Artificial Hedges vs Real Hedges: Which Is Better for Your Space?

Hedges have been a popular choice for beauty and privacy in an outdoor space.

But with the option to choose between artificial hedges vs real hedges, it can be difficult to decide which one is best for your needs. Like all things, each option has its own set of advantages and disadvantages, so it’s up to you to determine which you can tackle and which you’d rather avoid.

Here, we’ll break down the pros and cons of artificial and real hedges to help you make an informed decision for your outdoor space.

Let’s dig in.

Why Decorate With Hedges?

Hedges, real or fake, aren’t a new decor option. In fact, they’ve been a go-to for many outdoor renovation projects.

Of course, there’s a good reason for this, as there are many benefits to decorating with hedges, including:

Privacy

Hedges, especially dense and thick ones, create an effective, natural barrier and offer more privacy in residential and commercial spaces. A good green hedge can help you get that sense of seclusion many are missing and can protect you from the prying eyes of neighbors and passersby.

For residential spaces, homeowners opt for tall, dense hedges planted along their backyard borders to shield themselves from nearby properties. Or, they may also use hedge panels to increase the height of their existing fence.

In a commercial setting, hotels can use hedges to separate distinct areas, create a path, or make temporary background decor for events. This way, guests and visitors can enjoy a more intimate and tranquil experience.

Windbreak

If you’re using a sturdy, good-quality hedge, it can serve as an excellent windbreak and reduce the wind’s impact on your property. This is especially beneficial in areas prone to strong gusts or winter storms, as is the case for most of the northern US.

Hedges come in handy at farms, with farmers planting them along the perimeter of fields to protect crops from weather damage. Similarly, we’ve also seen homeowners with larger gardens using hedges to create a microclimate that allows for sensitive and vulnerable plants to grow with little wind exposure.

Natural fence

Hedges are a cost-efficient, aesthetically pleasing, and eco-friendly alternative to traditional metal, colorbond, or wooden fences. Although artificial hedges aren’t “natural” per se, they’re made to imitate a real hedge as closely as possible.

Using real or artificial hedges makes way for fashioning a lush, green backdrop while simultaneously offering the same level of boundary definition and security. A great example of this is using an artificial boxwood hedge to both define a property line and enrich the landscape with lush foliage.

Plus, using a real hedge as a fence can provide a habitat for wildlife, too.

Sound barrier

Lastly, hedges can be a surprisingly effective sound barrier and may help reduce the noise pollution from surrounding areas. Dense, thick hedges, especially those made from evergreen species or artificial materials, can absorb and deflect noise and suit loud urban environments.

So, in areas near busy roads or highways, homeowners or business owners can plant or install a row of (artificial) hedges to lessen the sound of traffic and create a quieter, more peaceful outdoor space.

For commercial areas specifically, the use of hedges will likely be more aesthetically pleasing than traditional sound barriers, which are often uninviting and industrial-looking.

Artificial Hedges vs Real Hedges: Pros and Cons

One of the most important things when choosing whether you need artificial hedges vs real hedges in your space is to create a pros and cons list and weigh them out.

In this blog, we’ve done that for you:

Pros of Artificial Hedges

You don’t have to look hard to uncover the advantages of artificial hedges because they’re obvious. Some of the most impactful ones include:

• Low maintenance: Artificial hedges don’t need watering, pruning, or fertilizing. Your artificial hedge screening will always be easy to care for, which will save you time and effort to do more important tasks in the home. To maintain the beauty and lushness of your artificial hedge, you’ll only need to occasionally clean it with a feather duster, a sponge, and a little water.

• Weather and UV-resistant: Good quality artificial plants are designed to withstand harsh weather conditions, including rain, snow, and intense sunlight, without fading or deteriorating. For example, when shopping at respectable artificial plant suppliers and manufacturers, you’ll get built-in UV protection that provides greater durability and color retention.

• Instant appeal: If you don’t want to wait for your hedge screening to grow to your ideal size, an artificial hedge will be the decor option you need. Since they don’t grow, you won’t have to wait for awkward phases to pass to enjoy the greenery. Instead, the hedge you’ll buy will look exactly the same in a year. This means you’ll have a consistent look for years.

Cons of Artificial Hedges

Of course, every yin has its yang, and even artificial hedges come with some drawbacks, including:

• No natural benefits: Unlike real hedges, artificial ones don’t contribute to the environment by producing oxygen, absorbing CO2, or supporting local wildlife. While faux hedges contribute similar aesthetic benefits and may even positively impact your mental health, they won’t become a wildlife or insect hub in your yard.

• No growth: If you want your greenery to grow and evolve over time, artificial hedge panels may not be for you. Although the lack of maintenance is a plus, your artificial hedges will remain the same size and shape, which can feel static if you enjoy watching the natural growth cycle of plants.

Pros of Real Hedges

On the other side of the coin, there are also many aspects to consider before choosing to buy real hedges. This choice comes with many benefits, including:

• Support wildlife: Real hedges, as part of nature, provide shelter, food, and habitat for wildlife like birds, insects, and small mammals. This helps to increase local biodiversity and positively contributes to the environment. If you want to encourage sustainability, you can even use native plant species to grow your hedge and attract local wildlife.

• Grow and evolve: Over time, real hedges grow and develop. This means you get a dynamic feature that changes with the seasons. As a result, this creates a more natural and ever-evolving landscape that matures. Of course, you’ll also need to give the hedges proper care and attention to help them grow.

• Health benefits: Real hedges, like all other plants, improve air quality by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen. This provides a calming effect on the mind and body. Plus, numerous studies have proven the benefits greenery has on a person, so it’s safe to say you’ll be better for having it around you.

Cons of Real Hedges

Lastly, it’s also important to mention the disadvantages of using real hedges in your space, including:

• Seasonal changes: Many hedges lose their leaves in winter or look less full in the colder months. Depending on the type of fauxliege, this can affect privacy and aesthetics. To prevent this from happening, you need to choose evergreen varieties like boxwood or holly to ensure year-round vibrancy, or mix different species to create visual interest throughout the year.

• Slow growth: Real hedges take time to grow and mature. It can take upwards of several years for them to reach a height and density you’re happy with. As a result, this requires patience and care. If this is a concern for you, you might opt for fast-growing species, but be prepared to manage frequent pruning.

Which Hedge Is Right for You?

Unfortunately, we’re not the ones who can tell you that because there’s no one-size-fits-all answer when choosing between real and artificial hedge panels.

In the end, it all depends on your priorities, space, and lifestyle. But there are a few questions you can ask yourself that can guide you in the right direction. Here are a few:

• How much time and effort am I willing to spend on maintenance?

• Do I want a hedge that grows over time or one that stays consistent year-round?

• Is my main goal aesthetics, functionality, or environmental benefits?

• Do I live in an environment where real hedges will thrive, or are they doomed to die?

• Am I looking for an instant solution, or am I willing to wait for a hedge to grow?

• Will my hedge be in a high-traffic area where maintenance could be a challenge?

• Will my hedge be exposed to harsh sunlight for extended periods?

If you love gardening, enjoy tending to plants, and want to contribute to the biodiversity of your outdoor space, a real hedge is a rewarding choice. It can help you create a rich, wildlife-friendly garden that attracts birds and pollinators.

Finishing Thoughts

While we may not be able to tell you exactly what you should get, we hope our tips and advice can guide you in the right direction.

Whatever you choose, make sure it fits your lifestyle. Advice from external sources may be helpful, but since you know your space best, your opinion should matter most.

If you want custom advice and suggestions for artificial hedges for any outdoor space, contact our design and customer support team, share your vision with them, and get as much help as possible.

And in the meantime, check out our other case studies on LinkedIn and follow our Instagram for weekly inspiration.