth sunflower seeds can grow as tall as 12 feet high, towering over most hedges and shrubs. This makes them a great way to cover up and detract attention from the discolored hedges behind them.
Click here to take a look at these seeds on Amazon.
Will A Brown Hedge Grow Back?
It depends on how long the hedge has been brown and whether or not there have been any signs of fresh growth recently.
A brown hedge that has just recently started to turn brown might be able to make a comeback if it's provided with special treatment. Try soaking the hedge's root area in water once or twice a week for a few months and see if there's any change in its condition.
You can also identify the species and see if you can find any more information on the specific plant.
You may be able to discover what nutrient levels it requires or what kinds of diseases and pests this variety is most susceptible to.
If you don't notice any difference in the hedge's health after at least six months of trying, it's probably time to give up.
Will Hedges Grow Back If Cut Down?
If the hedge is still alive, then cutting it down could be a good way to save it.
Don't just go and chop it right down to the roots; only take about one-third of the thickest branches down to the base of the plant to re-invigorate it. You can repeat this process up to three years in a row to continue to encourage the plant to put out new growth.
What Time Of Year Do You Prune Hedges?
It's best to prune conifer hedges in the spring and deciduous hedges in winter. Spring is when plants focus their energy on growing, making it the ideal time for recovery and encouraging the plant to heal from its pruning.
Make sure to determine whether your hedge is coniferous or deciduous and prune accordingly to promote good health.
Can You Leave A Conifer Stump?
If the conifer tree wasn't completely dead when you cut it down, it's likely that it could grow back with renewed vigor.
If you want to be rid of a conifer tree or hedge permanently, you will want to be sure to have the stump removed as well.
A whole new tree could sprout up from the stump, bushier and lusher than ever.
In Conclusion
Now that you know about all the different options you can use to hide your dead hedges, you're ready to choose the best option for you and start planning your project.
Remember that some of these options are temporary and will require maintenance to keep up appearances. Good luck with your project, and enjoy your updated landscaping.
You May Also Enjoy These Similar Articles...
If you decide to clear the old hedges and replant new ones, read our article "11 Tall Flowering Shrubs For Privacy And Hedges" for tips on picking the right type of hedge for you.
For help sprucing up the area around your hedges, read our article "What To Plant Under Hedges [7 Ideas Including Flowers!]"