Illusionary Hedge Gateway: Split Hedge Design for Utility Access

Illusionary Hedge Gateway: Split Hedge Design for Utility Access

Designer Brenda Gousha needed access to a side-yard utility area but had already used a hedge gap for a rose garden entrance. A second gap would ruin symmetry. Her solution: plant a second, parallel hedge (6 ft long, slightly overlapping the first), creating a 2-foot-wide path between them to the utility area.

• Carolina laurel cherries (Prunus caroliniana) from 1-gallon pots, spaced 2½ ft apart in each row.
• Where hedges overlap, rows are 4 ft apart.

From other garden areas, the two hedges visually merge into an unbroken line, maintaining symmetry. "Walls of foliage make the perfect outdoor room. We're just feet from the street but have complete privacy."

DESIGN: Brenda Gousha, Sisters' Specialty Gardens, Rancho Santa Fe (760/473-0234)