Advice & Guides 12 September 2026

A Fresh Start for Autumn: New Ideas for Your Garden

Autumn is the perfect time to plan a new hedge and prepare for bare root planting season. Discover the benefits of native hedging, simple preparation tips and a little seasonal tree inspiration.

After the heat of summer, the recent rain has brought a wonderfully refreshing feeling to the garden. The air is cooler, the soil is softer and everything seems revived, making it a real pleasure to wander outside and enjoy a little gentle pottering once again.

Autumnal colour is also beginning to appear, from the first changing leaves to berries brightening the hedgerows. In our previous blog, we shared more seasonal inspiration and simple gardening tips—take a look for plenty of lovely ideas to help you enjoy and prepare your garden over the coming weeks.

hedge your bets

Start Planning Your Hedge Now

A hedge can provide privacy, shelter and a beautiful natural boundary while creating valuable habitats for birds, bees and other wildlife.

Before ordering, measure the length of your proposed hedge and consider its purpose. Do you want a neat garden boundary, a mixed native hedgerow, a wildlife-friendly feature or hedging suitable for a paddock?

Our native hedgerow packs are sold by the metre, with five bare root plants supplied for each metre ordered. This makes it easier to calculate the quantity you need, whether you are planting a short garden hedge or planning a much larger project.

Prepare the planting area by removing weeds and grass, checking the drainage and improving very poor or compacted soil. You can also mark out the hedge line now, ready for your plants to arrive.

Hedegrow

Hedge your bets

Why Plant Bare Root?

Bare root trees and hedging are lifted and supplied without a pot while they are dormant, generally between November and early spring.

They are lighter to transport, economical to buy and particularly useful for hedges, woodland planting and larger projects where several plants are needed. Once planted correctly, their roots can establish directly into the surrounding soil before spring growth begins.

Bare root plants are only available for a limited season, so ordering early gives you the best choice. We prepare and dispatch pre-orders in the order they are received.

Bare Root Tree Collection

Autumnal colour

Parrotia – A Spectacular Seasonal Display

Parrotia, also known as Persian Ironwood, is a wonderful choice for seasonal interest. Its foliage develops beautiful shades of yellow, orange, red and purple during autumn, often displaying several colours at once.

It makes an impressive feature tree and is best planted where there is enough room to appreciate its naturally spreading shape.

Parrotia Tree

autumnal colour

Walnut – A Tree for the Future

A Walnut tree is a rewarding choice for a larger garden, orchard or open space. With its handsome foliage, broad canopy and potential to produce nuts as it matures, it is a tree that can be enjoyed for generations.
Our Walnut trees are looking absolutely wonderful at the nursery right now.

Choose a sunny, sheltered position with plenty of space for the tree to develop. Planning its location carefully now will help it thrive in the years ahead.

Walnut Tree

autumnal colour

Crab Apple ‘Tina’ – Small Tree, Plenty of Interest

Crab Apple ‘Tina’ is an excellent option for a smaller garden. Pretty pink buds open into delicate white spring blossom, followed by small red fruits that provide colour and interest later in the year.

Its compact size, attractive form and wildlife value make it a lovely choice where space is limited.

Crab Apple 'Tina' ~ top-worked

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Preparing for the Planting Season

You do not need to wait for your bare root plants to arrive before getting started. Measure your space, choose your varieties and prepare the ground while conditions are still comfortable.

When your plants arrive, unpack them promptly and keep the roots cool and moist until planting. If the ground is frozen or waterlogged, they can be temporarily heeled into loose soil until conditions improve.

If you are unsure which trees or hedging plants will suit your site, please contact our family nursery. We are always happy to offer friendly, practical advice and help with quantities for larger planting or wholesale projects.

Bare Root Collection