Instant Hedging Plants for Immediate Screening

What Is Instant Hedging?

Instant hedging consists of mature plants that have been grown closely together and trained to form an established section of hedge before being lifted or removed from their growing container.

Many instant hedges are supplied in sections approximately one metre wide, although dimensions vary between products. Check the individual product page carefully for the width, height, root type and recommended number of units per metre.

Unlike a row of individual young plants, an instant hedge provides a more continuous appearance immediately after installation. The exact level of screening will depend on the species, height, time of year and density of the product selected.

Why Choose Instant Hedge Plants?

Immediate Height and Structure

The main benefit of instant hedging is the immediate visual effect.

A ready-grown hedge can quickly define a boundary, divide areas within a garden or add structure to a newly landscaped space. It can also reduce the waiting time normally required for smaller plants to grow together.

Instant does not necessarily mean completely solid or fully private in every situation. Deciduous varieties may lose foliage in winter, and the amount of coverage will vary between species and sizes.

A More Established Appearance

Instant hedging plants are grown and clipped before sale, helping the individual stems and branches form a more unified section.

This can create a neater and more established finish than planting separate young plants, particularly where appearance is important from the outset.

Suitable for Gardens and Larger Projects

Instant hedges can be used for domestic gardens, new developments, schools, commercial properties and landscaping schemes.

They are particularly useful where a boundary needs to look established quickly or where a project cannot wait several growing seasons for smaller plants to fill out.

We supply retail, trade and commercial customers. Please contact us for help with larger quantities, delivery planning or calculating the number of hedge units required.

Choosing the Right Instant Hedge

The best instant hedge will depend on the planting position, soil, required height, available width and the amount of maintenance you are prepared to carry out.

Evergreen Instant Hedging

Evergreen instant hedging retains foliage throughout the year and is often chosen for boundaries where consistent screening is important.

For a finer-leaved, more formal appearance, Portuguese Laurel instant hedging is another evergreen option. Its smaller, darker green leaves and attractive reddish stems offer a different look from Cherry Laurel. Check the available heights and instant hedging options on the product page before ordering.

Cherry Laurel instant hedging is a strong choice where immediate evergreen screening, broad glossy foliage and year-round privacy are the main priorities.

Before ordering, check the expected mature height and width of the species. Faster-growing evergreens may provide vigorous growth but normally require more frequent trimming to control their size.

Deciduous Instant Hedging

Deciduous varieties provide an established structure and attractive seasonal changes.

Beech and Hornbeam can retain some dry foliage through winter when regularly maintained as a hedge, but they should not be described as fully evergreen. The amount of winter coverage will vary according to the plant and conditions.

Mixed Native Instant Hedging

Mixed native instant hedging combines several complementary species within a ready-grown section.

It can be used to create a more natural-looking boundary with varied foliage, flowers, berries and seasonal interest. Our Instant CountryHedge is supplied in pre-clipped units containing a mixture of native hedging species.

Instant Hedging for Privacy

For privacy, consider the plant’s current height and density as well as its eventual size.

An evergreen species normally provides the most consistent year-round foliage, while taller sections can offer greater initial coverage. Check that the available planting space is wide enough for the selected hedge once it matures.

Instant Hedging Compared with Other Root Types

Instant hedging offers the greatest initial impact, but it is generally more expensive and heavier to handle than smaller hedge plants.

Instant Hedging

Instant hedge plants provide immediate height, structure and a more continuous appearance. They are suitable when the finished look of the boundary is important from the start.

Root Ball Hedging

Root ball hedge plants are field-grown and lifted with soil retained around their roots. They are often available in larger sizes and can provide significant initial height, but they are not usually trained into continuous pre-grown sections.

Pot Grown Hedging

Pot-grown hedge plants offer flexibility over planting times and are available in a wide range of species and sizes. Taller pot-grown plants can provide good initial height but will normally need time to grow together.

Bare Root Hedging

Bare root plants are the most economical choice for many longer hedge lines but are seasonal and usually provide less immediate coverage. They are best suited to customers who are prepared to allow the hedge time to establish and fill out.

Planning for Delivery and Installation

Instant hedge units can be large and heavy. Check the dimensions and weight information on the individual product page before ordering.

Consider how the delivery vehicle will access the property and how the plants will be moved from the unloading point to the planting area. Larger units may require two or more people, suitable lifting equipment or help from a professional landscaper.

Prepare the planting trench before delivery wherever possible. This reduces the amount of time the plants remain above ground and allows installation to begin promptly.

How to Plant Instant Hedging

Prepare the Planting Trench

Remove weeds, grass, old roots and building debris from the planting line.

Dig a continuous trench that is wider than the root system or trough. Loosen compacted soil at the base and sides with a garden fork to help drainage and encourage roots to grow into the surrounding ground.

The finished planting depth should allow the top of the existing root system or growing medium to sit approximately level with the surrounding soil. Planting too deeply can cause problems around the stems, while planting too shallowly can expose the roots.

Improve the Soil with Hedge Planting Compost

Where the existing soil would benefit from improvement, mix Hedge Planting Compost with the excavated soil before backfilling.

Our peat free Hedge Planting Compost is a soil conditioner and improver that can help improve soil structure. It should be mixed with the existing soil rather than used to fill the entire trench on its own.

Avoid creating a small pocket of rich compost surrounded by heavily compacted ground. The roots need to be encouraged to grow beyond the original planting trench.

Apply Rootgrow When Planting

Apply Rootgrow mycorrhizal fungi at the time of planting, following the quantity and application instructions supplied with the product.

Rootgrow needs to come into direct contact with the roots. Apply it to the base and sides of the prepared trench immediately before positioning the instant hedge units.

Rootgrow is used once during planting. It supports the relationship between the roots and beneficial mycorrhizal fungi, but it does not replace correct planting, suitable soil or regular watering.

Remove the Trough or Packaging

Remove plastic pots, fabric troughs and other non-biodegradable packaging before planting.

Some products may be supplied with biodegradable wrapping or material that can remain around the roots. Always follow the instructions supplied with the individual hedge rather than assuming that every type of wrapping should be removed.

Handle the root section carefully and avoid lifting the unit solely by its stems or foliage.

Position and Backfill the Hedge

Position the first section upright in the trench and check its depth and alignment before adding the remaining units.

Place adjoining sections close enough to create a continuous line, following the spacing stated on the product page. Do not force the root systems together or bury the stems to compensate for an uneven trench.

Backfill around the roots using the prepared soil and Hedge Planting Compost mixture. Firm the soil carefully to remove large air pockets while keeping the sections upright.

Water thoroughly immediately after planting.

Irrigation for Newly Planted Instant Hedges

Regular watering is one of the most important parts of establishing instant hedging.

Mature hedge sections carry considerably more foliage than small plants and can lose moisture quickly during warm, dry or windy weather. The full root zone must be watered thoroughly rather than wetting only the soil surface.

A porous pipe or drip irrigation line can make it easier to water evenly along the full length of the hedge. Position the irrigation close to the root zone and test the system before covering or mulching the planting area.

The amount and frequency of watering will depend on the weather, species, soil type and size of the plants. Sandy soils may dry quickly, while heavy soils hold moisture for longer and can become waterlogged if overwatered.

Check the soil regularly and do not rely solely on light rainfall. Continue watering through dry periods during the first growing season and for longer where conditions require it.

Protecting Instant Hedging from Rabbits

Consider the risk of rabbit or other grazing damage before planting, particularly in rural locations, open gardens and commercial sites.

Rabbits can browse lower foliage and damage young stems. Individual guards and canes may be suitable for exposed stems or younger plants, while temporary rabbit fencing may be more practical around dense instant hedge sections.

The correct plant protection will depend on the species, unit format and level of pressure at the site. Guards should be secured properly and checked regularly to make sure they do not rub against or restrict the stems.

Where deer or livestock are present, more substantial fencing may be needed.

Feeding Instant Hedging After Planting

Once the hedge is planted, apply Hedge Feed according to the instructions on the packaging.

Our granular Hedge Feed has a balanced NPK analysis of 7-7-7. Spread it evenly over the soil around the root area, keeping concentrated granules away from direct contact with the stems and roots.

Water the area thoroughly after feeding. Do not exceed the recommended application rate, as additional fertiliser will not compensate for insufficient watering, poor drainage or unsuitable planting conditions.

Further applications should follow the product instructions and take account of the plant species, soil and time of year.

Instant Hedge Aftercare

Keep the soil around the hedge free from grass and weeds while the plants establish. These can compete with the new hedge for moisture and nutrients.

Applying mulch can help retain soil moisture and suppress weed growth. Leave a small gap around the stems and avoid piling mulch directly against the base of the plants.

Check the alignment of the sections after strong winds and firm the soil again if necessary. Exposed or particularly tall hedges may need temporary support, depending on the product and location.

Trim the hedge at a suitable time for the chosen species. Light, regular maintenance will help preserve the dense, shaped appearance developed before planting.