Preparing to Plant the Perfect Hedge: What You Need to Know

Articles on Hedges | Topics: hedges, hedge, bushes, bush

by Ardath J. Leach

If you've never planted a hedge before, it can be difficult to know exactly where to start. Here are a few guidelines to simplify the hedge planting process for you.

The best time to plant is in the later autumn or early winter. If you can hold off till then, you really should.

The first thing you need to do is choose a hedge that is right for your needs and climate. Start by deciding exactly what purpose your hedge is going to serve. Are you merely using the hedge to outline your property boundaries or is it serving as a windscreen? Knowing all of this before you shop for shrubs and plants for your hedges will make it easier to narrow down your choices. You also need to be aware of what types of plants are suited to your climate. Your garden center should be able to provide advice in this area.

You also need to determine how much time you have to devote to your hedges. Hedges do require maintenance so you need to choose plants that fit your budget and your schedule. Fast growing plants aren't really the best option for hedges because of the frequent clipping that will be required. It is better to choose slower growing hedge plants that will require much less trimming and maintenance.

To prepare for planting, you want to figure out your layout. Knowing exactly where your hedges are going and the space you want them to take up will also help you determine how many plants or shrubs you'll need to get started.

When selecting material for your hedges, you should also try and go with young plants. Starting with older plants won't really save you any time. Older, more developed plants take longer to establish than new plants and they will not grow as close and dense as younger plants will.

Color is also an issue. Though colorful hedges may seem attractive at first, you may tire of them quickly. It is probably best to go with green hedges and then let the other plants in your garden add touches of color.

You need to map out your hedge line well before you start planting. Remember that your hedges will be there for a very long time, so you want to take your time and do this properly. Start by measuring and laying out your lines using string. This will ensure a straight line. Next you want to start digging. You should dig to one and a half times the width of the mature hedge. For example, you should dig a three-foot bed for a two-foot hedge. You want to add plenty of compost to the soil to provide your new plants with lots of nutrients.

Historical Quote

True variety is in that plenitude of real and unexpected elements, in the branch charged with blue flowers thrusting itself, against all expectations, from the springtime hedge which seems already too full, while the purely formal imitation of variety ... is but void and uniformity, that is, that which is most opposed to variety....

—Marcel Proust (1871–1922)

When choosing a spot for your hedges, try to avoid areas where water collects. Bad drainage is not healthy for your hedges so you need to avoid these spots or implement some kind of system to improve the drainage.

Once the beds are dug, you want to layout the plants so you know exactly where each one will go. By doing this, you will ensure that your new hedge has even spacing all the way along. You also want to keep your taunt line in place to check that your plants are straight.

You then plant as you would any tree or shrub. Try using a stake or shovel to ensure that none of the hedge plants are planted too deeply or not deeply enough.

As you work, make sure that the plants don't get too dry. If you are planting your hedge in warm weather, than you might want to try and keep your plants in the shade until the last possible second. You can also put some hessian over top of your plants if sticking to the shade is not an option.

After the hedge plants are in place, you should water them thoroughly and continue to water them well for about a year after planting.

Though it may be tempting to allow your new hedge plants to grow as rapidly and untouched as possible, you want to encourage dense and close growth and this can only happen by cutting them back a third in the first and second year. Not doing this may result in a hedge that is too open at the base.

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Please note: All personal opinions expressed in the "Preparing to Plant the Perfect Hedge: What You Need to Know" article belong to the contributing author and are not necessarily shared by FlowersPlantsGardening.com.

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