Which Size Hedge Plants Should You Order?

Choosing Which Size to Order Your Hedge Plants

Many hedge plants are delivered in sizes ranging from little 40/60cm tall unbranched 'whips', up to almost two metre, bushy specimens for the most popular species.

• If you are in a hurry for privacy and need instant impact, then of course pick the biggest size that fits your budget.
• If you are filling gaps in an existing hedge, large size replacements are usually better, but small plants are easier to slide into dense growth, so inspect the hedge well and test getting a spade or pickaxe down along it.

Smaller plants have several advantages

• Cheaper
• Easier to plant
• Establish well because they are dug up with most of their roots intact
• Need less water in their first summer (but watering is still essential in dry weather)
• Can be clipped attentively to ensure a bushy base & dense growth 

So Which Size Hedging Should you Order?

• Farmers and other large scale hedge projects prefer 40/60cm tall plants: it's the minimum required size for Countryside Stewardship hedging, and has the best success rate in field conditions.
• Many home gardeners choose 60/80cm tall as a great compromise between price, size, and waiting time until you get a mature hedge.
• Plants over 80cm tall are good for creating privacy ASAP, filling gaps in mature hedges, and when they suit your budget. Remember big plants need more water in their first year to thrive.
  Rootballed Yew is the biggest hedging we deliver, along with Instant Hedge Troughs of Beech, Cotoneaster, or Hornbeam.