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Berberis Instant Hedge /by

Berberis Instant Hedge

A Berberis Instant Hedge makes a highly effective intruder deterrent. It is a thorny, broad-rounded, deciduous shrub with obovate green leaves which makes a great instant hedge where security is at a premium.

Berberis thunbergii (Japanese Barberry) is a seasonally interesting, compact deciduous hedge, that offers a shelter for wildlife. Berberis thunbergii hedge plants boast small, yellow, cup shaped flowers in the spring and glossy orange, oval berries in the autumn that mature to scarlet red. The green foliage of Japanese Barberry is deciduous, falling after turning shades of orange and red in the autumn. An attractive alternative to Pyracantha or Box hedging.

This 1.5m high Elveden Instant Hedge forms an impenetrable barrier and can be planted in a position enjoying either sun or partial shade. Good for urban areas as it tolerates pollution it is also frost hardy and is happy to be clipped. Plant in well-draining soil.

Berberis thunbergii grows moderately around 20 – 40 cm per year and will need pruning once a year, preferably in February.

Berberis Instant Hedge

Berberis Instant Hedge growing in the nursery at the Elveden Estate

Click here to contact us if you would like a quote for this instant hedge.

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Beech Instant Hedge /by

Beech Instant Hedge

Green Beech Instant Hedging

Beech (Fagus sylvatica) is a popular choice for a deciduous hedge and is native to the UK. The prominently veined green leaves turn yellow-orange in Autumn and often remain through the winter which enhances its value as a year round screen.

Also known as Common or Green Beech, this hedge does well on most well drained soils and is particularly happy on chalk. This deciduous instant hedge can be planted in a position enjoying either sun or partial shade. Seaside locations are best avoided as Beech dislikes salt.

Beech Hedging is relatively slow growing (15 – 30 cm/year) and will need pruning once a year, preferably in August.

Our Beech Instant Hedges are available at 1/1.2m, 1.2/1.4m and 1.8/2m high as a Practical Instant Hedge™.

90/100cm high Practical Instant Hedge growing at our nursery here in Iver, Bucks.

Click here to contact us if you would like a quote for this instant hedge.

Species Latin Foliage Pruning Annual growth Aspect Soil acceptance pH Leaves
Beech Fagus sylvatica Deciduous Once in August Slow15-30cm Sun to shade All except dry Acidic to alkaline Green turning yellow-brown. Often remain into spring
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Hedge Selecting Guide /by

How To Choose The Best Hedge For Your Home

An instant hedge is pre-grown as a mature hedgerow which creates an immediate, impressive impact, whether its evergreen instant hedging for privacy screening or the seasonal interest of a mature deciduous hedge.

Which Hedge?

Practical Instant Hedge™ is available in various species and sizes, up to 2m high, so how will you choose which one is best for your garden? The first choice is whether you would like an evergreen or deciduous hedge.

Evergreen hedges maintain their foliage throughout the year. This provides screening, privacy and shelter all year round. Despite their name, an evergreen hedge isn’t just one colour, they are many different varieties to suit your individual taste.

Deciduous hedges shed their leaves in the winter. They offer year-round seasonal interest from flowers, coloured foliage, or autumn fruits.

Practical Instant Hedge™ is easy to handle with no transplant shock and can be planted all year round. There are many varieties of mature hedge that will help make your garden your perfect outdoor space.

 

Hedge Selecting Guide

Use this table to help select the most suitable instant hedge for your project.  Practical Instant Hedge™ is available in heights ranging from 80cm to 2m high and is sold in 1m trough bags.

 

 

 

Species Latin Foliage Pruning Annual growth Aspect Soil acceptance pH Leaves
Box Buxus sempervirens Evergreen June to August Slow 5-15cm Sun to shade All well drained Neutral to alkaline Small, shiny dark green. New growth is light green
Hornbeam Carpinus betulus Deciduous Once in July or August Fast 30-40cm Sun to partial shade All except the poorest Neutral to slightly acidic Dark green turning yellow-brown. Often remain into spring
Common Beech Fagus sylvatica Deciduous Once in August Slow 15-30cm Sun to shade All except dry Acidic to alkaline Green turning yellow-brown. Often remain into spring
Purple Beech Fagus sylvatica ‘Purpurea’ Deciduous Once in August Slow 10-30cm Sun to shade All except dry Acidic to alkaline Green-purple turning red-brown. Often remain into spring
English Holly Ilex aquifolium  Evergreen  Once in August  Slow 5-15cm  Sun to shade  All well drained Acidic to alkaline Thorny, shiny dark green that are pale green underneath
Oval Leaf Privet Ligustrum ovalifolium Semi-evergreen Regularly in Summer Fast 40-60cm Sun to partial shade All well drained Slightly acidic to alkaline Mid-dark green on top and yellow-green underneath
Red Robin Photinia fraseri Evergreen Regularly in Summer Fast 30-40cm Sun to partial shade All well drained Acidic to alkaline Shiny dark green. New shoots are crimson-red
Common Laurel Prunus laurocerasus Evergreen Once in July or August Fast 30-40cm Sun to shade All except shallow chalk Neutral to slightly acidic Large shiny green. Thick and leathery
Portuguese Laurel Prunus lusitanica Evergreen Once in August Slow 20-30cm Sun to shade All except the poorest Acidic to alkaline Ovate and dark green
Yew Taxus baccata Evergreen  Once in August  Slow 5-20cm  Sun to shade  All except peat  Slightly acidic to alkaline Shiny dark green needles that are pale green underneath
Native Mix (Hazel, Blackthorn,  Hornbeam, Dogwood, Hawthorn and Alder Buckthorn) not applicable Deciduous Once in July Fast 30-40cm Sun to partial shade All except the poorest Neutral to  slightly acidic Various
Blue Holly Ilex meserveae Blue Maid/ Prince Evergreen Once in August Slow 20-30cm Sun to shade All well drained Acidic to alkaline Blue green spiny
Burkwood osmanthus Osmanthus burkwoodii Evergreen Regularly in Summer Average 20-40cm Sun to partial shade All well drained Any Dark green oval

 

Contact Us

Please use the enquiry form with details of the hedges that you are interested in and we will provide you with a bespoke quotation.

Ready grown, instant hedges in various species, and shades of green growing in rows at Practicality Brown

Practical Instant Hedge™ growing at our nursery in Over, Buckinghamshire

 

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Evergreen Instant Hedge /by

Evergreen Instant Hedging

Evergreen Instant Hedging has the benefit of providing screening, privacy and shelter all year round. An evergreen instant hedge will also give an immediate, mature look to your garden. This dense hedging is available at heights of up to 2m and can be planted all-year round.

Instant hedges are the perfect way to provide maturity to your garden and have the following benefits:

  • A ready grown hedge providing a mature, practical option
  • Dense hedging, pre-planted and ready spaced out
  • Carefully maintained and regularly clipped to an instant hedge shape
  • Ready to plant all year round and available up to 2m high, species dependent
  • Available in any lengths, and can be bent to almost any shape
  • Instant evergreen hedges provide a year round dense screening, privacy, shelter etc.
  • We have taken the time to grow it, so you don’t have to!

See evergreen pages for more details on specific species:


English Holly

Laurel Evergreen Instant Hedge

Cherry Laurel

Photinia fraseri Red Robin Evergreen

Photinia

Privet Evergreen Instant Hedge

Privet

Portuguese Laurel Evergreen Instant Hedge

Portuguese Laurel

Yew Evergreen Instant Hedge

Yew

Thuja hedge detail

White Ceder


Griselinia

Elaeagnus leaf detail evergreen instant hedge

Elaeagnus


Blue Holly

Osmanthus Instant Hedge

Burkwood Osmanthus

Evergreen Instant Hedge

Our current range of evergreen instant hedging includes the following species with their common and latin name:

Best Evergreen Hedging


Happy Customer

Yew Hedge – Instant Hedge

“I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for all your help and to let you know, as I’m sure you do, how marvellous your team are. The yew hedging and larger plants went in without the slightest of fuss and the effect was both instant and amazing; it has transformed our garden by adding years of growing in a matter of days. I can’t wait until spring to plant more!” JC, Suffolk.

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Deciduous Hedge /by

Deciduous Instant Hedge

Planting a mature deciduous instant hedge will add an established feel to your garden, as well as offering seasonal interest.

During the winter months screening and privacy benefits are reduced, but this can be out-weighed with blooms, berries and foliage changes throughout the year.

Our deciduous instant hedging is available in heights up to 1.8m (approx. 6ft) and due to the production method,  can be planted at any time of the year.

Click on the images for specific details on our range of deciduous hedge species.

Deciduous Instant Hedge

Green Beech

Deciduous Instant Hedge

Hawthorn

Deciduous Instant Hedge

Hornbeam

Deciduous Instant Hedge

Native Mix

Deciduous Instant Hedge

Purple Beech

Happy Customer

Evergreen and Deciduous hedge – Epsom

“We are absolutely delighted with the plants, the Yew has blended with the existing hedge and the Hornbeam has given us the privacy we thought we would have to wait years for. Please pass on a special thank you to your planting team, they certainly know what they are doing! Needless to say, we shall sing your praises with our friends and family.” Mr & Mrs S

Deciduous instant hedge names along with their latin equivalents:

field of beech instant hedge growing in specially designed trough bags in summer with full green leaves    field of beech instant hedge growing in specially designed trough bags in winter with brown/bronze leaves

Practical Instant Beech Hedge in the summer with green leaves and winter with its retained brown/bronze leaves

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Instant Hedge: Maintenance /by

Instant Hedge Maintenance

Irrigation

The amount of water available to your hedge roots depends on the water retention capacity of the soil (e.g. sandy, or clay soil) and cannot be exactly planned. It is important that you observe the hedge foliage for signs of drought so that your watering regime can be adjusted as necessary; external signs of drought are that the foliage wilts and sometimes rolls or turns.

It is important to note that it is also easy to over water your hedge and if you notice leaves turning yellow or expereince unseasonal leaf drop, then it is likely to be over watered; watered in which case immediate action should be taken to cut back on watering. If the soil surface looks dry but you have symptoms of over watering, then the moisture content needs to be checked 300 – 400mm below ground level.  Dig a small hole beside the hedge rootstrip which will indicate the amount of water getting to the roots; if it’s obviously wet, then the hedge is over-watered.

Watering in the winter is not usually required unless the hedge is evergreen and there have been long periods with little or no rainfall. We recommend that irrigation timers are stored indoors over the winter and re-connected to the system in early spring.

The following table shows you the necessary amount of water required, per linear metre per week, for a newly planted instant hedge. This should be continued until the hedge has fully established, which is usually 24 months after planting. Watering can then be reduced as required.

Soil TypeWeather ConditionsWeekly water requirement per metreIdeal watering frequency
Clay loamAverage20 – 30 litresEvery other day
Clay loamDry30 – 40 litresEvery other day
Sandy loamAverage30 – 40 litresEvery day
Sandy loamDry40 – 50 litresEvery day

Please note that this is a guide only and your observation of the hedge is most important.

Feeding

We advise that you feed your instant hedge annually with a quality nutrient blend fertiliser and the best application time for this is early spring, although any time of the year is beneficial.

Pruning

The best time of the year to prune a hedge depends on the type of plant. If the plant buds in the early spring, it can be trimmed late summer. If it blooms in the late spring, then later in the autumn or winter will be better. For non-flowering hedges, pruning can take place in the autumn or winter as well. See our hedge selection guide which gives suggested pruning months.

Whether using hand shears for smaller hedges or a powered hedge trimmer for larger hedges, you should ensure the equipment is sharp and well lubricated. Plan the trimming in advance, removing any obstacles on the ground before starting and think about the shape you would like to create; a formal, clipped hedge or a more shrub-like and natural.

Happy Customer

Purple Beech, Hockwold

“Nearly 100 linear metres of Purple Beech, 1.8/2.0m high were installed at Hockwold, Suffolk, ensuring that the landscape matched the quality of the property build. The client was delighted, commenting on our overall service from point of contact to completions as “totally professional and it will be a pleasure to work with you again”. JR.

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Instant Hedge: Benefits /by

Instant Hedge Benefits

Hedges are cost effective, compared to a brick wall and form an attractive boundary more quickly than many gardeners imagine.

They can create a really strong framework for the garden, so that it looks good in midwinter and is adapt at providing an attractive background to carry the beautiful floral decoration of spring and summer.  As well as providing structure to the garden, they can be perfect for wildlife, and particularly nesting birds.

Planting a mature, instant hedge has the following benefits:

mature hedging

Instant Hedge on a curve

  • Shelter: reducing wind strength better than a solid barrier
  • Filter: absorbing dust and noise
  • Privacy: as an effective visual screen, particularly evergreen hedging
  • Security: a prickly hedge is a great intruder deterrent
  • Beauty and interest from seasonal changes, particularly deciduous hedging
  • Background texture and colour complement other plants
  • Wildlife: food and shelter for a wide variety of native insects, birds and mammals
  • Weather-resistance: much better than manmade fences or brick walls
  • Economy long term compared with fencing and brick work
  • Long-lived: hedges can last hundreds of years
  • Can be planted to shape, such as a curve
  • Easy to maintain

See our notes on maintaining your instant hedge.

Happy Customer

Hedging and Trees (28 September 2015)

“A big thank you to your team. Everyone was extremely professional, personable and responsive. Steve was excellent in making suggestions and coming up with a planting plan. Conrad was equally consultative during the planting process when we re-ordered the shrubs for the back garden once we had them on site and worked with us on positioning the front hedge. Everything looks great and we couldn’t be happier with the screening set up in the back garden – most importantly, our neighbour loves it!! As Steve knows, we have another project on the go at the moment – we will be in touch next year once we start the landscaping process and need to address another screening challenge.” SB

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Elveden Instant Hedge /by

Elveden Instant Hedging

Mature UK Grown Instant Hedge

The UK grown Elveden Instant Hedge is dense, fully mature instant hedging. It is completely knitted together, flat sided and sold by the linear metre, not as individual plants.

We supply both evergreen and deciduous species of this substantial mature hedge, see our gallery for completed installations.

Our Elveden Instant Hedges are often used by Garden Designers in award-winning RHS Flower Show gardens, including the Chelsea Flower Show; see the projects page for updates.

Elveden Instant Hedge planting – before and after planting:

Before planting Beech Elveden Instant Hedge     After Beech Instant Hedge planting

1.8m high Green Beech Instant Hedge in the winter

Before common Laurel Elveden Instant Hedge planting     After Common Laurel elveden Instant Hedge planting

1.8m high Common Laurel Instant Hedge

During Instant Hedge installation     After Instant Hedge planting

1.8m high Portuguese Laurel Instant Hedge

Elveden Instant Hedge Availability List

We have over 45,000 metres of UK grown Instant Hedge in production – the species and heights currently available are listed below:

Evergreen Instant Hedging

  • Yew (Taxus baccata) – 1.5m high
  • Holm Oak (Quercus ilex) – 1.5m and 1.8/2m high
  • Common Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus ‘Rotundifolia’) – 1.2m and 1.8/2m high
  • Portuguese Laurel (Prunus lusitanica) – 1.2m, 1.5m and 1.8/2m high
  • Photinia ‘Red Robin’ 1.8/2m high
  • Holly (Ilex aquifolium) – 1.2m, 1.5m and 1.8m high
  • Privet (Ligustrum ovalifolium) semi-evergreen –  1.2m, 1.5m and 1.8/2m high

Deciduous Instant Hedging

  • Native Mix (various mixed native plants) – Currently only available as a Practical Instant Hedge (1.2m, 1.5/1.8m and 1.8/2m high)
  • Green Beech (Fagus sylvatica) – 1.5m and 1.8/2m high
  • Purple Beech (Fagus sylvatica ‘Purpurea’) – 1.2m and 1.5m high
  • Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) – 1.8/2m high
  • Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) – 1.2m high

We also have the easy to plant Practical Instant Hedge available; this is grown in 1m long hedge bags – please click on this link for details.

Additionally we can supply hedges taller than 2m high – click on the following link for details – screening trees and high hedge

1.2m high Box Instant Hedge Yew Instant Hedge Holly Instant Hedge Portuguese Laurel Instant Hedge Photinia instant hedge Hornbeam instant hedge

The Elveden Instant Hedge difference

  • Certified UK provenance stock
  • Densely pre-planted, ready spaced out and grown to a width of around 50cm
  • Unique production methods enables continuous root strips in 2.4m lengths, which are prepared to order
  • Specially developed root control system ensures stress-free planting all year round
  • Available up to 2m high, species dependent
  • Used by Garden Designers in award-winning RHS Flower Show gardens, including the Chelsea Flower Show; see the projects page for updates.
  • All stock is irrigated and treated with controlled release nutrients to optimise health
  • Carefully maintained and regularly clipped to an instant hedge shape
  • Available direct on a supply and plant basis throughout the UK by the metre
  • Prices vary according to species, height, quantity, and planting logistics

Supply only trade terms are available to the landscape and nursery trade with efficient nationwide delivery.

Elveden Instant Hedge comes in various species, please see below for a choice of the seasonally interesting deciduous and evergreen, which is great for year round privacy screening.

Hedge Selection Guide which is a table with more information on some of species of hedge that we sell.

Please Contact our sales team for a detailed quotation, or to arrange a nursery visit.

Native mix Elveden Instant Hedge just planted in winter

Deciduous Hedges

1.8m high Elveden Instant Hedge at the nursery

Evergreen Hedges

Deciduous

Evergreen


The Planting Process



Marketing
Instant Hedge In Focus: New Hedges /in , /by

New Practical Instant Hedge™ ranges

We are proud to introduce two new evergreens to our Practical Instant Hedge™ range:

  • Ilex meserveae Blue Maid/ Prince or Blue Holly
  • Osmanthus burkwoodii or Burkwood osmanthus

Blue Holly

Ilex meserveae Blue Maid/ Prince has dense, lustrous, blue-green, spiny leaves from purple stems and tiny, white flowers are produced in spring. These cultivars are some of the best blue hollies available. Our Practical Instant Hedge™ has a mix of Blue Maid and Blue Prince to ensure the delightful profusion of bright red berries in autumn and winter. Late summer pruning will reveal dark purplish-green stems, which add to the ornamental effect.

 

 

Burkwood osmanthus

Osmanthus Instant Hedge growing in hedge bags in Iver

Burkwood osmanthus is a dense, slow-growing, evergreen. The glossy, finely toothed, dark green leaves beautifully offset by highly scented, jasmine like, white flowers in mid and late spring. If pruned after flowering, it will increase the blooms for the following year.

 

The addition of these attractive new instant hedges brings our range of evergreens to a dozen species, with 5 deciduous to complete our offering. There really is a Practical Instant Hedge™ for all gardens.

The Practical Instant Hedge™ Difference

  • Densely pre-planted and ready-grown to 30 – 40cm wide and up to 2m high, species dependent
  • Grown in 1m long pieces and supplied specially designed hedge bags
  • Easy to handle and plant
  • Can be planted all year round
  • All stock is carefully maintained, irrigated, and treated with controlled release nutrients to optimise health
  • Available in any lengths, and can be bent to almost any shape
  • Supplied on standard 1m x 1.2m pallets
  • Prices vary according to species, height, quantity, and planting logistics
  • Available direct on a supply only or supply and plant basis throughout the UK by the metre
  • Recommended automatic irrigation systems can be installed at the same time as planting

How to order Practical Instant Hedge™

If you like to find out more about our comprehensive range of evergreen and deciduous Practical Instant Hedges, you can:

  • Book a visit to our nursery in Iver, Buckingham to view our hedges and trees
  • Call 01753 652022 to speak to our horticultural team
  • Email hedge@pracbrown.co.uk with your requirements (such as hedge length and size, species, and your location) and we can provide you with a quote within a few days.

Did you Know – We offer our Instant Hedge as both supply only, or supply and plant as well.

Marketing
Welcome to our Nursery /in , /by

Book Your Nursery Visit

We would be delighted to guide you around our nursery in Iver, Buckinghamshire to view our Practical Instant Hedge™ and see our extensive range of pleached and screening trees.

The nursery is located near to M4, M25 and M40 junctions, about 6 miles from Heathrow Airport and 15 miles from London. Just 1 mile from Iver Station, with trains from London Paddington.

Please call us on 01753 652022 to book a nursery visit and we will ensure we have an expert on hand to show you around.  We also recommend bringing pictures and measurements (particularly of access) as well as a description of your soil type so that we can give you the right advice specific to your enquiry.

Important Information

We are a working nursery that grow our trees in containers and instant hedge in trough bags. From time to time, the weather, particularly, heavy rain, can make our nursery muddy. We suggest that you bring suitable footwear, and dress comfortably for viewing an outdoor environment.

Opening Hours

We are open every week day, Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 5.00pm. We are closed on Bank Holidays.

Please call us on 01753 652022

We look forward to meeting and helping you with your enquiry.

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KeyInsite
Berberis Instant Hedge /by

Berberis Instant Hedge

A Berberis Instant Hedge makes a highly effective intruder deterrent. It is a thorny, broad-rounded, deciduous shrub with obovate green leaves which makes a great instant hedge where security is at a premium.

Berberis thunbergii (Japanese Barberry) is a seasonally interesting, compact deciduous hedge, that offers a shelter for wildlife. Berberis thunbergii hedge plants boast small, yellow, cup shaped flowers in the spring and glossy orange, oval berries in the autumn that mature to scarlet red. The green foliage of Japanese Barberry is deciduous, falling after turning shades of orange and red in the autumn. An attractive alternative to Pyracantha or Box hedging.

This 1.5m high Elveden Instant Hedge forms an impenetrable barrier and can be planted in a position enjoying either sun or partial shade. Good for urban areas as it tolerates pollution it is also frost hardy and is happy to be clipped. Plant in well-draining soil.

Berberis thunbergii grows moderately around 20 – 40 cm per year and will need pruning once a year, preferably in February.

Berberis Instant Hedge

Berberis Instant Hedge growing in the nursery at the Elveden Estate

Click here to contact us if you would like a quote for this instant hedge.

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Beech Instant Hedge /by

Beech Instant Hedge

Green Beech Instant Hedging

Beech (Fagus sylvatica) is a popular choice for a deciduous hedge and is native to the UK. The prominently veined green leaves turn yellow-orange in Autumn and often remain through the winter which enhances its value as a year round screen.

Also known as Common or Green Beech, this hedge does well on most well drained soils and is particularly happy on chalk. This deciduous instant hedge can be planted in a position enjoying either sun or partial shade. Seaside locations are best avoided as Beech dislikes salt.

Beech Hedging is relatively slow growing (15 – 30 cm/year) and will need pruning once a year, preferably in August.

Our Beech Instant Hedges are available at 1/1.2m, 1.2/1.4m and 1.8/2m high as a Practical Instant Hedge™.

90/100cm high Practical Instant Hedge growing at our nursery here in Iver, Bucks.

Click here to contact us if you would like a quote for this instant hedge.

Species Latin Foliage Pruning Annual growth Aspect Soil acceptance pH Leaves
Beech Fagus sylvatica Deciduous Once in August Slow15-30cm Sun to shade All except dry Acidic to alkaline Green turning yellow-brown. Often remain into spring
KeyInsite
Hedge Selecting Guide /by

How To Choose The Best Hedge For Your Home

An instant hedge is pre-grown as a mature hedgerow which creates an immediate, impressive impact, whether its evergreen instant hedging for privacy screening or the seasonal interest of a mature deciduous hedge.

Which Hedge?

Practical Instant Hedge™ is available in various species and sizes, up to 2m high, so how will you choose which one is best for your garden? The first choice is whether you would like an evergreen or deciduous hedge.

Evergreen hedges maintain their foliage throughout the year. This provides screening, privacy and shelter all year round. Despite their name, an evergreen hedge isn’t just one colour, they are many different varieties to suit your individual taste.

Deciduous hedges shed their leaves in the winter. They offer year-round seasonal interest from flowers, coloured foliage, or autumn fruits.

Practical Instant Hedge™ is easy to handle with no transplant shock and can be planted all year round. There are many varieties of mature hedge that will help make your garden your perfect outdoor space.

 

Hedge Selecting Guide

Use this table to help select the most suitable instant hedge for your project.  Practical Instant Hedge™ is available in heights ranging from 80cm to 2m high and is sold in 1m trough bags.

 

 

 

Species Latin Foliage Pruning Annual growth Aspect Soil acceptance pH Leaves
Box Buxus sempervirens Evergreen June to August Slow 5-15cm Sun to shade All well drained Neutral to alkaline Small, shiny dark green. New growth is light green
Hornbeam Carpinus betulus Deciduous Once in July or August Fast 30-40cm Sun to partial shade All except the poorest Neutral to slightly acidic Dark green turning yellow-brown. Often remain into spring
Common Beech Fagus sylvatica Deciduous Once in August Slow 15-30cm Sun to shade All except dry Acidic to alkaline Green turning yellow-brown. Often remain into spring
Purple Beech Fagus sylvatica ‘Purpurea’ Deciduous Once in August Slow 10-30cm Sun to shade All except dry Acidic to alkaline Green-purple turning red-brown. Often remain into spring
English Holly Ilex aquifolium  Evergreen  Once in August  Slow 5-15cm  Sun to shade  All well drained Acidic to alkaline Thorny, shiny dark green that are pale green underneath
Oval Leaf Privet Ligustrum ovalifolium Semi-evergreen Regularly in Summer Fast 40-60cm Sun to partial shade All well drained Slightly acidic to alkaline Mid-dark green on top and yellow-green underneath
Red Robin Photinia fraseri Evergreen Regularly in Summer Fast 30-40cm Sun to partial shade All well drained Acidic to alkaline Shiny dark green. New shoots are crimson-red
Common Laurel Prunus laurocerasus Evergreen Once in July or August Fast 30-40cm Sun to shade All except shallow chalk Neutral to slightly acidic Large shiny green. Thick and leathery
Portuguese Laurel Prunus lusitanica Evergreen Once in August Slow 20-30cm Sun to shade All except the poorest Acidic to alkaline Ovate and dark green
Yew Taxus baccata Evergreen  Once in August  Slow 5-20cm  Sun to shade  All except peat  Slightly acidic to alkaline Shiny dark green needles that are pale green underneath
Native Mix (Hazel, Blackthorn,  Hornbeam, Dogwood, Hawthorn and Alder Buckthorn) not applicable Deciduous Once in July Fast 30-40cm Sun to partial shade All except the poorest Neutral to  slightly acidic Various
Blue Holly Ilex meserveae Blue Maid/ Prince Evergreen Once in August Slow 20-30cm Sun to shade All well drained Acidic to alkaline Blue green spiny
Burkwood osmanthus Osmanthus burkwoodii Evergreen Regularly in Summer Average 20-40cm Sun to partial shade All well drained Any Dark green oval

 

Contact Us

Please use the enquiry form with details of the hedges that you are interested in and we will provide you with a bespoke quotation.

Ready grown, instant hedges in various species, and shades of green growing in rows at Practicality Brown

Practical Instant Hedge™ growing at our nursery in Over, Buckinghamshire

 

KeyInsite
Evergreen Instant Hedge /by

Evergreen Instant Hedging

Evergreen Instant Hedging has the benefit of providing screening, privacy and shelter all year round. An evergreen instant hedge will also give an immediate, mature look to your garden. This dense hedging is available at heights of up to 2m and can be planted all-year round.

Instant hedges are the perfect way to provide maturity to your garden and have the following benefits:

  • A ready grown hedge providing a mature, practical option
  • Dense hedging, pre-planted and ready spaced out
  • Carefully maintained and regularly clipped to an instant hedge shape
  • Ready to plant all year round and available up to 2m high, species dependent
  • Available in any lengths, and can be bent to almost any shape
  • Instant evergreen hedges provide a year round dense screening, privacy, shelter etc.
  • We have taken the time to grow it, so you don’t have to!

See evergreen pages for more details on specific species:


English Holly

Laurel Evergreen Instant Hedge

Cherry Laurel

Photinia fraseri Red Robin Evergreen

Photinia

Privet Evergreen Instant Hedge

Privet

Portuguese Laurel Evergreen Instant Hedge

Portuguese Laurel

Yew Evergreen Instant Hedge

Yew

Thuja hedge detail

White Ceder


Griselinia

Elaeagnus leaf detail evergreen instant hedge

Elaeagnus


Blue Holly

Osmanthus Instant Hedge

Burkwood Osmanthus

Evergreen Instant Hedge

Our current range of evergreen instant hedging includes the following species with their common and latin name:

Best Evergreen Hedging


Happy Customer

Yew Hedge – Instant Hedge

“I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for all your help and to let you know, as I’m sure you do, how marvellous your team are. The yew hedging and larger plants went in without the slightest of fuss and the effect was both instant and amazing; it has transformed our garden by adding years of growing in a matter of days. I can’t wait until spring to plant more!” JC, Suffolk.

KeyInsite
Deciduous Hedge /by

Deciduous Instant Hedge

Planting a mature deciduous instant hedge will add an established feel to your garden, as well as offering seasonal interest.

During the winter months screening and privacy benefits are reduced, but this can be out-weighed with blooms, berries and foliage changes throughout the year.

Our deciduous instant hedging is available in heights up to 1.8m (approx. 6ft) and due to the production method,  can be planted at any time of the year.

Click on the images for specific details on our range of deciduous hedge species.

Deciduous Instant Hedge

Green Beech

Deciduous Instant Hedge

Hawthorn

Deciduous Instant Hedge

Hornbeam

Deciduous Instant Hedge

Native Mix

Deciduous Instant Hedge

Purple Beech

Happy Customer

Evergreen and Deciduous hedge – Epsom

“We are absolutely delighted with the plants, the Yew has blended with the existing hedge and the Hornbeam has given us the privacy we thought we would have to wait years for. Please pass on a special thank you to your planting team, they certainly know what they are doing! Needless to say, we shall sing your praises with our friends and family.” Mr & Mrs S

Deciduous instant hedge names along with their latin equivalents:

field of beech instant hedge growing in specially designed trough bags in summer with full green leaves    field of beech instant hedge growing in specially designed trough bags in winter with brown/bronze leaves

Practical Instant Beech Hedge in the summer with green leaves and winter with its retained brown/bronze leaves

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Instant Hedge: Maintenance /by

Instant Hedge Maintenance

Irrigation

The amount of water available to your hedge roots depends on the water retention capacity of the soil (e.g. sandy, or clay soil) and cannot be exactly planned. It is important that you observe the hedge foliage for signs of drought so that your watering regime can be adjusted as necessary; external signs of drought are that the foliage wilts and sometimes rolls or turns.

It is important to note that it is also easy to over water your hedge and if you notice leaves turning yellow or expereince unseasonal leaf drop, then it is likely to be over watered; watered in which case immediate action should be taken to cut back on watering. If the soil surface looks dry but you have symptoms of over watering, then the moisture content needs to be checked 300 – 400mm below ground level.  Dig a small hole beside the hedge rootstrip which will indicate the amount of water getting to the roots; if it’s obviously wet, then the hedge is over-watered.

Watering in the winter is not usually required unless the hedge is evergreen and there have been long periods with little or no rainfall. We recommend that irrigation timers are stored indoors over the winter and re-connected to the system in early spring.

The following table shows you the necessary amount of water required, per linear metre per week, for a newly planted instant hedge. This should be continued until the hedge has fully established, which is usually 24 months after planting. Watering can then be reduced as required.

Soil TypeWeather ConditionsWeekly water requirement per metreIdeal watering frequency
Clay loamAverage20 – 30 litresEvery other day
Clay loamDry30 – 40 litresEvery other day
Sandy loamAverage30 – 40 litresEvery day
Sandy loamDry40 – 50 litresEvery day

Please note that this is a guide only and your observation of the hedge is most important.

Feeding

We advise that you feed your instant hedge annually with a quality nutrient blend fertiliser and the best application time for this is early spring, although any time of the year is beneficial.

Pruning

The best time of the year to prune a hedge depends on the type of plant. If the plant buds in the early spring, it can be trimmed late summer. If it blooms in the late spring, then later in the autumn or winter will be better. For non-flowering hedges, pruning can take place in the autumn or winter as well. See our hedge selection guide which gives suggested pruning months.

Whether using hand shears for smaller hedges or a powered hedge trimmer for larger hedges, you should ensure the equipment is sharp and well lubricated. Plan the trimming in advance, removing any obstacles on the ground before starting and think about the shape you would like to create; a formal, clipped hedge or a more shrub-like and natural.

Happy Customer

Purple Beech, Hockwold

“Nearly 100 linear metres of Purple Beech, 1.8/2.0m high were installed at Hockwold, Suffolk, ensuring that the landscape matched the quality of the property build. The client was delighted, commenting on our overall service from point of contact to completions as “totally professional and it will be a pleasure to work with you again”. JR.

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Instant Hedge: Benefits /by

Instant Hedge Benefits

Hedges are cost effective, compared to a brick wall and form an attractive boundary more quickly than many gardeners imagine.

They can create a really strong framework for the garden, so that it looks good in midwinter and is adapt at providing an attractive background to carry the beautiful floral decoration of spring and summer.  As well as providing structure to the garden, they can be perfect for wildlife, and particularly nesting birds.

Planting a mature, instant hedge has the following benefits:

mature hedging

Instant Hedge on a curve

  • Shelter: reducing wind strength better than a solid barrier
  • Filter: absorbing dust and noise
  • Privacy: as an effective visual screen, particularly evergreen hedging
  • Security: a prickly hedge is a great intruder deterrent
  • Beauty and interest from seasonal changes, particularly deciduous hedging
  • Background texture and colour complement other plants
  • Wildlife: food and shelter for a wide variety of native insects, birds and mammals
  • Weather-resistance: much better than manmade fences or brick walls
  • Economy long term compared with fencing and brick work
  • Long-lived: hedges can last hundreds of years
  • Can be planted to shape, such as a curve
  • Easy to maintain

See our notes on maintaining your instant hedge.

Happy Customer

Hedging and Trees (28 September 2015)

“A big thank you to your team. Everyone was extremely professional, personable and responsive. Steve was excellent in making suggestions and coming up with a planting plan. Conrad was equally consultative during the planting process when we re-ordered the shrubs for the back garden once we had them on site and worked with us on positioning the front hedge. Everything looks great and we couldn’t be happier with the screening set up in the back garden – most importantly, our neighbour loves it!! As Steve knows, we have another project on the go at the moment – we will be in touch next year once we start the landscaping process and need to address another screening challenge.” SB

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Elveden Instant Hedge /by

Elveden Instant Hedging

Mature UK Grown Instant Hedge

The UK grown Elveden Instant Hedge is dense, fully mature instant hedging. It is completely knitted together, flat sided and sold by the linear metre, not as individual plants.

We supply both evergreen and deciduous species of this substantial mature hedge, see our gallery for completed installations.

Our Elveden Instant Hedges are often used by Garden Designers in award-winning RHS Flower Show gardens, including the Chelsea Flower Show; see the projects page for updates.

Elveden Instant Hedge planting – before and after planting:

Before planting Beech Elveden Instant Hedge     After Beech Instant Hedge planting

1.8m high Green Beech Instant Hedge in the winter

Before common Laurel Elveden Instant Hedge planting     After Common Laurel elveden Instant Hedge planting

1.8m high Common Laurel Instant Hedge

During Instant Hedge installation     After Instant Hedge planting

1.8m high Portuguese Laurel Instant Hedge

Elveden Instant Hedge Availability List

We have over 45,000 metres of UK grown Instant Hedge in production – the species and heights currently available are listed below:

Evergreen Instant Hedging

  • Yew (Taxus baccata) – 1.5m high
  • Holm Oak (Quercus ilex) – 1.5m and 1.8/2m high
  • Common Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus ‘Rotundifolia’) – 1.2m and 1.8/2m high
  • Portuguese Laurel (Prunus lusitanica) – 1.2m, 1.5m and 1.8/2m high
  • Photinia ‘Red Robin’ 1.8/2m high
  • Holly (Ilex aquifolium) – 1.2m, 1.5m and 1.8m high
  • Privet (Ligustrum ovalifolium) semi-evergreen –  1.2m, 1.5m and 1.8/2m high

Deciduous Instant Hedging

  • Native Mix (various mixed native plants) – Currently only available as a Practical Instant Hedge (1.2m, 1.5/1.8m and 1.8/2m high)
  • Green Beech (Fagus sylvatica) – 1.5m and 1.8/2m high
  • Purple Beech (Fagus sylvatica ‘Purpurea’) – 1.2m and 1.5m high
  • Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) – 1.8/2m high
  • Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) – 1.2m high

We also have the easy to plant Practical Instant Hedge available; this is grown in 1m long hedge bags – please click on this link for details.

Additionally we can supply hedges taller than 2m high – click on the following link for details – screening trees and high hedge

1.2m high Box Instant Hedge Yew Instant Hedge Holly Instant Hedge Portuguese Laurel Instant Hedge Photinia instant hedge Hornbeam instant hedge

The Elveden Instant Hedge difference

  • Certified UK provenance stock
  • Densely pre-planted, ready spaced out and grown to a width of around 50cm
  • Unique production methods enables continuous root strips in 2.4m lengths, which are prepared to order
  • Specially developed root control system ensures stress-free planting all year round
  • Available up to 2m high, species dependent
  • Used by Garden Designers in award-winning RHS Flower Show gardens, including the Chelsea Flower Show; see the projects page for updates.
  • All stock is irrigated and treated with controlled release nutrients to optimise health
  • Carefully maintained and regularly clipped to an instant hedge shape
  • Available direct on a supply and plant basis throughout the UK by the metre
  • Prices vary according to species, height, quantity, and planting logistics

Supply only trade terms are available to the landscape and nursery trade with efficient nationwide delivery.

Elveden Instant Hedge comes in various species, please see below for a choice of the seasonally interesting deciduous and evergreen, which is great for year round privacy screening.

Hedge Selection Guide which is a table with more information on some of species of hedge that we sell.

Please Contact our sales team for a detailed quotation, or to arrange a nursery visit.

Native mix Elveden Instant Hedge just planted in winter

Deciduous Hedges

1.8m high Elveden Instant Hedge at the nursery

Evergreen Hedges

Deciduous

Evergreen


The Planting Process



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Instant Hedge In Focus: New Hedges /in , /by

New Practical Instant Hedge™ ranges

We are proud to introduce two new evergreens to our Practical Instant Hedge™ range:

  • Ilex meserveae Blue Maid/ Prince or Blue Holly
  • Osmanthus burkwoodii or Burkwood osmanthus

Blue Holly

Ilex meserveae Blue Maid/ Prince has dense, lustrous, blue-green, spiny leaves from purple stems and tiny, white flowers are produced in spring. These cultivars are some of the best blue hollies available. Our Practical Instant Hedge™ has a mix of Blue Maid and Blue Prince to ensure the delightful profusion of bright red berries in autumn and winter. Late summer pruning will reveal dark purplish-green stems, which add to the ornamental effect.

 

 

Burkwood osmanthus

Osmanthus Instant Hedge growing in hedge bags in Iver

Burkwood osmanthus is a dense, slow-growing, evergreen. The glossy, finely toothed, dark green leaves beautifully offset by highly scented, jasmine like, white flowers in mid and late spring. If pruned after flowering, it will increase the blooms for the following year.

 

The addition of these attractive new instant hedges brings our range of evergreens to a dozen species, with 5 deciduous to complete our offering. There really is a Practical Instant Hedge™ for all gardens.

The Practical Instant Hedge™ Difference

  • Densely pre-planted and ready-grown to 30 – 40cm wide and up to 2m high, species dependent
  • Grown in 1m long pieces and supplied specially designed hedge bags
  • Easy to handle and plant
  • Can be planted all year round
  • All stock is carefully maintained, irrigated, and treated with controlled release nutrients to optimise health
  • Available in any lengths, and can be bent to almost any shape
  • Supplied on standard 1m x 1.2m pallets
  • Prices vary according to species, height, quantity, and planting logistics
  • Available direct on a supply only or supply and plant basis throughout the UK by the metre
  • Recommended automatic irrigation systems can be installed at the same time as planting

How to order Practical Instant Hedge™

If you like to find out more about our comprehensive range of evergreen and deciduous Practical Instant Hedges, you can:

  • Book a visit to our nursery in Iver, Buckingham to view our hedges and trees
  • Call 01753 652022 to speak to our horticultural team
  • Email hedge@pracbrown.co.uk with your requirements (such as hedge length and size, species, and your location) and we can provide you with a quote within a few days.

Did you Know – We offer our Instant Hedge as both supply only, or supply and plant as well.

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Welcome to our Nursery /in , /by

Book Your Nursery Visit

We would be delighted to guide you around our nursery in Iver, Buckinghamshire to view our Practical Instant Hedge™ and see our extensive range of pleached and screening trees.

The nursery is located near to M4, M25 and M40 junctions, about 6 miles from Heathrow Airport and 15 miles from London. Just 1 mile from Iver Station, with trains from London Paddington.

Please call us on 01753 652022 to book a nursery visit and we will ensure we have an expert on hand to show you around.  We also recommend bringing pictures and measurements (particularly of access) as well as a description of your soil type so that we can give you the right advice specific to your enquiry.

Important Information

We are a working nursery that grow our trees in containers and instant hedge in trough bags. From time to time, the weather, particularly, heavy rain, can make our nursery muddy. We suggest that you bring suitable footwear, and dress comfortably for viewing an outdoor environment.

Opening Hours

We are open every week day, Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 5.00pm. We are closed on Bank Holidays.

Please call us on 01753 652022

We look forward to meeting and helping you with your enquiry.