Root Ball Hedging Plants
Field-grown • Seasonal • Larger sizes

Root Ball Hedging Plants

Buy root ball hedging directly from our established family-run nursery. Our seasonal range includes larger, field-grown hedge plants for garden boundaries, privacy screening, landscaping and commercial planting projects.

Buy Root Ball Hedging Direct from the Nursery

Root ball hedging offers a practical way to plant larger, more established hedge plants without the cost normally associated with similarly sized pot-grown stock.

We supply retail, trade and commercial customers throughout the UK, from homeowners planting a new garden hedge to landscapers and contractors working on larger projects. Browse the available species and sizes above or contact our nursery team if you need help selecting plants for a particular site.

If you are still choosing the variety rather than the starting size, compare our range of hedge plants by species and growing characteristics.

Choose the right root type

Root ball hedging is ideal when you want larger seasonal plants. If timing, budget or immediate coverage matters more, compare the alternatives below.
Bare rootUsually the most economical choice for long hedge runs and larger quantities of younger plants during the dormant planting season.Pot grownBest when you need a wider planting window, easier handling or sizes that can be ordered outside the root ball season.Instant hedgingChoose established hedge sections when immediate coverage and a more finished appearance matter more than keeping the initial cost down.
  • SALEBox hedging plantsBox Hedge(Buxus Sempervirens)Box hedge is a dense, slow growing species, it has small glossy green leaves and a compact growing habit, which makes it ideal for formal hedges and topiary.EvergreenSlow 10-20cm per yearBare RootRoot BalledPot GrownPrice From £18.75 per plantShop now
  • SALECherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus)Cherry Laurel HedgePrunus laurocerasus RotundifoliaCherry Laurel is a hugely popular vigorous, dense evergreen hedge with large glossy bright green leaves that is perfect for reducing road noise and providing privacy.EvergreenFast 30-60cm per yearBare RootRoot BalledPot GrownInstant HedgingPrice From £20.95 per plantShop now
  • SALEPrivet Hedging Plants (Ligustrum ovalifolium)Common Privet HedgeLigustrum ovalifoliumCommon Privet is a popular form of evergreen / semi evergreen hedge. Very fast growing with dark green ovate leaves and lovely white flowers that are produced in…FloweringFast 30-60cm per yearBare RootRoot BalledPot GrownInstant HedgingPrice From £23.95 per plantShop now
  • SALEEnglish Holly hedging plantsEnglish Holly HedgeIlex aquifoliumEnglish Holly is an attractive, native evergreen hedging plant with spiky glossy green foliage and produces white flowers in the spring.EvergreenSlow 10-20cm per yearRoot BalledPot GrownInstant HedgingPrice From £34.95 per plantShop now
  • SALEEnglish Yew hedging plantsEnglish Yew HedgeTaxus baccataEnglish Yew (Taxus baccata) is a dense, native evergreen hedging plant with fine, dark green foliage. It clips beautifully into formal hedges, grows in sun or shade and…EvergreenMedium 20-40cm per yearBare RootRoot BalledPot GrownInstant HedgingPrice From £24.95 per plantShop now
  • SALEHawthorn hedging plantsHawthorn HedgeCrataegus monogynaHawthorn, Quickthorn, Whitethorn or May Hedging also known as Crataegus monogyna is a popular thorny, deciduous hedging species that provides seasonal interest, with pure white flowers in the…DeciduousMedium 20-40cm per yearBare RootRoot BalledPot GrownPrice From £49.95 per plantShop now
  • SALEPortuguese Laurel hedging plantsPortuguese Laurel Hedging PlantsPrunus lusitanicaPortuguese Laurel is a dense evergreen hedge with glossy, dark green pointed foliage on red stems that is perfect for reducing road noise and providing privacy.Colourful FoliageMedium 20-40cm per yearBare RootRoot BalledPot GrownInstant HedgingPrice From £25.95 per plantShop now
  • SALEUpright Laurel hedging plantsUpright Laurel HedgePrunus laur. 'Caucasica'Upright Laurel is a dense, upright evergreen hedge with large glossy dark green foliage that is perfect for reducing road noise, providing privacy and screening.EvergreenFast 30-60cm per yearRoot BalledPot GrownPrice From £17.95 per plantShop now
Gwynne Bodsworth, founder and grower at Hedging Plants Direct
Expert nursery advice

Expert nursery advice on choosing root ball hedging

If a customer wants a taller hedge without paying pot-grown prices for the same size, root ball is often where I would start. The important thing is to plan around the season and the physical size of the plants. Larger root balls are heavy, so think about delivery access and how the plants will be moved from the pallet to the planting line before ordering. I would also avoid choosing root ball simply because it sounds 'instant'. It gives you more height and presence from day one, but the hedge still needs time to knit together. If you need a finished screen immediately or need to plant outside the dormant season, instant or pot-grown stock may suit the job better.
Gwynne BodsworthHedging & Nursery Expert
Ask our nursery team →

Explore related hedge categories

View all species
Evergreen Hedging PlantsEvergreen Hedging PlantsLeylandii HedgingFast Growing HedgesCherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus)Laurel Hedging PlantsHedging for PrivacyPrivacy Hedge Plants
Helpful next steps

Growing Advice for Root Ball Hedging Plants

Browse all Q&A
Established Laurel hedge with glossy evergreen foliageCare GuideLaurel Hedging Care Guide: Planting, Spacing and PruningLaurel Hedging Care Guide: Planting, Spacing and Pruning Laurel hedging establishes best when you choose the right type for the site, plant it at the same depth it…Read care guide Euonymus Green Spire forming a low evergreen hedgeCare GuideEuonymus Hedging Care Guide: Planting, Spacing and PruningEuonymus Hedging Care Guide: Planting, Spacing and Pruning Euonymus hedging grows best in moist but well-drained soil, with thorough watering during establishment and light pruning suited to the…Read care guide Thuja Hedging - Western Red CedarCare GuideThuja Hedge Care Guide: Planting, Spacing & PruningPractical UK advice for planting, spacing, watering, feeding, pruning and maintaining Thuja hedging, including Western Red Cedar, White Cedar ‘Smaragd’ and common causes of brown foliage.Read care guide Care GuideBox Hedging Care Guide: Planting, Spacing and PruningBox Hedging Care Guide: Planting, Spacing and Pruning Box hedging grows best in moist but well-drained soil, with enough airflow to let the foliage dry quickly, regular establishment…Read care guide Hawthorn hedging plantsCare GuideHawthorn Hedge Care Guide: Planting, Spacing and PruningPlanting, spacing, watering and pruning advice for hawthorn hedging.Read care guide Care GuideHolly Hedging Care Guide: Planting, Spacing and PruningHolly Hedging Care Guide: Planting, Spacing and Pruning English Holly hedging grows best in moist but well-drained soil, with careful watering while the roots establish and light, well-timed…Read care guide
Bare Root HedgingQ&AHow to Plant a HedgeLearn how you can easily plant a hedge with our comprehensive step-by-step guide. From picking the right species to planting techniques and after care.Read answer How far apart should hedge plants be?Q&AHow Far Apart Should Hedge Plants Be?The correct distance between hedge plants depends on the species, supplied size, root type and whether they are being planted in a single or staggered double row. This…Read answer

What Is Root Ball Hedging?

Root ball hedge plants are grown in open ground before being carefully lifted with a ball of soil retained around their roots. The root ball is normally secured with hessian and, on larger plants, may also be supported by a wire basket.

Keeping soil around the root system helps protect the plant while it is lifted, handled and transported. Root balled hedging is particularly useful when you want plants that are larger and more established than many bare root alternatives.

Why Choose Root Balled Hedging?

Larger, More Established Plants

Root ball hedging is generally available in larger sizes, making it a useful choice when you want to create structure, screening or a more substantial new boundary.

Although a newly planted hedge will still require time to fill out and establish, starting with larger plants can provide more immediate height and presence than smaller hedging stock.

Good Value for Larger Planting Projects

Root balled hedge plants can offer good value when compared with pot-grown plants of a similar size. They are therefore worth considering for longer hedge lines, landscaping schemes, housing developments and other projects requiring larger quantities.

Pack sizes and quantity discounts may be available on selected products. Please check the individual product listings for current prices and availability.

A Choice of Evergreen and Deciduous Species

Our seasonal root ball range may include evergreen and deciduous hedging plants in a selection of heights.

Evergreen choices such as Portuguese Laurel, English Yew and Western Red Cedar can provide year-round foliage and screening. Other options, including Privet, Box, Holly and Euonymus, can be suitable for formal hedges, garden boundaries and decorative planting.

Availability varies according to the species, size, season and lifting conditions, so please refer to the products shown above for the current range.

Choosing the Right Root Balled Hedge

Root Ball Hedging for Privacy

For privacy and screening, consider a dense-growing evergreen species that can be maintained at your required height and width.

Portuguese Laurel, Cherry Laurel, Upright Laurel, English Yew and Western Red Cedar are among the choices that may be available as root balled plants. Before ordering, consider the eventual hedge height, available planting space, soil conditions and the amount of annual maintenance required.

Root Balled Hedging for Formal Gardens

Plants with compact foliage and a good response to clipping are well suited to formal garden designs.

English Yew, Box and Euonymus can be used to create neatly maintained hedges, depending on the required height and growing conditions. Check the individual product page to confirm whether the species is suitable for your position and soil type.

Hedging for Trade and Commercial Projects

We supply root ball hedging for domestic gardens, landscaping work and commercial planting projects.

For larger orders, please contact us with the total hedge length, preferred height, planting location and required delivery period. Our nursery team can help you calculate quantities and identify suitable options from the available stock.

When Is Root Ball Hedging Available?

Root ball hedging is normally lifted and supplied during the dormant season, generally from autumn through to early spring. Exact dates depend on the species, weather and ground conditions.

Plants may be made available to pre-order before the lifting season begins. The availability information on each product listing will show whether a size is currently in season, available to pre-order or out of season.

Once delivered, root balled plants should be planted promptly and should not be allowed to dry out.

How to Plant Root Ball Hedging

Prepare the planting area before delivery by removing weeds and digging a trench or individual planting holes wide enough to accommodate the root balls comfortably.

Position each plant at approximately the same depth at which it was previously growing. Backfill around the root ball with the excavated soil, firm gently and water thoroughly.

Natural hessian is normally left around the root ball when planting, although any material tied tightly around the stem should be loosened. Always remove non-biodegradable packaging and follow any instructions supplied with the plants.

Apply a suitable Hedge Bio Mulch after planting, keeping it away from direct contact with the stems. Continue watering during dry conditions, particularly throughout the first growing season.