Plant a Hedge This Autumn | Evergreen Hedging Plants UK
Plant a Hedge This Autumn: The Best Time to Create a Lasting Green Screen
Autumn is one of the best times of year to plant a hedge. The soil is still warm from summer, rainfall is usually more reliable, and plants have time to settle their roots before spring growth begins.
Whether you want more privacy, a natural garden boundary, shelter from wind or a greener view all year round, planting now can give your new hedge a strong start.
At Meredith Nurseries, we have a range of hedging plants suitable for gardens, boundaries and larger screening projects, including fast-growing conifers, evergreen laurels, yew and holly.
Why plant hedging in autumn?
Planting in autumn allows hedging plants to focus on root establishment rather than producing lots of top growth. This means they are often better prepared for the following spring.
Autumn planting can offer several benefits:
- Cooler temperatures reduce stress on newly planted hedging.
- Natural rainfall can help plants establish.
- Soil remains warm enough for roots to develop.
- Evergreens provide immediate structure and privacy.
- You can prepare your garden before the busy spring season.
Avoid planting if the ground is frozen or waterlogged. Water your hedge well after planting, especially during dry spells or windy weather.
Choose the right hedge for your garden
Leylandii hedging
Leylandii is a popular choice for creating a dense, fast-growing evergreen screen. It is ideal for larger gardens, boundaries and privacy hedges where you want good coverage relatively quickly.
Leylandii is supplied in different pot sizes and heights depending on the product. Check the individual product listing for the supplied size and any minimum order quantity.
For a neat hedge, regular trimming is important once the plants are established.
Portuguese laurel
Portuguese laurel is an attractive evergreen hedge with glossy dark-green leaves and red stems. It makes a smart, dense boundary hedge and is a good choice where you want something more formal than a conifer hedge.
It is hardy, responds well to pruning and works well in many UK gardens.
Cherry laurel
Cherry laurel is a robust evergreen hedging plant with large, glossy leaves. It is excellent for screening, reducing wind exposure and creating privacy throughout the year.
It can cope with a wide range of soil types and grows well in sun or partial shade. Cherry laurel is a strong choice for a thick, leafy hedge.
Holly hedging
Holly is a traditional evergreen hedging plant with glossy foliage and good wildlife value. It makes a durable hedge and is useful for garden boundaries, security planting and natural screening.
Its prickly leaves can also help discourage unwanted access along a boundary.
Evergreen hedging conifers
Shop Evergreen Hedging Conifers
Evergreen conifers are ideal when you need year-round green coverage. They can be used for privacy screens, windbreaks and dividing larger areas of the garden.
Choose the variety carefully based on the final height and width you want, and remember to allow enough room for the hedge to develop.
How far apart should hedging plants be planted?
Spacing depends on the plant variety, pot size and how quickly you want the hedge to fill in.
As a general guide:
- Smaller P9 hedging plants are often planted around 2 to 3 plants per metre.
- Larger plants may need fewer plants per metre.
- For a thicker hedge, a staggered double row can be used where space allows.
- Always allow room between the hedge and fences, walls or paths for future growth and maintenance.
Use our free plant calculator to work out how many hedging plants you may need for your garden project.
Try Our Hedge Plant Calculator
Simple hedge planting guide
- Mark out the line of your new hedge using a string line.
- Clear weeds and grass along the planting area.
- Dig a trench or individual planting holes wide enough for the rootballs.
- Add good-quality compost or soil improver where needed.
- Remove each plant carefully from its pot and place it at the same depth it was growing in the pot.
- Backfill with soil and firm gently around each plant.
- Water thoroughly after planting.
- Add mulch around the base to help retain moisture and reduce weeds.
- Keep plants watered during dry weather, particularly in their first year.
Order hedging plants online from Meredith Nurseries
Our hedging plants are supplied in nursery pots and are carefully selected for planting in UK gardens. Product pages show the pot size, approximate supplied height, price and any minimum order requirement.
Planting a hedge this autumn is a simple way to invest in more privacy, greenery and structure for your garden next year and beyond.