If you live in Utah, you know that it can be hard to find a hedge that can survive the seasonal climate changes. Utah’s hot summers and cold winters can take their toll on trees and shrubs used for privacy hedges, so it’s essential to be mindful while choosing one for your yard.
Weather aside, you want to consider the size of your yard and what kind of maintenance you’re willing to do. You’ll also want to decide if you want a fast-growing hedge or one that takes its time. If you’re looking for the best privacy hedges for Utah’s climate, consider the following five options.
Emerald Green Arborvitae
This is a popular privacy hedge in Utah because it can survive extreme temperatures, is drought-tolerant, and holds an aesthetically pleasing emerald green color throughout the year.
The Emerald Green Arborvitae will not require much trimming as it is slow-growing, making it low-maintenance as well. It grows to a height of 10 to 15 feet and a spread of 3 to 4 feet at maturity. These are great for people looking for a privacy hedge for smaller yards or narrower spaces.
Leyland Cypress
This fast-growing evergreen is a favorite for privacy hedges in Utah. They are maintenance-free once they are established and can grow more than three feet per year with an average mature height of around 50 feet.
Leyland Cypress can grow well in Utah weather conditions and are tolerant of a wide range of soils, drought, and heat. Although, they do require open and sunny growing conditions. They are an excellent choice for families with kids or pets as it has soft foliage. They also work well for wind and sound breaks.
Hicks Yew
This slow-growing evergreen is a good choice for small spaces or areas where you don’t want a hedge that grows too tall, too quickly. It grows well in cold and shaded conditions and maintains an olive-green color throughout the year.
The Hick Yew grows around 1 foot per year and reaches a height of six to eight feet with a dense, upright growth habit. These growing qualities make it easy to maintain. It is also tolerant of pollution, so it is a great hedge choice for people living in Utah’s urban areas.
Spartan Juniper
This fast-growing evergreen is a favorite for privacy hedges in Utah. It can grow more than two feet per year and reach a mature height of up to 20 feet in height and 5 feet in width. Spartan Junipers are tolerant to heat, cold, and drought, making them a trustworthy option for Utah weather conditions.
They are an excellent choice for windbreaks and screens. Plus, their relentless spiral growth habit gives them a unique and eye-catching appearance that will stand out in any Utah landscape.
American Boxwood
The American Boxwood is a staple for privacy hedges in Utah. They can withstand a range of temperatures and are known to be shade and soil-tolerant evergreens. It has a slow growth rate, only growing around 1 foot per year, although it can grow up to 20 feet tall.
They are easily trimmed to shape and size, making them an excellent privacy hedge for people who like to do their own yard work and play around with topiary. The American Boxwood is also a deer-resistant privacy hedge making it a good choice for Utah homeowners in areas with deer.
Summary
If you’re looking for a privacy hedge that can withstand Utah’s seasonal climate changes, consider the Emerald Green Arborvitae, Leyland Cypress, Hicks Yew, Spartan Juniper, or American Boxwood.
These hedge options are all tolerant to a range of temperatures and conditions, aesthetically pleasing, and easy to maintain, making them ideal for Utah homeowners. Be sure to do your research and consider which one will thrive best in your yard and meets your specific privacy hedge needs. Rather than planting a hedge you may also like to consider planting tall trees to create privacy.