How to plant hedges, the brilliant low-maintenance solution for all types of gardens

They’re often overlooked in favour of evergreen climbers, but hedges are the original and best screening option – and something I always try and recommend to clients. They bring atmosphere to a garden, can divide up a space, soften borders and provide backdrops to colourful and textured planting schemes. What’s more, they come in all shapes and sizes, and provided you’re able to carry out the occasional maintenance on them (or hire someone to do so), they can be pruned to grow up, outwards, be clipped, be loose and natural; the options are truly endless and there is a hedge for every scheme.

Like all great design ideas, hedges are nothing new. But beyond their visual uses, we have recently begun to appreciate their contribution to wildlife too. 50% of British hedgerows have been lost since WWII, of those remaining 60% are badly damaged. Hedges are essential wildlife corridors, both in urban and rural settings and while we look to the countryside to replenish their stock, it’s about time they made a comeback in our cities too. Hedges might remind us of rolling hills and countryside walks, but they have a place in city gardens, big and small. Because not only do they capture carbon, but they also are brilliant at improving air quality too.

Luckily, many garden designers are already aware of their aesthetic and benefits and contributions to biodiversity. Spring is the perfect time to see the beautiful hawthorn in full bloom. Hopefully the spring flower show will be full of inspiration for using hedges in small gardens, but in the meantime here’s a lowdown on when to plant them, advice on the best hedging options, maintenance tips and more.

When to plant a hedge

Any time between November to March is the perfect time to order and plant a new hedge, as bare root stock is available (meaning the plants are not supplied in containers but straight from the ground.) This is not only less expensive than buying hedging plants in the summer, but means that, as long as you plant before the end of winter, they will need less watering and should generally be more resilient. You can buy them in many different sizes too, depending on your budget and requirements.

Low maintenance hedges

I’m yet to meet a client who doesn’t want a ‘low maintenance’ garden, and hedges are no different. However, as long as you cut them back once or twice a year (an experienced gardener or good tree surgeon is your best bet if you need some help) there is little chance that your hedge will become a nuisance. 

How to care for a hedge

Again, hedges are brilliant low-maintenance solutions for all types of gardens. Just make sure to carry out the work at a time when birds aren’t using it for nesting. Winter is often best for hard pruning and then the rest depends on what species of hedge you have, when it flowers and so on. It’s also worth considering the conditions before you choose your hedge; thinking about what soil type you have, how much light your hedge will get, whether you’ll be able to water it in dry periods and so on.

Fast growing hedges

A mature hedge will quickly hide all manner of sins, but I’d always recommend thinking about what the hedge is going to look like and prioritising that over it’s speed of growth. Some of the quickest-growing hedges (like leylandii) are not necessarily the nicest.

Many common hedging plants like Prunus laurocerasus ‘Rotundifolia’ (Cherry laurel), Crataegus monogyna (Hawthorn), and Taxus baccata (Yew) all grow fairly quickly so would be good middle grounds. If you are in a real hurry for your hedge, consider investing in slightly more mature plants.

The best hedges for a long season of interest

For interest throughout the year, you can’t do better than the classic Carpinus betulus (Hornbeam) or Fagus sylvatica (Beech). Both are deciduous but in winter they cling on to the beautiful bronze leaves they’ve developed in autumn. Seeing the twiggy structure of a large hedge like this in winter is nothing short of beautiful.

Visit hedgelink.org for more hedge-growing tips.

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