When to Plant Bare Root Hedging

Bare root hedging is one of the best-value ways to establish a hedge in the UK — but timing is everything. Plant at the right time and your hedge will establish quickly and thrive for decades. Get it wrong and you'll be fighting an uphill battle from day one.

Here's everything you need to know.

What Is Bare Root Hedging?

Bare root plants are lifted from the ground during their dormant season and sold without soil around their roots. This makes them significantly cheaper than pot-grown alternatives, easier to transport, and — when planted correctly — just as successful.

The catch? They must be planted during the dormant season, when the plant isn't actively growing.

The Best Time to Plant Bare Root Hedging in the UK

The bare root season runs from November through to March. This is when deciduous plants are fully dormant, making it the ideal window to lift, transport, and replant without stressing the plant.

Within that window, the sweet spot is November to February — the ground is workable, the plant is dormant, and there's usually enough rainfall to help roots establish without much additional watering.

Avoid planting during hard frosts or waterlogged conditions. If bare root plants arrive when the ground is frozen, heel them in temporarily or store them in a cool, frost-free shed until conditions improve.

Can You Plant Bare Root Hedging in Autumn?

Yes — and many experienced gardeners prefer it. Planting in October or November gives roots the chance to begin establishing before the coldest months arrive. By the time spring comes, the plant is already anchored and ready to put on growth.

At Stoneybrook, we begin dispatching bare root hedging from November onwards, once plants are fully dormant and ready to travel.

Which Bare Root Hedging Species Can You Plant and When?

All of our bare root hedging species follow the same dormant season planting window, but here are a few worth highlighting:

• Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) — Hardy, fast-growing, and wildlife-friendly. One of the most forgiving bare root species to establish. Ideal for rural boundaries and wildlife gardens.
• Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) — Dense, thorny, and excellent for security hedging. A favourite for field boundaries and stock-proof hedges.
• Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) — A superb choice where Beech struggles in wetter soils. Retains its russet leaves through winter, giving year-round structure.
• Beech (Fagus sylvatica) — Classic British hedging. Slower to establish than Hawthorn but worth the wait for its stunning copper autumn colour and winter leaf retention.
• Field Maple (Acer campestre) — The UK's only native maple. Brilliant autumn colour and very wildlife-friendly.

How to Plant Bare Root Hedging

1. Prepare the ground — Clear weeds and dig over a strip at least 60cm wide. Add compost or well-rotted manure to improve soil structure.
2. Soak the roots — Before planting, soak bare roots in water for 30–60 minutes to rehydrate them.
3. Dig to the right depth — The root collar (where roots meet stem) should sit at soil level. Too deep and the plant will struggle; too shallow and roots will dry out.
4. Space correctly — For a single-row hedge, space plants 30–45cm apart. For a thicker, more stock-proof hedge, plant in a staggered double row at 45cm spacing.
5. Firm in and water — Firm soil around the roots to eliminate air pockets, then water well even in winter.
6. Mulch — Apply a 5–7cm layer of mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds through the first growing season.

What If You Miss the Bare Root Season?

If you miss the November–March window, pot-grown hedging is the answer. Pot-grown plants can be planted year-round and establish well with adequate watering through summer. The trade-off is cost — pot-grown plants are typically 2–3x the price of bare root equivalents.

Order Bare Root Hedging from Stoneybrook Nursery

We supply premium bare root hedging across the UK, available for pre-order now ahead of the November dispatch season. Our range includes Hawthorn, Blackthorn, Hornbeam, Beech, Field Maple, Cornus, and more — all supplied as strong, well-grown plants at sizes that establish quickly.