You’ve planted the hedge and now you are waiting for it grow to block out those close neighbours and give you privacy. Most hedges take three to five years to form a dense screen several metres high, but there are some ways to speed up growth and also increase the density of the hedge. Want to know how to make hedges grow faster? Follow these tips and watch your hedge develop good, strong growth.

 

Best plant choices for hedges

Some plants simply grow quicker than others. Known for their fast growth are lilly pillies, photinias, Viburnum odoratissimum, sasanqua camellias, correa, bottlebrush and many other natives.

Viburnum odoratissimum is a popular fast-growing hedge pick.

When to water a hedge

Regular watering helps to encourage healthy growth. Watering is very important in the weeks and months after planting, and also when conditions are hot and dry. The closer together the planting, the more water that will be needed as individual plants will be competing with one another. Installing a watering system along the hedge makes it easier to keep hedge plants well-watered, particularly as they grow.

 

When to fertilise a hedge

Fast-growing plants benefit from regular feeding, especially while they are establishing. Once growth begins, liquid feed regularly (around every 2-4 weeks) during a hedge's active growth period - that is, spring to early autumn. Flower Power recommends Powerfeed as a great all-purpose option. You should also apply a complete, slow-release granular formula of plant food in spring and early autumn. Flower Power's top pick for this is Supergrow Organic Fertiliser Pellets as a general purpose solution, but for plants with specific needs we suggest choosing a specialised formula, such as Kahoona for camellias or Bush Tucker for Australian natives. Once the hedge is well-established, cut back on liquid feeding.

 

Hedge pruning tips

It may seem counter-intuitive, but pruning helps a hedge to grow faster. Tip-prune regularly on the top and sides to encourage bushier growth all over. The quicker growing the hedge, the more frequently it needs to be pruned. Prune so the hedge is slightly narrower at the top and slightly wider at the base to allow sunlight to reach the base. Most hedges need pruning in late spring after new growth has hardened off and then again at the end of summer or in early autumn. If the hedge has flowers, wait until after flowering to prune. Also check the hedge for any sign of nesting birds before pruning, especially in spring.

 

Always wait until flowering has finished before pruning flowering hedges, like this Camellia sasanqua 'Hiryu' hedge.

 

Mulching a hedge

Applying a thin layer of coarse organic mulch around the base of the plants also helps it to grow. Mulch can deter competition from weeds, keep soil moist and cool, which also helps encourage strong growth, and as the mulch breaks down, it helps to add nourishment to the soil. Top up mulches during the year as necessary. The mulch layer should be no more than 5 deep and not built up around the stem of the plant. Any thicker makes it hard for moisture to penetrate.

 

The importance of keeping spare plants

Sometimes one or two plants in a hedge fail to thrive and can slow down the overall look of the hedge if replaced with a new, small plant. When planting a hedge, and if garden space allows, have several spare plants on hand, either growing in containers or elsewhere in the garden that can be moved to replace hedge plants if necessary, with plants of the same size and pedigree. If a plant dies off, you’ll need to replace it and give extra attention while it establishes as surrounding plants will compete for water and nutrients. Consider cutting surrounding shrubs back to ensure the new plant gets enough sunlight.

 

How to rejuvenate an old hedge

An old, rangy hedge can take a few years to rejuvenate, but it may still be a faster solution than removing it and replanting from scratch. Prune back a third of the thicker stems at the base of each bush at the end of winter. Repeat this each year until the entire hedge is showing new growth. The pruning not only stimulates dense growth low down, it will also let in more sunlight and air flow in to encourage new spring growth.

 

So, now that you know how to make hedges grow faster, we'd love to see yours! Tag us in photos of your glorious hedging efforts @flowerpowergardencentres on Facebook or Instagram.