Everything you need to plant a healthy hedge that thrives — from choosing the right species to ground prep, planting, spacing and aftercare. Friendly, practical advice from people who grow this stuff for a living.
Get these four things right and your hedge will reward you for decades. Stuck on any of them? Just ask — we're happy to help.
01Think about why you want a hedge — privacy, shelter, security or looks — plus your soil, sun and how much clipping you're happy to do. That points you to the right species.
02Clear weeds, dig over a strip at least 60–90cm wide and work in compost. Good ground prep is the single biggest factor in how well a hedge establishes.
03Plant at the right spacing for your species (we'll advise), firm in well and water thoroughly. Most hedges go in as single or staggered double rows.
04Keep new plants well watered through their first two summers, mulch to lock in moisture and suppress weeds, and feed in spring for strong, even growth.
“Panels blow down. A hedge just keeps growing.”
Hedge vs fenceA hedge filters wind rather than catching it like a sail, so it stands up to storms far better than fencing. It soaks up noise and pollution, supports wildlife, and looks better every single year.
Yes, it takes a little patience — but a well-chosen hedge is one of the best long-term investments you can make in a garden.
Browse hedging plantsContainer-grown hedging can be planted almost year-round as long as the ground isn't frozen or waterlogged, though autumn and spring are ideal. Bare-root and rootballed plants are planted in the dormant season, roughly November to March.
It depends on the species and the look you want, but most hedges are planted at 3–5 plants per metre. Tell us the plant and your desired result and we'll give you exact spacing.
Fast growers like Leylandii and laurel can fill in within 2–3 years; slower, denser hedges like yew and box take longer but are well worth the wait. Starting with larger plants speeds things up.
Both. Free click & collect is available from the nursery, and we deliver larger orders — just ask for a delivery quote to your postcode.
Yes — our landscaping service can supply and plant your hedge for you. See our Landscaping page or get in touch to discuss.
No question is too small. Tell us about your garden and what you'd like to achieve, and we'll point you in the right direction.
Ask the nursery
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