In the right planting season, young trees and shrubs get the best start, allowing them to grow deep roots before putting on strong top growth. But timing is everything when putting up a new hedge. The wrong planting season can cause problems with the plants’ ability to grow tall and provide privacy.
Key Timing Considerations
The ideal hedge planting time depends on
- Plant type – Evergreen, deciduous, bare root or container grown
- Local climate and weather patterns
- Preparing and amending the soil
- Providing protection from wind and frost
Paying attention to these factors ensures your new hedge gets off to the healthiest start possible. Here is an overview of the best times to plant various types of hedging.
Bare Root Hedging
Bare root hedge plants have their soil washed off before shipping. This allows easy inspection of the roots before planting. Common bare root hedging species include beech, hornbeam, hazel, hawthorn, blackthorn and many fruit trees.
The prime bare root planting window is:
- Mid to late autumn – October through December
- Early spring – February to March
Avoid planting bare root hedges in summer when hot, dry conditions put extra stress on new transplants. Also steer clear of winter months when the ground may be frozen or waterlogged.
Rootballed Evergreens
Many evergreen hedges like yew, boxwood, laurel and photinia are sold rootballed. This means their roots are balled in burlap or other material. Rootballed plants can be planted in:
- Early autumn – September and October
- Spring – April and May
The soil is still warm enough during these periods to encourage quick root growth before winter dormancy or summer heat sets in.
Container Grown Hedges
Hedging plants in pots that already have roots can be planted whenever the ground isn’t frozen and can be worked. But if you want the best results, the best way to plant bare root and rootballed plants is to follow the instructions. Make sure to water your container plants often, whether it’s hot outside or cold outside.
Prepare the Soil Well in Advance
No matter what time of year you want to plant, getting the soil ready a few weeks ahead of time gives you the best growing base. Steps for great soil prep:
- Loosen soil to 12-18 inches depth
- Remove weeds, rocks and debris
- Mix in aged manure, compost and organic fertilizer
- Create raised planting beds in wet areas
Amending heavy clay or sandy soils improves drainage and nutrition.
Provide Temporary Wind Shelter
Newly planted hedges benefit from wind protection while roots establish. To make a protected area, drive strong stakes into the ground and attach burlap, shade cloth, or flexible fencing.
Follow Up Care After Planting
Proper aftercare ensures your new hedge thrives:
- Water deeply and regularly the first 2 years
- Apply mulch around bases to conserve moisture
- Stake large trees to prevent wind damage
- Weed and loosen soil to improve drainage
- Prune lightly in early years to promote dense growth
By planting your hedge during the ideal season and providing attentive aftercare, you’ll soon be rewarded with a lush, beautiful living boundary!
How to plant a hedge
Planting and caring for a new hedge is very similar to that for any new tree or shrub. Good soil preparation beforehand will give your hedge the best start in life.
- To get the ground ready, dig a strip 60–90 cm (2–3ft) wide and one spit (or spade blade) deep.
- Remove weeds using non-chemical control methods
- Soils that get too wet in the winter might need a permanent drainage system. Or, to plant, make a ridge in the ground about 6 to 8 inches high and 50 to 70 cm (20 to 28 in) wide.
Do not add organic matter to the bottom of the trench as it decomposes causing the shrub to sink.
- When putting up boundary hedges, they should be set back a little (e g. 90cm/3ft) from the boundary line. This will give the hedge time to grow before it gets too big and starts to block the sidewalk or a neighbor’s yard.
- The distance between plants in a row can be anywhere from 30 to 60 cm (1 to 2 feet), depending on how big the hedge needs to be and how strong the plants are. If you want a hedge that is more than 90 cm (3ft) tall, plant two rows 45 cm (18in) apart, with plants 90 cm (3ft) apart.
- Cut back roots that are hurt to healthy growth with an old pair of secateurs or a sharp knife.
- Spread out the roots, ensuring the planting depth is correct. The point where the roots come out from the stem should be level with the soil around it. To see this point on plants grown in containers, scrape the compost off the top of the root ball.
- Sand or heavy clay soils should have organic matter mixed in with the hole-dug soil. This can be garden compost or a special tree and shrub planting mix. Spread it out on top of the soil and use a fork to mix it into the top 25 cm (10 in) of soil.
- Firm the plants down so that the soil is close to the roots and work it between the roots. Water if the soil is dry.
- Mulch to a depth of 7. 5cm (3in) after planting to prevent weeds.
- For the next two years, make sure plants get enough water when it’s dry.
- Sprinkle a general-purpose fertilizer like Growmore 70g per sq m (2oz per sq yd) on top of the soil once a year, and reapply mulch as needed.
- Keep the hedge and 45cm (18in) on each side weed-free
When to plant a hedge
- For evergreen and semi-evergreen hedges, early fall is the best time to plant plants like box, privet (semi-evergreen), and yew. But you can plant them at any time between late fall and late winter.
- Hedge plants that lose their leaves in the fall: plant beech, hawthorn, and hornbeam at any time. This is typically from mid-autumn until late winter.
In all cases, planting is best delayed until the soil can be worked easily, especially if the ground is frozen or waterlogged.
If you can’t plant right away, keep the plants in a shed that won’t freeze and cover their roots with wet straw, paper, potting compost, and a plastic sheet. This will prevent them drying out. Alternatively, they can be temporarily planted very close together in a trench, with their roots covered in at least 20cm (8in) of soil (this is called heeling-in).
When is the Best Time to Plant Shrubs and Trees?
FAQ
What time of year is best to plant hedges?
Bare root hedging should be planted between mid-October and the end of March. Rootballed evergreens are best planted from the start of September to mid-October or from the beginning of April to mid-May. Before you plant your new hedges, make sure the soil is well prepared. This will help them grow well.
What is the fastest growing hedge to plant?
English laurel (or Cherry Laurel) can make an enormous fast-growing hedge. Under the right conditions, it can grow up to 3 feet per year!.
What is the rule for planting hedges?
Then, use the rule of thirds and plant your shrubs 1/3 as far apart as your intended height. This may sound close, but that’s exactly what this type of hedge is. Example: If your hedge is 5 feet tall, plant your shrubs about 1. 7 feet apart. If they’re going to be 9 feet tall, plant them 3 feet apart.