Posts

RHS Chelsea logo 2026
Marketing
RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026 /in , /by

RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026

Hedging at Chelsea

Once again Practicality Brown are delighted to support Garden Designers at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, supplying high-quality instant hedging to inspiring show gardens. Taking place from 19–23 May 2026, Chelsea remains the most prestigious event in the horticultural calendar, showcasing innovative garden design, planting and landscaping ideas.

This year, we are working with Sarah Mayfield and Monika Greenhough on their Hedgerow in the Sky Balcony Garden and with Arit Anderson for her A Garden for Every Parkinson’s Journey Show Garden. Both gardens demonstrate how thoughtful planting and structure can transform a space, no matter the size or setting. In addition, we are supplying Portuguese Laurel Practical Instant Hedge™ for Sadie May Stowell’s installation at the show.

Why Hedging is Essential in Show Garden Design

At Chelsea, every detail matters. Hedging plays a key role in creating structure, defining boundaries and delivering an instant sense of maturity. Whether used in compact balcony gardens or large show spaces, hedges provide a strong framework that enhances the overall design.

Our Practical Instant Hedge™ is particularly suited to show gardens, offering designers a reliable way to achieve immediate impact without compromising on quality or plant health.

 

Practical Instant Hedge™ at Chelsea 2026

Hedgerow in the Sky – Balcony Garden

Designed by Sarah Mayfield and Monika Greenhough

The Hedgerow in the Sky garden reimagines the character of British hedgerows within a contemporary urban balcony garden. Layered planting echoes the natural structure of hedgerows, offering year-round interest and creating moments of discovery for both pollinators and people.

Inspired by the designer’s love of British hedgerows and concern for their decline, the garden encourages visitors to notice local wildlife and demonstrates how biodiversity can thrive even in limited outdoor spaces. It is a hopeful reminder that thoughtfully designed small spaces can nurture nature and create meaningful ecological impact.

Practicality Brown are supplying Native Mix Practical Instant Hedge™ for this inspiring garden for small spaces.

Garden legacy: The garden will be relocated to a city centre nursery and after-school club in Brighton, East Sussex.

A Garden for Every Parkinson’s Journey – Show Garden

Designed by Arit Anderson

A garden for people with Parkinson’s and their loved ones to enjoy while waiting for outpatient care at John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, a Parkinson’s Centre of Excellence.

The space is divided into three themed zones, each with its own colour palette and sensory focus. We are supplying Native Mix Practical Instant Hedge™ for this garden which is a place of harmony and comfort for people and pollinators alike. This joyful garden is designed as a sanctuary that both supports and appreciates those navigating this complex neurological condition.

Garden legacy: The garden will be relocated to John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, so the Parkinson’s community can enjoy its lasting benefits.

Visit our nursery or get in touch

If you are planning a garden project and would like expert advice on hedging, screening trees or specimen planting, our team is here to help.

Visit our nursery in Iver, Buckinghamshire, speak to our horticultural specialists, or contact us directly: Call us on 01753 652022 or email us at hedge@pracbrown.co.uk.

Alternatively, explore our range of instant hedges, screening trees and specimen trees on our website.

Ryan Mahon Chelsea garden 2025
Marketing
RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025 /in , /by

RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025

Wild About Chelsea

We are delighted to support Garden Designers at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show again this year.

We are supplying Yew Practical Instant Hedge™ for Sadie May Stowell’s “Explore Charleston” installation at the show. We have more hedging in Ryan McMahon’s garden in the All About Plants category.

The RHS’s All About Plants category has tasked designers to look at how plants, wildlife and people adapt and interact with the environment around them. All the gardens in this category are supported by Project Giving Back, a grant-giving charity that supports gardens for good causes at RHS Chelsea Flower Show. The designs in this category have a particular focus on unusual and specialist plants.

Seawilding

Ryan McMahon’s Seawilding garden captures the spirit of Scotland’s west coast landscape, with a saltwater pool planted with seagrass, the UK’s only native ocean plant. The garden focuses on plants native to the west coast of Scotland, such as globeflower, a wildflower of the Scottish wet meadows, and string sedge. We are supplying our Practical Instant Hedge™ in Native Mix which frames this innovative Garden.

RHS Chelsea Flower Show is filled with amazing garden designs, gorgeous floral displays and exclusive shopping. This year’s show is 20 – 24 May 2025.

 

Awards Update

Sadie Mae Stowell’s garden installation was awarded the maximum 5 Gold Stars for the Charleston trade stand. Ryan McMahon was awarded Gold and Best in All About Plants Category, a super result for his first Chelsea garden.

 

Practical Choice

Our hedging range makes a perfect choice for show gardens, which is why many garden designers choose our Practical Instant Hedge™ year after year. The hedges come in 1m long pieces across evergreen and deciduous species, all of which are grown at our Buckinghamshire nursery. The production method ensures that this mature hedge is easy to handle with no transplant shock and that it can be planted all year round.

See for yourself

Come and visit our nursery in Iver, Bucks and talk to our Horticultural team about your projects. Call us on 01753 652022. You can also email us at hedge@pracbrown.co.uk. Or browse our website for evergreen screening trees, specimen trees and instant hedges.

 

Marketing
Wildlife Friendly Hedges & Trees /in , /by

Wildlife Friendly Hedges & Trees

With RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch this weekend, it’s a great time to consider how to ensure your garden is attractive to wildlife. Adding trees and instant hedges into your garden can provide essential habitats, food sources, and protection, enabling biodiversity and ecological balance.

Habitat and Shelter

Trees and mature hedges serve as vital nesting sites and shelters for various bird species. Dense foliage offers protection from predators and harsh weather conditions, creating safe environments for raising young. A good example would be mixed native instant hedges which provide benefits for a wide range of wildlife.

Food Resources

Native hedges, composed of species like Hawthorn, Blackthorn, Hornbeam, Hazel and Privet produce flowers, berries, and seeds that are crucial food sources throughout the year. The seasonal availability of these resources support a variety of wildlife diets, from nectar-feeding to seed-eating species.

Protection and Privacy

Beyond ecological benefits, mature hedges offer practical advantages for garden owners. They act as natural windbreaks, reducing wind strength more effectively than solid fences, and serve as visual screens for privacy. They can also absorb dust and noise, contributing to a more pleasant garden environment.

Instant Hedges for Immediate Impact

For those looking to quickly enhance their gardens, Practical Instant Hedge™ provide immediate structure and benefits. These pre-grown mature hedges create a strong framework for the garden, so that it looks good from winter through to providing attractive background to floral displays of spring and summer.

Biodiversity

Including diverse, native plant species in your garden not only enhance garden aesthetics but also contributes to broader conservation efforts, supporting biodiversity and ecological health.

Tree Availability List

You can view of comprehensive tree availability lists here.

Visit The Nursery

We would be delighted to show you around our Tree and Hedge nursery in Iver, Buckinghamshire, whether you are interested in screening trees or instant hedges.

We are located near to M4, M25 and M40 junctions, about 6 miles from Heathrow Airport. Also, just 15 miles from central London and 1 mile from Iver Station. With regular trains from London Paddington.

Please phone us first 01753 652022 to book a nursery visit and we will ensure we have an expert on hand to show you around.
We look forward to meeting you and helping you with your enquiry.

 

Picture shows Practicality Browns office in Iver with a large Photinia tree in the front.
Marketing
Instant Hedges and Trees Available Online /in /by

Instant Hedges & Large Trees Online

 

Practicality Brown is always known as an innovative company! The first company to develop pre-grown instant hedge in the late 1990s, and we have since gone on to develop our own award-winning Practicality Instant Hedge™.

Our team also specialise in evergreen screening trees, to bring privacy to every garden.

We are now pleased to announce two new online developments, our Hedge Shop and our full Tree Availability List.

Hedge Shop

We are delighted to announce the launch of our brand new Hedge Shop. Fully integrated with our existing website, or available direct at  https://shop.pracbrown.co.uk/ This is an easy way to select and buy Practical Instant Hedge™ from the Instant Hedge Specialist.

Practical Instant Hedge™

Our Practical Instant Hedging range currently consists of

  • Blue Holly
  • Burkwood Osmanthus
  • Common Laurel
  • Elaeagnus
  • Green Beech
  • Griselinia
  • Hawthorn
  • Holly
  • Hornbeam
  • Native Mix
  • Portuguese Laurel
  • Privet
  • Purple Beech
  • White Cedar

With other species being grown and developed on site.

How to Shop

Simply select the species, add to the cart and your delivery details and the price will be calculated. Delivery is a minimum of 3 metres of hedge, and usually takes two working days from receipt of order, but we can deliver later too.

As well as a delivery only option, we can also arrange to install the hedges. Just give us a call or email to discuss. You are very welcome to visit our nursery to view and select your instant hedge.

 

Tree Availability List

We have completed a stock take of the trees in our Iver nursery in Buckinghamshire and have produced a comprehensive list of the 800+ trees that are available to purchase right now.

If you are looking for evergreen screening trees, standard or pleached, attractive deciduous specimens or useful screens, we have a choice of trees for you!

The list contains the trees that we have in stock and is accurate at the time of publishing. Stock situations can change quickly so please get in touch to receive a quotation or to reserve any trees that you like the look of. If you are looking for something more unusual or don’t see the trees that you are looking for on this list, please ask and we should be able to source them for you through our partner growers.

Special Offer

A 20% discount will be applied to ex VAT orders of trees worth a total of £3000 or more. The discount applies to the tree stock value of the order only, not to delivery and planting etc.

Visit

We recommend coming to view and select the trees before purchase, as choosing your very own trees is a lovely thing to do!  – and you can book a nursery visit.

Contact Us

Call our sales team on 01753 652022 or email hedge@pracbrown.co.uk or trees@pracbrown.co.uk  to arrange a visit, we would be delighted to show you around the nursery to view our stock Monday to Friday 9.00am – 3.00pm.

Marketing
RHS Hampton Court Garden Festival 2024 /in , /by

RHS Show Gardens at Hampton Court Garden Festival 2-7 July 2024

RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival is the world’s largest flower show, stretching over 31 acres and attracting around 120,000 visitors. It is a celebration of gardening set in the historic grounds of Hampton Court Palace within easy reach of central London.

Practicality Brown are delighted to support Garden Designers at the event again this year. There is a real variety of ideas at the 2024 festival, bringing gardening traditions of other countries to the classically British setting of Hampton Court Palace,

Show Garden

We have supplied Yew Practical Instant Hedge™ and Pine trees for Sadie May Stowell’s Oregon Show Garden.  This showcases the natural beauty of the state of Oregon, including wildflower planting, natural crisp clear waterfalls and forest planting. The planting is natural in appearance and focuses on pollinating plants and flowers.

Oregon Show Garden at RHS Hampton Court featuring Yew Practical Instant Hedge and Pine trees

Oregon Show Garden design by Sadie May Stowell

Get Started Gardens

The “Get Started Gardens” category aims to inspire beginner gardeners and spark ideas that can be achieved at their own home. We supported two Garden Designers in this section, both of which were awarded a Silver Gilt medal:

 

A Four Seasons Sanctuary created by Tim Jennings included our Hornbeam Elements and Purple Beech Practical Instant Hedge™. Combining striking modern design features with traditional materials.  With naturalistic ‘drift’ planting, this is a garden to be enjoyed by humans and wildlife alike. This garden has a strong stylish aesthetic that also provides the natural, seasonal wild space to sustain a diverse kaleidoscope of life

Four Season Sanctuary designed by Tim Jennings featuring Hornbeam Elements and Purple Beech Practical Instant Hedge

Four Season Sanctuary Garden designed by Tim Jennings

Lastly, Melanie Hick used our Elaeagnus evergreen screens for her award-winning Climate Forward Garden.  A front garden re-imagined for our changing environment with style and sustainability front and centre. It is influenced by Australian garden design.  It has evolved to cope with the demands of harsh climate conditions like drought and flooding rains.

Climate Forward Garden designed by Melanie Hick features Elaeagnus evergreen screens

Climate Forward Garden designed by Melanie Hick

Come and visit our nursery in Iver, Bucks and talk to our Horticultural team about your own garden. Call us on 01753 652022. You can also email us at hedge@pracbrown.co.uk. Or browse our website for specimen trees and instant hedges.

 

 

colour logo of RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2024 with single multi-coloured flower and text
Marketing
RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2024 /in , /by

RHS Exhibits

This year, our contribution to RHS Chelsea Flower Show took us inside the Great Pavilion, for two gardens designed for special Royal Horticultural Society exhibits and a special showground installation sponsored by Saatchi.

All About Hedges

This Discovery Zone feature, designed by Dave Green with RHS Science showcased the importance of hedges as part of urban and suburban landscapes.  Practicality Brown supplied Yew, Privet, Elaeagnus, Portuguese Laurel and Griselinia from our Practical Instant Hedge™ range for this special exhibit.

RHS x UBS A day on the nursery

This Feature Garden in the middle of the Great Pavilion, was sponsored by UBS and designed by Emma Tipping. It gave visitors an immersive experience of being in a plant nursery. We supplied Practical Instant Native Mix Hedge™ that surrounds the exhibit. The current mix in this very wildlife friendly hedge is Hawthorn, Hornbeam, Hazel, Blackthorn and Common Privet.

Abeba Esse

This showground installation, sponsored by Saatchi Gallery, by Zak Ové and Dave Green depicts a Black Diasporic journey, with planting representing Africa, the Caribbean, and the UK. The garden encourages important conversations about the themes. We supplied Practical Instant Native Mix Hedge™ as a back drop to the exhibit and the yew at the front.

Come and visit our nursery in Iver, Bucks and talk to our Horticultural team about your own garden. Call us on 01753 652022. You can also email us at hedge@pracbrown.co.uk. Or browse our website for specimen trees and instant hedges.

Picture shows the front of the green office building for Practicality Brown at our nursery.
Marketing
Screening Trees and Instant Hedges in Stock and Available Now /in , /by

Screening trees and instant hedges are in stock now at our nursery. We have over 800 trees and 15,000m of instant hedging available at our nursery in Iver, Buckinghamshire. We have the perfect tree or instant hedge for your garden project. In stock now and available for delivery at a few days’ notice. Or even better come and visit our nursery and see our stock for yourself!

The Best  Screening Trees

Our range of trees includes those suitable for creating privacy (screening trees). Those that are good for narrow gardens (pleached trees) and also some stunning specimen trees too.

We keep a good stock of our best, and most popular, trees here in Iver. Such as the classic Hollies and Laurels as well as the popular Photinia ‘Red Robin’. You can come to view – and choose – the trees for yourself when you arrange a nursery visit.

Top Quality Instant Hedges

As well as our range of in stock trees, we have an extensive range of home grown Practical Instant Hedge™, across 16 species. From the sea-wind tolerant Griselinia to the classic Yew and the popular Native Mix.  We have taken the time to produce top quality hedging, meaning that you can enjoy the instant impact, from the moment it is planted. Instant privacy, instant screening and instant results!  This hedge is supplied in convenient metre long pieces for ease of handling and planting. Our hedging can also be planted all year round.

 

About Us

Practicality Brown started in the early 1980s and has been at the forefront of many pioneering horticultural practices.  This included supplying large trees to the landscape trade and the development of pre-grown instant hedging.

We pride ourselves on our excellent customer satisfaction ratings.  With the excellent quality of our products and services together with our amazing staff, who create a great experience for customers.

We are on hand to help, guiding your project choice from plant selection, right through to delivery and planting.

Visit The Nursery

We would be delighted to show you around our Tree and Hedge nursery in Iver, Buckinghamshire, whether you are interested in screening trees or instant hedges.

We are located near to M4, M25 and M40 junctions, about 6 miles from Heathrow Airport. Also just 15 miles from central London and 1 mile from Iver Station.  With regular trains from London Paddington.

Please phone us first 01753 652022 to book a nursery visit and we will ensure we have an expert on hand to show you around.

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

 

Osmanthus Instant Hedge growing on our nursery ideal hedge for small gardens.
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Instant Hedge In Focus: Hedges for Small Gardens /in , , /by

Choosing the Perfect Hedge for Your Small Garden

In the world of gardening, hedges are the unsung heroes of landscape design, offering a blend of functionality and beauty. For those with smaller gardens, selecting the right hedge can be challenging but fortunately, there are several species of our Practical Instant Hedge™ that could be the perfect choice for your small garden.  Whether its the classic charm of Holly, the sweet fragrance of Osmanthus, or the timeless Yew.

Our pre-formed, top-quality Practical Instant Hedge™ range is produced in specially designed hedging bags and supplied in pieces that are 1m long by 40 – 50cm deep. When replanted into your garden, these evergreen instant hedges will give instant maturity, and require minimal maintenance.

Osmanthus Instant Hedge

Holly

Holly, with its glossy, spiky leaves and vibrant red berries, adds a touch of traditional charm to any garden. Their dense growth habit creates a natural privacy screen, and the presence of both male and female plants ensures the iconic bright berries during the winter months. Practical Instant Hedge™ is available as English Holly (Ilex aquifolium) and Blue Holly (Ilex meserveae). Both hedges are relatively low maintenance, requiring only occasional pruning to maintain their shape and density.  It’s also very hardy, resistant to pests and diseases, and can tolerate a variety of soil conditions.

Osmanthus

Osmanthus hedges are our favourite choice for fragrance. Known for their small, white flowers that bloom in late winter or early spring, Osmanthus hedges infuse the garden with a sweet, apricot-like aroma. Practical Instant Hedge™ (Osmanthus burkwoodii) is a compact evergreen, making them well-suited for small spaces. These hedges require moderate pruning to maintain their shape and promote bushier growth with more flowers the following season. Their versatility extends to both sunny and partially shaded locations.

Yew

Yew hedges have adorned gardens for centuries, standing as a symbol of enduring beauty. Known for their dark green, needle-like foliage, Yews provide an evergreen backdrop throughout the seasons. Their slow growth rate makes them ideal for small gardens, allowing for easy maintenance and shaping. Beyond their aesthetic appeal, Yews also have a remarkable tolerance for different soil conditions and are shade-tolerant, making them a versatile choice for various garden settings. Practical Instant Yew Hedging is available in various heights.

In the world of small gardens, the right hedge can transform a confined space into a verdant sanctuary. They are easy to manage and enhance any environment with their natural charm; whether you opt for the enduring elegance of Yew, the traditional charm of Holly, or the fragrant blooms of Osmanthus, each species brings its unique character to your outdoor space.

Osmanthus Instant Hedge

Osmanthus

Blue Holly Instant Hedge

Blue Holly

Holly leaf and berry

English Holly

Yew Instant Hedge

Yew

 

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 bespoke quote.
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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
  • British grown by us!
  • 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.
  • Order online here.

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.

Pages

RHS Chelsea logo 2026
Marketing
RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026 /in , /by

RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026

Hedging at Chelsea

Once again Practicality Brown are delighted to support Garden Designers at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, supplying high-quality instant hedging to inspiring show gardens. Taking place from 19–23 May 2026, Chelsea remains the most prestigious event in the horticultural calendar, showcasing innovative garden design, planting and landscaping ideas.

This year, we are working with Sarah Mayfield and Monika Greenhough on their Hedgerow in the Sky Balcony Garden and with Arit Anderson for her A Garden for Every Parkinson’s Journey Show Garden. Both gardens demonstrate how thoughtful planting and structure can transform a space, no matter the size or setting. In addition, we are supplying Portuguese Laurel Practical Instant Hedge™ for Sadie May Stowell’s installation at the show.

Why Hedging is Essential in Show Garden Design

At Chelsea, every detail matters. Hedging plays a key role in creating structure, defining boundaries and delivering an instant sense of maturity. Whether used in compact balcony gardens or large show spaces, hedges provide a strong framework that enhances the overall design.

Our Practical Instant Hedge™ is particularly suited to show gardens, offering designers a reliable way to achieve immediate impact without compromising on quality or plant health.

 

Practical Instant Hedge™ at Chelsea 2026

Hedgerow in the Sky – Balcony Garden

Designed by Sarah Mayfield and Monika Greenhough

The Hedgerow in the Sky garden reimagines the character of British hedgerows within a contemporary urban balcony garden. Layered planting echoes the natural structure of hedgerows, offering year-round interest and creating moments of discovery for both pollinators and people.

Inspired by the designer’s love of British hedgerows and concern for their decline, the garden encourages visitors to notice local wildlife and demonstrates how biodiversity can thrive even in limited outdoor spaces. It is a hopeful reminder that thoughtfully designed small spaces can nurture nature and create meaningful ecological impact.

Practicality Brown are supplying Native Mix Practical Instant Hedge™ for this inspiring garden for small spaces.

Garden legacy: The garden will be relocated to a city centre nursery and after-school club in Brighton, East Sussex.

A Garden for Every Parkinson’s Journey – Show Garden

Designed by Arit Anderson

A garden for people with Parkinson’s and their loved ones to enjoy while waiting for outpatient care at John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, a Parkinson’s Centre of Excellence.

The space is divided into three themed zones, each with its own colour palette and sensory focus. We are supplying Native Mix Practical Instant Hedge™ for this garden which is a place of harmony and comfort for people and pollinators alike. This joyful garden is designed as a sanctuary that both supports and appreciates those navigating this complex neurological condition.

Garden legacy: The garden will be relocated to John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, so the Parkinson’s community can enjoy its lasting benefits.

Visit our nursery or get in touch

If you are planning a garden project and would like expert advice on hedging, screening trees or specimen planting, our team is here to help.

Visit our nursery in Iver, Buckinghamshire, speak to our horticultural specialists, or contact us directly: Call us on 01753 652022 or email us at hedge@pracbrown.co.uk.

Alternatively, explore our range of instant hedges, screening trees and specimen trees on our website.

Ryan Mahon Chelsea garden 2025
Marketing
RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025 /in , /by

RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025

Wild About Chelsea

We are delighted to support Garden Designers at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show again this year.

We are supplying Yew Practical Instant Hedge™ for Sadie May Stowell’s “Explore Charleston” installation at the show. We have more hedging in Ryan McMahon’s garden in the All About Plants category.

The RHS’s All About Plants category has tasked designers to look at how plants, wildlife and people adapt and interact with the environment around them. All the gardens in this category are supported by Project Giving Back, a grant-giving charity that supports gardens for good causes at RHS Chelsea Flower Show. The designs in this category have a particular focus on unusual and specialist plants.

Seawilding

Ryan McMahon’s Seawilding garden captures the spirit of Scotland’s west coast landscape, with a saltwater pool planted with seagrass, the UK’s only native ocean plant. The garden focuses on plants native to the west coast of Scotland, such as globeflower, a wildflower of the Scottish wet meadows, and string sedge. We are supplying our Practical Instant Hedge™ in Native Mix which frames this innovative Garden.

RHS Chelsea Flower Show is filled with amazing garden designs, gorgeous floral displays and exclusive shopping. This year’s show is 20 – 24 May 2025.

 

Awards Update

Sadie Mae Stowell’s garden installation was awarded the maximum 5 Gold Stars for the Charleston trade stand. Ryan McMahon was awarded Gold and Best in All About Plants Category, a super result for his first Chelsea garden.

 

Practical Choice

Our hedging range makes a perfect choice for show gardens, which is why many garden designers choose our Practical Instant Hedge™ year after year. The hedges come in 1m long pieces across evergreen and deciduous species, all of which are grown at our Buckinghamshire nursery. The production method ensures that this mature hedge is easy to handle with no transplant shock and that it can be planted all year round.

See for yourself

Come and visit our nursery in Iver, Bucks and talk to our Horticultural team about your projects. Call us on 01753 652022. You can also email us at hedge@pracbrown.co.uk. Or browse our website for evergreen screening trees, specimen trees and instant hedges.

 

Marketing
Wildlife Friendly Hedges & Trees /in , /by

Wildlife Friendly Hedges & Trees

With RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch this weekend, it’s a great time to consider how to ensure your garden is attractive to wildlife. Adding trees and instant hedges into your garden can provide essential habitats, food sources, and protection, enabling biodiversity and ecological balance.

Habitat and Shelter

Trees and mature hedges serve as vital nesting sites and shelters for various bird species. Dense foliage offers protection from predators and harsh weather conditions, creating safe environments for raising young. A good example would be mixed native instant hedges which provide benefits for a wide range of wildlife.

Food Resources

Native hedges, composed of species like Hawthorn, Blackthorn, Hornbeam, Hazel and Privet produce flowers, berries, and seeds that are crucial food sources throughout the year. The seasonal availability of these resources support a variety of wildlife diets, from nectar-feeding to seed-eating species.

Protection and Privacy

Beyond ecological benefits, mature hedges offer practical advantages for garden owners. They act as natural windbreaks, reducing wind strength more effectively than solid fences, and serve as visual screens for privacy. They can also absorb dust and noise, contributing to a more pleasant garden environment.

Instant Hedges for Immediate Impact

For those looking to quickly enhance their gardens, Practical Instant Hedge™ provide immediate structure and benefits. These pre-grown mature hedges create a strong framework for the garden, so that it looks good from winter through to providing attractive background to floral displays of spring and summer.

Biodiversity

Including diverse, native plant species in your garden not only enhance garden aesthetics but also contributes to broader conservation efforts, supporting biodiversity and ecological health.

Tree Availability List

You can view of comprehensive tree availability lists here.

Visit The Nursery

We would be delighted to show you around our Tree and Hedge nursery in Iver, Buckinghamshire, whether you are interested in screening trees or instant hedges.

We are located near to M4, M25 and M40 junctions, about 6 miles from Heathrow Airport. Also, just 15 miles from central London and 1 mile from Iver Station. With regular trains from London Paddington.

Please phone us first 01753 652022 to book a nursery visit and we will ensure we have an expert on hand to show you around.
We look forward to meeting you and helping you with your enquiry.

 

Picture shows Practicality Browns office in Iver with a large Photinia tree in the front.
Marketing
Instant Hedges and Trees Available Online /in /by

Instant Hedges & Large Trees Online

 

Practicality Brown is always known as an innovative company! The first company to develop pre-grown instant hedge in the late 1990s, and we have since gone on to develop our own award-winning Practicality Instant Hedge™.

Our team also specialise in evergreen screening trees, to bring privacy to every garden.

We are now pleased to announce two new online developments, our Hedge Shop and our full Tree Availability List.

Hedge Shop

We are delighted to announce the launch of our brand new Hedge Shop. Fully integrated with our existing website, or available direct at  https://shop.pracbrown.co.uk/ This is an easy way to select and buy Practical Instant Hedge™ from the Instant Hedge Specialist.

Practical Instant Hedge™

Our Practical Instant Hedging range currently consists of

  • Blue Holly
  • Burkwood Osmanthus
  • Common Laurel
  • Elaeagnus
  • Green Beech
  • Griselinia
  • Hawthorn
  • Holly
  • Hornbeam
  • Native Mix
  • Portuguese Laurel
  • Privet
  • Purple Beech
  • White Cedar

With other species being grown and developed on site.

How to Shop

Simply select the species, add to the cart and your delivery details and the price will be calculated. Delivery is a minimum of 3 metres of hedge, and usually takes two working days from receipt of order, but we can deliver later too.

As well as a delivery only option, we can also arrange to install the hedges. Just give us a call or email to discuss. You are very welcome to visit our nursery to view and select your instant hedge.

 

Tree Availability List

We have completed a stock take of the trees in our Iver nursery in Buckinghamshire and have produced a comprehensive list of the 800+ trees that are available to purchase right now.

If you are looking for evergreen screening trees, standard or pleached, attractive deciduous specimens or useful screens, we have a choice of trees for you!

The list contains the trees that we have in stock and is accurate at the time of publishing. Stock situations can change quickly so please get in touch to receive a quotation or to reserve any trees that you like the look of. If you are looking for something more unusual or don’t see the trees that you are looking for on this list, please ask and we should be able to source them for you through our partner growers.

Special Offer

A 20% discount will be applied to ex VAT orders of trees worth a total of £3000 or more. The discount applies to the tree stock value of the order only, not to delivery and planting etc.

Visit

We recommend coming to view and select the trees before purchase, as choosing your very own trees is a lovely thing to do!  – and you can book a nursery visit.

Contact Us

Call our sales team on 01753 652022 or email hedge@pracbrown.co.uk or trees@pracbrown.co.uk  to arrange a visit, we would be delighted to show you around the nursery to view our stock Monday to Friday 9.00am – 3.00pm.

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RHS Hampton Court Garden Festival 2024 /in , /by

RHS Show Gardens at Hampton Court Garden Festival 2-7 July 2024

RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival is the world’s largest flower show, stretching over 31 acres and attracting around 120,000 visitors. It is a celebration of gardening set in the historic grounds of Hampton Court Palace within easy reach of central London.

Practicality Brown are delighted to support Garden Designers at the event again this year. There is a real variety of ideas at the 2024 festival, bringing gardening traditions of other countries to the classically British setting of Hampton Court Palace,

Show Garden

We have supplied Yew Practical Instant Hedge™ and Pine trees for Sadie May Stowell’s Oregon Show Garden.  This showcases the natural beauty of the state of Oregon, including wildflower planting, natural crisp clear waterfalls and forest planting. The planting is natural in appearance and focuses on pollinating plants and flowers.

Oregon Show Garden at RHS Hampton Court featuring Yew Practical Instant Hedge and Pine trees

Oregon Show Garden design by Sadie May Stowell

Get Started Gardens

The “Get Started Gardens” category aims to inspire beginner gardeners and spark ideas that can be achieved at their own home. We supported two Garden Designers in this section, both of which were awarded a Silver Gilt medal:

 

A Four Seasons Sanctuary created by Tim Jennings included our Hornbeam Elements and Purple Beech Practical Instant Hedge™. Combining striking modern design features with traditional materials.  With naturalistic ‘drift’ planting, this is a garden to be enjoyed by humans and wildlife alike. This garden has a strong stylish aesthetic that also provides the natural, seasonal wild space to sustain a diverse kaleidoscope of life

Four Season Sanctuary designed by Tim Jennings featuring Hornbeam Elements and Purple Beech Practical Instant Hedge

Four Season Sanctuary Garden designed by Tim Jennings

Lastly, Melanie Hick used our Elaeagnus evergreen screens for her award-winning Climate Forward Garden.  A front garden re-imagined for our changing environment with style and sustainability front and centre. It is influenced by Australian garden design.  It has evolved to cope with the demands of harsh climate conditions like drought and flooding rains.

Climate Forward Garden designed by Melanie Hick features Elaeagnus evergreen screens

Climate Forward Garden designed by Melanie Hick

Come and visit our nursery in Iver, Bucks and talk to our Horticultural team about your own garden. Call us on 01753 652022. You can also email us at hedge@pracbrown.co.uk. Or browse our website for specimen trees and instant hedges.

 

 

colour logo of RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2024 with single multi-coloured flower and text
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RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2024 /in , /by

RHS Exhibits

This year, our contribution to RHS Chelsea Flower Show took us inside the Great Pavilion, for two gardens designed for special Royal Horticultural Society exhibits and a special showground installation sponsored by Saatchi.

All About Hedges

This Discovery Zone feature, designed by Dave Green with RHS Science showcased the importance of hedges as part of urban and suburban landscapes.  Practicality Brown supplied Yew, Privet, Elaeagnus, Portuguese Laurel and Griselinia from our Practical Instant Hedge™ range for this special exhibit.

RHS x UBS A day on the nursery

This Feature Garden in the middle of the Great Pavilion, was sponsored by UBS and designed by Emma Tipping. It gave visitors an immersive experience of being in a plant nursery. We supplied Practical Instant Native Mix Hedge™ that surrounds the exhibit. The current mix in this very wildlife friendly hedge is Hawthorn, Hornbeam, Hazel, Blackthorn and Common Privet.

Abeba Esse

This showground installation, sponsored by Saatchi Gallery, by Zak Ové and Dave Green depicts a Black Diasporic journey, with planting representing Africa, the Caribbean, and the UK. The garden encourages important conversations about the themes. We supplied Practical Instant Native Mix Hedge™ as a back drop to the exhibit and the yew at the front.

Come and visit our nursery in Iver, Bucks and talk to our Horticultural team about your own garden. Call us on 01753 652022. You can also email us at hedge@pracbrown.co.uk. Or browse our website for specimen trees and instant hedges.

Picture shows the front of the green office building for Practicality Brown at our nursery.
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Screening Trees and Instant Hedges in Stock and Available Now /in , /by

Screening trees and instant hedges are in stock now at our nursery. We have over 800 trees and 15,000m of instant hedging available at our nursery in Iver, Buckinghamshire. We have the perfect tree or instant hedge for your garden project. In stock now and available for delivery at a few days’ notice. Or even better come and visit our nursery and see our stock for yourself!

The Best  Screening Trees

Our range of trees includes those suitable for creating privacy (screening trees). Those that are good for narrow gardens (pleached trees) and also some stunning specimen trees too.

We keep a good stock of our best, and most popular, trees here in Iver. Such as the classic Hollies and Laurels as well as the popular Photinia ‘Red Robin’. You can come to view – and choose – the trees for yourself when you arrange a nursery visit.

Top Quality Instant Hedges

As well as our range of in stock trees, we have an extensive range of home grown Practical Instant Hedge™, across 16 species. From the sea-wind tolerant Griselinia to the classic Yew and the popular Native Mix.  We have taken the time to produce top quality hedging, meaning that you can enjoy the instant impact, from the moment it is planted. Instant privacy, instant screening and instant results!  This hedge is supplied in convenient metre long pieces for ease of handling and planting. Our hedging can also be planted all year round.

 

About Us

Practicality Brown started in the early 1980s and has been at the forefront of many pioneering horticultural practices.  This included supplying large trees to the landscape trade and the development of pre-grown instant hedging.

We pride ourselves on our excellent customer satisfaction ratings.  With the excellent quality of our products and services together with our amazing staff, who create a great experience for customers.

We are on hand to help, guiding your project choice from plant selection, right through to delivery and planting.

Visit The Nursery

We would be delighted to show you around our Tree and Hedge nursery in Iver, Buckinghamshire, whether you are interested in screening trees or instant hedges.

We are located near to M4, M25 and M40 junctions, about 6 miles from Heathrow Airport. Also just 15 miles from central London and 1 mile from Iver Station.  With regular trains from London Paddington.

Please phone us first 01753 652022 to book a nursery visit and we will ensure we have an expert on hand to show you around.

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

 

Osmanthus Instant Hedge growing on our nursery ideal hedge for small gardens.
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Instant Hedge In Focus: Hedges for Small Gardens /in , , /by

Choosing the Perfect Hedge for Your Small Garden

In the world of gardening, hedges are the unsung heroes of landscape design, offering a blend of functionality and beauty. For those with smaller gardens, selecting the right hedge can be challenging but fortunately, there are several species of our Practical Instant Hedge™ that could be the perfect choice for your small garden.  Whether its the classic charm of Holly, the sweet fragrance of Osmanthus, or the timeless Yew.

Our pre-formed, top-quality Practical Instant Hedge™ range is produced in specially designed hedging bags and supplied in pieces that are 1m long by 40 – 50cm deep. When replanted into your garden, these evergreen instant hedges will give instant maturity, and require minimal maintenance.

Osmanthus Instant Hedge

Holly

Holly, with its glossy, spiky leaves and vibrant red berries, adds a touch of traditional charm to any garden. Their dense growth habit creates a natural privacy screen, and the presence of both male and female plants ensures the iconic bright berries during the winter months. Practical Instant Hedge™ is available as English Holly (Ilex aquifolium) and Blue Holly (Ilex meserveae). Both hedges are relatively low maintenance, requiring only occasional pruning to maintain their shape and density.  It’s also very hardy, resistant to pests and diseases, and can tolerate a variety of soil conditions.

Osmanthus

Osmanthus hedges are our favourite choice for fragrance. Known for their small, white flowers that bloom in late winter or early spring, Osmanthus hedges infuse the garden with a sweet, apricot-like aroma. Practical Instant Hedge™ (Osmanthus burkwoodii) is a compact evergreen, making them well-suited for small spaces. These hedges require moderate pruning to maintain their shape and promote bushier growth with more flowers the following season. Their versatility extends to both sunny and partially shaded locations.

Yew

Yew hedges have adorned gardens for centuries, standing as a symbol of enduring beauty. Known for their dark green, needle-like foliage, Yews provide an evergreen backdrop throughout the seasons. Their slow growth rate makes them ideal for small gardens, allowing for easy maintenance and shaping. Beyond their aesthetic appeal, Yews also have a remarkable tolerance for different soil conditions and are shade-tolerant, making them a versatile choice for various garden settings. Practical Instant Yew Hedging is available in various heights.

In the world of small gardens, the right hedge can transform a confined space into a verdant sanctuary. They are easy to manage and enhance any environment with their natural charm; whether you opt for the enduring elegance of Yew, the traditional charm of Holly, or the fragrant blooms of Osmanthus, each species brings its unique character to your outdoor space.

Osmanthus Instant Hedge

Osmanthus

Blue Holly Instant Hedge

Blue Holly

Holly leaf and berry

English Holly

Yew Instant Hedge

Yew

 

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 bespoke quote.
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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
  • British grown by us!
  • 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.
  • Order online here.

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.