Pleached Trees vs. Hedging: Which Is Best for Your Garden?

When it comes to creating privacy, structure, and elegance in your garden, both pleached trees and hedging are good choices. But which is the right option for your space? In this guide, we’ll compare the benefits, differences, and best uses for each so you can make an informed decision.

Pleached Trees

Pleached trees are trained with a clear stem and a flat, framed canopy, creating a refined, structured screen. Traditionally used in formal gardens and high-end landscaping, they are perfect for adding height while keeping a light, airy feel.

Hedging

A hedge consists of densely planted shrubs or trees that grow together to form a continuous green wall. Hedges provide solid, ground-level coverage, making them ideal for boundary planting, noise reduction, and wind protection.

Comparing Pleached Trees and Hedging

Hedging offers full ground-level coverage and can often be more budget-friendly. However, it requires more space to grow and can create a darker, enclosed feel and a more monotonous look. 

Pleached trees may have a higher initial investment but provide elevated screening while maintaining a structured, elegant look. They take up minimal ground space, making them ideal for smaller gardens. They allow for underplanting which adds layers of interest. Their open canopy allows light to filter through, preventing the garden from feeling too enclosed.

Can You Combine Pleached Trees and Hedging?

Yes! Many garden designers use pleached trees above medium hedging to create a layered privacy effect. This gives the best of both approaches, offering strong ground-level coverage with additional height for screening.

At Just Pleachy, our layered, ready-made borders include mid-height hedging such as Hydrangea 'Annabelle' in The White Garden or Californian Lilac in The Blue Garden. These combinations create an elegant and effective natural screen, offering privacy while adding layered seasonal interest and texture.

Which Option is Right for Your Garden?

Choosing between pleached trees and hedging depends on your space, privacy needs, budget and aesthetic preferences. If you want a structured, contemporary look with elevated privacy, pleached trees with underplanting is the way to go! If you prefer a  dense, ground-level and up, green boundary, hedging may be the better choice and we can source hedging too.

Unsure what will suit your garden? Get free expert advice, our team can help you select the perfect screening solution for your garden.