Not all hedging plants require hours of labor-intensive care. If you choose slow-growing hedging plants that need little pruning, your hedge will almost take care of itself. A loose hedge, allowed to flower, is perfect for wildlife gardens but low-maintenance doesn’t have to mean informal, or unkempt. A slow-growing species can be kept looking neat with light clipping once or twice a year. To ensure your hedge remains low-maintenance, don’t let it get too high – around 2m high or below is ideal. And avoid plants that tend to grow upwards rather than outward, as they’ll be harder to prune.