The native hedgerow...a complete eco-system by itself, providing shelter for small mammals and dense nesting habitat for birds. But also beautiful spring blossom heavy with perfume, and autumnal colours studded with berries and nuts...an attractive natural boundary better looking than any fence.
Bare root hedging plants are the traditional and cheapest way to plant a hedgerow. We have a fantastic range of inexpensive native bare root hedging plants below.
Because the hedging plants are 'bare root', they are only available for purchase when they are dormant, typcially between November and the end of February.
We pride ourselves on our straightforward approach - there is no minimum order, each sapling is the same price (60p), and we also provide instructions on how to plant. All plants are between 60cm and 100cm in height.
How many? We recommend 3 -4 saplings per metre, though you should double this for a thicker, staggered double row hedge.
We provide free delivery within the LU7, MK3 and MK17 postcode areas. Nationwide delivery costs can be viewed here.
Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna): the classic native hedgerow plant, traditionally used to make stock-proof hedging up and down the country. It produces a spectacular display of scented white blossom in May (it is also called the Maythorn), which is followed by a mass of red 'haw' berries in Autumn, which often last through to Winter. Hawthorn supports a high diversity of insects - it is a very important source of nectar for insects in early summer, and an important food plant for moth larvae, whilst the berries are very attractive to redwings, songthrushes and blackbirds. £0.60 ea.
Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa): a dense, prickly plant that grows in abundance in the hedgerows surrounding Heath and Reach. Blackthorn provides fantastic interest all year round. It has beautiful branches that appear purple-red in the winter sun, and is one of the earliest spring flowering plants with a mass of snow white flowers vital for bumblebees and early flying small tortoiseshell and hairstreak butterflies. It produces an abundance of blue-black sloes in autumn. The sloes are popular with birds, but can also be made into sloe gin! £0.60 ea.
Hazel (Corylus avellana): A lush native plant that was traditionally coppiced for its upright poles, hazel produces a fine display of yellow catkins to brighten the short new-year winter days. It produces large mid-green leaves, and edible hazel nuts in September-October, popular with squirrels and mice (and humans!). Hazel can grow up to 20 feet in height if left uncut. £0.60 ea.
Dog rose (Rosa canina): A beautiful wild rose commonly found in hedgerows and woodland, dog rose provides an abundance of attractive white to pale pink flowers in June. In autumn it bears a mass of glossy red egg-shaped hips, which provide excellent bird throughout the winter. In winter its stems are a vibrant green which contrasts beautifully with its red buds. Dog rose often attracts gall wasps which produce an elegant moss-like outgrowth, bright red in colour, often known as 'robin's pincushion'.
£0.60 ea.
Beech (Fagus sylvatica): Traditionally a large woodland tree with smooth silver grey bark commonly found in the Chilterns, beech also makes for a superb hedging plant. It has vibrant green leaves which turn a rich copper in autumn, and if trimmed, will remain on throughout the winter. It is therefore excellent as a natural boundary for screening anything unsightly or provide privacy. Moreover as a hedge it also provides excellent nesting habitat for gardens, and interestingly, can support a diverse range of lichens. £0.60 ea
Spiral Tree Guards: Transparent guards to protect your hedging in areas where the risk of animal damage is high rabbit. 60cm high. £0.35 ea
Although the bare root hedging arrives with some soil around the roots, it is essential that the roots are not allowed to dry out. However, you do not have to immediately plant the hedge in its final position as soon as it is delivered. Upon delivery of the bare root whips, we would recommend digging a small hole in the earth, and inserting the bundle of bare root whips, where they can remain until you decide to plant, If the ground is frozen, then as an alternative you could place the bundle into a bucket with straw and a small amount of water to keep the roots moist.