Hedges Direct 
Beech Hedging Fagus sylvatica
In stock
2. Select Your Product Individual Plants
Choose between a range of sizes and select the quantity right for your job
Package Deals
Benefit from bulk buying with money saving product bundles
Root types explained.
-
Bare root
Field grown, bare roots are young plants that are only planted when they are dormant, from autumn to spring. We lift bare root plants and despatch them during the season but they can be pre-ordered in summer. As they are cheaper to grow, they are one of our most affordable hedge planting options.
-
Pot grown
Pot grown plants can be planted year round and make a convenient option. They come in a wide range of sizes, from 10cm to 2.5m so they're suitable for the majority of planting requirements.
-
Root ball
Also field grown, root ball plants are scooped out of the ground using machinery to keep their root system intact and wrapped in bio-degradable, hessian sacks. They are mature plants that provide dense coverage very early on, ideal for when you need a thick hedge quickly.
-
Instant
Grown in troughs or bags that measure 50cm-1 metre in length and carefully clipped during the growing season. Our instant hedging troughs create a dramatic, instant hedge effect.
Individual Pot Grown Plants 
Pot Grown Package Deals
Individual Instant Hedging Plants Key Features
NATIVE
FAST GROWING
Beech Hedge Plants Description
With its wavy-edged, oval leaves that shift from vibrant green in spring and summer to rich coppery tones in autumn and winter, Beech (Fagus sylvatica) is a stunning native hedging choice for year-round visual interest. Although technically deciduous, Beech hedging holds on to its dry, rust-coloured leaves throughout winter, providing screening even in the colder months. In spring, this species produces long, dangling clusters of greenish-yellow flowers, making up its catkins. These bee-friendly flowers help to provide seasonal colour throughout the year.
As a fast-growing hedge, Beech is ideal for creating a natural garden boundary, offering privacy from neighbours and plenty of wind protection while still letting some light through its layered leaves. It thrives in well-drained soils and is particularly suited to chalky or sandy ground, though it doesn’t tolerate waterlogged conditions very well. Beech hedging also acts as a shelter for local birds and a food source for insects, making it a fantastic choice for wildlife-friendly gardens. With an impressive growth rate of around 30-60cm per year, it quickly establishes into a dense, easy-to-maintain hedge with the help of regular pruning.
Our bare root Beech hedging plants are available from November to late April/early May, while root ball hedges are available between November and March.* For a quicker impact, we also offer pot-grown and instant hedging that are ready for planting all year. Learn more about which type is right for you in our comprehensive guide to the four hedging root types.
Need help planning your hedge? Our guide to planting density has everything you need to know.
*Bare-root and root-ball stock are subject to availability and may change, but are generally available from autumn through to spring.
Vital Plant Information
Reviews
Plant Guarantee
Hedges Direct always supplies quality plants, however we know that sometimes plants have a mind of their own. With the Hedges Direct Green Guarantee, we've got you covered. Our 12-month guarantee is our 100% promise to you, that you can buy with complete confidence, that if any plants fail within 12 months, we will replace them when the guarantee conditions are met.
-
Step 1
Root Grow & Fertiliser
Ensure you buy root grow and fretiliser with your plants at the time of purchase
-
Step 2
Prepare Your Planting Area
Make sure your planting area is in good condition and suitable for planting
-
Step 3
Plant & Feed
Plant with root grow & the second feed. Support plants if necessary. Water regularly
Pruning Advice
Once established, prune your Beech hedge once a year in late summer, around August time, so that it can keep its new foliage through autumn and winter. This means it’ll continue to provide a beautiful boundary screen year-round.
While Beech can tolerate hard pruning, it's typically not always needed unless your hedge is extremely overgrown and in need of a reshape. This should be done in late winter when Beech hedge plants are dormant.