SolveYourProblem Hedges Article Series
I Want To Create The Perfect Hedge

Hedge Planting: Container vs Roots
    

When a hedge is properly planted, it will be more tolerant of unfavorable conditions, and will require less maintenance than one that has been incorrectly planted. Before making final decisions on planting techniques, consideration should be given to several factors. These factors include:

Bare root plants are kept on the shelf and not in a pot. The roots are usually loose and ready to be planted. Bare root planting will mean planting hedges by placing their bare roots into the ground, just like it sounds. Bare root plants tend to be less expensive, because they are less costly to produce, less expensive to store, and less expensive to ship. Many types of hedges respond well to bare root planting, but there are a few disadvantages to be considered.

One disadvantage to bare root planting is that most frequently, hedges that are planted bare rooted, need more initial care. Since the roots will need time to adjust to their new environment, they will require more frequent watering, and sometimes staking, depending on the type and size of the shrub. Another disadvantage of bare root planting is the range of shrub size available for bare root planting is limited, due to the inability to successfully move larger hedges with bare roots. Taking the disadvantages into consideration, bare root planting would not be a good choice for those who do not want to put much maintenance into their hedges, or for those who desire to plant large shrubs.

Many people do choose bare root planting for their hedges though, usually because of cost. When planted hedges that are bare rooted, here are some planting tips to consider:

Container grown planting is exactly as it sounds, as well. Container grown shrubs are removed from their containers and then placed into the ground. These shrubs were grown in planters and are not considered bare root plants. Just as with bare root planting, there are advantages and disadvantages to container grown planting, also. When using container grown shrubs, one advantage is that 100 percent of the plant's root system will be present in the container. Another advantage to using container grown plants is that they can be planted anytime throughout the year. It is not necessary for plants to be dormant when planting container grown plants. But where there are advantages, there are also disadvantages.

The main disadvantage to planting container grown plants is the probability of deformed roots. This is commonly known as "rootbound" plants. These shrubs have roots circling inside the container, and the tangled roots will prevent any further growth and development of the shrub. This problem must be corrected before planting or the shrub may experience many adverse effects, such as:

Some important things to remember when planting a container grown shrub include:

Whether you chose bare root plants for your new hedges, or container grown plants, hedges can serve many purposes. They are not only pleasing to the eye, but they can provide privacy, block wind and noise, and provide habitat for the birds and other wildlife.

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