Rootball vs Potted Plants

What is a Rootball hedging plant?

Our rootball hedging plants have been grown in our Cheshire fields. These have been dug out with the soil around them. The soil is then wrapped in hessian sacks to hold the soil and roots in place. Sometimes we use wire in place of the hessian, usually for larger plants.

Rootball hedging can only be planted at certain times of year. From Late October / November through to March/early April weather dependant when the plants are dormant.

One benefit of root ball hedging is the price, generally they’re cheaper than pot grown hedging as they cost us less to grow.

Another benefit is that the majority of our rootball stock are larger & wider plants as they’ve been field grown.

One of the disadvantages is that rootball plants can take a little while longer to establish when planted as they’ll need to produce more roots.

Rootball are a little but trickier to plant but still achievable for most people with the right tools and some patience (we can guide you through the process, please see the planting instructions below, if you’re unsure of anything please give us a call)

When to plant?

As mentioned you can only buy rootball hedging when the plants are lying dormant from Autumn to early spring. This is also the perfect time to plant your new hedge. The plants are dormant and the ground will be moist and easy to work.

Planting tips

Here’s a few quick tips to help you get the most from your rootball plants:

• Plant your hedging as soon as possible after delivery. Ideally within a couple of days
• If there is a heavy frost while you’re waiting to plant, protect the root balls with fleece or cut up old blankets
• All hedging needs to be planted in a weed and grass free border
• Do not remove the hessian sacking from the root balls. This material will naturally degrade over time in the ground
• Dig a trench an inch or two wider & deeper than the rootball
• Pack the bottom of the trench with loose soil & place your rootball hedging into the trench and then backfill with a 50/50 mix of topsoil and compost making sure that the top of the rootball is level with the ground
• Once planted use a good quality mulch to protect the roots over winter
• Thoroughly water the new hedge

What is a potted hedging plant?

Our potted hedging plants have been grown in our Cheshire nurseries. These have been grown in pots at various growing stages in our greenhouses and outdoor space at our nurseries.

A potted plant has many advantages. It has an already established root system, this generally means they have a higher take rate and are quicker to establish.

Our potted hedging can only be planted at any time of the year and can be planted without disturbing the roots.

All of our potted plants come with a 12 month plant guarantee.

When to plant?

As mentioned you can only buy our potted hedging 12 months of the year and they can be planted at any time. Autumn/winter is a great time to plant your new hedge, as the ground will be moist and easy to work also there’s less watering and maintenance required over the winter months.

Planting tips

Here’s a few quick tips to help you get the most from your potted plants:

• Ideally plant your hedging as soon as possible after delivery, but NOT ESSENTIAL as long as the pots are kept moist
• All hedging needs to be planted in a weed and grass free border
• Dig a trench OR individual holes if easier- an inch or two wider & deeper than the pot and plant level with the top of the ground ( you can raise the level of the plant and bank up soil if you have poor drainage)
• Place your hedging into the hole and then backfill with topsoil (adding compost if the soil needs improving or if you are planting into clay soils)
• Once planted use a good quality mulch to protect the roots over winter
• Thoroughly water the new hedge