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Planting bare-root whips will provide a better hedge in just a few years.
It's well documented that the more mature plants sit dormant in their pots, and don't get away in the ground. I've planted established hadge plants in the "troughs" you see for sale, and they don't put on any growth for years.
It's the age-old problem of people wanting immediate results, but nature doesn't work that way. If they want a hedge to look good on a house for sale, I'd say go for that type of plant. If it's a longer-term client, the best advice is use old-fashioned whips.
If they need immediate privacy, I guess you're talking 2m or so? I'd put up a cheap fence, whilst the stronger hedge grows behind it.
Yeah, I tend to agree Paul, and the difference in cost is massive. How has the hedge you planted established Ben?
Don't agree at all I am afraid Paul, as in all plantings, it is down to preparation and maintenance. In April 2012 we persuaded a customer to use hedging rather than ugly security fencing to enclose 100mtrs of car park from the public footpath. It was an excellent choice, the Hawthorn hedge was thick enough to deter 'short-cuts' immediately and was inpenetratable in 15 months.
We dug the trench 3x the trough width and 2x depth and used plenty of rotted compost, a 'leaky hose' was installed plus 75mm mulch. It has had 2 trims this year.
Of course it was far more costly that bare root, but cheaper than a fence. The customer got what they wanted and are VERY happy they have reduced their ecological impact.
Paul McNulty said:
I think both Paul and Colin are right, it just depends on circumstances.
I'd always prefer to (trans)plant plants (read trees/shrubs) from an early age because I feel they adapt to their soil conditions more readily and happily.
It's often the shock of transplanting that will see a plant become dormant and not establish.
It's often the case that bare root or very young plants have romped ahead of more established bare-root and pot grown trees and I'd always consider using young stock, whenever possible.
Having said that, as Colin suggests, if a planting hole or trench is prepared well then there should be no problem.
It's always worth researching where bare-root plants are grown before planting at a new site. A bare-root beech, for example, grown on in chalky alkaline soil might not take too kindly to being transplanted into sandy mildly acidic soil. This scenario is always a recipe for stunted and/or slow growth whereas a pot grown plant might not be pre-conditioned and happily handle the transition.