How Far Apart to Plant Hedging

Hedging is a clever way to create boundaries and delineate sections of your garden. Hedging also offers further benefits, including adding privacy, reducing noise pollution and providing a safe haven for garden wildlife. In this guide, we explore how far apart you should plant your hedging shrubs for maximum impact.

How much space do you need between hedging plants?

When planting new hedging shrubs it’s a good idea to pay close attention to how much space you leave between each plant. The optimum amount of space to leave between each hedging plant will depend on the variety and the desired ‘look’ that you want to achieve. For example, planting your shrubs closely together will help to create a fuller, bushier effect that grows into a thick hedge more quickly. Remember that if you do plant your hedging shrubs closely together, you will need to purchase a larger volume of shrubs.

Can you plant a hedge too close together?

Planting hedging shrubs too closely together may not always be wise. Whilst closely planted hedging shrubs will create a fuller hedge, more quickly, it can lead to long-term growth issues. If shrubs are planted too densely they may compete with each other for space, light and water. It’s therefore best to adhere to the recommended spacing instructions for your particular chosen shrubs. As a rule of thumb, you will need to plant three hedging shrubs per metre.

How long will my hedging plants take to join together?

The length of time it will take for your hedging plants to join together and form a hedge will depend on the variety and how close they have been planted together. Shrubs planted with lots of space will take much longer to form a bona fide hedge than those densely planted.

What happens if my hedging plants are spaced too far apart?

If your hedging plants are spaced too far apart it will take much longer for them to join together to form a hedge. Well spaced hedging plants will require more pruning to keep them in shape and there will be more gaps from the ground upwards.

How do I encourage my hedging plants to join together?

As well as planting your plants closely together, the trick to creating a thick, full hedge is all in its pruning. Prune your hedging plants during the first few years. This will encourage slower growth but more lateral branching. Using hedge shears,or secateurs, trim the stems above a healthy bud.