Looking for a hedge that won’t complain when you forget about it for weeks on end? Pennsylvania gardeners are lucky to have several options that stand up to our unique climate challenges without constant babying.
Between harsh winters, humid summers, and those unpredictable spring frosts, finding plants that create privacy while handling neglect feels like striking gardening gold.
As someone who’s tested dozens of hedge varieties in my Keystone State yard, I’ve compiled the toughest survivors—plants that thrive despite minimal attention. These 13 hedges will transform your property line while freeing up your weekends for activities more exciting than pruning.
1. Arrowwood Viburnum
Hardy native viburnum creates dense privacy screens without demanding weekend pruning sessions. The white spring flowers transform into striking blue-black berries that attract songbirds throughout fall.
This adaptable shrub handles Pennsylvania’s clay soils like a champion. Deer typically avoid its slightly fuzzy leaves, making it perfect for rural properties where browsing animals destroy less sturdy options.
Once established, arrowwood barely notices drought conditions and keeps its structure through winter storms. Plant several 4 feet apart for a natural-looking boundary that fills in within three growing seasons.
2. American Holly
Glossy evergreen leaves studded with bright red berries create year-round interest even when you’ve completely forgotten about garden maintenance. Female plants produce the iconic berries (with a male pollinator nearby) that brighten winter landscapes.
Pennsylvania winters rarely damage these native beauties. Their dense growth pattern naturally forms excellent screening without requiring precision trimming.
Slow-growing nature means less pruning overall—perfect for the hands-off gardener. Plant in partly shaded locations where soil stays consistently moist, though established hollies handle moderate drought surprisingly well.
3. Inkberry Holly
Subtle beauty defines this native evergreen holly that maintains its structure without constant attention. Unlike its pricklier cousins, inkberry offers smooth-edged leaves that create refined hedges requiring minimal shaping.
Naturally compact growth means you won’t face constant battles against overgrowth. This adaptable plant handles Pennsylvania’s wet spring conditions without complaint while surviving summer dry spells once established.
Female plants develop small black berries that persist through winter, providing food for birds when other resources disappear. For best results, plant in groups with slight spacing to allow air circulation between shrubs.
4. Northern Bayberry
Aromatic gray-green leaves release their distinctive scent when brushed against, adding sensory appeal to this carefree native hedge. The waxy berries were historically used for candle-making by Pennsylvania settlers.
Salt tolerance makes Northern Bayberry ideal for properties near winter-treated roadways. Its extensive root system stabilizes slopes and prevents erosion on hillside properties.
Remarkably adaptable to poor soils, this shrub thrives in locations where other plants struggle. Female plants produce attractive silver-gray berries when male plants grow nearby, creating winter interest when the garden otherwise sleeps.
5. Ninebark
Exfoliating bark creates winter interest when other plants disappear under snow, giving this native shrub year-round appeal with zero effort. The peeling cinnamon-colored layers look particularly striking against Pennsylvania’s winter landscape.
Clusters of white flowers attract beneficial insects in spring, supporting local pollinators without requiring deadheading. Modern cultivars offer burgundy foliage options that maintain their color without fertilizer supplements.
Ninebark shrugs off drought, poor soil, and temperature fluctuations that send fussier plants into decline. For a more natural appearance, skip the shearing and simply remove the occasional wayward branch every few years.
6. Winterberry Holly
Spectacular winter berries transform this deciduous holly into a seasonal showstopper without requiring any special care. Unlike evergreen hollies, winterberry drops its leaves to showcase thousands of brilliant red berries against winter’s stark backdrop.
Native to Pennsylvania’s wetlands, this shrub handles soggy spring conditions while establishing drought tolerance once mature. Wildlife enthusiasts appreciate how birds flock to the berries during harsh winter months.
Group several female plants with one male pollinator nearby for maximum berry production. Even neglected specimens maintain their naturally pleasing shape, requiring pruning only when branches extend beyond desired boundaries.
7. Eastern Red Cedar
Fragrant evergreen foliage creates year-round screening while developing character-filled forms that improve with age. Native to Pennsylvania’s landscape, these resilient conifers connect your garden to the wider ecosystem.
Blue berries (actually modified cones) attract cedar waxwings and other birds throughout winter. The dense growth naturally deters deer browsing, protecting your investment without chemical repellents.
Extreme drought tolerance means established plants continue thriving even during Pennsylvania’s occasional summer dry spells. Their natural pyramid shape requires minimal pruning, though they respond well to shearing if formal hedges are preferred.
8. Summersweet
Fragrant bottlebrush flowers perfume late summer gardens when most flowering shrubs have finished their show. Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds flock to these sweetly scented blooms, bringing your garden boundary to life.
Pennsylvania’s acidic soils provide perfect growing conditions for this native shrub. Its golden fall color creates seasonal interest without requiring any special treatments or soil amendments.
Natural resistance to most pests and diseases means you won’t discover mysterious foliage damage during your occasional garden inspections. Summersweet gradually forms colonies through underground suckers, creating fuller hedges without additional planting.
9. Elderberry
Massive flower clusters transform into nutritious berries on this fast-growing native that creates instant privacy. Elderberry has supported Pennsylvania wildlife and human communities for centuries with its medicinal properties and food value.
Umbrella-shaped white blooms appear in early summer, attracting beneficial insects that help control garden pests naturally. The purple-black berries that follow make exceptional jams and syrups—nature’s reward for your hands-off gardening approach.
Remarkable adaptation to varied soil conditions means elderberry thrives in both wet lowlands and average garden settings. Simply plant, water until established, then step back and enjoy the show year after year.
10. Arborvitae
Classic evergreen columns create instant privacy with minimal maintenance requirements. Their naturally symmetrical growth eliminates the need for frequent shaping, though they respond well to occasional trimming if desired.
Cold hardiness makes arborvitae perfect for Pennsylvania’s challenging winters. Even heavy snow loads rarely cause permanent damage to these resilient conifers.
Shallow root systems mean successful planting even in locations with limited soil depth. The dense foliage effectively blocks unwanted views while creating habitat for birds seeking protected nesting sites—ecological benefits without extra effort from the gardener.
11. Red Twig Dogwood
Brilliant crimson stems light up winter landscapes when deciduous plants typically disappear into the background. This native dogwood puts on its best show precisely when garden maintenance stops for the season.
Clusters of white spring flowers develop into white berries that attract songbirds throughout fall. The shrub’s spreading nature quickly fills gaps between plantings without requiring precision spacing.
Remarkable tolerance for wet conditions makes this dogwood perfect for Pennsylvania’s clay soils and areas with seasonal flooding. Simply cut back one-third of the oldest stems every few years to maintain the brightest winter color—the only maintenance this forgiving plant requires.
12. Forsythia
Golden yellow blooms announce spring’s arrival before most plants have awakened from winter dormancy. This traditional Pennsylvania favorite creates spectacular seasonal impact without demanding constant attention.
Vigorous growth quickly establishes privacy screening where needed. The arching branches develop character with age, creating an informal boundary that softens property lines naturally.
Legendary toughness allows forsythia to thrive despite challenging conditions, including poor soil, occasional drought, and Pennsylvania’s temperature fluctuations. Simply plant, allow establishment, then enjoy decades of reliable spring color with virtually no intervention required.
13. Japanese Barberry
Thorny branches create natural security barriers while requiring minimal maintenance. The burgundy-leaved varieties maintain their rich color throughout Pennsylvania’s growing season without fertilizer supplements.
Remarkable drought tolerance means established plants sail through summer dry spells without supplemental watering. Their naturally compact growth habit eliminates the need for regular pruning to maintain an attractive appearance.
Small yellow flowers develop into bright red berries that persist through winter, creating multi-season interest. Plant several 3 feet apart for a hedge that gradually fills in while deterring both human and animal trespassers with its protective thorns.