Don Vandervort, Head Homeboy, has written more than 30 DIY home improvement books, been a segment host on HGTV, served as MSN.com's home improvement expert and written countless magazine articles.
Because hedges are grown from shrubs or trees, you’ll find them sold as bare-root plants, as balled-and-burplapped (or b-and-b) plants, with their roots surrounded by soil and wrapped in burlap or mesh, or in containers. The first two are usually sold in late fall and early spring; plant these as soon as you buy them. Keep in mind that while the combination of roots and soil that form the balls of b-and-b plants can be heavy, the roots themselves are delicate. Handle these plants with care when moving them. Container plants can be put out at any time the ground can be worked, but try to avoid planting during the heat of the day or during a hot spell to avoid stressing the plant.
Choose plants with strong stems and good root systems. For b-and-b plants, whose roots are not visible, be sure the roots are not exposed and the root ball is firm and moist. Container plants should not be root-bound nor too leggy.
Planting basics. When you’re planting a hedge, you’re planting multiple plants. One of the most important considerations is how far apart to space them. Too close and the mature plants will be entangled and won’t grow well. Too far apart and you’ll have gaps. The rule of thumb is to plant slightly closer together than you normally would. For instance, if you normally plant 3 feet apart, plant 1 to 2 feet apart instead. If spacing would normally be 6 feet, go for 4 feet.
Start with a hole that is twice the width of the roots of the plant and slightly shallower than the root system. Taper the sides of the hole outward slightly at the bottom, and then dig deeper around the edges at the bottom of the hole to allow room for the roots to grow downward and to prevent the soil from settling. Shape the soil in the center of the hole into a rounded cone, which will serve as a base for the plant.
Soak a bare-root plant in water for four hours before planting. Situate the plant so the top of the rootball is slightly above the surrounding soil. Spread the roots over the cone and downward. Hold the plant in place and then begin filling in the hole with the soil you removed. Make sure the soil is firmly in place as you fill in the space. When the soil is about 4 inches from the top, add water to settle the soil in place. If the plant starts to settle, add more soil under it until it is again at the proper height above the soil. Finish filling in with soil, and then water again. Don’t overwater; the soil should be moist but not soggy.
For a b-and-b plant, the top of the root ball should be about 2 inches above the soil line. If the covering is burlap, untie the top, pull it about halfway down the rootball, and leave it in place. If the covering is synthetic, remove it completely. Fill the hole with soil, firming it as you go, until you are about 4 inches from the top of the hole. Moisten the soil, and add more soil beneath the plant if it has settled. Continue filling in the hole, firming the soil as you go; when you’re finished, moisten the soil until it is thoroughly wet but not soaked.
If planting from a container, gently remove the plant; you may need to tap on the bottom of the container to loosen the rootball. Place the plant on the cone so the rootball is slightly above the surrounding soil. Spread the roots out around the cone and fill in the hole with soil, firming it as you go. Once you’ve finished filling in the hole, water the plant until the soil is moist but not overly soggy.
Keep the soil moist as the plant settles in, and then water the newly planted shrubs when the soil is dry to 2 inches deep. Once a plant is established, water only as needed.
