When you’re looking to plant a new hedge, or perhaps repair or reinvigorate an existing plant, root ball hedging is a great choice. Whether you’re a home gardener, smallholder, or landscaper this type of hedging provides a reliable and cost-effective way to plant a new hedge in the winter months.

What is root ball hedging?

Varieties of trees, shrubs and hedging can all be purchased in root ball form. But root ball hedging including varieties such as Box is undoubtedly the most popular of all. But what exactly is root ball hedging?

During the latter part of autumn and running through winter plants are dormant. This allows horticulturists to remove the plant from the ground by cutting out the soil around the roots. This obviously has to be done very carefully or the plant will go into shock. Once the plant has been extracted the ball of soil around the root is wrapped in hessian for extra protection.

When can I buy it?

Root ball hedging is only available between October and the end of February. Once the warmer weather returns the plant begins to grow once more. This is why root ball hedging is only available in the colder months and why they must be planted by early spring.

Why should I choose this kind of hedging?

There are some very good reasons why you should choose this type of hedging.

Cost

The first benefit of root ball hedging is the price. The plants are available in pallet loads and are amazing value for money. As single plants they are cheaper than potted specimens but when you buy in bulk the savings are huge. All of which is great news not only for the home gardener looking to keep costs down but also for landscapers looking to maximise their profits.

Instant results

The root ball hedging you purchase will be strong, healthy and mature plants. Already four to seven feet tall they give instant results when planted. You won’t be left wondering if your hedging will ‘take’ and you will literally have a fully grown hedge within a day of taking delivery of your plants.

The time is right

As we mentioned earlier you can only buy root ball hedging during the late autumn and winter months. But this is also the perfect time to plant your new hedge. The plants are dormant and the ground will be moist and easy to work (before the frosts of course), Once planted your hedging will be ready to spurt into life when spring arrives.

Planting tips

Here’s a few quick tips to help you get the most from your root ball plants:

• Plant your hedging as soon as possible after delivery. Certainly, within a couple of days.
• If there is a bad frost while you’re waiting to plant, protect the root balls with fleece or cut up old blankets.
• Do not remove the hessian sacking from the root balls. This material will naturally degrade over time in the ground.
• Once planted use a good quality mulch to protect the roots over winter.
• Thoroughly water the new hedge.

Where can I buy root ball hedging?

At Direct Plants we have a huge selection for you to choose from. White cedar, English holly, Portuguese laurel and many, many other varieties. Remember you can only buy root ball hedging from October to around the end of February.

If you need any advice on hedging, or any other plant for that matter, don’t hesitate to contact us at sales@directplants.co.uk and we’ll do everything we can to help.