Establishing Hedging Plants: How to Care for Your Newly Planted Hedge

Nov 26, 2024

So, you've planted your new native hedge and you're excited to watch it grow! Establishing Hedging Plants: How To Care For Your Newly Planted Hedge is the first step to ensuring your new hedge grows into a beautiful green barrier, providing privacy, shelter, and a haven for wildlife. Now that you’ve planted your native hedging whips, they’ll need some care to get off to the best possible start. In this guide, we’ll walk you through essential hedge care tips, from protecting your plants with guards to spotting common pests and diseases, and troubleshooting common issues that may arise along the way.

Protect Your Hedge with Guards

When you plant your new native hedging whips, they’re still young and vulnerable. One of the best ways to help them thrive is to protect them with plant guards. These little enclosures shield the young plants from damage caused by pests, animals, or even the harsh winter winds.

Why use plant guards?

Protection from animals: Hedgehogs, rabbits, and deer can nibble on your hedging whips, slowing down growth or even killing the plants. Guards keep hungry critters at bay.
Wind protection: A young hedge can be easily damaged by strong winds. Guards provide some windbreak and help the plants establish roots without being blown about.
Encourages healthy growth: Plant guards provide a microclimate that encourages healthy early growth by maintaining warmth and moisture around the newly planted hedging.

Tip: Choose guards that are breathable and allow air to circulate around the plants. You don’t want to create a greenhouse effect that could lead to fungal issues down the line. A sturdy plastic or mesh guard will do the trick.

Watering Newly Planted Hedging Whips

Your newly planted hedge needs consistent moisture, especially in the first few months after planting. But remember, there’s a fine line between too much and too little water!

How much? Water your hedging whips well immediately after planting. Keep the soil around them moist (but not soaking) until the plants are well established. A good rule of thumb is to water once or twice a week during dry spells, depending on rainfall.
Be mindful of the weather: If the weather is particularly hot, you may need to water more frequently. Conversely, during periods of heavy rainfall, you might not need to water as often. Always feel the soil before watering—if it’s damp, you can skip it!

Tip: A layer of mulch around the base of your hedging plants can help retain moisture and keep weeds in check. Just be sure not to pile the mulch up against the plant stem.

Common Hedging Plants Pests & Diseases

While hedges are generally tough and hardy, they can still fall victim to a few common pests and diseases. Let’s take a quick look at some of the troublemakers you might encounter and how to deal with them:

Common Pests

Aphids: These tiny insects suck sap from the plants, leading to yellowing leaves and stunted growth. They often cluster on new growth.

Solution: If you spot aphids, gently spray your plants with a mixture of water and a little soap or use an organic insecticidal soap. You can also introduce natural predators like ladybirds to your garden to keep aphids in check.

Rabbit and Deer Damage: These animals love to nibble on tender shoots, leaving your native hedge looking a bit chewed up.

Solution: Protective plant guards, as mentioned earlier, are your best defence. You can also sprinkle natural deterrents like garlic powder around your hedge.

Common Diseases

Powdery Mildew: This fungal disease causes a white, powdery coating on the leaves of hedging plants, affecting photosynthesis and weakening the plant.

Solution: Thin out the hedge if it’s too dense. Powdery mildew thrives in humid, stagnant conditions, so improving air circulation around your hedge is essential. Remove any infected leaves and dispose of them (don’t compost them!). You can spray the hedge with a mild solution of baking soda and water (1 tablespoon of baking soda per 4 litres of water). Add a few drops of liquid soap as a surfactant. Spray the solution on the affected areas, making sure to cover both sides of the leaves. Alternatively, Neem oil is a natural fungicide that works well against powdery mildew. Mix according to manufacturer’s instructions and spray on the affected parts of the plant. If the infection is more severe, you may want to use a chemical fungicide specifically designed for powdery mildew. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.

Root Rot: Caused by waterlogged soil, root rot can quickly kill your plants if not addressed. Signs include wilting or yellowing leaves and stunted growth.

Solution: Make sure your hedge is planted in well-draining soil. If the soil is too heavy, consider improving it with compost or organic matter. If root rot is already present, you may need to dig up and replace affected plants.

Leaf Spot: This fungal infection causes brown or black spots on leaves. It typically happens in damp conditions.

Solution: Regularly prune away infected leaves to improve airflow around the hedge. Dispose of cuttings carefully (not in the compost pile) and clean your tools after pruning to avoid spreading the disease to healthy plants. Leaf spot thrives in conditions of poor airflow and high humidity. Water your hedge at the base rather than overhead. This minimises moisture on the leaves and helps prevent the spread of fungal spores. Use the fungal remedies listed above for powdery mildew - Neem oil and baking soda spray; if necessary, apply a chemical fungicide designed for leaf spot diseases. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Pruning Your Native Hedge for Healthy Growth

While you want your hedge to grow, it's also important to give it a little shape along the way. Early pruning encourages strong growth and can help you form a dense, bushy hedge.

When to prune: Wait until the plants have started to establish their root systems (usually in the spring or summer), and remove any damaged, dead, or weak growth. You can also trim back the tips of your hedging whips to encourage branching.
How much to prune: For newly planted whips, you only need to do light pruning in the first year or two. Over-pruning can stress young plants. A good rule of thumb is to cut back about one-third of the growth each year to promote bushier growth.

Tip: Use clean, sharp secateurs or pruning shears to avoid damaging the plants.

Read our advice blog, Pruning and Coppicing Hedging Plants: A Guide for Gardeners to find out more about pruning your hedging plants.

Troubleshooting Common Hedge Problems

Even with the best care, your hedge might face a few issues along the way. Here are some common problems and how to fix them:

Problem: Your hedge is looking thin and leggy.

Solution: It might need more light or more frequent pruning to encourage bushy growth. Also, check if the plants are too close together, as overcrowding can stunt growth.

Problem: The leaves are yellowing and wilting.

Solution: Yellowing can be a sign of either too much water (root rot) or too little water (drought). Ensure proper watering habits and good drainage. A nitrogen-rich fertiliser might help if the plants are lacking nutrients.

Problem: The hedge isn't growing as fast as you'd like.

Solution: Make sure your plants are getting enough sunlight and water. You may also want to apply a slow-release fertiliser designed for hedging plants to boost growth.

With a little care, your new native hedging will soon be flourishing and providing you with a beautiful, low-maintenance boundary for years to come. Protect your plants with guards, stay on top of watering, and keep an eye out for pests and diseases. By following these steps and troubleshooting as needed, you’ll be well on your way to growing a thriving native hedge!

Whether you're planting for privacy, wildlife, or just a beautiful garden feature, check out our range of native British hedging whips, we’ve got the best plants for the job. Happy planting! 🌿