(info.)Planting hedges
when and how to best plant cherry laurel hedge depending on how it has been grown and supplied
The Best Time to Plant a Hedge
If planting your hedge during autumn or winter, you need to watch out for adverse weather conditions. Hedges should not be planted in frozen or waterlogged soil as this could be fatal for the plants, so you’ll need to wait until it’s thawed or drier.
By planting a hedge during the right time of year, you can give it the best chance of establishing and thriving. The best time for planting will depend on what kind of hedge you''ve got.
Bare root hedging plants
These plants are grown in the field and are lifted and planted during Winter. They are sold bare rooted (all the soil is shaken off so they simply have bare roots) This makes them cheaper to produce and cheaper to buy. Hedges made from bare rooted plants are generally cheaper and smaller, which can make them easier to plant. However, they can take longer to establish as a hedge and must be planted when they are dormant (i.e. between late autumn and late winter).
Container-grown plants
Container-grown or pot-grown plants have a fully intact root system as the roots have established in the pot within the soil/compost. They can be planted all year round and usually establish quickly as there is no shock to the root system. Our 10 litre potted hedge plants can give an instant effect if you need an established hedge as soon as possible, but they are more expensive than bare root plants as they cost more to produce and cultivate.
Root ball plants
These hedge plants are also grown in the field but for longer and are therefore more established and a great option if you want instant hedging . The roots are harvested in a ball of soil and tied up with fabric, which will either decompose once the hedge is planted or will need to be removed. (We can advise which).
What if you can't plant your hedge immediately?
It’s not always possible to plant your hedge straightaway. Here are some ways to maximise success when planting your hedges at a later date.
Bare rooted plants
If your hedge planting is delayed by waterlogged or frozen soil, then you’ll need to keep your plants safe and keep the roots moist while you wait.
If the delay lasts for less than a week, all you need to do is keep your hedge plants in a sheltered location (e.g.shed or against a fence or wall) and keep the roots moist. To do this, you could place moist straw around the plant roots or cover them with compost and a plastic sheet.
However, if the delay lasts longer than a week, you’ll need to heel in your plants to preserve them. Heeling in your plants means that they’re temporarily planted while you wait. You’ll need to dig a V-shaped trench, soak the roots in water for up to an hour, place the plants into the trench at a 45 degree angle and backfill with soil. This will protect and preserve your plants for up to 8 weeks.
Rootballed plants
These really are best planted straight away to maximise success, but if this is simply not possible, follow the steps above for bare rooted plants.
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