Hedge Plants & Hedging Species A-Z

Hedge Plants & Hedging Species A-Z

Compare All Hedge Plants

Browse our complete range of hedge plants and hedging species for gardens, boundaries, privacy screening and landscaping projects. From evergreen and fast-growing hedges to native, flowering, formal and wildlife-friendly varieties, our A-Z guide makes it easy to compare different types of hedging and find the right plants for your site.

Choose a hedge species below to view available sizes, root types and prices, or explore our ranges by growing habit, planting purpose and root type.

Choose Hedge Plants for Your Garden

Not sure which hedge is right for you? Browse our privacy hedges for screening, evergreen hedges for year-round foliage, fast growing hedges for quicker coverage, or small and formal hedges for borders and edging.

For more natural planting, explore our native and wildlife hedging, or see our hedges for shady positions. You can also browse all hedge plants and varieties if you want to compare the full range.

  • Alder Hedge Plants (2)

    Alder Hedging is a fast growing, attractive hedging species that is highly tolerant of wet or waterlogged gardens and will also improve the quality of poor soil conditions.

    Prices from: £1.40
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  • Amelanchier Hedging Plants (1)

    Amelanchier lamarckii hedge, also known as Juneberry, is an attractive hedging species that provides interest year round and produces edible fruit that are a hit with birds and other wildlife.

    Prices from: £1.70
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  • Animal Friendly Hedging Plants (11)

    Animal friendly hedging plants help create safer, more useful garden boundaries for wildlife and pets. Choose dense, resilient hedge species that provide shelter, cover and habitat while avoiding unsuitable options where possible.

  • Beech Hedging Plants (3)

    Beech Hedging (Fagus Sylvatica) is one of the most popular hedging species due to its display of wonderfully bright green or purple, wavy foliage that turn stunning shades of coppery orange in the autumn.

    Prices from: £1.45
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  • Bird Friendly Hedging Plants (30)

    Bird friendly hedging plants provide valuable shelter, nesting cover and seasonal food for garden birds. Choose dense, wildlife-friendly hedge species that help create safe, attractive boundaries and support local biodiversity.

  • Blackthorn Hedging (1)

    Blackthorn Hedging, also known as Prunus spinosa is a popular thorny, deciduous hedge species that provides seasonal interest and produces sloes in the autumn that are a hit with birds and other wildlife.

    Prices from: £1.00
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  • Box Hedging Plants (1)

    Box Hedging also know as Buxus Sempervirens is one of the most commonly sold evergreen hedging species, with small, glossy dark green leaves its ideal for edging, topiary and formal hedges.

    Prices from: £2.25
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  • Coastal Hedging Plants (13)

    Coastal hedging plants are well suited to exposed gardens and sites affected by strong winds, salty air and challenging seaside conditions. Choose from evergreen, flowering and hardy hedge species that can provide reliable screening, shelter and structure in coastal locations.

  • Conifer Hedging Plants

    Conifer hedging plants provide evergreen colour, privacy and structure. Choose from fast-growing Leylandii, upright Thuja and traditional English Yew, with options for taller screening and neatly clipped garden boundaries.

  • Cotoneaster Hedge Plants (3)

    Cotoneaster Hedging, is an evergreen hedging species that provides seasonal interest, produces wildlife friendly berries and is perfect for coastal areas.

    Prices from: £14.95
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  • Dog Rose Hedging (1)

    Dog Rose or Wild Rose Hedging, also known as Rosa canina is a fast growing, thorny, attractive hedging species that provides seasonal interest and produces large orange and red hips that are a hit with birds

    Prices from: £1.40
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  • Dogwood Hedging (4)

    Dogwood Hedging, is an attractive hedging species that provides seasonal interest, with brightly coloured stems that offer a splash of colour in the winter and produces black berries that are a hit with birds and other wildlife.

    Prices from: £4.25
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  • Euonymus Hedging Plants (7)

    Euonymus Hedging is an attractive, evergreen hedging species, with variegated or dark green foliage and is an ideal choice for edging or low growing hedges.

    Prices from: £6.95
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  • Evergreen Hedging Plants (30)

    Create year round privacy and structure with our evergreen hedging plants. From classic evergreen hedge shrubs to evergreen screening plants and evergreen variegated shrubs, we stock reliable options for gardens large and small. Whether you’re choosing evergreen hedge plants UK growers trust, or looking for evergreen flowering hedges (an evergreen hedge with flowers), our evergreen hedges UK range delivers lasting colour, coverage, and easy care.

  • Field Maple Hedging Plants (1)

    Field Maple Hedging, also known as Acer campestre is a popular native, deciduous hedging species that has attractive green foliage that turn shades of yellow in the autumn.

    Prices from: £1.30
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  • Flowering Hedge Plants (32)

    Flowering hedge plants add colour, scent and wildlife value to your garden while still creating a practical boundary. Choose from fragrant, bee-friendly varieties and evergreen options for year-round coverage. UK-grown hedging available in multiple sizes, with delivery direct to your door.

  • Griselinia Hedge Plants (2)

    Griselinia Hedging, hedge is an excellent evergreen hedging species with attractive oval leaves which tolerates salt spray making it an excellent primary coastal barrier.

    Prices from: £12.95
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  • Guelder Rose Hedging (1)

    Guelder Rose Hedging, also known as Viburnum opulus is an attractive deciduous hedging species that provides seasonal interest and produces large clusters of wildlife friendly red berries.

    Prices from: £1.70
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  • Hawthorn Hedging (1)

    Hawthorn Hedging or Quickthorn, also known as Crataegus monogyna is an attractive, thorny, native deciduous hedging species that provides seasonal interest and produces red berries in the autumn that are vital to birds and other wildlife.

    Prices from: £1.20
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  • Hazel Hedging (1)

    Hazel Hedging, also known as Corylus avellana is an attractive, native, deciduous hedging species that produces edible fruit that are of vital importance to birds and other wildlife.

    Prices from: £1.35
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  • Hedge Plants for Wet Soil & Damp Ground (14)

    Hedge plants for wet soil and damp ground are selected to cope with moisture-retentive conditions where drainage may be slower. Choose reliable hedge species suited to wetter gardens, low-lying areas and damp boundaries.

  • Hedge Plants with Berries (19)

    Hedge plants with berries for colour, privacy & wildlife. Choose evergreen shrubs with red, orange or yellow berries, plus native hedging for UK gardens.

  • Hedging for Dry Sites (16)

    Drought tolerant hedge plants are suited to dry, free-draining and moisture-limited sites once established. Choose resilient hedging for sunny gardens, dry boundaries and areas where summer moisture can be limited.

  • Hedging for Shady Positions (17)

    Hedging for Shady Positions: tough hedges for shade for UK gardens. Find evergreen shrubs for shade plus Box, Yew, Holly & more for screening.

  • Hedging Plants for Clay Soil (30)

    Hedging plants for clay soil are selected to cope with heavier, moisture-retentive ground. Choose reliable hedge species suited to clay soils for garden boundaries, privacy screening and longer planting schemes.

  • Hedging Plants for Fences & Walls (37)

    Hedging plants for fences and walls are ideal for softening hard boundaries, adding privacy and creating a greener backdrop. Choose hedge species suited to planting alongside fences, walls and narrow garden edges.

  • Hedging Plants for Full Sun (36)

    Hedging plants for full sun are suited to bright, open positions with plenty of direct sunlight. Choose reliable hedge species that perform well in sunny gardens, exposed boundaries and warmer planting sites.

  • Hedging Plants for Sandy Soil (30)

    Hedging plants for sandy soil are suited to lighter, free-draining ground where moisture and nutrients can be limited. Choose reliable hedge species that establish well in sandy soils for gardens, boundaries and screening.

  • Holly Hedge Plants (1)

    Holly Hedging, also known as Ilex aquifolium is an attractive, native evergreen hedge plant that produces attractive red berries and makes a great intruder barrier.

    Prices from: £3.00
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  • Hornbeam Hedging Plants (2)

    Hornbeam hedging (Carpinus betulus) creates dense, traditional boundaries with strongly veined green foliage that turns yellow-gold in autumn. Although deciduous, regularly clipped Hornbeam often retains some dry brown leaves through winter, providing useful seasonal screening and structure. It is particularly well suited to heavy clay, moisture-retentive soils, colder sites and partial shade, and is often a better choice than Beech in more challenging conditions. Choose from bare-root, pot-grown and instant Hornbeam hedging, or Pleached Hornbeam where screening is needed above an existing wall or fence.

    Prices from: £1.30
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  • Laurel Hedging Plants (5)

    Laurel hedging is a highly popular, low-maintenance evergreen hedge plant that is great for creating a private space in your garden. Perfect for UK gardens, Laurel thrives in our temperate climate making it an ideal choice for a new hedge.

    Prices from: £1.90
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  • Leylandii Hedge Plants (2)

    Leylandii Hedging, is a vigorous, evergreen hedging species with fragrant, green or golden yellow foliage and is ideal for sound barriers, wind breaks and privacy screens.

    Prices from: £8.95
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  • Lonicera Hedge Plants (1)

    Lonicera Hedging, also known as Lonicera nitida or Box Leaf Honeysuckle is a dense, evergreen hedging species which is ideal for topiary and formal hedges, and is a great substitution to Box hedging.

    Prices from: £1.90
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  • Mixed Hedging Plants (7)

    Create a natural, species-rich hedge with one of our ready-made mixed hedging packs. Choose from wildlife mixes for gardens and countryside, horse-safe and thornless hedging, Countryside Stewardship BN11 mixes, or established Instant CountryHedge for immediate impact.

    Prices from: £9.24
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  • Native Mixed Hedge Plants (7)

    If you want a hedge with all year round visual interest and incredible wildlife value, take a look at our mixed native hedging packs. We’ve devised some great mixes for you to choose from depending on your budget, your lifestyle and your personal taste.

    Prices from: £7.00
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  • Noise Reducing Hedge Plants (17)

    Noise reducing hedge plants help soften traffic, road and neighbourhood noise while creating an attractive green boundary. Choose dense, leafy hedge species suited to privacy screening around gardens, homes and commercial sites.

  • Oleaster Hedge Plants (2)

    Oleaster Hedging, also know as Elaeagnus is an attractive, evergreen hedging species that provides seasonal interest, with attractive silvery green or variegated foliage and is perfect for coastal areas.

    Prices from: £19.95
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  • Osmanthus Hedge Plants (1)

    Osmanthus × burkwoodii is a slow-growing evergreen hedge plant with small, dark-green leaves and fragrant white flowers in spring. It suits neat garden boundaries and grows in sun or partial shade in well-drained soil.

    Prices from: £14.95
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  • Photinia Red Robin Hedging (2)

    Photinia Hedging, also known as Photinia x fraseri ‘Red Robin’ is a stunning evergreen hedging species that provides seasonal interest and is perfect for formal hedges.

    Prices from: £10.95
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  • Pittosporum Hedging

    Shop Pittosporum hedging plants for evergreen colour, screening and topiary. Buy direct from our established family-run nursery with UK delivery.

  • Privet Hedging Plants (3)

    Privet hedging plants are fast-growing, versatile hedges for privacy, formal boundaries and garden screening. Choose Common Privet, Golden Privet or native Wild Privet in a range of sizes and root types.

    Prices from: £1.50
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  • Pyracantha Hedge Plants (3)

    Pyracantha Hedging, is an attractive, extremely spiky, evergreen hedging species that offers seasonal interest and produces masses of red, orange or yellow berries that are a hit with birds and other wildlife.

    Prices from: £15.95
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  • Slow Growing Hedge Plants

    Slow Growing Hedge Plants for tidy, low maintenance borders. Shop Box, Yew, Euonymus, Osmanthus & Holly, ideal low hedges and small hedging plants.

  • Star Jasmine Plants (1)

    Buy Star Jasmine plants, also known as Trachelospermum jasminoides, directly from our established family-run nursery. This fragrant evergreen climber is ideal for sheltered walls, fences, arches, trellis and pergolas in suitable UK gardens.

  • Thuja Hedge Plants (2)

    Thuja Hedging, also known as Thuja plicata is a fairly vigorous, evergreen hedging species which is ideal for privacy screens, wind breaks and sound barriers and is a great alternative to Leylandii.

    Prices from: £19.95
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  • Viburnum Hedge Plants (1)

    Viburnum tinus hedge is a winter flowering evergreen form of hedging. Its dense bushy form has dark shiny leaves that shows off scented flowers in the winter months.

    Prices from: £14.95
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  • Windbreak Hedging for Windy & Exposed Sites (29)

    Windbreak hedging plants are selected for windy and exposed sites where shelter and screening are important. Choose tough, resilient hedge species suited to open gardens, coastal locations and exposed boundaries.

  • Yew Hedging (1)

    Yew Hedging, also known as Taxus baccata is a popular, native, evergreen hedging species which ideal for privacy screen, formal hedges and topiary.

    Prices from: £3.20
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Gwynne Bodsworth, founder and grower at Hedging Plants Direct
Expert nursery advice

Gwynne's Grower's Tip

When we help someone choose a hedge, I normally start with the site rather than the plant they like best. Look at drainage after rain, sun or shade, exposure and the width available for the finished hedge. Once those are clear, decide whether winter privacy, fast coverage, wildlife value or a formal finish matters most. Only then choose the root type and starting size. A smaller plant of a species that suits the ground will usually make a better hedge than a larger plant struggling in the wrong conditions. For a long boundary, check conditions along the whole planting line, not just one planting hole.
Helpful next steps

Expert growing advice

Browse all Q&A

Which Types of Hedge Plants Are Right for You?

Choosing the right hedge plant depends on the purpose of the hedge, the growing conditions and the amount of maintenance you are comfortable with. Before ordering, consider the height you want the hedge to reach, whether you need year-round privacy and how quickly you would like it to establish.

You should also check the soil, drainage, available sunlight and exposure at the planting site. Some hedge plants tolerate wet ground or shade, while others are better suited to well-drained soil, full sun or coastal conditions.

Evergreen Hedge Plants for Privacy

Evergreen hedge plants retain their foliage throughout the year, making them a popular choice for privacy, screening and clearly defined garden boundaries.

Popular evergreen species include Laurel, Yew, Privet, Griselinia, Photinia Red Robin, Holly and Euonymus. Growth rates and eventual heights vary considerably, so check the individual species and product information before deciding.

Faster-growing hedges can create coverage more quickly but generally need more frequent trimming. Slower-growing varieties may take longer to establish but can be easier to maintain as formal or compact hedges.

Deciduous and Native Hedge Plants

Deciduous hedging loses some or all of its leaves during winter but can provide attractive spring growth, autumn colour, flowers, berries and seasonal interest.

Native hedge plants such as Hawthorn, Blackthorn, Hazel, Field Maple and Dog Rose are well suited to traditional garden boundaries, rural planting schemes and wildlife-friendly hedgerows.

Beech and Hornbeam are also popular deciduous choices. They often retain some dry foliage during winter when regularly trimmed as a hedge, helping to provide additional seasonal screening.

Flowering and Wildlife-Friendly Hedging

Flowering hedge plants add colour and interest while still creating a practical garden boundary. Depending on the species, they may also provide nectar, fruit, berries or shelter for birds and insects.

Options include Hawthorn, Dog Rose, Guelder Rose, Pyracantha, Cotoneaster and flowering evergreen shrubs. A mixed native hedge can combine several species to create a more varied boundary with a longer season of interest.

Formal and Low-Growing Hedge Plants

Compact hedge plants are useful for edging paths, dividing areas of a garden and creating neat formal boundaries.

Box has traditionally been used for low hedging and topiary, while alternatives include Euonymus, Lonicera nitida, Yew and other small-leaved evergreen plants. Consider the mature height and annual growth rate when choosing a hedge that needs to remain low and tidy.

Hedge Plants for Exposed or Difficult Sites

Some sites require tougher hedge plants that can cope with shade, wet soil, strong winds or coastal exposure.

Hornbeam and Alder can be useful where the soil is heavier or retains more moisture. Griselinia, Elaeagnus and some Cotoneaster varieties may be suitable for exposed and coastal gardens.

The conditions can vary even within the same garden, so check the requirements of each species carefully before planting.


Choose Hedge Plants by Root Type

Many hedge species are available in more than one root type. The best option will depend on the season, your budget, the size of the project and how quickly you want the hedge to provide coverage.

Bare Root Hedging Plants

Bare root hedge plants are field-grown and supplied without pots during the dormant planting season. They are often a practical and economical option for longer hedge lines, native hedging and larger planting schemes.

Browse the full range of bare root hedge plants.

Bare root plants should be protected from drying out and planted promptly after delivery.

Pot-Grown Hedge Plants

Pot-grown hedge plants are supplied with their roots established in compost. They can normally be planted across a wider part of the year, provided the ground is workable and adequate watering can be maintained.

Browse all pot grown hedge plants.

They are available in a range of sizes and are suitable for new hedges, replacing gaps and planting outside the traditional bare root season.

Root Ball Hedging Plants

Root ball plants are field-grown and lifted with soil around their root systems during the dormant season. They are generally larger than young bare root plants and can provide greater initial height and impact.

View our range of root ball hedge plants.

Careful handling, thorough ground preparation and regular watering are especially important when establishing larger root ball plants.

Instant Hedging

Instant hedging is supplied in established sections, usually grown to create a more immediate hedge after planting. It is useful where privacy, screening or a finished appearance is required without waiting for smaller plants to grow together.

Explore instant hedging options.

Instant hedging needs properly prepared ground and dependable irrigation during establishment.


Preparing the Ground for Hedge Plants

Good preparation gives new hedge plants the best chance of establishing successfully. Remove weeds and grass from the planting area, loosen compacted soil and prepare a trench or planting holes wide enough for the roots to spread naturally.

Avoid planting into waterlogged or heavily compacted ground. Where necessary, improve the surrounding soil before planting rather than placing the roots into a narrow pocket of compost.

Using Rootgrow and Hedge Planting Compost

Apply Rootgrow mycorrhizal fungi at planting, following the product instructions and making sure it comes into direct contact with the roots.

Hedge Planting Compost can be incorporated where the existing soil needs additional organic matter or improved structure. Mix it with the surrounding soil rather than planting into undiluted compost alone.

After positioning the plants, backfill carefully, firm the soil gently around the roots and water the full planting area thoroughly.

Rabbit Protection for Young Hedge Plants

Rabbits can cause serious damage to the stems and bark of young hedge plants, particularly on rural sites, field boundaries and gardens where rabbits are already present.

Fit suitable spiral guards or other rabbit protection when planting vulnerable young hedging. Browse our range of rabbit protection products.

Support guards with garden canes where needed and check them periodically as the plants grow.

Protection should remain upright without rubbing against or restricting the stems.

Watering and Hedge Irrigation

Newly planted hedge plants need consistent watering while their roots establish. Water slowly and thoroughly so moisture reaches the full depth of the root zone rather than only wetting the soil surface.

Long hedge lines can be difficult and time-consuming to water evenly by hand. A hedge irrigation system or porous pipe can help distribute water more consistently along the planting area.

Check the soil regularly instead of relying on rainfall alone. Sandy soils can dry quickly, while heavier soils retain moisture for longer and should not be allowed to become waterlogged.

Applying Hedge Feed After Planting

Once the plants have settled and are beginning to establish, Hedge Feed can be applied according to the product instructions to provide nutrients for continued growth.

Avoid placing concentrated fertiliser directly against exposed roots during planting. Feeding should complement good soil preparation and regular watering rather than replace them.


Buy Hedge Plants Direct from Our Family-Run Nursery

Hedging Plants Direct supplies retail, trade and commercial customers with hedge plants for gardens, landscaping projects, estates and larger planting schemes.

Browse the species above to learn more about each type of hedging and view the available products. For a complete list of individual sizes and varieties, visit our full hedge plants catalogue.

Our nursery team can also help with species selection, planting quantities, root types and the accessories needed to establish your new hedge.