HEDGE YOUR BETS

Shrubs are great low-maintenance plants and most only need the occasional trim to look good. Shrubberies are still popular in traditional gardens, but for a more contemporary look use shrubs as low and medium-height hedges or plant in large, clipped blocks. These can be tightly trimmed or left to grow more loosely depending on your taste. A mulch below to reduce weeds and the occasional feed is about all the maintenance required. Low hedges are great for edging borders, too, hiding the weeds and dormant plants.