Hedge plants come in a range of different root types, available at various times throughout the year. Cell grown hedging can be both bought and planted year-round making it a great choice when planting a new garden hedge. There’s many more benefits to choosing this root type but first we need to understand what cell grown plants actually are.
What are cell grown hedging plants?
Cell grown hedge plants come with their root system surrounded by a small amount of soil and are a midway point between bare root hedging and pot grown hedge plants. Cell grown plants have a small root system; it’s not quite as developed as the roots of larger pot grown plants but is still strong and establishes in the ground well.
It’s not only the development of the root system that is halfway between bare root plants and pot grown hedging, but also the price. The cost reflects the development of these plants and although the root system is not as mature as some other root types, cell grown hedges catch up with larger pot grown plants very quickly.
The benefits of cell grown hedge plants
For many gardeners the main benefit of cell grown plants is the price. Out of all the root types available, cell grown is the most economical option – this is due to the low costs involved in cultivating this root type. Another huge advantage of choosing cell grown hedge plants is that because the roots are intact, the protective root hair is undamaged (meaning that any friendly Mycorrhizal fungi naturally occurring on the plant still remains) and there has been no loss of feeding to the roots, giving these plants a high success rate.
Cell grown hedging can be planted in any season as long as the planting site is not water-logged or frozen. Cell grown hedge plants establish quicker when planted outside of the dormant period and in warm soil. We recommend planting in either March, April, May, June, September or October, however they can also be planted in summer, as long as the roots are kept well-watered during dry periods.
How to plant a cell grown hedge
- Clear the planting area of all weeds and debris.
- Dig a trench that’s double the size of the root structure and about a spade’s depth. To make it easier for the roots to establish, gently prick the sides and base of the trench using a garden fork.
- Adding well-rotted organic matter such as horse manure will help to improve poor soils. We also recommend using RootGrow as this will give your plants a boost, reducing the time it takes for the roots to establish. You can also mix Bonemeal into your backfill to encourage root growth. Always follow the instructions on the packet.
- Water both the bottom of your trench and the roots of your cell grown plants. Allow the water to drain away before planting.
- Gently tease the roots of the plant before positioning in the trench so that the roots will be covered with about an inch of soil. Add your backfill and firm down the soil well.
- Give your cell grown plants a thorough watering after planting.
View our full range of cell grown plants or visit our Advice page for more planting guidelines.
