A cost effective alternative to root-ball and potted plants, bare root plants are a great way to grow a new hedge or tree in your garden and with a wide range on offer, Crowders bare root selection will have something for you.
All about Crowders own grown bare root:
Crowders grow their own bare root plants in nutrient rich sandy loam soil that contains beneficial, naturally occurring Mycorrhizal fungi; deprivation of which leads to poor growth and increased risk of disease. One of the biggest growers of UK native plants, Crowders grow over a million hedging whips (seedlings and transplants) on the nursery every year and have been growing them since the time of enclosure when the family business was founded over 200 years ago! Crowders wholesale division supplies many bare-root plants every winter for commercial contracts, including motorway roadside planting schemes, shelter belts and woodlands. Crowders also won the contract to supply over 1m bare root trees and hedge plants for landscaping the route of HS1, the high speed Channel Tunnel rail link.
What is bare root?
Bare root plants are field grown plants that are dug up for sale from November to March. They can only be removed from the ground at this time of year as the plants are dormant, meaning they are not actively growing and can be safely transplanted. Lifted from the ground and sold as they are, with no pot or soil, bare root plants are literally what they are called, exposed root plants.
Why choose bare root over potted?
Offering a cost effective alternative to potted plants, bare root is an ideal choice for hedging, (where we recommend 3 plants per metre for a single row or 5 plants per metre for double staggered rows) or any other projects that require large scale planting. Additionally, bare root plants generally require minimal maintenance, and are recognised for their premium quality in root formation and fast establishment. With a great variety of bare root plants available, from fruit trees, ornamental shrubs, shade trees and much more, Crowders also offer a selection of hedging packs and plants to suit everybody’s hedging requirements.
Why choose bare root plants for hedging?
Predominately used for planting garden hedges, be it for revamping an existing hedge or creating a new privacy screen, the resilient assets of these plants make them a popular hedging choice. We stock a wide range of varieties with many different benefits in our bare root range, and if you need some further guidance, we also have an informational blog post on which bare root plant to choose.
Bare root hedging – how many plants do I need?
We suggest a planting density of 3 plants per metre, spaced roughly 30cm (12inches) apart for a single row or 5 plants per metre in a staggered layout for a double row. When ordering from our website, the number of plants you will receive will be mentioned in the product title and description.
For example, if you are ordering Acer campestre or Field Maple Hedging Plants 40-60cm tall x 25 you will receive 25 plants in one bundle, all between 40 and 60cm tall.
Bare root hedging – which size do I need?
Hedging plant size depends upon your individual requirements. If you require a hedge to be as tall as possible straight away then you need to choose the tallest we offer, possibly even a quick growing variety too for good measure. When making your selection, bear in mind that the price does increase with the height of the plant and, as a result, it may be more cost effective to choose a shorter or low growing variety if the initial height isn't a concern or if you're looking to plant a smaller border hedge. Our bare root plants are measured from the ground to the tallest part of the plant, with smaller plants producing a thicker, denser hedge.
We bracket bare root plants in the following size ranges:
40-60cm
60-80cm
80-120cm
120-150cm
Mixed hedging packs
We offer a variety of hedging packs for specific purposes which we have listed below:
Blackthorn Based Mixed Hedging Pack
Hawthorn Based Mixed Hedging Pack
Mixed Coastal Hedging Pack
Mixed Edible Hedging Pack
Mixed Wildlife Hedging Pack
Common hedging plants
Native to Europe, the Fagus sylvatica or Beech hedging plant retains its colourful foliage throughout the autumn and winter and is one of Britain’s most popular garden hedging plants. With lush bright green foliage, the deciduous Beech is effective in reducing forceful winds, deterring predatory animals and restoring privacy to your garden.
Suitable for any type of light soil, the sturdy Fagus sylvatica is suitable for planting in exposed areas such as banks and coastal locations provided there is adequate drainage.
Alternatively, create an attractive boundary with the deciduous Crataegus monogyna, commonly known as the Hawthorn hedging plant or May Tree.
Named after the month in which it blooms, the May Tree awakens in the spring with scented blossoms of white flowers followed by spectacular red haws in the autumn. With thorny interwoven branches providing an ideal nesting place, a Hawthorn (or Quickthorn) hedge can support over 100 species of insects, attracting feather visitors such as the colourful blue tit, swallow and thrush.
Successful in all soil types, the Quickthorn benefits from a sheltered position in full sun and requires trimming after flowering to maintain a hedge like appearance. Quickthorn is the most common hedgerow plant in the UK seen enclosing the fields of farms up and down the country.
Including many variations such as Vulgare, Ovalifolium and Lucidum, the privet hedging species are available as an evergreen or deciduous hedging plant. From the creamy panicles of the Ligustrum lucidum, to the glossy black fruits of the Vulgare and the compact habit of the scented Ageratina ligustrina, our selection of fast growing privet hedging plants will cater for any of your horticultural needs. For example, Ligustrum ovalifolium is a traditional garden hedge plant, fast growing and quickly providing an impenetrable screen.