- What types of reed privacy screens?
- What should be considered when planting?
- What care does a reed hedge need?
- Are reeds hardy?
- Can a reed hedge also be grown in a pot?
Reed is easy to care for and grows quickly. Therefore, it is often planted as a hedge and privacy screen in the garden. Find out below which species are particularly suitable for the reed hedge and what needs to be considered when planting.
Reed grows densely and quickly, making it an excellent hedge plant
What types of reed privacy screens?
There are different types of reed, which not only differ in their appearance but also in their location requirements and their growth behavior. The real reed and the cattail grow mainly on the banks of ponds or rivers, while the Chinese reed also tolerates drier locations.
Therefore, cattails and reeds are the right choice for creating a natural privacy screen around a wetland, while Chinese reed is recommended for hedges in the garden not close to a pond.
It is also important to ensure that the growth height is correct. Dwarf species such as the dwarf reed Phragmites australis ssp. Humilis are not ideal for a high hedge because - as the name suggests - they are not nearly as tall as their fellows.
A comprehensive overview of the different types of reed can be found here.
What should be considered when planting?
Most reed species and Chinese reed species grow very proliferate. Although there are now cultivars that hardly form any runners, if you did not explicitly ask for one when you bought it, you should definitely install a root barrier when planting reeds. Otherwise, reeds can quickly become a real plague that crowds out other plants and is difficult to remove.
What care does a reed hedge need?
Reed not only grows quickly and densely, it is also very easy to care for. The only thing to watch out for is adequate watering, unless it stands with its roots at the edge of the pond. The reed is also thankful for fertilizer in the form of compost once a year. After its winter break, the reed hedge must be cut down completely so that the plants can sprout again. You can find more information about care in our care guide for reeds.
Are reeds hardy?
Reed is very hardy and does not need winter protection. Nevertheless, it is recommended to tie the fronds together, because they dry and can break off more easily. In addition, the roots are better protected from cold and moisture.
Can a reed hedge also be grown in a pot?
If you would like to plant a reed hedge on the balcony or terrace as a privacy screen, you have to use potted plants for better or worse. Chinese reed is the right choice for this. The larger the bucket, the more comfortable the ornamental grass feels and the faster and more beautiful it grows. Sufficient watering is essential.
Even if Chinese reed is hardy in principle, the bucket should be wrapped up warm in winter and the roots should be covered with brushwood, mulch (239.00 €) or something else. Place the potted plant as sheltered as possible and under no circumstances cut the fronds while it is still freezing!