Hornbeam Hedge Plant 150-175cm Bare Root | Carpinus betulus

Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) 150-175cm bare root hedging plants are ideal for wet, boggy, or exposed gardens. With annual growth of 20-40cm, hornbeam creates a dense, hardy privacy screen that tolerates waterlogging and wind. Suitable for soils from acidic to alkaline and full sun to partial shade, its marcescent foliage offers winter screening for year-round privacy.

Key Features

• Size supplied: 150–175cm bare root
• Growth rate: 20–40cm per year
• Soil tolerance: Boggy, wet, or normal soils; acid to alkaline pH
• Climate suitability: Windy, exposed, and challenging sites
• Pruning: Tolerates hard pruning for dense hedges

Use Case Comparison

Hornbeam vs. Beech Hedging

Hornbeam keeps brown leaves through winter (marcescence), providing screening like beech but is better for wetter soils. For privacy hedges in damp or exposed spots, hornbeam is preferred.

FAQs

• Is hornbeam suitable for areas with poor drainage or waterlogging? Yes, hornbeam tolerates waterlogged soils that drain, outperforming most hedge options in boggy sites.
• How does hornbeam hedge compare to beech? Hornbeam thrives in wetter, windier conditions, while beech prefers free-draining soils.
• Why choose bare root hornbeam? Bare root plants establish quickly and are cost-effective for large-scale planting November–March.
• Will hornbeam survive in windy or exposed locations? Yes, hornbeam is hardy and suitable for windbreaks.
• How fast does hornbeam grow for privacy? With annual growth of 20–40cm, hornbeam rapidly develops into a dense hedge for effective screening.

Planting and care

This is a bare-root plant, supplied dormant between November and March. Plant within a few days of arrival for best results, keeping the roots moist and out of direct sun until they go in the ground. Standard spacing is 3 plants per metre, or 5 per metre for a denser, faster screen.

Read our complete bare-root hedging buyer's guide for full instructions on when to plant, how to handle the plants on arrival, planting depth, spacing for different uses, and what to expect in the first season.