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Instant hedging presents a fantastic option for projects where immediate impact is desired. By selecting established plants, you can effortlessly create an instant hedge. This allows you to enjoy the look and benefits of a mature or semi-mature hedge without waiting for smaller plants to grow.
In this article, we’ve outlined the key advantages of choosing instant hedging. We’ve also provided a selection of suitable plants for this purpose!
Benefits
The plants we use for instant hedging are taller and pre-grown. This means that they have been grown on in a container to strengthen their root systems and thicken their foliage. Choosing these plants provides several key benefits:
- Immediate soft screening and enhanced privacy.
- Instantly softens the appearance of new fence lines.
- Offers a level of security by acting as a natural intruder deterrent.
- Mitigates the effects of both wind and sound.
Popular Plants
Many of our customers choose to install instant hedges for privacy reasons. While evergreen varieties offer year-round screening, our deciduous options like hornbeam and beech also provide excellent coverage. It’s worth noting that these deciduous hedges often retain their dry, brown leaves during the winter, except in very windy or cold conditions. This characteristic allows them to maintain a degree of screening while still permitting more light and air into the garden during the winter months!
Evergreen Picks
Cherry laurel is an excellent choice for establishing privacy. This robust plant boasts a fast growth rate of 30-60cm per year once it’s established and can eventually reach an impressive height of 8 metres. Its tolerance for hard pruning means you can easily maintain your preferred size and shape, whether you desire a formal, neatly clipped hedge or a more natural aesthetic. Versatile enough for gardens and spaces of all sizes, Cherry Laurel can be maintained at a height of 1m+ or more to suit your specific needs.
Leylandii is another evergreen option that’s perfect if you’re looking to establish hedging quickly. Known for being one of the fastest-growing trees, its rapid growth and dense foliage make it an excellent choice for creating instant privacy. If the vigorous growth rate of a Leylandii is not desirable, Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata) could be a more suitable alternative.
Deciduous Picks
Our top selling deciduous, instant hedging plants are Purple beech, Green beech and Hornbeam. These varieties are often referred to as ‘semi-evergreen’ because they can retain their dry brown leaves throughout the winter months, offering year-round screening (unless the conditions are particularly windy or cold). For those with sandy or lighter soils, Beech is an excellent choice. Hornbeam, on the other hand, thrives in heavier clay soils, which are commonly found in the south east of England, including Essex, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, and the London area.
Expert advice for Instant Hedges
Choosing the right species involves considering various factors, such as aspect and soil type. For instance, certain plants need shelter from harsh winds and may only flourish in urban environments. This highlights the value of a knowledgeable supplier who can offer expert guidance tailored to your specific needs.
While we hope this article has clarified the process of creating an instant hedge, we encourage you to contact our experienced team if you have any further questions. Given that an instant hedge can be a considerable investment, it’s essential to seek professional advice to discuss the most suitable options and ensure you make the best choice!
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