There is a wide range of hedging plants in a choice of different root types. Each root type has its own advantages and disadvantage. In this article, we will help you to choose the right plants matching your needs (planting potted laurel hedging or bare-root laurel) by analyzing the positive and negative aspects of bare-root or pot-grown.
Bareroot Laurel Hedging
Bare roots are grown, lifted, transported and transplanted in the dormant season (from November to early April). These bare-root plants are taken care of carefully so that the roots do not dry out in transit and they reach you in the best condition for planting.
Potted Laurel Hedging
Potted Laurel Hedging are plants that have been grown in pots and available year-round with a choice of evergreen, semi-evergreen and deciduous plants. They are easy to handle and have a high success rate.
A comparison table of bare-root and potted laurel plats
| Bare-root laurel | Potted laurel | |
| Size | Bare-roots are measured from soil level to the top of the plant | Potted laurel are measured based on the size of the pot. |
| Advantages | Cost effective: Bare-root plants are often significantly cheaper Environmentally friendly: Using less resources ( fertilisers, compost, water, plastic) Offers more choice: Bare-root plants can be bundled together to store in the nursery during the dormant season, so we can supply more varieties and we can offer them in a range of sizes. Grow well: Bare-root plants often get settled in and grow faster than pot grown plants. |
Year round planting: Pot grown plants can be planted year round Better for delicate root systems |
| Disadvantages | Require careful handling: the bare roots must not dry out totally or get exposed to the elements. Seasonal: between November and early April. |
Potted laurel hedging is more expensive than bare-roots Environmentally they take more resources to produce and transport than a bare root equivalent. They take up more space, in the nursery, in the courier’s van, in your car etc. Pot grown plants can get hungry and root bound if they are not taken care of properly. |
What size Bare-root plants to choose?
- 1-2ft Bare-root plants will be easier to plant than larger plants but they will need to be kept totally clear of weeds for them to do well and they will take several years to offer much impact.
- 2-3ft Bare-root plants are a good economical choice, they are nearly big enough to not get swamped by weeds.
- 3-4ft Bare-root is a good option because the roots won’t be too large for planting and they are not too tall to be knocked around by the elements too much.
- 4-5ft Bare-root is the best choice for hedging This size is more likely to get battered by the weather, so in very exposed areas it may be best to plant in March after the worst of the winter has passed.
- View our full range of bare-root plants.
What size Potted plants to choose?
- 1.3 Litre pots: A good size for Hedging as the plants are not too small but are still good value, we supply some unusual shrubs in this size too.
- 2 Litre pots: cost-effective size.
- 3 Litre pots
- 4, 5 and 7.5 Litre pots: These sizes are good for a more instant effect.
- 10 Litre Pots
- View our full range of pot grown plants.
