Yes, you can buy hedges that are already grown, often called mature, pre-grown, or instant hedging. This option allows homeowners and gardeners to bypass the typical three to seven-year waiting period for a hedge to reach an effective screening height. Instead of planting small shrubs, you can install a fully formed green barrier for immediate privacy and structure. Mature plants provide instant landscaping impact in residential and commercial settings.
The Different Types of Mature Hedges Available
Pre-grown hedging stock is sold in several distinct formats, each offering different benefits for installation and immediate effect. The most seamless option is instant hedging, which consists of several plants grown together in meter-long troughs or plastic containers. These pre-formed sections have roots that are already “knitted” together, allowing for the installation of a dense, continuous line that provides immediate, uniform coverage.
Another common format is root-balled stock, involving mature, field-grown plants dug up with an intact ball of soil around their roots. This soil ball is typically wrapped in biodegradable burlap or netting for root system protection during transport. Root-balled plants are generally available only during the dormant season (late autumn through early spring), when the plant experiences the least stress from being moved.
Large container-grown plants are a third option, where individual, mature specimens are cultivated in large pots, sometimes up to 100 liters or more. Since the root system is fully contained, these plants offer the greatest flexibility and can be planted year-round, unlike seasonal root-balled stock. While they offer substantial height, they may not provide the same immediate, integrated look as instant hedging.
Weighing the Cost and Time Investment
The decision to purchase mature hedging is primarily a trade-off between upfront expenditure and time savings. Mature hedge units are significantly more expensive than small or bare-root stock, sometimes costing five to ten times as much per linear foot. This premium price reflects the years of nursery labor, resources, and space dedicated to growing the plants to a substantial size.
The financial investment is justified by the immediate payoff in time, which is the primary benefit. While small bare-root plants may take three to seven years to form a dense, effective screen, mature stock provides instant height and density the day it is installed. For a homeowner needing immediate privacy, this time saving can outweigh the increased cost.
However, the size of the plant does not guarantee success; larger plants require more diligent aftercare to establish properly. Mature plants, especially root-balled varieties, need intensive watering for the first few weeks or months until their large root systems can draw moisture from the surrounding soil. Smaller, less stressed plants often “get away better,” establishing a healthy root system more quickly and sometimes catching up to the larger plants within a few years.
Key Considerations Before Purchasing
Before purchasing, buyers must focus on species selection, ensuring the plant is suitable for the local environment and its intended purpose. Selection must be based on specific soil type and climate, as choosing a species that thrives locally increases the chances of successful establishment. Deciding between an evergreen variety (providing year-round screening) or a deciduous plant (which loses its leaves but filters wind effectively) is also important.
Logistical planning is paramount when dealing with large, mature stock due to its substantial weight and size. Root-balled plants and instant hedging troughs can be extremely heavy, often requiring machinery or multiple people for safe handling and installation. Ensure the delivery site is accessible and that you have a clear plan for immediate planting, especially for time-sensitive root-balled stock that should not be allowed to dry out or sit unplanted.
Proper site preparation is necessary to welcome the large root systems of mature plants. This involves digging a trench wide enough to accommodate the root ball or trough and ensuring drainage is adequate to prevent waterlogging and root rot. A well-prepared planting area and an initial intensive watering regimen significantly improve the plant’s ability to establish and thrive.