Bird Cherry 40/60cm Bare Root Hedge Plant (Prunus padus)

Bird Cherry (Prunus padus) bare root plants, 40–60cm, are ideal for creating fast-growing, wildlife-friendly native hedges in UK gardens. Producing fragrant white flowers in spring and small dark fruits, these low-maintenance trees thrive in sun or partial shade.

Key Features

• Growth rate: 20-40cm per year; mature height up to 4m
• Flowering: Fragrant white star-shaped flowers (late spring)
• Fruit: Small, dark, bitter (autumn), supports birds and pollinators
• Best planting time: November to March (dormant period)
• Maintenance: Minimal, light summer pruning if needed
• Position: Full sun or partial shade; prefers sheltered/inland sites

FAQs

• Is bird cherry suitable for wildlife hedging? Yes, it attracts pollinators and birds with its flowers and fruit.
• How does it compare in growth rate to other native hedging? It matches many native species, growing 20–40cm per year.
• When should bare root bird cherry be planted? Plant from November to March for best establishment.
• Is maintenance high? No, it requires only occasional light pruning.
• Does it handle partial shade? Yes, bird cherry tolerates both sun and partial shade well.

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.