What to Plant in Spring: Best Trees and Hedging for the Season

There is a particular kind of energy that returns to a garden as the frost begins to lift and the days grow longer. It is the moment when the soil starts to warm and dormant roots begin to reawaken, ready for a new season of growth.

At Tree Heritage Nursery, spring is one of the most rewarding times of year. Planting during this season allows trees and hedging to establish while the soil retains natural moisture and the air temperature is gradually increasing. This combination creates ideal conditions for root development before the stress of summer arrives.

Whether you are introducing seasonal colour or creating a long-term boundary for privacy, the decisions made in spring will shape your garden for years to come.

Spring is synonymous with blossom, and few trees capture the season better than Cherry Blossom. Its vibrant pink blooms create a striking display and are a reliable choice for adding seasonal impact.

For smaller gardens or those seeking multi-season interest, Amelanchier lamarckii is an excellent alternative. It produces delicate white flowers in early spring, followed by edible dark berries in summer, and finishes the year with rich orange and red autumn foliage. Similarly, Flowering Crab Apple offers spring blossom followed by colourful fruit that persists into winter, providing both visual interest and value for wildlife.

These ornamental trees are not only visually appealing but also well-suited to UK conditions, making them dependable choices for a wide range of garden settings.

While specimen trees create focal points, hedging and structured planting are key to achieving privacy and definition within a garden. Spring is an excellent time to establish hedging, allowing plants to root into warming soil and take advantage of the growing season ahead.

For a traditional and natural look, Beech and Hornbeam hedging are popular choices. Although deciduous, both species exhibit marcescence - holding onto their dry, coppery leaves through winter when regularly trimmed, providing more privacy than typical deciduous plants.

If year-round screening is a priority, evergreen hedging options such as Portuguese Laurel, Common Laurel, and Yew are highly effective. These species form dense, structured barriers that maintain their foliage throughout the year, creating a consistent backdrop and reliable privacy screen.

Successful planting comes down to selecting the right species for your specific conditions. British gardens can vary from heavy clay soils to lighter, free-draining ground, and understanding this will help determine which trees will thrive.

For example, Himalayan Birch is well suited to damper soils and is prized for its striking white bark, which adds year-round visual interest. In contrast, species like Scots Pine and Italian Cypress prefer well-drained conditions and are ideal for adding height and structure to sunnier, drier areas.

It is also important to consider light levels and the eventual size of the tree. Planning ahead ensures your planting scheme remains balanced and manageable as it matures, avoiding the need for excessive pruning later on.

Spring is the perfect time to invest in high-quality trees and hedging that will establish quickly and thrive throughout the year. At Tree Heritage Nursery, we offer a wide selection of expertly grown standard trees, multi-stem specimens, pleached trees, and hedging plants suited to a variety of garden styles and conditions.

From flowering varieties to structural evergreens, our range is carefully cultivated to provide both immediate impact and long-term performance. With decades of growing experience and UK-wide delivery, we are here to help you make the most of the planting season.