Hazel Bare Root Hedging

Hazel Bare Root Hedging (Corylus avellana)

Traditional Native Hedging for Wildlife, Country Gardens & Mixed Native Hedges

Hazel, botanically known as Corylus avellana, is a classic native deciduous hedging plant valued for its attractive rounded foliage, early catkins, wildlife benefits and naturally bushy growth. Supplied as bare root plants during the dormant season, Hazel provides an economical way to establish a traditional hedge, particularly where larger quantities are required.

Naturally found in British hedgerows and woodland edges, Hazel has a softer, less formal appearance than many conventional hedging plants. It works particularly well in mixed native hedges, wildlife gardens, rural boundaries and naturalistic planting schemes.

As the plants mature, Hazel develops a dense framework of stems and branches, providing valuable shelter and habitat while introducing attractive seasonal interest throughout the year.

Why Choose Hazel Bare Root Hedging?

Hazel is an excellent choice for creating a natural-looking native hedge with plenty of wildlife value.

Key benefits include:

• Native British hedging plant
• Excellent value when supplied bare root
• Naturally bushy growth
• Attractive fresh green foliage
• Produces distinctive catkins
• Excellent for wildlife
• Provides shelter and habitat for birds
• Suitable for mixed native hedging
• Ideal for rural and naturalistic gardens
• Hardy and adaptable
• Excellent for larger planting projects
• Responds well to pruning and coppicing

Hazel for Native Hedging

Hazel is a traditional component of British native hedgerows and is particularly effective when combined with other native species.

Its broad, rounded leaves provide a softer texture amongst thornier hedging plants, while its naturally branching habit helps create a varied and wildlife-friendly boundary.

Hazel can be combined with plants such as:

• Hawthorn
• Blackthorn
• Dogwood
• Field Maple
• Guelder Rose
• Spindle
• Dog Rose
• Holly

Mixed native hedging provides a changing display of foliage, flowers, berries and autumn colour while creating a valuable habitat for local wildlife.

Hazel for Wildlife

Hazel is particularly valuable in a wildlife-friendly garden or native hedge.

Its dense growth provides shelter and potential nesting habitat for birds, while the foliage supports a variety of insects.

Hazel is also well known for its nuts, which can provide a valuable food source for wildlife when produced.

Its early catkins add further seasonal interest at a time when relatively few other hedging plants are active.

Hazel Catkins & Seasonal Interest

One of the most recognisable features of Hazel is its long yellow catkins, which can appear from late winter into early spring before the new foliage fully emerges.

Fresh green leaves follow during spring, developing into a dense leafy hedge throughout the growing season.

In autumn, the foliage develops yellow tones before falling for winter. Established plants may also produce hazelnuts, although the amount of fruit can vary according to age, growing conditions and pollination.

Where to Plant Hazel

Hazel is a versatile native plant that works particularly well in informal and naturalistic settings.

It is ideal for:

• Native hedges
• Mixed country hedges
• Rural boundaries
• Wildlife gardens
• Woodland-style gardens
• Field edges
• Larger gardens
• Naturalistic planting schemes
• Countryside planting
• Larger landscaping projects

Its naturally informal appearance makes it especially suitable where a softer alternative to a tightly clipped formal hedge is required.

Growing Conditions

Hazel is hardy and adaptable, growing successfully in a range of conditions.

It generally performs well in sun or partial shade and is suited to many ordinary garden soils.

For best establishment, provide soil that retains some moisture while still offering reasonable drainage. Newly planted hedging should not be allowed to dry out during its first growing season.

When Can I Plant Hazel Bare Root Hedging?

Bare root Hazel is planted during the dormant season, generally from late autumn through winter and into early spring.

Plants are lifted from the field once dormant and supplied without a pot or large quantity of compost around their roots. This makes bare root hedging particularly economical for planting longer boundaries and larger areas.

For best results, plant as soon as possible after receiving your Hazel.

If planting has to be delayed, keep the roots cool, moist and protected from drying out.

Avoid planting when the ground is frozen or waterlogged.

How to Plant Hazel Bare Root Hedging

Good ground preparation is important when establishing a new bare root hedge.

Remove weeds and loosen the soil thoroughly before planting.

When planting:

• Keep the roots covered and moist until required
• Dig a suitable trench or individual planting holes
• Allow enough room for the roots to spread naturally
• Avoid folding or forcing roots into a small planting hole
• Plant at approximately the same depth the plants were previously growing
• Backfill carefully with soil
• Gently firm around the roots
• Water thoroughly after planting

A layer of mulch can help retain moisture and suppress weeds, but avoid piling mulch directly around the stems.

Watering Newly Planted Hazel

Although established Hazel is a robust native plant, newly planted bare root hedging requires regular watering while its root system develops.

Water thoroughly immediately after planting to settle the soil around the roots.

Once growth begins in spring, continue to monitor the soil carefully. During warm, dry or windy weather, give the hedge a deep, thorough soak rather than frequent small amounts of water.

Watering during the first growing season is particularly important for successful establishment.

How Far Apart Should I Plant Hazel?

Planting distance will depend on the size of the plants and the density of hedge required.

Hazel can be planted in a single row or staggered double row, and it can also be incorporated amongst other plants within a mixed native hedge.

For wildlife and countryside planting, combining different native species can produce a more natural appearance than planting each species in separate blocks.

Check the recommended planting density for the particular size of bare root plants being purchased.

How Quickly Does Hazel Grow?

Hazel can establish into a substantial, bushy plant once settled into its position.

Growth will vary according to soil conditions, available moisture, position and ongoing care.

Regular pruning during the early stages can encourage the plants to branch lower down, helping to create a denser hedge from the base.

Pruning Hazel Hedging

Hazel responds well to pruning and can be maintained as either a hedge or a more informal boundary.

Young plants can be pruned to encourage dense, bushy growth, while established hedges can be trimmed to maintain the desired height and width.

Hazel also responds particularly well to coppicing, where established stems are periodically cut back close to the base to encourage vigorous new growth.

For a wildlife hedge, consider the timing of pruning carefully to minimise disturbance to nesting birds and preserve as much seasonal interest as possible.

Is Hazel Evergreen?

No. Hazel is deciduous, naturally losing its leaves during autumn.

Although the branches remain bare through winter, the framework of stems continues to provide structure before the attractive catkins emerge and fresh foliage returns.

If year-round foliage is required, Hazel can be combined with evergreen native species such as Holly as part of a mixed hedge.

Does Hazel Produce Hazelnuts?

Yes. Hazel can produce the familiar hazelnuts as plants mature.

Nut production can vary depending on the individual plants, age, growing conditions and pollination, so Hazel grown primarily as hedging should not be selected solely for producing a reliable nut crop.

Within a native hedge, however, any nuts produced provide additional seasonal interest and a useful food source for wildlife.

Bare Root or Pot-Grown Hazel?

Bare root Hazel is an excellent option when planting during the dormant season, particularly for longer hedges and larger native planting projects.

Bare root plants are economical, easy to handle and establish well when planted and cared for correctly.

Pot-grown Hazel provides more flexibility outside the traditional bare root season, but for larger winter planting schemes, bare root plants are often the most cost-effective choice.

Buy Hazel Bare Root Hedging Online

Our Hazel Bare Root Hedging is ideal for creating traditional native hedges, rural boundaries and wildlife-friendly planting schemes.

With its fresh green foliage, distinctive winter catkins and naturally bushy growth, Corylus avellana provides an attractive and practical addition to mixed native hedging.

Supplied during the dormant bare root season, Hazel is a cost-effective choice for establishing anything from a garden wildlife hedge to a larger countryside planting scheme.

Shop Hazel Bare Root Hedging online and create a hardy, natural-looking native hedge with excellent seasonal and wildlife interest.