Hedging for housing developments

Order against the landscape specification

Split the schedule into identifiable runs: plot fronts, rear gardens, shared paths and estate boundaries. Give each run a reference and measure its usable length, excluding access points. The same species may appear in several places with different starting sizes, spacing or intended heights, so a single total can hide important differences.

Check whether the drawing specifies a cultivar, root format or planting density. A plant with a similar common name is not automatically an equivalent. Keep a clear record of agreed substitutions so the order, drawing and planting team are all working from the same information.

• Measure each run after deducting entrances and gates
• Note the specified plants per metre for each species and size
• Check minimum order quantities on the product page

Spacing and quantities for common hedging plants

Use the table to estimate plant numbers for 5m, 10m and 20m lengths. The spacing ranges are indicative, so check them against the approved planting schedule and the selected stock size. Keep the counts for separate plots and communal areas identifiable so changes can be checked without recalculating the whole scheme.

For a single row, space plants evenly along the run. A double staggered row gives a thicker hedge sooner: set plants in two parallel lines with the second row offset by half the spacing. Multiply the plants per metre by the length of each row separately.

Leave space around homes, paths and services

Mark the intended hedge line on the ground before choosing the final quantity. Consider the width it will occupy beside footpaths, parking spaces and garden gates. Keep utility access points identifiable and accessible. Where a hedge separates two plots, decide who will be able to reach each face for trimming.

An evergreen hedge may suit a boundary where foliage is wanted through winter. Cherry laurel has broad leaves and vigorous growth, so it needs adequate room. A narrow planting strip should not be filled with a large species simply because the young plants fit at the time of purchase.

Match each order to a ready planting area

Coordinate purchasing with the stage of the groundworks. Finished levels, soil preparation and access should be settled before plants are placed along the boundary. Check for compacted ground and construction debris in the planting strip, particularly where machinery has been working.

Compare the quantity for each phase with the minimum order shown on the product page. Keep different sizes labelled separately when they arrive on site. If planting is delayed, allocate a suitable holding area and someone to check the plants, rather than leaving that responsibility between contractors. Bare root plants are supplied in the dormant season, roughly November to March, and need planting promptly.

Write aftercare into the handover

Agree who will water and inspect the hedge between planting, occupation and transfer to the management company or homeowner. New plants need attention during dry weather; a visit that only tidies the grass is not an establishment check. Record any irrigation points and keep access to them clear.

A useful handover includes the species, planting date, intended height and width, and a named contact for maintenance. Photograph the completed runs against their plan references. That makes it easier to identify gaps or later damage and to order the correct replacement size if a section needs attention.

New build garden hedging: plants for smaller spaces

Small front gardens on new build estates often need low, manageable hedging that does not overwhelm the plot. Compact hebes, dwarf azaleas and selected low-growing conifers are worth comparing where a taller hedge would crowd a small front garden. Mixed hebes, available in 9cm pots in packs of 4, 6, 12 or 18, give evergreen foliage and summer flowers while staying compact with regular trimming. Hebe Red Edge, supplied in 9cm pots in packs of 2, 3, 4 or 6, offers a neat grey-green leaf with a red margin.

Dwarf evergreen azaleas and mixed Japanese azaleas bring spring flowers to a low border where the soil is acidic. Dwarf evergreen azaleas are sold as individual plants in 2 litre pots. Mixed Japanese azaleas come in 9cm pots in packs of 4, or 2 litre pots in packs of 4 or 6. Mixed dwarf conifers offer year-round foliage with different forms and textures. Their listed options include 9cm pots in packs of 4, 2 litre pots in packs of 6, and potted packs of 6, 12 or 18. French lavender Bandera Purple, in 1 litre pots as singles or packs of 2 or 4, adds fragrance and suits a sunny front edge. For a classic low formal hedge, box (Buxus) is supplied bare root at 20 to 40cm.

Choosing the right hedge for the job

Each species in the catalogue has a different growth rate, eventual size and maintenance need. The comparison below covers key points for several hedging plants we supply. Use it alongside the landscape specification to narrow the options.

Evergreen choices such as cherry laurel, Portuguese laurel, English yew and holly keep their leaves through winter. Green beech and common hawthorn lose their green leaves seasonally, while privet is semi-evergreen and may retain much of its foliage in mild winters. Compare the actual listed prices and supplied sizes before deciding which is most economical for the length required. Conifers including green Leylandii and Castlewellan Gold grow quickly and need regular trimming to stay within bounds.