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

Root Ball Hedging Plants

Shop root ball hedging plants for gardens, trade and commercial projects. Buy direct from our established family-run nursery with delivery across the UK.

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.
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
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Helpful next steps

Planting and planning help

Browse all Q&A
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.