Windy locations and tender plants are usually a recipe for failure. My first real experience with wind and a plant that should grow nicely in my area was with a Canadian Hemlock seedling. A windy Nebraska location and the small seedling were doomed for failure. In only a few weeks time the plant failed even with what I considered pretty darn good care. The only thing I failed to do is protect it from the wind when it was small. Canadian Hemlock is a good choice for a hedge, but not in windy areas that are not protected.

Some plants that are tough and wind resistant and make great hedges or borders are Arrowwood viburnum, Bearberry, Cotoneaster, and Barberry. With the Arrowwood Viburnum and the Contoneaster you get nice flowering plants with the ability to thrive in tough locations. They will perform well in tough soils types also. For a low growing border, the Bearberry will provide a dense border and flower that will produce scarlet fruit in the fall. The Barberry plant will provide good growth in poor soil and shady locations. There are many varieties of Barberry so you can virtually choose the leaf color you desire.