Deliveries throughout the U.K.
email: torhill@hotmail.com
At our North Hertfordshire nursery, we have for some years been establishing a collection of traditional hedging and topiary subjects with particular emphasis on those plants most closely associated with 'style' - and the classic formal Country House garden.
We had the finest stimulation, a neglected garden of our own to plan and re-stock, and no apparent ready source of container-grown plants of the right species/size/price. We were also aware that greater interest is being shown in the traditional hedging and edging solutions of yesteryear - there are qualities in these plants that make them highly functional as well as attractive - and they add form and structure to all gardens, large and small, town and country.
Yew
The classic British conifer hedge and topiary subject. Generally easy to grow and surprisingly fast-growing (we regularly see from 9" to a foot of new growth on our plants) but watering in the first season and even after is essential to maintain good progress, and some screening to protect from drying winds is useful, particularly with bare-root plants.
Widely appreciated as a specimen plant for topiary work and patio tubs, from stock we can select well-formed container specimens already showing the growth characteristics for the making of balls, cones, hens, butterflies, peacocks etc. and clip them to shape for you to grow on to final size. We also have the upright 'Irish' yew and bushy hedging plants from 3' to 6'.
Bare-root hedging prices from £5.25 plus VAT and delivery for 24" plants, Topiary and other specimens from £35.00 plus VAT. We have a wide range of containerised yew hedging for year-round planting from £15.00 to £85.00 plus VAT, priced as much by the bulk of the plant as its height.
ABOUT BARE-ROOT HEDGING...
With the onset of winter dormancy, Yew, like most plants, can be successfully lifted and transplanted bare-rooted in the smaller sizes, thus avoiding the expense of containerisation - an opportunity that lasts from October to March, though it's generally considered best to plant before Christmas to take advantage of root re-development that will continue through the winter.
It's common practice at garden centres and mail order nurseries to rely on a supposed "shelf life" of weeks - or with refrigeration months - for these dormant plants often imported from Holland or Belgium, but as growers we can offer a different approach.
We only lift to order, and lift only in the morning of the chosen day of collection / dispatch, or for large quantities maybe at most the day before. They will be 'as dug', ie with as much soil as naturally hangs with the roots - which we find makes for better transplantation though it adds significantly to the weight of a consignment.
So you can have every confidence that your plants will be in full viable condition, and, if you have taken advantage of the situation to prepare the planting area, they will be safely back in the ground, maybe within hours, fresh and ready for quick establishment next spring.
They will be bagged and can quite safely be stored in the opened bag for a few days if necessary, as long as they are kept cool, upright and in free air.
If you can't collect, we can deliver locally by our own transport, or nationally on a 'next-day' basis via TNT and will be pleased to quote for specific orders.
Box
Our native 'common' box, traditionally the number one choice for smaller formal evergreen hedges 12 inches to 3' high, particularly for edging and divisions - say in knot gardens and parterres - where its crisp, tight format is perfect.
It will of course grow taller, but most people inherit 6' hedges rather than grow them from scratch.
Box is also well suited to topiary work, and in addition to supplying hedging plants, we can select larger specimens displaying the required form for you to grow on, particularly as balls, cones and birds, or from trade sources finished topiary in all shapes and sizes.
We generally also have in stock some dwarf 'Suffruticosa' for really low edgings 6-9" and 'Elegantissima', probably the best known variegated form.
Hedging prices from £2.50 plus VAT and delivery for bushy bare-root plants 9/12". Box balls etc from £25 plus VAT, some rather nice quail (or wrens) from £35, "instant" box hedging from extra bushy plants 2' or so £25.00 plus VAT.
enjoy your garden - and your gardening!
