How do you like to use your garden? Do you like to host parties, lounge on the lawn, or simply spend time with your family? Do you want a private and secure area to do this while being surrounded peacefully by nature? If so, then planting mature hedging plants may just be the perfect thing for you! Mature hedging plants will give you an instant, established and attractive hedge.
Instant hedging is the best solution for quickly forming a boundary that is more cost effective than a brick wall. It provides structure for your garden and home in beautiful floral and natural decoration. With instant hedging, you are offered privacy, security, and shelter with your own choice of colour, texture and form. Aside from these, hedging is perfect for wildlife as you contribute to rewilding nature.
Planting hedging is a very easy job which you can do on your own. Planting mature hedging plants gives you the advantage of achieving show garden features without the hassle and the wait. Instant hedges are solid hedging units that are already knitted together with both foliage and roots. These have been grown by skilled gardeners in long troughs and regularly pruned. These healthy hedges give you a high success rate and are available in a range of species and forms. The same principles apply whether you prefer pot grown, bare root, or root balled. All you need is good soil preparation, adequate space, elimination of air pockets and plenty of water.
Why Plant Mature Hedging Plants?
Mature hedging gives you an instant, show-garden quality hedge while creating an attractive framework for your garden. Aside from this, a mature and instant hedge gives you the following benefits:
- Structure - it is an ideal framework for your other gardening projects.
- Privacy - it provides an effective visual screen.
- Security - hedges can serve as a dense and natural barrier to deter intruders.
- Shelter - reduce wind strength better than a solid barrier.
- Pollution filter - plants absorb dust, harmful gases and serve as barrier to noise.
- Wildlife - hedges serve as important habitats for native insects, birds and mammals providing them with food and shelter.
- Seasonal interest - variations in plant colour and growth add beauty and year-round interest, particularly deciduous hedging.
- Natural appeal to home - with plenty of variations to choose from, mature hedging softens your home structure giving it instant character and warmth.
- Long-term value - weather-resistant, hedging plants can live for hundred of years. It gives long-term economical benefits compared to fencing and brick work.
Where Can I Plant Mature Hedging?
Planting mature hedging can be done in any area where suitable conditions apply.
- Soil type & drainage. Evergreens and some deciduous plants will not tolerate being waterlogged. Delay planting if soil is frozen or waterlogged.
- Adequate water supply. Watering is needed in the weeks following planting. To establish the plants, hedges must be well watered for the first two years. Do not assume that rain is enough.
- Space. Hedges require sufficient space for their roots. You will need approximately 1m for every metre of hedge you require.
How Do I Plant Mature Hedging?
Prepare The Ground
- Plot a hedge line for the planting area whether in a straight or curved line. You can use an inverted tip spray paint can that allows you to spray upside down to mark the line. For straight hedges, wooden stakes and strings may be used to create the visual outline.
- Ensure that the line runs over level ground with even access to the sun and consistent soil along its entirety.
- Thoroughly weed the surrounding area, approximately 30 cm each side of the proposed hedge line.
- Depending on your location, you may need to prepare the area with wind-breaking material to protect it from wind rock. Roots that are rocked by windy conditions will not establish well, causing the hedge to suffer.
Lay Irrigation In Place
- Dig a trench or series of holes for your plants.
- Use a garden fork to loosen the soil to improve drainage and root development.
Enrich The Soil With An Organic Matter
- Dig in some well-rotted manure or compost into the soil.
- Improve nutrient levels to aid in water and nutrient retention.
- Always use a gardening glove when handling fertilisers.
Place Your Plants The Correct Distance Apart.
- Planting distances is defined by the number of plants, the length of the area, and the planting density – whether you choose to double stagger your plants or plant in a single row.
Ensure Plants Receive Ample Water.
- Drench each plant before planting and half fill each hole with water.
- Let it drain away.
Place The Plants Into The Holes.
- Check height requirements. Make sure you don’t plant too deep or too shallow.
Eliminate Air Pockets.
- Back-fill and then firm the soil in around the plants.
Water Each Plant Again Thoroughly.
- This helps take soil particles into all the air gaps. It also brings the soil into contact with all the fine feeding roots.
Add Mulch Along The Hedge Line.
- Spread 6 to 7.5 cm layer of mulch between the plants. Keep them away from the stems to allow water to reach the roots.
Yearly Maintenance.
- Feeding with Pro 6, giving a yearly trim in early Spring (depending on weather - wait until the risk of frost has passed) will ensure your hedge stays in top condition.
Keep in mind that there may be other instructions to follow specific to the root type (root ball, bare root, or pot grown) you have selected for hedging.
Tools and Materials for Success
- Spray paint or stakes and string
- Garden fork
- Gardening gloves
- Shovel
- Secateurs
- Mulch
- Hose
- Garden compost and/or bonemeal
What compost do I need?
To improve your soil, you can use any general-purpose compost such as well-rotted garden compost or farmyard manure. For very wet soils, add sharp sand or lime-free course grit.
Planting mature hedging is achievable by following these steps and advice. You can start right today in your own garden and enjoy all its benefits in an instant.
Interested in learning about the types of mature hedging plants? Here is a link to a blog on the topic.
If you have questions on the ideal mature hedging plant for your garden and the tools you will need to start planting, contact your local store where one of our helpful and knowledgeable staff will be happy to help and answer any questions you may have.