Now is one of the best times to plant hedges. With plenty of moisture still in the ground, the higher rain levels can accelerate growth – just avoid planting on frosty days. Here are our top tips for successful hedge planting to ensure the best results.
• Why Hedges: Hedges are an inexpensive way to form a beautiful boundary and are perfect for attracting local wildlife, and particularly nesting birds. Particularly good hedges for this are a Native Woodland Mix. However if you are after a more formal hedge than look at beech or hornbeam.
• Cost-effective: At this time of year hedging plants are bare-root specimens, which is the more cost- effective option. NB. Pot-grown plants are equally suitable but can cost more.
• How to plant: Once you have selected your small hedge plants (whips). They can be bought in varying sizes from 40 – 60 cm to over 1 m. It is best to plant whips close as they not only form a thick hedge, but compete with each other and so reduce the amount of trimming required.
• Protect: When planting whips we always protect them from hungry rabbits and deer by using guards, and canes to ensure they grow upright.
• Excellence: We would always advise working with a professional to plant hedges to achieve a high quality, consistent result. To find out more about Scofell’s hedge planting services click here and to find local British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI) accredited firms click here.