Hedging Supplied & Planted

A professionally planted hedge can completely change the structure, privacy and character of a garden.

Whether you are creating a new boundary, replacing an old hedge, screening neighbouring properties or looking for a more attractive alternative to fencing, the finished result depends on much more than simply buying some hedge plants and putting them in the ground.

Landscaping Emporium provides a complete hedging supply and planting service across North West England, helping you choose the right species and size before arranging delivery, ground preparation and professional installation.

From economical young hedging for longer boundaries to substantial mature plants for more immediate privacy, we can help you create a hedge that suits the garden, the growing conditions and your budget.

Professional Hedge Supply and Planting

Choosing a hedge starts with understanding what you actually need it to achieve.

Privacy may be the priority, but we also consider the eventual height and width, whether evergreen foliage is necessary, how quickly the hedge needs to establish and how much ongoing maintenance you are prepared to undertake.

The garden itself then determines which plants are realistic. Soil, drainage, sunlight, shade and exposure all influence species selection, while access and the required plant size affect how the hedge can physically be delivered and installed.

This means our approach is not simply:

“Which hedge would you like?”

It is:

“Which hedge is most appropriate for this garden?”

Why Have Your Hedge Professionally Planted?

A hedge is a long-term investment.

Poor plant selection or inadequate preparation may not become obvious immediately. Problems can appear months or even years later as the plants struggle with unsuitable soil, drainage, spacing or light.

Professional installation allows the complete planting environment to be considered from the beginning.

The planting area can be prepared correctly, the hedge positioned at an appropriate level and spacing, larger plants supported where necessary and irrigation or mulching incorporated where appropriate.

This becomes particularly important when investing in larger mature hedging, where the cost of replacing poorly established plants can be significant.

Hedging for Privacy

Privacy is one of the most common reasons customers ask us to supply and plant a hedge.

A well-positioned hedge can create a softer and more attractive boundary than fencing while helping screen neighbouring gardens, roads, driveways and outdoor living areas.

Where privacy is required throughout the year, evergreen hedging is often the obvious starting point.

Portuguese Laurel, Cherry Laurel, Yew, Holly, Photinia, Thuja, Griselinia and Elaeagnus can all have a role depending on the garden and growing conditions.

However, evergreen is only one part of the decision.

The eventual height and width of the hedge, its growth rate and the amount of maintenance it will require are equally important.

Mature Hedging for Immediate Privacy

Sometimes waiting several years for a young hedge to grow simply is not practical.

If an existing hedge has been removed, a neighbouring development has created overlooking or a newly landscaped garden needs immediate structure, larger mature hedging can provide substantially more screening from the beginning.

The important point is that larger is not automatically better.

Larger plants have heavier root systems, require more handling and need careful establishment. Access to the planting area also becomes increasingly important as plant size increases.

Where immediate privacy is the main objective, our Instant Hedges guide explains the options in greater detail.

Instant Hedging Supplied and Planted

Instant hedging takes the idea of mature planting a stage further.

Rather than starting with relatively small individual plants and waiting for them to grow together, established hedge plants or hedge sections can create a much more developed effect immediately.

This can be particularly effective around high-value residential gardens, patios, outdoor kitchens and other areas where privacy matters from the day the garden is completed.

Instant hedging costs more because you are effectively purchasing years of nursery growth in advance.

For some projects that additional investment is worthwhile. For others, smaller plants represent much better value.

Our Bare Root vs Rootballed vs Container Grown vs Instant Hedging guide explains the differences and can help you decide how much initial maturity you actually need.

Evergreen Hedging Supplied and Planted

Evergreen hedging is particularly valuable where permanent privacy and year-round structure are priorities.

Yew can create an exceptionally refined formal hedge. Portuguese Laurel provides a fine-leaved evergreen screen, while Cherry Laurel creates a larger-leaved, more vigorous boundary.

Holly provides evergreen structure with native character, while Photinia introduces colourful young foliage. Depending on the site, Griselinia, Elaeagnus, Thuja and other conifer hedging may also be appropriate.

Rather than automatically choosing the fastest-growing evergreen hedge, we recommend thinking about what the hedge will be like once it reaches the required size.

A hedge that grows extremely quickly will continue trying to grow after it has reached the height you want.

Deciduous Hedging Supplied and Planted

A hedge does not need to be evergreen to provide an effective garden boundary.

Deciduous species can provide a softer, more natural appearance and introduce spring foliage, flowers, berries, autumn colour and winter branch structure.

Hornbeam, Hawthorn, Blackthorn, Field Maple, Hazel and Dogwood can all be useful depending on the setting and conditions.

For rural properties and country gardens, deciduous and mixed native hedging can often relate to the surrounding landscape more naturally than a large ornamental evergreen screen.

Beech and Hornbeam Hedging

Beech and Hornbeam deserve particular attention because clipped plants can retain some of their dry foliage through winter.

This characteristic, known as marcescence, means they can continue to provide a degree of screening after autumn even though they are technically deciduous.

Beech performs particularly well on suitable well-drained ground, while Hornbeam is often a very useful alternative where soil is heavier or more moisture retentive.

Both can create exceptionally attractive formal or semi-formal hedges.

Native Hedging Supplied and Planted

A mixed native hedge can provide a boundary, wildlife habitat and landscape feature at the same time.

Species such as Hawthorn, Blackthorn, Hazel, Field Maple, Holly, Dogwood and Hornbeam can be combined to create a diverse hedge with seasonal flowers, berries, foliage and shelter.

This approach is particularly appropriate around larger rural properties where the new hedge needs to connect naturally with existing hedgerows and countryside.

Our Hedging Which Is Native to the UK guide looks at suitable native species in more detail.

Hedging for Wildlife

A hedge can be much more than a privacy screen.

Dense branching provides shelter and nesting opportunities, while flowers and fruit can provide food for insects and birds at different times of year.

A mixed hedge also creates a more varied habitat than a single-species ornamental boundary.

Where wildlife value is important, we can consider this alongside the practical requirements of height, privacy and maintenance rather than treating the two objectives separately.

Security Hedging

Some hedging can also make a boundary more difficult to cross.

Plants such as Holly, Hawthorn, Blackthorn and Pyracantha can provide dense or thorny growth while remaining considerably more attractive than purely defensive boundary treatments.

The location needs careful consideration, particularly beside paths or areas regularly used by children and pets.

Used appropriately, however, defensive planting can combine security, screening and landscape value within the same boundary.

Hedging for Full Sun

A sunny position gives you a broad range of hedging choices.

The more important considerations may therefore become soil, moisture, eventual size and the appearance you want to achieve.

A sunny boundary can support both formal evergreen hedging and more natural deciduous or flowering options.

The key is still to choose according to the complete site rather than sunlight alone.

Hedging for Shade

Shade requires more careful plant selection.

A boundary beside a house may experience partial shade but still receive several hours of useful light. Deep shade beneath mature trees is a completely different environment and may also involve considerable competition for water and nutrients.

Plants such as Yew, Holly, Laurel, Portuguese Laurel and Hornbeam may be considered for different shaded conditions.

If light is a significant issue, our Hedging for Shade guide looks at the subject in more depth.

Hedging for Clay Soil

Clay itself is not necessarily a problem.

In fact, clay can be nutrient rich and retain useful moisture.

The problem arises where heavy clay is compacted or remains waterlogged for prolonged periods.

Species such as Hornbeam, Hawthorn, Field Maple and several other hedging plants can perform well on appropriate clay soils, but the drainage and structure of the ground need to be understood before planting.

Our Hedging for Clay Soil guide explains which plants to consider and why preparation matters.

Hedging for Coastal and Exposed Gardens

Wind exposure can have a major effect on both species selection and establishment.

This becomes even more important with larger hedging because a mature plant presents a greater surface area to strong winds while its root system is still establishing.

Coastal gardens can introduce the additional challenge of salt-laden air.

Species such as Elaeagnus and Griselinia can be useful in suitable coastal conditions, while robust native hedging may be more appropriate for some exposed rural sites.

See our Hedging for Coastal Areas guide if exposure is a significant factor.

Choosing the Right Hedge Size

Hedging is available in an enormous range of sizes, from relatively small establishing plants to substantial mature specimens.

The correct size depends on the balance between budget and immediate impact.

Smaller plants cost less and can establish extremely well. Larger plants provide greater immediate screening but require a larger initial investment and become progressively more difficult to handle.

If privacy is urgently required, additional initial size can be worthwhile.

If you are planting a long boundary and are happy to let the hedge develop naturally, younger plants can provide excellent value.

Bare-Root Hedging Supplied and Planted

Bare-root hedging is one of the most economical ways to establish longer hedge runs.

Plants are field grown and lifted during dormancy without a container or substantial amount of soil around their roots.

This makes them comparatively easy to transport and particularly cost effective when large quantities are required.

Species such as Hawthorn, Hornbeam, Beech, Field Maple, Hazel and Dogwood are commonly considered for bare-root planting.

The principal limitation is seasonality. Bare-root plants need to be planted during the appropriate dormant period rather than being available for planting throughout the year.

Rootballed Hedging Supplied and Planted

Rootballed plants are also field grown, but they are lifted with a substantial ball of soil retained around the roots.

This allows much larger, more established plants to be moved successfully.

Rootballed hedging is particularly useful where you want greater immediate height and presence without necessarily moving all the way to a specialist instant-hedge system.

As plant size increases, however, so does the weight of the rootball.

Delivery access and mechanical handling may therefore need to be considered as part of the installation.

Container-Grown Hedging Supplied and Planted

Container-grown hedging provides much greater flexibility over planting time.

Because the root system is established within a container, suitable plants can potentially be installed across a much broader part of the year, subject to weather, ground conditions and appropriate watering.

This can be extremely useful when hedge planting forms part of a wider landscaping project that cannot be scheduled around the traditional bare-root season.

If you are unsure which format is appropriate, see our Bare Root vs Rootballed vs Container Grown vs Instant Hedging guide.

How Many Hedge Plants Will I Need?

This depends on the species, plant size, width and the density required.

Smaller plants are generally positioned more closely together, while larger mature specimens need different spacing.

This means comparing two hedge quotations purely by the number of plants can be misleading.

The more useful comparison is the specification of the finished hedge: species, plant size, spacing, total length and what is included within the installation.

We calculate the appropriate spacing according to the plants being supplied rather than applying one universal number to every hedge.

Site Assessment and Access

Access can make a substantial difference to the practicalities of hedge installation.

Small bare-root plants can be carried through relatively restricted spaces. Large rootballed or mature hedging can be extremely heavy.

Before specifying larger plants, we therefore need to consider how they will get from the delivery vehicle to the planting position.

Gate widths, steps, retaining walls, changes in level and distance from vehicle access can all influence what is practical.

Where necessary, machinery may be required to move larger plants safely.

Preparing the Ground for a New Hedge

Successful hedging starts below ground.

Planting directly into severely compacted or poorly drained soil can restrict root development regardless of how healthy the plants were when they arrived.

The planting area therefore needs to be assessed for soil structure, compaction and drainage.

Existing vegetation may need to be removed and the soil prepared so that roots can develop beyond the original planting hole or rootball.

This is particularly important in new-build gardens and landscapes that have recently undergone construction work, where heavy machinery may have compacted the ground.

Planting the Hedge at the Correct Depth

Hedging should be planted at an appropriate level relative to the root system and the level at which the plant was previously growing.

Planting too deeply can create long-term problems, while planting too shallowly can leave roots vulnerable to drying and instability.

With a long hedge, maintaining consistent levels also has an important visual effect.

Professional installation allows both the horticultural requirements and finished appearance to be considered together.

Straight Hedge Lines and Finished Appearance

A hedge is often one of the strongest lines within a garden.

Poor alignment can therefore remain visible for years.

When installing formal hedging, careful setting out helps maintain consistent spacing and a clean line.

The planting level and top line also need consideration, particularly where the garden itself slopes.

The objective is not merely to install individual plants successfully. It is to make them read visually as one continuous hedge.

Hedge Planting on Sloping Ground

Sloping sites need additional thought.

The hedge may need to follow the natural gradient or be handled in a more structured way depending on the garden design.

Drainage can also behave differently on a slope, with upper areas drying more quickly and water accumulating further down.

This is another reason why site conditions should influence the planting approach rather than simply applying the same detail to every garden.

Replacing an Existing Hedge

Replacing an old hedge is not always as straightforward as removing the plants and installing new ones in exactly the same position.

Old root systems, depleted soil, compaction and restricted access may all need consideration.

Where the previous hedge failed, it is also worth understanding why before planting the replacement.

If the original problem was poor drainage, unsuitable species selection or lack of irrigation, installing another hedge without correcting the cause risks repeating the same problem.

Replacing a Fence With a Hedge

A hedge can create a much softer boundary than fencing.

It can introduce movement, seasonal interest and wildlife value while still providing privacy.

The main consideration is space.

A living hedge requires width as well as height, and that mature width should be allowed for from the beginning.

For smaller gardens, selecting a species that responds well to clipping can help create an effective screen without unnecessarily consuming valuable garden space.

Hedge Planting for New-Build Gardens

New-build gardens frequently need privacy quickly.

Neighbouring properties may be close, gardens can begin with little established vegetation and boundaries are often dominated by fencing.

Hedging can soften those boundaries and make the garden feel considerably more established.

However, new-build soil deserves particular attention. Compaction and drainage problems are common after construction activity, so the ground should be assessed before investing in expensive mature plants.

Hedge Planting for Newly Landscaped Gardens

A new landscape benefits enormously from established structure.

Paving, walls, pergolas and outdoor kitchens arrive at their finished size immediately, while planting naturally takes time to mature.

Using appropriately sized hedging can help balance those elements and prevent the finished garden feeling exposed during its early years.

Where the budget permits, mature hedging can be used strategically around the areas where immediate privacy and enclosure matter most, while younger plants can be used elsewhere.

Hedge Irrigation

Water is one of the most important factors during establishment.

Long hedge runs can contain a substantial number of individual plants, and watering them consistently by hand can become time consuming.

An appropriate irrigation or soaker system can therefore be extremely useful, particularly with larger plants.

The objective is to deliver moisture into the root zone rather than simply wetting the soil surface.

Irrigation still needs to respond to rainfall, temperature and soil type. A hedge on sandy soil behaves very differently from one planted into moisture-retentive clay.

Mulching Newly Planted Hedging

Mulching can help conserve soil moisture and suppress weeds while the hedge establishes.

Organic mulch can also gradually contribute to the soil as it breaks down.

Keeping the immediate planting area relatively free from competing vegetation is particularly useful during the early establishment period, when the hedge's roots are still developing.

Mulch should be placed around the rooting area rather than piled directly against the plant stems.

Looking After Your New Hedge

Professional planting gives a hedge the best possible start, but it does not remove the need for aftercare.

The first growing seasons are particularly important.

Watering needs to respond to rainfall, temperature, wind and soil conditions rather than being performed automatically regardless of whether the ground is already wet.

Weeds should be controlled around the rooting area, and the hedge should be monitored for signs that individual plants are struggling.

Our Looking After Your Newly Planted Trees and Hedging guide provides detailed advice on establishment and ongoing care.

How Quickly Will My New Hedge Grow?

Growth rate depends on the species, plant size, soil, weather and maintenance.

Some species are naturally vigorous, while others grow more slowly.

It is tempting to choose the fastest-growing hedge purely because you want privacy, but growth does not stop once the hedge reaches the required height.

A slower-growing species purchased at a larger initial size can sometimes provide a better long-term solution.

Our Fast Growing Hedging guide explains the options and the maintenance trade-offs.

How Much Does a Professionally Planted Hedge Cost?

There is no meaningful single price for a professionally installed hedge because the specification can vary enormously.

The cost depends on the species, initial plant size, hedge length, number of plants, stock type, access, soil conditions, ground preparation, delivery and whether irrigation or additional works are required.

A long bare-root native hedge is fundamentally different from a shorter boundary created with substantial mature evergreen plants.

For that reason, the best way to price a hedge is to establish the actual specification required for the site rather than using a generic price per metre that assumes every hedge is the same.

Is Professional Hedge Planting Worth It?

For smaller plants and straightforward ground, an experienced gardener may be perfectly capable of installing a hedge themselves.

Professional planting becomes particularly valuable where the hedge is long, the plants are large, the soil is difficult, access is restricted or immediate screening requires a significant investment in mature stock.

It can also be useful when you are unsure which species is actually suitable.

A professionally installed unsuitable hedge is still an unsuitable hedge.

Good specification therefore starts before the plants are ordered.

Hedging Supplied and Planted Across North West England

Landscaping Emporium provides hedge supply and professional planting across North West England.

We work with gardens ranging from urban and suburban properties requiring additional privacy to larger rural gardens where long native or mixed hedges are needed.

Conditions across the region vary considerably. Heavy clay, high rainfall, exposed sites, coastal conditions, shaded boundaries and new-build soil can all influence which hedge will establish successfully.

That local understanding is one of the reasons we recommend choosing the hedge around the site rather than choosing the plant first and hoping the garden suits it.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hedge Supply and Planting

Can you supply and plant my hedge?

Yes. Landscaping Emporium provides hedging with professional planting available across North West England for suitable projects.

Can you help me choose the hedge?

Yes. Species selection should consider the purpose of the hedge as well as soil, drainage, light, exposure, available space and maintenance requirements.

Can you plant mature hedging?

Yes. Larger mature plants can be supplied and professionally planted where access and site conditions are suitable.

Can you install instant hedging?

Yes. Instant or substantially established hedging can be considered where immediate privacy and maturity are priorities. See our Instant Hedges guide.

Can you plant evergreen hedging?

Yes. Depending on the site, options may include Yew, Portuguese Laurel, Cherry Laurel, Holly, Photinia, Elaeagnus and other evergreen hedging.

Can you plant native hedging?

Yes. Native hedging can be an excellent choice for rural gardens, wildlife value and longer boundaries.

Can you plant bare-root hedging?

Yes. Bare-root plants can provide a particularly economical solution for longer hedge runs during the appropriate planting season.

Can you plant rootballed hedging?

Yes. Rootballed hedging is particularly useful where larger plants and more immediate impact are required.

Can you plant container-grown hedging?

Yes. Container-grown plants provide greater flexibility over planting time, subject to appropriate weather and ground conditions.

Can you install a hedge for privacy?

Yes. Privacy is one of the main reasons customers choose professional hedge planting. The appropriate species and initial size depend on the sightline and site conditions.

Can you replace my existing hedge?

Yes, subject to assessment of the existing boundary, access and ground conditions. It is particularly important to understand why an existing hedge has failed before installing its replacement.

Can you plant a hedge in clay soil?

Yes. Many hedging species grow successfully in clay. Drainage and soil structure are particularly important. See Hedging for Clay Soil.

Can you plant a hedge in shade?

Yes, provided an appropriate species is selected for the degree of shade and other growing conditions. See Hedging for Shade.

Can you plant hedging in coastal gardens?

Yes, although species selection needs to account for wind and salt exposure. See Hedging for Coastal Areas.

Do you install hedge irrigation?

Irrigation can be incorporated where appropriate, particularly for longer hedge runs and larger plants where consistent establishment watering is important.

How long does a new hedge take to establish?

This varies according to species, plant size, soil, weather, planting quality and aftercare. Even mature hedging requires time for its roots to establish into the surrounding soil.

How much does hedge planting cost?

The cost depends on the species, plant size, hedge length, ground conditions, access and installation requirements. A project-specific specification provides a much more useful figure than a generic price per metre.

Get a Hedge Supplied and Professionally Planted

A successful hedge begins with the right specification.

We need to understand what you want the hedge to achieve, where it is going and what conditions it will need to grow in.

From there, we can consider the appropriate species, initial size and whether bare-root, rootballed, container-grown, mature or instant hedging represents the best solution.

If immediate privacy is your priority, start with our Instant Hedges guide.

If you are comparing different plant formats, read Bare Root vs Rootballed vs Container Grown vs Instant Hedging.

For difficult sites, our Hedging for Clay Soil, Hedging for Shade and Hedging for Coastal Areas guides can help narrow the options.

Or contact Landscaping Emporium with the approximate hedge length, required height, postcode and photographs of the proposed planting area.

We can then help you choose the hedge, determine the appropriate plant size and provide a specification for supply and professional planting across North West England.