Hornbeam Hedge
Carpinus betulus
Hornbeam Hedge (Carpinus betulus) is a hardy deciduous hedge plant for traditional boundaries, privacy screening and challenging sites. Its strongly veined green leaves turn yellow-gold in autumn, and regularly clipped hedges often retain some dry brown foliage into winter. Hornbeam is particularly dependable on heavier clay and moisture-retentive soils and tolerates partial shade. Choose from bare-root, pot-grown and instant Hornbeam hedge plants, with live sizes, planting densities, availability and prices shown below.
- Dense traditional screening
- Strong choice for heavier clay
- Tolerates partial shade
- Bare-root, pot-grown & instant
Key product facts
Hornbeam Hedge Root Types
Choose from our range of Hornbeam Hedge sizes and root types below.
Bare root Hornbeam hedging
Availability
- In Season
- Pre Order
- Out Of Season
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Choose your height
Pick a height to see the relevant single-plant and bulk-buy options.
40-60cm
- Bare RootSingle plants£1.15
£1.15 per plant
- Bulk savingPack of 50Save 2%Original price was: £57.50.£56.06Current price is: £56.06.
£1.12 per plant
- Bulk savingPack of 100Save 4%Original price was: £115.00.£109.25Current price is: £109.25.
£1.09 per plant
- Bulk savingPack of 250Save 10%Original price was: £287.50.£258.75Current price is: £258.75.
£1.04 per plant
- Bulk savingPack of 500Save 12%Original price was: £575.00.£503.13Current price is: £503.13.
£1.01 per plant
- Bulk savingPack of 1000Save 15%Original price was: £1,150.00.£977.50Current price is: £977.50.
£0.98 per plant
60-90cm
- Bare RootSingle plants£2.10
£2.10 per plant
- Bulk savingPack of 50Save 2%Original price was: £105.00.£102.38Current price is: £102.38.
£2.05 per plant
- Bulk savingPack of 100Save 5%Original price was: £210.00.£199.50Current price is: £199.50.
£2.00 per plant
- Bulk savingPack of 250Save 10%Original price was: £525.00.£472.50Current price is: £472.50.
£1.89 per plant
- Bulk savingPack of 500Save 12%Original price was: £1,050.00.£918.75Current price is: £918.75.
£1.84 per plant
- Bulk savingPack of 1000Save 15%Original price was: £2,100.00.£1,785.00Current price is: £1,785.00.
£1.79 per plant
90-120cm
- Bare RootSingle plants£2.60
£2.60 per plant
- Bulk savingPack of 50Save 2%Original price was: £130.00.£126.75Current price is: £126.75.
£2.54 per plant
- Bulk savingPack of 100Save 5%Original price was: £260.00.£247.00Current price is: £247.00.
£2.47 per plant
- Bulk savingPack of 250Save 10%Original price was: £650.00.£585.00Current price is: £585.00.
£2.34 per plant
- Bulk savingPack of 500Save 12%Original price was: £1,300.00.£1,137.50Current price is: £1,137.50.
£2.28 per plant
- Bulk savingPack of 1000Save 15%Original price was: £2,600.00.£2,210.00Current price is: £2,210.00.
£2.21 per plant
120-150cm
- Bare RootSingle plants£4.50
£4.50 per plant
- Bulk savingPack of 50Save 2%Original price was: £225.00.£219.38Current price is: £219.38.
£4.39 per plant
- Bulk savingPack of 100Save 5%Original price was: £450.00.£427.50Current price is: £427.50.
£4.28 per plant
- Bulk savingPack of 250Save 10%Original price was: £1,125.00.£1,012.50Current price is: £1,012.50.
£4.05 per plant
150-175cm
- Bare RootSingle plants£7.95
£7.95 per plant
- Bulk savingPack of 50Save 2%Original price was: £397.50.£387.56Current price is: £387.56.
£7.75 per plant
- Bulk savingPack of 100Save 5%Original price was: £795.00.£755.25Current price is: £755.25.
£7.55 per plant
- Bulk savingPack of 250Save 10%Original price was: £1,987.50.£1,788.75Current price is: £1,788.75.
£7.16 per plant
175-200cm
- Bare RootSingle plants£10.95
£10.95 per plant
- Bulk savingPack of 50Save 2%Original price was: £547.50.£533.81Current price is: £533.81.
£10.68 per plant
- Bulk savingPack of 100Save 5%Original price was: £1,095.00.£1,040.25Current price is: £1,040.25.
£10.40 per plant
Pot grown Hornbeam hedging
Availability
- In Season
- Pre Order
- Out Of Season
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Choose your height
Pick a height to see the relevant single-plant and bulk-buy options.
40-60cm
- Pot GrownSingle plants£7.95
£7.95 per plant
- Bulk savingPack of 50Save 10%Original price was: £397.50.£357.75Current price is: £357.75.
£7.16 per plant
60-80cm
- Pot GrownSingle plants£8.95
£8.95 per plant
- Bulk savingPack of 50Save 9%Original price was: £447.50.£402.75Current price is: £402.75.
£8.06 per plant
80-100cm
- Pot GrownSingle plants£11.95
£11.95 per plant
- Bulk savingPack of 50Save 10%Original price was: £597.50.£537.70Current price is: £537.70.
£10.75 per plant
90-120cm
- Pot GrownSingle plants£15.95
£15.95 per plant
Sold out - Bulk savingPack of 25Save 10%Original price was: £398.75.£358.87Current price is: £358.87.
£14.35 per plant
Sold out
120-150cm
- Pot GrownSingle plants£29.95
£29.95 per plant
Sold out - Bulk savingPack of 20Save 10%Original price was: £599.00.£539.09Current price is: £539.09.
£26.95 per plant
Sold out
150-175cm
- Pot GrownSingle plants£34.95
£34.95 per plant
Sold out - Bulk savingPack of 16Save 10%Original price was: £559.20.£503.27Current price is: £503.27.
£31.45 per plant
Sold out
175-200cm
- Pot GrownSingle plants£39.95
£39.95 per plant
Sold out - Bulk savingPack of 16Save 10%Original price was: £639.20.£575.27Current price is: £575.27.
£35.95 per plant
Sold out
200-250cm
- Pot GrownSingle plants£49.95
£49.95 per plant
Sold out - Bulk savingPack of 16Save 10%Original price was: £799.20.£719.28Current price is: £719.28.
£44.96 per plant
Sold out
Instant Hornbeam hedging
Availability
- In Season
- Pre Order
- Out Of Season
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Choose your height
Pick a height to see the relevant single-plant and bulk-buy options.
60-80cm
- Instant HedgingPer metre£89.95
£89.95 per metre
- Bulk savingPack of 6Save 10%Original price was: £539.70.£485.73Current price is: £485.73.
£80.96 per metre
80-100cm
- Instant HedgingPer metre£179.95
£179.95 per metre
150-160cm
- Instant HedgingPer metre£259.95
£259.95 per metre
Buying Hornbeam Hedge Plants
Choose the exact Hornbeam option above by root type, height and the level of initial screening you want. Each variation shows its current price, availability and recommended planting density, so use the figures for that specific size rather than relying on one generic spacing rule for every Hornbeam hedge plant.
Which Hornbeam root type should you choose?
- Bare-root Hornbeam: normally the best-value option for longer hedge runs during the dormant season.
- Pot-grown Hornbeam: a flexible choice for planting through more of the year where reliable watering is available during establishment.
- Instant Hornbeam: the premium option where an established hedge effect is more important than achieving the lowest cost per metre.
Hornbeam sizes and planting density
| Root type | Heights | Plants per metre | When | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bare root | 40–200cm | 6 (40–60cm) down to 3 (175–200cm) | November to March | Lowest cost on long hedges |
| Pot grown | 40–100cm | 4 at 80–100cm | Most of the year | Planting outside the bare-root season |
| Instant hedging | 60–160cm | Sold per metre | Most of the year | A finished hedge on day one |
Bare root in detail: 40–60cm at 6 per metre, 60–120cm at 5 per metre, 120–175cm at 4 per metre and 175–200cm at 3 per metre. The exact figure, price and availability are shown against each size above.
If you are deciding between conventional hedging and raised screening, compare all Hornbeam options. If the decision is between Hornbeam and Beech, read our Beech or Hornbeam comparison.
Why choose Hornbeam hedging?
A native hedge that copes where others struggle
Hornbeam, Carpinus betulus, is a native British tree that makes a dense, tough hedge. It is one of the most dependable formal hedges for heavy clay, cold gardens, frost pockets and partial shade, which are the sites where Beech and many evergreens are less reliable.
Leaves through the seasons
The ribbed, serrated leaves are fresh green in spring, turn yellow and gold in autumn and, on a clipped hedge, often hang on as dry brown leaves through much of the winter. That gives the hedge more winter screening than most deciduous plants, but it is not evergreen. See Is Hornbeam evergreen? for photos of a Hornbeam hedge in winter.
Hornbeam compared with Beech
| Hornbeam | Beech | |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy or damp clay | Very good | Less reliable |
| Partial shade | Good | Prefers more light |
| Winter leaves | Some dry brown leaves | Holds copper leaves more consistently |
| Leaf | Ribbed and serrated | Smooth and glossy |
On free-draining soil where strong copper winter colour matters most, compare our Beech hedging. For screening above an existing wall or fence, Pleached Hornbeam puts the leaves where you need them.
Choosing the right hedge
Is a Hornbeam Hedge right for you?
A great choice if you want:
- A dense traditional deciduous hedge
- A reliable hedge for heavier clay or moisture-retentive soil
- A hedge that performs well in partial shade
- A formal or informal boundary that responds well to clipping
- A good-value bare-root option for a longer hedge run
- Seasonal screening with some winter leaf retention
Consider another hedge if:
- You need green foliage throughout winter
- The planting area remains permanently waterlogged
- You need screening above an existing wall or fence rather than from ground level
- You want a very narrow evergreen screen
Gwynne's Hornbeam Buying Tip
For a longer Hornbeam hedge planted during the dormant season, I would normally choose bare-root plants because they offer very good value per metre and establish well when planted correctly. If you need to plant outside the bare-root season, pot-grown Hornbeam gives you much more flexibility. Larger plants give a quicker visual screen, but whatever size you choose, use the planting density shown for that exact option rather than assuming one spacing suits every Hornbeam plant. On heavier clay, make sure excess water can drain away after prolonged rain rather than allowing the roots to sit permanently wet.
Where does Hornbeam grow best?
Soil
Hornbeam grows in most soils and is especially good on heavy clay and moisture-retentive ground. It does not like ground that stays waterlogged, so if water sits in the planting line after rain, improve the drainage before planting.
Sun, shade and exposure
It grows in full sun or partial shade and is very hardy, so it suits cold, exposed inland gardens and frost pockets. It also makes a good windbreak. On front-line coastal sites, salt-laden wind can scorch the leaves.
Wildlife
As a dense native hedge, Hornbeam gives birds nesting cover and shelter, and its seeds are eaten by birds and small mammals. Read Is Hornbeam good for wildlife? for more.
Hornbeam growth, planting and pruning
How fast does Hornbeam grow?
Once established, Hornbeam typically grows around 20–40cm a year, depending on soil, light and watering. New bare-root plants often make little top growth in their first season while the roots establish. Our answer to How fast does a Hornbeam hedge grow? explains what affects growth.
When to plant
Bare-root Hornbeam is planted while dormant, from November to March, whenever the ground is not frozen or waterlogged. Pot-grown and instant Hornbeam can be planted for most of the year if you can water through dry spells. See When is the best time to plant Hornbeam hedging?.
When to prune
An established Hornbeam hedge normally needs one main trim a year in late summer, after birds have finished nesting. Trimming at that time also helps the hedge hold more of its dry leaves into winter. Read When should I prune a Hornbeam hedge? and our Hornbeam hedge care guide for planting, watering and pruning in detail.
Buying help
Buying FAQs
Which Hornbeam root type should I choose?
Choose bare-root Hornbeam for the best value on longer hedge runs during the dormant season. Pot-grown Hornbeam is the more flexible option when planting outside the bare-root season, while instant Hornbeam is intended for projects where an established hedge effect is required immediately. Current sizes, prices and availability are shown against each option above.
What size Hornbeam hedge plants should I buy?
Small 40–60cm bare-root plants are the cheapest way to plant a long hedge and establish quickly. 90–150cm plants give a hedge of useful height sooner, and 175–200cm bare-root plants or instant hedging give screening from the start. Choose according to your budget and how quickly you need height.
How many Hornbeam plants do I need per metre?
For bare-root Hornbeam, plant 40–60cm plants at 6 per metre, 60–120cm at 5 per metre, 120–175cm at 4 per metre and 175–200cm at 3 per metre. Instant hedging is sold per metre. The exact figure is shown against each size above, and the calculator works out your quantity from your hedge length.
When are bare-root Hornbeam plants available?
Bare-root Hornbeam is lifted while dormant and is normally supplied from November to March, depending on the weather. You can pre-order now and your plants will be dispatched when the new season's stock is ready. Outside the season, choose pot-grown or instant Hornbeam.
Is bare-root Hornbeam suitable for a long hedge?
Yes. Bare-root Hornbeam is usually the most economical way to plant a longer hedge during the dormant season and is particularly useful where a large number of plants is required. Choose the size that suits your budget and use the planting density shown against that exact option to calculate the quantity needed.
Should I choose Hornbeam or Beech for heavier soil?
Hornbeam is generally the safer choice on heavier clay and moisture-retentive soils and is also tolerant of partial shade. Beech normally prefers freer-draining conditions and tends to retain its copper-brown winter leaves more consistently. Neither should be planted where the roots will remain permanently waterlogged.
Helpful guides
More help with Hornbeam
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Planting essentials
Give your new hedge the best possible start with the planting products we recommend for establishment and healthy growth.
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Feeding your hedging with our granular ‘Hedge Feed’ the ultimate solution for nurturing and rejuvenating your beloved hedge. Our carefully crafted long lasting granular hedge fertiliser provides the essential nutrients your hedge needs to thrive.
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As well as supplying high quality plants we also provide a complete Irrigation package to make sure your investment thrives.
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Our Hedge Planting Compost is a natural, peat free soil conditioner/improver.
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Our bamboo canes provide support to your hedge and ensures that plants fitted with a rabbit guard will grow nice and straight. They are 90cm long (3ft) and made from 100% bamboo.
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Our Hedging Spiral Guards help protect your hedge from damage by rabbits.
