🌳 Evergreen Hedging FAQ – Care & Advice
Hedge Plant Sizes
One the website there are two sizes to consider with our hedging plants:
- The size we deliver (listed next to the Add to Basket button)
- The mature height (shown in the product description)
Keep in mind that all hedge plants can be pruned to maintain the size you want. For example, Photinia can reach 10–15ft if left untrimmed, but it’s just as happy kept at 6ft with occasional pruning.
Plant Spacing – How Far Apart?
This is one of the most common questions. Here’s a rough guide for spacing:
- Cherry Laurel / Portuguese Laurel: 2 plants per metre
- Photinia Red Robin: 1-2 plants per metre
- Elaeagnus / Griselinia: 1-2 plants per metre
For quicker screening, go for the tighter spacing. For more budget-friendly planting, spread them out and let them grow in over time. One of the many benefits of buying the larger sizes we offer is that you will need to buy fewer of them.
Soil & Sun – What Do They Like?
Most evergreen hedging plants are tough and adaptable. As a rule:
- Soil: Well-drained, fertile soil is ideal, but they’ll tolerate clay, chalk, or sandy soils.
- Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade works well. Photinia, for example, colours best in sun, while Laurel handles shade beautifully.
Planters & Containers
Evergreen hedging plants can grow well in large containers or troughs. If you’re planting in pots:
- Use big containers — 45cm tall and wide is a good minimum.
- Water regularly (especially in dry spells)
- Feed with a slow-release fertiliser in spring, or use liquid feed every few months
Perfect for patios, roof gardens, or screening where digging isn’t an option.
Feeding Hedge Plants
While not essential once well-established, feeding hedging plants makes a big difference to their growth and overall health.
- Use a balanced fertiliser in spring (e.g. Growmore or general-purpose feed)
- Liquid seaweed or high-nitrogen feeds work well during the growing season
- Add mulch in autumn or spring to conserve moisture and feed the roots
Pruning & Maintenance
Most evergreen hedges are low-maintenance. A light prune once or twice a year keeps things neat and encourages bushy growth.
- Photinia Red Robin: Trim in summer to encourage bright red new growth
- Cherry or Portuguese Laurel: Shape in late spring or mid-summer
- Elaeagnus: Prune in early spring or summer as needed
Avoid pruning in very cold or hot conditions — late spring to early summer is ideal.
Wildlife & Flowers
Many of our evergreen shrubs are great for wildlife:
- Photinia produces spring flowers loved by bees
- Elaeagnus has fragrant blooms in autumn
- Laurels produce berries (not for human consumption) that birds enjoy