25 x Hornbeam Bare root hedging. 60-80cm
25 x Hornbeam Bare root hedging. 60-80cm
⚠️ PRE-ORDER — Limited stock available. Secure your order now. Due to drought conditions during the growing season, availability is restricted this year.
Hornbeam Bare Root Hedging 60–80cm
Carpinus betulus is a quintessential British hedging plant, prized for its bright green serrated leaves, dense screening habit, and year-round structure. Available as bare root plants in bundles of 25 at 60–80cm tall. Available from mid-November to April during the optimal bare root planting season.
Why Choose Hornbeam?
Hornbeam creates a dense, elegant hedge ideal for privacy and wind protection. Its bright green serrated leaves form a thick formal screen, and like beech, hornbeam retains its attractive brown leaves throughout winter, providing structure and screening even when other hedges are bare. Mature plants develop smooth grey bark, adding architectural beauty to your garden.
Key Features
- Classic British native hedging plant
- Dense screening with bright green serrated leaves
- Retains brown leaves in winter for year-round privacy
- Excellent wind barrier and noise buffer
- Smooth grey bark on mature plants
- Hardy and adaptable to most UK soils
- Wildlife-friendly — provides shelter and nesting sites
Planting & Care
Plant 3–5 per metre for a dense hedge. Space plants 30–40cm apart. Thrives in most soils and full sun to partial shade. Trim once or twice yearly to maintain shape and encourage dense growth. See our comprehensive planting guide for step-by-step instructions.
What You'll Receive
25 bare root plants, 60–80cm tall — enough for approximately 7.5–10 metres of hedging at recommended spacing. Bare root delivery is our most sustainable option—lighter packaging, lower carbon footprint, and root systems that establish faster than pot-grown alternatives.
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Planting Instructions
Plant bare root hornbeam between November and April when plants are dormant. Dig a trench 30cm wide and deep enough to accommodate the roots without bending. Space plants 3–5 per metre for a dense hedge, or 30–40cm apart.
Remove any damaged roots and spread the roots evenly in the trench. Backfill with excavated soil, firm in well, and water thoroughly even in winter. Mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Avoid planting in waterlogged or compacted ground.
Trim lightly in the first summer to encourage bushy growth. For best results, maintain 1–2 cuts per year once established.
Size & Specification
Bundle of 25 bare root plants, 60–80cm tall — sufficient for approximately 7.5–10 metres of hedging at recommended spacing. Bare root plants are supplied without soil, lifted and packed during the dormant season (November–April) for optimal establishment. Sizes refer to overall plant height.
Delivery & Dispatch
Bare root hornbeam is dispatched from mid-November through to April in line with the bare root season. Orders placed before the season opens are held and fulfilled as soon as plants are lifted and ready.
Plants are carefully bundled and packaged to protect roots in transit. Delivery is via pallet or courier depending on order size. You will receive a dispatch notification with tracking details when your order ships.
Wildlife & Ecological Notes
Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) is a native British tree of high ecological value. Its dense canopy provides excellent nesting habitat for birds, and its catkins are an important early food source for insects including bees and moths. The seeds are eaten by finches, tits, and small mammals.
As a hedging plant, hornbeam supports habitat connectivity and provides shelter and cover for wildlife throughout the year. Its retained dead leaves over winter offer additional refuge for insects and small mammals.