Hornbeam Hedge Plant 20–30cm Pot-Grown (Carpinus betulus)

Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) pot-grown hedge plants, 20–30cm tall, are well-suited for planting in heavy clay or wet soils and provide robust, year-round privacy hedges in UK gardens.

Key Features

• Available size: 20–30cm tall, supplied in 9cm pots
• Suitable for clay, chalk, or damp soils; tolerates shade and wind
• Native to the UK, produces green catkins and wildlife-attracting fruit from spring to autumn
• Plant 3 per metre (single row) or 5 per metre (double row) for optimal density
• Pot-grown plants allow for flexible, all-year-round planting compared to bare root options

FAQs

Is hornbeam good for wet or clay soils?

Yes, hornbeam is highly tolerant of wet or heavy clay soils and performs better than beech in such conditions.

How does hornbeam compare to beech for privacy?

Hornbeam retains dense branching and privacy year-round, whereas beech may lose more leaves in winter in exposed sites.

What is the ideal planting spacing?

Plant 3 hornbeam per metre for single rows or 5 per metre for denser staggered rows.

Is hornbeam suitable for shade and wind?

Yes, hornbeam tolerates shady, windy gardens and thrives where other hedge plants may struggle.

What are the advantages of pot-grown hornbeam?

Pot-grown hornbeam can be planted any time of year, establishing more reliably outside bare root planting season.

Care Guide

• Keep soil moist (not waterlogged) while establishing
• Prune annually in summer to shape and maintain density