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Hedges have evergreen foliage, which means their leaves remain green and functional throughout the season. Hedge spacing is crucial in order to allow the hedge to grow and form properly.
When planting, consider the spacing of hedges and how full and bushy you want your hedging to be. The further apart your spacing the longer it takes to join and form a hedge, this could also lead to hedging gaps. Planting closer together, leaving a smaller spacing, will make it possible for the hedge to join without creating gaps, but this will require more plants.
Generally speaking, we recommend planting most evergreen shrubs at a distance of 1-4 plants per metre (25-100cm) apart. Planting 25cm apart will allow the hedges to fill in the space quicker, but you will see just as much success if planting 50-100cm apart in the long run.
Deciduous hedges are often planted using bare root hedge plants which can be set at 3-7 plants per metre depending on whether you want a single row hedge or a thicker and denser double row hedge.
Fast growing conifer hedges such as Leylandii are usually planted at 2 plants per metre where the proposed height is up to 2 metres. These fast growing hedge plants can be grown into much taller hedges and screens in which case the planting distance is usually one quarter of the proposed height. (So for a 4 metre tall hedge you would plant them 1 metre apart.)
Some other points to consider are if you want to grow a tall hedge or a smaller hedge. For higher hedging, allow for greater spacing, allowing the hedge room to grow and absorb nutrients from the soil. You may want to consider buying hedges with medium growth rates, which will make it easier for them to form hedges.
It is important to read the guidance and take note of the planting density when choosing a hedge. This will provide information on how long each hedge plant will grow, giving an idea of planting hedge spacing.
How important is the spacing between your hedges?
Spacing between hedges is an important factor to think about before buying hedges. Whether you need a hedge for borders, for privacy, or for ornamental purposes, it is important to understand the spacing between hedges so that they can grow properly and join together.
Hedges absorb nutrients from the earth that allow them to grow, if you plant hedges to close these hedges together, it would compete with the hedges and fight to grow. However, if you spaced hedges further apart, it would take longer to join and get a thicker hedge, but it will allow them to grow fully and at their own pace.
Need more advice?
Hopes Grove Nurseries are hedging plant specialists, with decades of knowledge in growing a variety of lavender and numerous other plant species. For more information on our products, please contact us today.
FAQs
First, determine the desired height of your shrub. Next, place a stake about 1/3 of the mature width away from where the hedge will end. Then, use the rule of thirds and plant your shrubs 1/3 as far apart as your intended height.
How far apart should you plant hedges? ›
Spacing plants in hedges is another matter. Plants must be spaced closer together to form a full, dense screen. Low hedge plants (3 to 4 feet high) should be spaced about 18 inches apart. Tall hedge plants will need to be spaced 3 to 4 feet apart.
What is a good width for a hedge? ›
The wider and thicker the shrub layer the better, as long as ditches and margins are not shaded out. Dense hedges provide shelter from harsh weather, have warmer sides and provide good nesting sites for small birds. Aim for hedges that are at least 1.5m wide and dense right down to ground level.
How to stagger a hedge? ›
Place the plants in the trench at about half their recommended spacing. This will help create a full look more quickly. For a wide hedge, stagger the plants so that there's a back row and a front row. (Altogether, they'll create a zig-zag line.)
What month is best to plant hedges? ›
Bare root hedging should be planted between mid-October and the end of March. Rootballed evergreens are best planted from the start of September to mid-October or from the beginning of April to mid-May. Good soil preparation before planting will go a long way to getting your new hedging off on the right track.
What happens if you plant shrubs too close together? ›
What happens if you plant shrubs too close together? It is likely they will not flourish as much as they would if they had enough space. By 'flourish' I mean they will likely not grow as tall or as full. It's also possible, if they are of a flowering variety, that they will produce fewer blooms/shrub than otherwise.
What is the best boundary hedge for privacy? ›
Evergreen hedge plants offer the perfect solution for those seeking year-round privacy with minimal maintenance. These plants, such as laurel, euonymus, and yew, maintain their foliage all year long, creating a dense and attractive barrier to shield your garden from prying eyes and noise pollution.
What is a good height for a hedge? ›
Peace and quiet in any garden space are easy to achieve with a 5-6' hedge. Miles of 5-6' InstantHedges, ready to be harvested from the field. Driveways gain elegance and drama when lined with tall hedges. Peace and quiet in any garden space are easy to achieve with a 5-6' hedge.
How do you hedge perfectly? ›
Investors commonly attempt to achieve a perfect hedge through options, futures, and other derivatives for defined periods rather than as ongoing protection. An example of a near-perfect hedge is an investor who uses a combination of held stock and opposing options positions to insure against loss in the stock position.
When should you not cut hedges? ›
You should only cut hedges outside of bird-nesting months. Nesting months are typically between March and August every year, but they may vary depending on weather conditions. It is a legal offence to harm nesting birds, or their eggs, under Section 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act of 1981.
A double staggered row of plants produces a dense, solid hedge with suitable stems for laying. This method uses 6 plants per metre, in two rows about 25cm apart with plants at approximately 45cm in each row.
How close to plant shrubs for a hedge? ›
Plants in a sheared, formal hedge are generally planted 1 to 2 1/2 feet apart. Shrubs in an informal, natural hedge should be spaced further apart. A spacing of 2 to 4 feet is appropriate for medium-sized (6 to 8 feet tall) shrubs. Large shrubs (8to 12 feet tall) can be spaced 4 to 6 feet apart.
What is the hedge ratio for a perfect hedge? ›
Hedge ratio is the comparative value of an open position's hedge to the overall position. A hedge ratio of 1, or 100%, means that the open position has been fully hedged. By contrast, a hedge ratio of 0, or 0%, means that the open position hasn't been hedged in any way.
How often should you lay a hedge? ›
If well managed, a hedge should be laid within its first ten years of growth and then again, every fifty years or so. Now, with more modern machinery, such as chainsaws, it is easier to lay longer stretches of hedge each season, however, it is recommended that this is no more than 5% of its total length.
How far apart do you plant evergreen hedges? ›
How many hedges? We recommend planting Leylandii, Laurel and most other evergreen shrubs* between 60cm and 100cm apart (approximately 2-3 feet apart).
How close can plants be to each other? ›
The easy way to determine spacing between different plants is to use the average of their mature sizes. As an example, when planting a 5-foot-wide hydrangea planted next to a boxwood that grows up to 3 feet wide, space the plants 4 feet apart. Remember to measure from the center of one plant to the next.
