The Hedgerow

The Hedgerow, photo by Geoff Puryear

Tucked along the southern fenced border of the Discovery Garden is the Hedgerow. The purpose of a hedgerow is to provide screening and privacy in a landscape while at the same time providing splashes of color, form and interest through a variety of different shrubs and trees. 

Summertime is the best time to visit, though each season has its unique displays. 

Planning for the Hedgerow began in October 1999 at the advent of the Discovery Garden. The original team consisted of Chairman Mary Giddens, Sandy Beck, Barbara MacPherson and Julie Stanbery.

Steve Renquist, OSU Extension horticultural agent (2000-2022), developed an interesting feature in the Hedgerow, using the pleaching technique, on a row of English maples. The side branches of the maples are bent and trained to meet together laterally, creating a flat-planed border which is airy, not dense, allowing breezes to waft through the garden. 

Plant List

Scientific NameCommon NameOregon Native?
Acer palmatum var.Japanese MapleNo
Berberis thunbergiiBarberry ‘Rose Glow’No
Chamaecyparis pisifera ‘Filifera Aurea’Japanese Thread-Branch False CypressNo
Fargesia rufaDragon Head BambooNo
Forsythia x intermediaForsythiaNo
Liquidambar styracifluaSweetgumNo
Sambucus mexicana ssp. ceruleaBlue ElderberryYes
Vaccinium ovatumEvergreen HuckleberryYes
(incomplete)