What to Plant in April: A No-Nonsense Guide
Share This Article: April is go time. If you’re thinking about planting hedging, trees, or topiary — don’t wait. The soil’s warming up. The roots
Our hedging plants range from 15cm to 600cm, offering flexibility for every need. Here’s what to consider:
Smaller Sizes (15–150cm): Budget-friendly but require denser planting for a full hedge. Ideal for long-term projects or those who enjoy nurturing their garden.
Larger Sizes (150cm+): More expensive but need fewer plants per meter. Perfect for instant privacy or immediate visual impact.
Balance your budget and timeline to choose between gradual growth satisfaction or an instant, established hedge.
The ideal starting size is typically 110–130 cm, balancing cost and quick establishment.
If you’re still not sure where to start, please contact us and we will be happy to help!
Bare Root
Cost-effective | Quick to plant | Low delivery cost
Bare root plants are sold without soil, lifted from fields during dormancy (October to April).
Root Ball
Mature | Affordable | High survival
Field-grown with soil intact, wrapped in burlap and in some occasions metal wire, and typically available from October to April.
Pot Grown
Year-round | Flexible planting | Highest survival
Pot-grown plants are grown in containers, available year-round, and can be planted anytime unless the ground is frozen.
When planting hedging plants, choosing the right density is essential for achieving a beautiful, lush hedge. Here’s a helpful guide tailored to the size and root type of your plants:
Bare root plants are cost-effective and great for dense coverage:
15–150 cm Plants: Space 4–6 plants per meter for even, uniform growth.
150 cm+ Plants: Space 3–5 plants per meter to create a fuller hedge.
You can plant in a single row for a traditional look or use a zig-zag formation for quicker and denser results.
Root ball and pot-grown plants have more developed roots and bushier growth, requiring fewer plants per meter:
15–90 cm Plants: Space 3–6 plants per meter.
90–150 cm Plants: Space 2–4 plants per meter.
150–250 cm Plants: Space 1–3 plants per meter.
250 cm+ Plants: Space 1–2 plants per meter.
At Harrod Outdoors, we take pride in delivering top-quality plants with care and efficiency, directly to your doorstep. Our delivery options are tailored to suit the size and type of your plants, ensuring they arrive in perfect condition, ready to transform your outdoor space. With free specialist delivery available on qualifying orders across most of the UK, and clear delivery timelines of 10–15 working days (up to 30 for larger or custom orders), we make it simple and stress-free.
Please note: We kindly advise that you do not schedule landscapers or gardeners based solely on the estimated delivery timeframe, as delays can occasionally occur due to factors beyond our control. Harrod Outdoors is not liable for missed appointments or third-party costs resulting from early bookings.
If you need help selecting the right plants or have specific delivery requirements, our friendly team is here to assist. You can trust us to handle your order with expertise every step of the way. View our Delivery Policy or Contact Us for more information.
Pittosporum tobira is a slow to moderately growing shrub, typically adding 20 to 30 cm of new growth per year under favourable conditions. It maintains a compact, rounded habit, which makes it easy to manage in borders, pots, or clipped into formal shapes.
This shrub thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers well-drained soil. It performs well in loamy or sandy soils, and is tolerant of coastal exposure, wind, and drought once established. It dislikes waterlogged conditions, so avoid heavy clay unless drainage is improved.
Yes, Pittosporum tobira is a fully evergreen shrub. It holds its glossy green leaves year-round, providing consistent colour, structure, and form in the garden. It’s a dependable evergreen even in exposed or coastal sites.
Yes, Pittosporum tobira produces small, creamy-white flowers in late spring to early summer. These blooms are fragrant with a sweet, citrus-like scent and can attract pollinators such as bees. While subtle, the flowers are a welcome seasonal feature.
Absolutely. Pittosporum tobira responds very well to pruning and is commonly used for low to medium-height hedges, clipped balls, and topiary forms. Its dense foliage and rounded growth habit make it ideal for formal and structured garden styles.
Yes, Pittosporum tobira is well-suited to gardens in the UK, especially in coastal regions or milder southern areas. It is hardy down to around -8°C and benefits from a sheltered position in colder zones. In more exposed or northern areas, it can be grown in containers and moved to protection during harsh winters.
Yes, this is a very low-maintenance plant. Once established, it is drought-tolerant, needs little feeding, and only requires occasional pruning to maintain shape. It’s ideal for low-input gardens, urban spaces, and those looking for a neat evergreen shrub without fuss.
While not considered highly toxic, Pittosporum tobira is not edible and should not be ingested by pets or children. Like many ornamental plants, it’s best handled with care. However, its lack of berries and tidy growth make it a safe structural plant for most family gardens.
Free Nationwide Delivery
Enjoy free delivery on qualifying orders, making your purchase convenient and affordable.
Expert Advice at Your Fingertips
Benefit from personalized consultations with our horticultural specialists to find the perfect plants for your garden.
High-Quality Plants from Leading Growers
Our plants are sourced from Europe’s top growers, ensuring they are healthy, vibrant, and ready to thrive.
Extensive Variety to Suit Every Garden
Explore a wide selection of plants, trees, hedging, and topiary. Can’t find what you need? We’ll help source it for you.
Competitive Prices with No Compromise on Quality
Enjoy premium-quality plants and services at prices that fit your budget.
5-Star Aftercare Support
From detailed care and watering guides to expert advice just a call away, we’re here to assist you every step of the way—before, during, and after your purchase.
At Harrod Outdoors, we want to provide you with the highest-quality plants and excellent service. To ensure efficiency and keep costs manageable, we’ve implemented minimum order quantities for bare root hedging plants and the smallest size of pot-grown plants (15-30cm). This policy helps us handle the sourcing, lifting, and transportation of these products more effectively.
When shopping with us, here are the minimum order quantities for our products:
Product Type | Size | Minimum Order Quantity | Order Increment |
---|---|---|---|
Bare Root Plants | 15-30cm | 100 plants | Step up by 5 |
30-50cm | 50 plants | Step up by 5 | |
50-70cm | 25 plants | Step up by 5 | |
71cm+ | 10 plants | Step up by 1 | |
Pot Grown Plants | 15-30cm | 50 plants | Step up by 5 |
Share This Article: April is go time. If you’re thinking about planting hedging, trees, or topiary — don’t wait. The soil’s warming up. The roots
A coastal garden combines hardy plants, natural textures, and a relaxed feel to create a low-maintenance outdoor space inspired by the seaside. Find out how to bring it to life in your own outdoor space in this Coastal Garden Style Guide.
A detailed, step-by-step guide on how your plants are carefully dispatched from our nursery and delivered to your doorstep. Learn what to expect upon arrival, how to handle your plants after delivery, and the most responsible ways to dispose of packaging for a more sustainable gardening experience.
Discover a world of possibilities, from expert advice and curated products to design ideas that bring your garden to life. Sign up to Harrod Newsletter and make your space your own!
By appointment only at:
Prospect Nurseries, Main Road,
Ormesby, NR29 3SQ.
Nursery Opening Hours
Monday-Saturday: 8am-5:30pm
© All Rights Reserved. Harrod Outdoors Limited, 2025. Registered in England and Wales. Company no. 12604361. VAT no. 371105530
Prospect Nurseries, Main Road, Ormesby, NR29 3LN. Plant Passport Number PP: 136155
No cluttered inboxes—just the very best of Harrod Outdoors delivered straight to your email, plus 10% off your first purchase.
You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the “Unsubscribe” link in our emails. For more details, please review our Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.