--Introduction--
Use it, leave it. The Rainbow Terra Biodegradable Shrub Shelter offers environmentally responsible protection for young shrubs and hedging plants, naturally biodegrading in the soil at the end of its useful life.
Designed specifically for larger rootball shrubs, multi-stemmed plants and bushy broadleaf species, the Rainbow Terra Shrub Shelter combines effective plant protection with long-term environmental sustainability.
At 60cm high with an extra-wide 120–150mm diameter, it provides generous growing space for plants that require more room than a conventional tree shelter, encouraging healthy establishment while protecting against browsing animals, herbicide spray and mechanical damage.
Made from a TÜV Austria OK Biodegradable SOIL-certified biopolymer blend, Terra is designed to biodegrade naturally in soil without leaving harmful microplastic residues. This eliminates the need to collect and dispose of shelters after use, saving time, labour and associated costs.
With an expected service life of approximately 5–7 years, depending on climatic conditions and planting location, the shelter provides protection during the crucial early stages of plant establishment.
Integrated ventilation encourages healthy airflow and helps reduce the risk of overheating, while the twin-wall design and flared rim provide durable protection and minimise potential damage to growing stems.
Each shelter comes with a pre-fitted tie and requires just one supporting stake, allowing quick and straightforward installation across planting sites.
Ideal for woodland creation, hedgerow planting, rewilding projects and biodiversity schemes, the Rainbow Terra Biodegradable Shrub Shelter offers a practical fit-and-forget solution for sustainable planting.
Benefits
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Extra-wide 120–150mm diameter, ideal for larger shrubs, hedging plants and bushy broadleaf species.
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Certified soil biodegradable, removing the need for shelter collection, recycling or disposal.
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Protects young plants against browsing animals, herbicide drift and accidental mechanical damage.
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5–7 year expected service life, supporting plants through their early establishment period.
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Integrated ventilation, promoting healthy airflow and helping reduce heat stress.
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Twin-wall construction and flared rim, offering durability while minimising stem abrasion.
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Quick installation using one stake and a pre-fitted tie.
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Natural appearance, helping planting schemes blend into the surrounding environment.
Storage (view the installation tab above for a comprehensive installation guide)
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Prior to installation, please store in a dry environment, protected from prolonged exposure to moisture and direct sunlight.
Biodegradation and service life depend on soil conditions, climate and planting location.
--Specification--
Dimensions
Rainbow Terra Biodegradable Shrub Shelter – 60cm
The Rainbow Terra Biodegradable Shrub Shelter is available in a single 60cm height, with an extra-wide 120–150mm diameter designed to provide additional growing space for larger shrubs, multi-stemmed plants and bushy broadleaf species.
Its twin-wall construction and flared rim provide effective protection while helping to minimise stem abrasion. The shelter is supplied with one pre-fitted tie for secure attachment to a supporting stake.
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Height: 60cm
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Diameter: 120–150mm
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Design: Twin-wall tube with flared rim
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Number of ties: 1
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Type of tie: Pre-fitted
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Recommended support: One wooden stake (sold separately)
Material & Product Information
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Product name: Rainbow Terra Biodegradable Shrub Shelter
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Available size: 60cm only
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Diameter range: Extra-wide 120–150mm
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Availability: Individual units or pallet quantities
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Tube material: Soil-certified biodegradable biopolymer blend
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Certification: TÜV Austria OK Biodegradable SOIL
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Tube colour: Natural
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Expected service life: Approximately 5–7 years, depending on site conditions
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Biodegradable: Yes
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End of life: Leave shelter in situ to biodegrade naturally
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Recommended support: Softwood stake (sold separately)
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Recommended tools: Mallet or stake driver and gloves
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Suitable plants: Larger rootball shrubs, hedging plants, multi-stemmed and bushy broadleaf species
--Features & Benefits--
Plant Welfare
Animal protection
Protects young shrubs and hedging plants from browsing animals, particularly rabbits, helping to improve establishment and planting success.
Light transmission
Allows natural light to reach developing foliage, supporting healthy growth during the important early stages of establishment.
Wind protection
Provides a protective barrier against exposed conditions, helping to reduce wind stress and support vulnerable young plants.
Reduced abrasion
The flared, rounded rim helps minimise rubbing and abrasion against growing stems and branches.
Herbicide protection
Helps shield young shrubs from accidental herbicide and pesticide spray during surrounding vegetation management.
Extra-wide diameter
The generous 120–150mm diameter provides additional growing space for multi-stemmed plants, larger rootballs and naturally bushy species that may be unsuitable for narrower tree shelters.
Lifespan
Biodegradable material
Manufactured from a biodegradable biopolymer blend designed to break down naturally in soil without leaving harmful microplastic residues.
Certified Soil Biodegradable
TÜV Austria OK Biodegradable SOIL certification provides reassurance that the material is capable of biodegrading in soil under the certification's test conditions.
5–7 years protection
Offers an expected protective service life of approximately 5–7 years, depending on weather, soil conditions and planting location.
Smooth surface deters rubbing
The smooth exterior helps discourage animals from using the shelter as a rubbing post, reducing the likelihood of damage.
Natural biodegradation
As the shelter reaches the end of its useful life, the biodegradable material progressively breaks down in soil, reducing the risk of long-term restriction to growing plants.
Installation
Pre-fitted tie
Supplied with a pre-fitted tie for quick and convenient fastening to a supporting stake, helping reduce installation time.
Single-stake installation
Requires only one wooden supporting stake, making installation straightforward and economical for larger planting projects.
Natural colour
The natural appearance helps the shelter blend into woodland, hedgerow and countryside planting schemes.
No removal needed
The shelter can be left in place to biodegrade naturally, removing the need for costly collection, transport and disposal after the planting establishment period.
--Range Choices--
Height
The Rainbow Terra Biodegradable Shrub Shelter is available in one height: 60cm.
This height is particularly suitable for protecting young shrubs, hedging plants and bushy broadleaf species during their early establishment.
The 60cm shelter provides a protective barrier against rabbits and other small browsing animals while allowing young plants to develop within the wider tube.
Its generous diameter makes it especially suitable for larger rootball shrubs and multi-stemmed species that may not fit comfortably within a standard tree shelter.
60cm Rainbow Terra Biodegradable Shrub Shelter
The 60cm shelter is ideal for woodland creation, hedgerow establishment, rewilding and environmental planting schemes where young shrubs require additional growing space and protection from browsing animals.
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Height: 60cm
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Diameter: Extra-wide 120–150mm
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Recommended use: Larger shrubs, hedging plants, multi-stemmed broadleaf species and bushy young plants
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Design: Twin-wall tube with flared rim
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Number of ties: One pre-fitted tie
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Recommended support: One wooden stake (sold separately)
For sites with larger browsing animals, such as hares or deer, additional or taller protection may be necessary.
When selecting plant protection, always consider the browsing animals present on site and the mature size and growth habit of the species being planted.
Diameter Types
The Rainbow Terra Shrub Shelter features an extra-wide 120–150mm diameter, providing significantly more growing space than the standard Rainbow Terra Tree Shelter.
The wider profile is particularly beneficial for plants with multiple stems, larger rootballs or naturally spreading growth habits.
Unlike narrower tree shelters designed primarily for single-stemmed whips and young trees, the Rainbow Terra Shrub Shelter provides additional space for developing foliage and branches, helping young shrubs establish without being tightly confined.
The twin-wall construction provides protective support, while integrated ventilation encourages natural airflow within the shelter.
The 120–150mm diameter makes this guard particularly suitable for bushy broadleaf species and hedging plants that require additional room during their early growing years.
Suitable for:
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Larger rootball shrubs – accommodates plants requiring additional space around the stem and lower foliage.
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Multi-stemmed species – allows several stems to develop without being tightly confined.
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Bushy broadleaf plants – provides room for naturally spreading foliage during establishment.
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Hedging plants – supports young hedge establishment in countryside, estate and environmental planting schemes.
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Woodland shrubs – provides protection for native shrub species used in woodland creation and regeneration projects.
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Environmental planting – supports sustainable planting projects where biodegradable protection and reduced long-term maintenance are priorities.
Applications
The Rainbow Terra Biodegradable Shrub Shelter is suited to a wide range of environmental, commercial and landscape planting projects, including:
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Forestry and woodland planting – supporting the establishment of native woodland shrubs and understory species.
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Rewilding and biodiversity projects – protecting young plants within habitat creation and ecological restoration schemes.
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Agri-environment and stewardship schemes – providing biodegradable plant protection for environmentally focused land management.
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Estate boundary and hedgerow planting – helping establish new hedges and restore existing boundaries.
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Infrastructure and roadside planting – protecting shrubs in landscaping and green infrastructure projects.
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Parks and nature reserves – supporting sustainable planting while reducing future maintenance and waste.
--Installation--
Plant
Planting bare root or cell grown shrubs is a straightforward task. However, do not attempt to plant if the ground is frozen or waterlogged.
Select a suitable planting position, allowing for the shrub's future height and spread at maturity. Ensure the plant has sufficient space to establish naturally within the shelter.
Bare rooted or cell grown plants can be planted in three steps:
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Begin by inserting the blade of a spade into the ground. Push the spade handle away from you and then bring it back towards you. Once you remove the spade, you will have created a cavity or 'notch' in the ground. For larger rootball shrubs, prepare a planting hole suitable for the full root system.
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For bare root plants – place the roots within the cavity, ensuring they are pointing downwards and are not folded or compressed.
For cell grown plants – place the root plug gently into the ground, following the recommended planting depth for the species. Ensure the roots are properly covered and protected from drying out.
For larger rootball shrubs – position the rootball in the prepared planting hole, ensuring the plant is set at the correct depth.
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Fill the cavity with soil, gently firming around the plant to remove air pockets. Water thoroughly after planting where practical.
You are now ready to install your support and protection.
Support
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After planting, position the supporting stake approximately 2–5cm from the base of the plant, taking care to avoid damaging the roots. On exposed sites, consider the direction of prevailing winds.
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Hammer the wooden stake securely into the ground using a mallet or stake driver. Ideally, approximately one-third of the stake should be below ground, depending on soil conditions.
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Ensure the stake is vertical and sufficiently secure to support the shelter throughout its expected service life. The top of the stake should sit below the shelter's upper rim while allowing the pre-fitted tie to be fastened securely.
Protect
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Carefully position the 60cm Rainbow Terra Shrub Shelter over the newly planted shrub. Ensure that all stems and branches fit comfortably within the extra-wide 120–150mm diameter without being forced or damaged.
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Gently push the shelter approximately 1–2cm into the soil where ground conditions allow. This helps create a barrier against herbicide drift and discourages small animals from accessing the plant at ground level.
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Align the pre-fitted tie with the supporting stake and fasten securely. Avoid overtightening, which could cause unnecessary stress to the shelter wall.
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Check that the integrated ventilation openings are not obstructed by foliage or soil, allowing air to circulate around the developing plant.
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Once installed, periodically inspect the shelter during the establishment period to ensure the plant is growing freely and the support remains secure.
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No removal required – the Rainbow Terra Shrub Shelter is designed to remain in place and naturally biodegrade in the soil after its useful life.
