Tree and Hedging Plant Terms

Hopes Grove Nurseries for friendly advice and the higest quality, guaranteed to grow hedges and hedging plants available.

For the gardening novices, terms and abbreviations on hedging plants, trees and shrubs can all too often lead to confusion.

Purchasing hedging plants, trees or shrubs whether by mail order, online or at a garden nursery has to be carefully thought out as a tree or strip of hedging can be a large part of a garden’s design. Selecting the incorrect plant for the soil type or size of garden can also lead to unsatisfactory results.

Bare Rooted Seedlings or Cuttings
Usually a one year old plant grown at a high density to produce an economically priced plant that is especially useful where large quantities are contemplated. These plants must be despatched and planted when dormant from Late October until Early April depending on weather conditions.

Bare Rooted Transplants
A plant that has been lifted from the ground and re-planted at a wider spacing during its time on the nursery to encourage a strong fibrous root system and sturdier growth. As Above these are available from Late October until Early April weather dependent.

Feathered Whip
A young bare rooted tree that has been more widely spaced than a transplant. These plants have been grown on to produce more developed side feathers (young branches) than transplants. A larger bolder plant that is perfect for a more instant effect but still small enough to establish quite quickly. As above available Late October until Early April.

Feathered Tree
Older and more developed plants than feathered whips, that have been grown with more space to give greater effect. For ornamental trees this is a maiden tree that has been grown on to produce side branches.

Maiden Trees
A young ornamental or fruit tree grafted onto a root stock and grown on for 1 year. Some species naturally produce side feathers (young branches) while others will be a single stem at this age. These plants can be from 2-6ft in height depending on the vigour of the particular variety. The most economical method of buying ornamental and fruiting trees.

Rootballed
A larger plant grown in the field and lifted carefully along with the soil and root system immediately around the trunk or stem. The Rootball is then carefully wrapped in Hessian to contain the soil. These are larger or bushier plants that represent very good value for money. Available from Mid-October until Mid-April.

Pot Grown
Trees, hedging plants or shrubs grown in compost in a pot that can be planted at any time of year without root disturbance. Available all year round.

License: You have permission to republish this article in any format, even commercially, but you must keep all links intact. Attribution required.