Shrub planting in Sidmouth

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