Topiary and Hedging Plants for Sale UK – Instant Privacy Hedges and Clipped Topiary
Palm and Olive sells mature hedging plants in a range of sizes and clipped topiary hand-picked for UK gardens: Cherry Laurel, Red Robin (Photinia), Bay Laurel and Italian Cypress hedging, plus buxus balls, olive balls and half-standard bay trees. Every plant is photographed and measured, with free delivery to most of mainland UK.
Shop hedging and topiary plants
- 4ft Red Robin Plant 10L (Photinia x fraseri) – Vibrant Evergreen Hedging Shrub – £29.99
- 20L Half Standard Bay Leaf Tree (Laurus nobilis) – 6ft Tall Premium Topiary – £129.99
- Symmetrical Pair: 70cm Luxury Olive Tree Balls | Architectural Topiary Duo – £199.99
- 6ft (180cm) Bay Laurel (Laurus nobilis) Hedging Plants UK – Evergreen Hedge – From £24.99
- Premium Buxus Ball 70-80 cm – Evergreen Topiary (Buxus Sempervirens) – £224.99
- Italian cypress 7-8 ft – £149.99 (currently sold out – ask us about the next delivery)
- 120-150cm Italian Cypress Pyramidalis – Topiary UK – £29.99 (currently sold out – ask us about the next delivery)
- Italian Cypress Tree 11-12 ft (Cupressus sempervirens) – Extra Tall Evergreen – £299.99 (currently sold out – ask us about the next delivery)
- Italian Cypress Tree 9-10 ft (Cupressus sempervirens) – Tall, Narrow Evergreen – £199.99 (currently sold out – ask us about the next delivery)
- 5-6ft Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus) – 10L Pot Premium Evergreen Hedging – £34.99 (currently sold out – ask us about the next delivery)
How fast will your hedge give privacy?
Estimated height of our mature potted hedging after planting, measured against a standard 1.8 m garden fence. Growth varies with soil, water and light.
| Hedge | Planting day | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus) | 1.6 m | 2.1 m | 2.4 m | 2.4 m | 2.4 m |
| Red Robin (Photinia × fraseri) | 1.2 m | 1.6 m | 2.0 m | 2.2 m | 2.2 m |
| Bay Laurel (Laurus nobilis) | 1.5 m | 1.9 m | 2.2 m | 2.2 m | 2.2 m |
| Italian Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens) | 1.4 m | 1.8 m | 2.3 m | 2.7 m | 3.6 m |
Cherry Laurel hedge growth, year by year
- Planting day: mature plants with small gaps between them – almost level with a standard fence.
- Year 1: the gaps close as glossy side shoots weave together, and the hedge rises above the fence.
- Year 2: a solid green wall – most gardens now have full privacy above the fence.
- Year 3: dense and tall. A trim in late spring and late summer keeps it neat.
- Year 4: mature screen that also muffles road noise and wind.
- Year 5: as tall as you want it – most people keep it around 2–2.5 m.
Red Robin hedge growth, year by year
- Planting day: 4ft shrubs, just below a standard fence, with bright red tips.
- Year 1: plants bulk out and the gaps close, still just below the top of the fence.
- Year 2: the hedge rises above the fence, with red new growth along the top.
- Year 3: full privacy above a 1.8 m fence for most gardens.
- Year 4: a dense, colourful screen – trim after each red flush to get another.
- Year 5: mature hedge kept at around 2–2.2 m.
Bay Laurel hedge growth, year by year
- Planting day: bay plants set close together for a formal line, just below the fence.
- Year 1: the gaps close and the top of the hedge reaches the fence.
- Year 2: a dense, formal hedge now screening above the fence.
- Year 3: full privacy above a standard fence, with aromatic leaves.
- Year 4: a mature, tight hedge – one trim a year keeps the shape crisp.
- Year 5: a refined hedge kept at around 2–2.2 m.
Italian Cypress hedge growth, year by year
- Planting day: slim 120–150 cm columns, like a row of green pencils.
- Year 1: each column gains height; the narrow shape stays tidy.
- Year 2: the row rises well above the fence line.
- Year 3: tall columns screen upper views while the base stays slim.
- Year 4: an elegant Mediterranean-style colonnade.
- Year 5: 3–4 m tall columns with small gaps – screening with style rather than a solid wall.
How many hedge plants do I need?
Divide the length of your hedge by the planting distance. For a single row of 4–5ft plants (numbers may vary by size – smaller plants can go closer together, larger plants further apart):
- Cherry Laurel: plant 50–60 cm apart – about 1.8 plants per metre, or 19 plants for a 10 m hedge.
- Red Robin: plant 55–70 cm apart – about 1.5 plants per metre, or 16 plants for a 10 m hedge.
- Bay Laurel: plant 35–45 cm apart – about 2.5 plants per metre, or 25 plants for a 10 m hedge.
- Italian Cypress: plant 55–65 cm apart – about 1.7 plants per metre, or 17 plants for a 10 m hedge.
A double row is two staggered rows about 40 cm apart and needs twice as many plants, for a denser hedge from day one.
Compare our hedging plants
| Hedge | Growth | Plant apart | Plants per metre | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cherry Laurel | Fast, 30–60 cm a year | 50–60 cm | 1.8 | The fastest dense privacy screen – big glossy leaves block views, wind and road noise. |
| Red Robin | Fast, 30–50 cm a year | 55–70 cm | 1.5 | Colourful privacy – glossy green hedging with bright red new growth every spring. |
| Bay Laurel | Moderate to fast, 25–45 cm a year | 35–45 cm | 2.5 | An elegant, formal evergreen hedge with aromatic leaves you can cook with. |
| Italian Cypress | Moderate to fast, 30–60 cm a year | 55–65 cm | 1.7 | A tall, slim living colonnade – height and drama without taking up garden width. |
Topiary shapes
- Balls: Buxus and olive balls – classic pairs either side of a door or path.
- Half-standards: A clipped head on a clear stem, like our 6ft bay tree – height for pots and entrances.
- Columns: Italian Cypress – slim vertical accents for formal and Mediterranean gardens.
How to plant and care for a hedge
- Planting: Dig a trench twice the width of the root balls, mix in compost, and plant at the same depth as in the pot. Firm in and water well.
- Watering: Water deeply twice a week for the first summer, and in any dry spell during the first two years. A seep hose along the row makes it easy.
- Feeding: A slow-release shrub feed each spring helps new hedging bulk up quickly. Mulch the base to keep in moisture and stop weeds.
- Trimming: Trim in late spring and late summer to keep the hedge dense. Keep the base slightly wider than the top so light reaches the lower leaves.
- Position: Cherry Laurel and Bay cope with sun or part shade; Red Robin colours best in sun. Italian Cypress needs full sun and good drainage.
- Winter: All our hedging is hardy in the UK. Protect newly planted bay from bitter winds in its first winter, and knock heavy snow off hedges.
Planting a hedge, step by step
- Mark a straight line with string and pegs along your boundary.
- Dig a trench about twice the width of the pots and mix in compost.
- Space the plants evenly at the right distance for your hedge.
- Plant at the same depth as in the pot, firm in and water deeply.
- Mulch the row and keep watering through the first summer.
Plant it with terracotta pots, olive trees, acer trees or tree ferns.
Hedging and topiary FAQs
What is the fastest-growing evergreen hedge in the UK?
Of the hedging we sell, Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus) is the fastest dense evergreen, typically growing 30–60 cm a year. Red Robin (Photinia × fraseri) is close behind at 30–50 cm a year. Bay Laurel is not far behind at 25–45 cm a year. Starting with mature, ready-grown plants gives you privacy in one to two seasons instead of five or more.
How many hedge plants do I need per metre?
It depends on the plant and its size. For 4–5ft plants: Cherry Laurel about 1.8 plants per metre (50–60 cm apart), Red Robin about 1.5 per metre (55–70 cm apart), Bay Laurel about 2.5 per metre (35–45 cm apart) and Italian Cypress about 1.7 per metre (55–65 cm apart). Numbers vary by size – smaller plants can go a little closer together and larger plants further apart. Use the hedge planner on this page to work out your number.
How long does a hedge take to give privacy?
With mature potted plants, fast hedges like Cherry Laurel and Red Robin usually close the gaps and screen above a 1.8 m fence within one to two growing seasons. Bay Laurel is close behind, usually within two to three years.
When should I plant a hedge?
Potted hedging can be planted all year round as long as the ground isn’t frozen or waterlogged. Autumn and early spring are ideal because the soil is moist and roots establish quickly. In summer, water every few days for the first few weeks.
When should I cut my hedge?
Most evergreen hedges are trimmed once or twice a year: in late spring and again in late summer. Check carefully for nesting birds first – it is an offence to damage an active nest, and March to August is the main nesting season. Cut large-leaved Cherry Laurel with secateurs rather than shears so the leaves don’t brown.
How tall can my hedge be?
There is no fixed legal limit, but in England and Wales a neighbour can complain to the council about an evergreen hedge over 2 m tall that blocks light or access. Most people keep boundary hedges at around 2–2.5 m with a yearly trim.
What is the difference between topiary and hedging?
Hedging is a row of shrubs planted close together to form a screen or boundary. Topiary is a single plant clipped into a shape – such as a ball, cone, spiral or half-standard (a ball on a clear stem) – used as a feature in pots, by doors or along paths.
Do you deliver hedging plants across the UK?
Yes. Delivery is free to most of mainland UK, usually within 2–5 working days. Larger plants travel by specialist transport so they arrive upright and undamaged.
Questions? Call or WhatsApp Palm and Olive on 07481 102135 or email info@palmandolive.co.uk.