Bare Root Hedging

With the feel of Autumn upon us it is now time to start thinking about getting that new hedgerow planted.  We can offer a full range of bare root hedging in a range of sizes to suit all budgets. 

If you wish to create a hedge which is really dense and bushy from the ground upwards it is advisable to plant young, small plants, typically 40-60cm high. Many people look at the small bare rooted seedlings and imagine it will take years before they will achieve anything that looks like a hedge, but this is not the case and if larger plants are chosen the result can often be that the hedge is rather sparse at the base. Also larger plants are more expensive and are more likely to fail than small ones.  If you have a rabbit problem then it is also advisable to put a guard around the plant during the first few years.  Ideally some of the seedlings should be allowed to grow into trees along the hedgerow as this will encourage birds and other wildlife.

If possible, get the preparation done before the winter planting season - while the weather and soil is still warm. If you need to improve the structure of the soil, incorporate generous quantities of compost, such as well-rotted garden compost or well-rotted farmyard manure if the situation allows this. If the soil has poor drainage you could add sharp sand or coarse grit (make sure it is lime-free). If this preparation is done in advance of planting the soil can then settle and will be workable when you come to put the plants in during the winter. Even if the soil is cold and frosty on the surface, it will be relatively easy to turn over if it has been correctly prepared.  If the plants arrive and the weather is too bad to plant them they can be kept in a small trench for a few weeks until the weather improves (all packaging to be removed first!)

When planting and caring for a new hedge it is very important to follow the correct pruning and planting instructions and Steve can offer advice on this if needed.

A typical English hedgerow is made up of:

40% Crataegus monogyna (Hawthorn)

20% Prunus spinosa (Blackthorn)

10% Acer campestre (Field maple)

10% Viburnum opulus (Guelder rose)

10% Carpinus betulus (Hornbeam)

10% Rosa canina (Dogrose)

July Special Offer for Herbaceous Plants

Everything is about herbaceous borders at this time of year and so we thought we would put together an assortment of plants to make an instant border of approximately 4m x 2m.  It is suitable for a sunny position and will flower all season.  £130 (including delivery) plus vat.

Achillea Martina x 3
This has fantastic pale yellow flowers, on strong stems which will flower all summer long, followed by good seedheads for the winter.

Anthemis tinctoria Susan Mitchell x 4
Beautiful large creamy yellow flowers with silver foliage

Campanula Kent Belle x 5
Is an herbaceous perennial that bears vivid violet-blue, nodding, bell-shaped flowers on leafy stems

Geranium oxonianum Rosenlicht x 3
Clumps of mid green leaves studded with lots of medium sized bright deep pink flowers

Iris germanica Blue Rhythm x 4
Luscious, lemon-scented, cornflower blue flowers with ruffled petals and sword-shaped grey-green leaves.  This stately bearded Iris looks lovely towards the front of a border

Sisyrinchium E L Balls x 3
A clump forming, semi-evergreen perennial with upright stems bearing star-shaped mauve flowers with yellow eyes and erect bright green leaves.

Verbena bonariensis x 5
Tall, narrow, sparsely-leafed stems bearing flat tened heads of bright lavender-purple flowers that provide useful height in the herbaceous border.   The RHS have given it the Award of Garden Merit.

If you require any further information, or wish to place an order then please either email or ring us.  This special offer is available while stocks last.

An alternative to Box hedging

With Box Blight becoming ever more widespread, and taking out a lot of Box hedging, it may be a good idea to look into an alternative and one such plant is the evergreen Euonymus japonicas Microphyllus.

With deep green, dense foliage this compact plant gives a beautiful, formal appearance with minimal trimming. It is tolerant of many conditions including heat, poor soils and salt spray. A good container specimen it is perfect for a low hedge, parterre or border.

Care Information

It is easily grown in well-drained soils and is best with full sun in humid areas. Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. Apply a general purpose fertilizer before new growth begins in spring. Shear annually for a neat appearance. Pruning time: Spring after flowering.

It can also be clipped and trained into cone shapes or spheres just like Buxus sempervirens.

New Website

We are currently undertaking a total re-vamp of our website.  The new one will be much brighter, user-friendly and modern-looking.  One of the changes will be a link to our brand new Facebook page and this will take the place of our existing blog.  You will also be able to follow us on Twitter.
On our Facebook page you will find details of any special offers that we currently have, together with Steve's usual tips and advice. If you are a facebook user then please search for "R, E & L Thurlow Limited" and you will find us.  To help us get going we would love it if you could press the "like" button as this will help us to build a following and we will be able to keep a check on how many people are finding it useful.  Thank you!