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This video on trench planting formal garden hedging applies to all the classic evergreen garden hedge plants:
Hello and welcome to Ashridge Trees (Nurseries). We’re going to show you how to plant formal garden hedge. We’ve used Yew in this film, but the same procedure can be followed for Beech, Box, Hornbeam, Privet and all other formal hedging plants. These plants are available barerooted during the winter planting season, which runs from November through to March (approximately), and in containers during the summer.
Before you start, you will need a sprayer or watering can, if you’re going to use weed killer, a spade, sharp knife, a few canes, string, a bucket, a one meter long piece of wood. And, on planting day, you will need your plants.
Using canes and string, mark out the area of the planting trench. In this film, we’re going to show you how to plant a Yew hedge in a single row where the trench should be 60cm wide. If you’re planting in a double row, which is preferable for Beech, for instance, then the trench would be 90cm wide, and there would be 40cm between the rows.
Apply a non-residual weed killer, following the manufacturer’s instructions, a minimum of four weeks before you intend to plant. Remove the turf, which you can put upside down on your compost heap. Now, take the earth from the trench, removing roots and stones and stack it on a sheet nearby.
Check the depth of the trench. Make sure the plants will be no deeper in the soil than the level they grew at before they were lifted. If in doubt, it is always better to plant too high than too deep.
Take one bundle of plants out of their wrapping. Cut the string and soak the roots in the bucket of water. Mark the planting line with two canes and a piece of string.
Even spacing of plants in a formal hedge is important. We suggest using a measuring stick to help you. Following the instructions for each plant type.
The one we’re using here is for planting at three per meter.
Using the string as an indication of soil level, hold each plant at the correct height and return the soil under and around the roots, firming as you go.
This does not have to be done by hand, you can use a spade. Before you finally firm the ground, double-check the spacing of the plants.
It’s important with barerooted plants that a good contact is established between the roots and the soil, as soon as they’re planted. Without stamping, firm the ground around each plant using your full body weight. It’s a good idea to hold the plant vertical whilst doing this. Don’t forget to water your hedge after planting and during dry spells in the spring until it’s well established.
You’ve just planted your first formal hedge. Well done!
When planting a hedge, or any trees, be sure to water them correctly or they will die!
The classic country hedge plants, like Hawthorn, Hazel, Blackthorn, are delivered in smaller bareroot in sizes up to 80cm, to be slit planted in Winter as shown in our mixed country hedge video.
However, in order to plant country hedging in large sizes over 80cm, trench planting could be necessary where ploughing is not possible.
The list below is not exhaustive, but these formal hedging plants & shrubs are by far the most popular. Between them, they grow almost anywhere, they look neat and tidy, and they are easy to maintain.
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