Hedging questions answered

Compare the plant and the complete order

Compare the supplied height, root type, pot size and price for the actual quantity offered. A 40 to 60cm bare root privet plant, for example, is a different purchase from a potted cherry laurel of the same height. A minimum order is a purchase requirement; it does not tell you how closely to plant. For mixed hebes, dwarf conifers, azaleas or rhododendrons, check the number of plants in the pack and the listed pot size. A mixed collection does not necessarily identify every individual variety you will receive.

Read the size and quantity guide · Compare root types

Prepare for the first growing season

New plants need attention while their roots spread into the surrounding soil. Prepare the planting strip, water thoroughly after planting and check moisture through dry spells. Keep grass and weeds clear so they do not compete with the young hedge.

Follow the planting guide · Read first-year aftercare

When to plant hedging in the UK

The best time to plant hedging depends on the root type. Potted plants can generally be planted throughout the year when the ground is workable and watering is available. Rootball plants are better planted during cooler, dormant conditions, particularly larger English yew. Bare root hedging is planted during the dormant season, roughly November to March. Avoid planting in very hot, dry spells, because new roots struggle to take up enough moisture. If you have to plant in summer, water regularly and mulch to keep the soil cool.

How many hedge plants per metre

Spacing varies by species, the height you want and whether you plant a single or double row. Use the recommended spacing for the particular species and supplied size as your starting point. Fast-growing Leylandii needs more room than a closely clipped low yew hedge, even if both are planted in a single row. Measure the length of the planting area and multiply by the plants per metre to get your total. A double row uses roughly twice as many plants and fills in faster.

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How tall can a hedge be between neighbours

There is no single maximum garden hedge height across the UK. In England and Wales, high hedge complaints can arise under the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 where a qualifying barrier of two or more evergreen or semi-evergreen trees or shrubs exceeds 2 metres and adversely affects a neighbour's reasonable enjoyment of their property. Scotland and Northern Ireland have different legal arrangements, so check the rules for your location. Before planting, talk to your neighbour about the planned height. Keeping a hedge trimmed to a manageable size avoids most problems.

What is the easiest hedge to maintain

Slow-growing evergreens such as English yew and holly need only one trim a year, usually in late summer. Cherry laurel and Portuguese laurel are also straightforward: they respond well to a single annual cut with secateurs or a hedge trimmer. Box hedging stays neat with one or two light trims, though box blight and box tree caterpillar can demand extra vigilance. To reduce trimming, choose a species with a natural growth rate and mature spread suited to your boundary. Green Leylandii grows vigorously and can require frequent cutting, while yew grows more slowly and is easier to hold to a narrow, formal shape.

When can you cut hedges in the UK

Most hedges can be trimmed from late spring to late summer. The main bird nesting period is generally March to August, but active nests can occur outside those months. The legal restriction concerns disturbing or damaging protected birds and active nests, rather than a blanket ban on garden hedge trimming throughout those dates. It is an offence to damage or destroy an active nest, so check carefully before cutting. Light trimming outside this period is usually fine, but heavy renovation pruning is best done in late winter when the plant is dormant and birds are not nesting.