Hedge plants Hedge plants are chosen because they are hardy and suited to climate and soil. They should be long-lived and adaptable to trimming. Fast growing plants may make a quick hedge but will require frequent clipping, slower growing plants are better candidates for a hedge.
Green hedges a great background for other plants. Colourful hedges can be a decorative element in their own right, but you may tire of them before a simple green. Think through your options before investing in the plants. (More on designing with and choosing plants for hedges)
Small plants are better than tall, as they will establish and quickly outgrow the more expensive, taller plants. Even more important large plants tend to grow into gangly, open hedges and rather than a dense and compact hedge.
Make sure you order in advance to be sure of getting good stock and enough plants. The most economical way of buying hedges plants is bare rooted. If you cannot plant bare-root plants when they are delivered then you should 'heel them in'.
Container grown plants may be more convenient as there is no urgency to get them into the ground. plus there is less transplanting shock to the plant. As a large number of plants are needed for a hedge and container-grown plants are more expensive, bare-root is often the way to go. Don't overlook the logistics of fitting several dozen or more hedge plants into the back of the car for the journey home.
'Root-trainer' grown plants are a good alternative. These plastic sandwich-style growing tubes that encourage strong, downward growing roots. They are very convenient and a quite economical option for hedge plants. (For more on types of Plant Stock)
Preparation of the hedge line You should map out and prepare the hedge line well in advance of planting. As the hedge will be a long-term feature the preparation is especially important.
Dig the soil over to two space depths and to 1.5 times the width of the mature hedge. For a 60cm (2ft) wide hedge a 90cm (3ft) wide bed should be dug.
If the soil is not well drained try to work grit into the soil but avoid making the new hedge line a 'sump' where water will collect from the surrounding area. If drainage is really bad, lay some drainage coil or field drains to carry water away from the hedge.
Dig in plenty of compost and well-rotted organic manure, as this is the time when you can most effectively feed your new hedge.
Laying out and Planting a Hedge Take a good garden line (the type that you use in the vegetable garden is perfect) and mark out the hedge line. Do remember that hedge plants will grow outwards and leave enough space for a mature hedge along any path or behind a border.
Set out container plants or dig a small hole to mark the spacing for root-trainer and bare-root plants. Check that the spacing is right for the type of hedge you have chosen.
Use a taut garden line to make sure that your hedge is planted in a straight line, placing the plants carefully to one side of it.
Plant as you would any tree or shrub. Use a stake or the shovel handle to check planting depths - plants placed too deeply or not deeply enough will not establish well.
Take care during the planting operation that you do not let the plants (especially bare-root plants) dry out. Throwing some hessian over the plants and keeping them in the shade is key in warm weather.
Always water newly planted hedges thoroughly, and keep them well watered in dry periods for up to a year. Water in well, even if it is about to rain, as this initial moisture is crucial to the plant.
If you cannot plant bare root plants immediately, because the ground is frozen, drought or simple lack of time, then you should heel them in.
