Shrub planting in Exeter
Professional shrub planting services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£25-60
Typical Duration
30 mins-1 hr
Location
Exeter, Devon
Professional shrub planting for Exeter gardens. We'll plant your shrubs properly - right depth, improved soil, correct spacing - giving them the best possible start.
Shrubs are the backbone of a good garden. They provide structure, year-round interest, screening, and fill space that would otherwise be grass or weeds. But planting them wrong means they struggle, grow wonky, or die. Planting them right means they establish quickly and thrive.
Why Get Help With Planting?
Digging the hole is easy. Digging it the right size, at the right depth, improving the soil appropriately, spacing correctly, and getting them watered in properly - that's where people go wrong. Too deep and they rot, too shallow and roots dry out, soil not improved and they never establish well.
We've planted hundreds of shrubs across Devon gardens. We know what works in heavy clay, what copes with shade, and what actually looks good once it's established rather than just in the pot at the garden centre.
What's Involved
Dig holes bigger than you'd think, loosen soil at the bottom, mix in some decent compost, position shrub at right depth (top of root ball level with soil surface), backfill and firm properly, water thoroughly, mulch around base. Takes longer to do right than most people expect.
Done Right vs Done Wrong
| Done Right ✅ | Done Wrong ❌ |
|---|---|
| Hole twice as wide as root ball | Hole barely bigger than pot |
| Root ball level with soil surface | Planted too deep (stem rot) |
| Soil improved with compost | Planted in straight clay |
| Well-watered and mulched | Left to fend for itself |
What You Get
When you book shrub planting with Hembury Contracting:
| What's Included | Details |
|---|---|
| 🔧 Professional planting | Correct depth, proper soil prep |
| 💧 Initial watering | Thoroughly watered in |
| 🌱 Mulching | Organic mulch around base |
| 📋 Care advice | What to do next for best results |
Plus:
- Advice on plant choice if you haven't bought yet
- Spacing guidance for multiple shrubs
- Soil improvement recommendations
- Optional plant sourcing service
Pricing Guide
| Service | Typical Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Plant single shrub (you supply) | £25 | Quick job |
| Plant 3-5 shrubs | £60 | 1 hour work |
| Plant 6-10 shrubs | £85-110 | 1.5-2 hours |
| Difficult ground/large shrubs | Quote | Clay soil or big plants |
Prices for planting only. Plant supply, major soil improvement, or extensive preparation quoted separately.
💡 Pro tip: Plant shrubs in groups of odd numbers (3, 5, 7) of the same type rather than dotted singles. Looks more natural, creates impact, and disguises if one fails to establish.
Perfect For Your Project If...
✅ You're creating structure in a new garden ✅ You need screening or privacy ✅ You want year-round interest ✅ You've bought plants but aren't confident planting them
Why Choose Us for Shrub planting in Exeter?
Planted at correct depth and spacing
Soil prepared properly for establishment
Advice on suitable shrubs for your garden
Initial watering and mulching included
What to Expect
Step 1: Planning
Quick discussion about where they're going, spacing between them, and what aftercare they'll need. If you haven't bought plants yet, we'll advise what might work.
Step 2: Planting
Dig holes, improve soil, position shrubs at correct depth and spacing, backfill and firm, water thoroughly. If we're doing multiple shrubs, we work efficiently to get them all in while conditions are good.
Step 3: Finishing & Guidance
Mulch around each shrub, final water, then talk through what you need to do - mainly watering through first summer. Show you how to check moisture levels and when to water.
🔧 DIY Tips
If you're planting yourself:
🔧 Tools you'll need:
- Spade (sharp)
- Fork for breaking up soil
- Compost or well-rotted manure
- Watering can or hose
- Mulch (bark, compost, or well-rotted manure)
- Gloves
📐 Basic steps:
- Dig hole twice width of root ball, same depth
- Loosen soil at bottom with fork (especially in clay)
- Mix excavated soil 50/50 with compost
- Water the plant in its pot first
- Place shrub in hole - top of root ball level with ground
- Backfill with soil/compost mix, firm gently
- Create slight depression around base (water reservoir)
- Water thoroughly (full watering can, not just a splash)
- Mulch around base (keep mulch clear of stem)
⚠️ Common mistakes:
- Planting too deep (water sits against stem, causes rot)
- Not improving soil in clay (roots can't penetrate)
- Hole too small (roots can't spread, plant stays pot-bound)
- Not watering enough initially (they need loads first few months)
💡 Pro trick: Before planting, tease out roots if they're pot-bound (circling inside pot). If you don't, roots keep circling and never spread into surrounding soil. Gently pull apart or make vertical cuts down the root ball - looks brutal but they recover fast and establish properly.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
Combine with: Garden design, border preparation, mulching, general planting
Related services: Garden clearance, soil improvement, hedge planting
Best time: Autumn (ideal) or spring (also good)
First year care: Water weekly in dry weather, more if it's hot
Avoid planting: When ground is frozen or waterlogged
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the shrubs or can you source them?
Either works. You can choose and buy your own, or tell us what you want and we'll source quality plants from local suppliers. We can advise on what suits your soil, aspect, and intended use.
When's the best time to plant shrubs?
Autumn or early spring are ideal - soil's still warm/warming up, and rainfall helps establishment. Container-grown shrubs can go in any time except frozen ground, but autumn/spring gives them the best start.
How do I know what shrubs will work in my garden?
Depends on your soil (clay, sandy, chalky), sun/shade, and what you want - screening, flowers, evergreen structure. We can advise based on what we see, or you can bring a list and we'll tell you what'll work.
Do you guarantee the plants will survive?
We'll plant them properly, but nature's unpredictable. If you water them through their first summer, most shrubs establish fine. We'll give you care instructions to give them the best chance.
Shrub planting Also Available In:
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