How Far Apart to Plant a Hedge: Spacing Guide

By Paul Watmore, Director at Grasslands Nursery

As a rule of thumb, plant most hedging at 3 plants per metre, or 5 per metre with smaller bare-root whips for a denser screen faster. The exact spacing depends on the plant and the size you buy. Here is a simple spacing guide by hedge type.

The rule of thumb

For most hedges, 3 plants per metre (about 33cm apart) is the standard. With smaller bare-root whips, 5 per metre (about 20cm apart), often in a staggered double row, gives a thick screen more quickly. Resist spacing too far apart hoping plants will fill the gaps — a slightly tighter spacing knits together far faster.

Bare-root vs pot-grown and root-balled

Small bare-root whips are planted closest (5/m). Larger pot-grown and root-balled plants, which are already bushy, are spaced further apart — typically 60–90cm — because each plant covers more ground.

Spacing by hedge type

• Cherry & Portuguese laurel: 60–90cm (pot/root-balled).
• Leylandii & Thuja: 60–100cm.
• Beech & hornbeam (bare-root): 3/m, or 5/m for a dense screen.
• Box & low formal hedges: around 5 per metre (15–20cm).
• Native mixed hedge (bare-root): 5/m in a double staggered row.

Single or double row?

A single row suits most garden hedges. For a thicker, stockier screen — or a stock-proof native hedge — plant a staggered double row about 30–45cm apart.

Why tighter spacing knits faster

Closer plants merge into a continuous hedge sooner and shade out weeds at the base. Just keep them well watered and fed, as they compete a little more for resources early on. Read how to plant a laurel hedge and browse our bare-root hedging (the best value for long runs) and full hedging range.

FAQs

How far apart should I plant a hedge?
As a rule of thumb, 3 plants per metre (about 33cm apart), or 5 per metre with smaller bare-root whips for a denser screen faster.

How many hedging plants do I need per metre?
Usually 3 per metre for standard plants, or 5 per metre for small bare-root whips, often in a staggered double row.

How far apart should I plant laurel or Leylandii?
Larger pot-grown or root-balled laurel and conifers are spaced around 60–100cm apart, as each plant already covers more ground.

Can you plant a hedge too close together?
Very tight spacing wastes plants and increases competition, but a slightly closer spacing knits together faster — the bigger mistake is spacing too far apart.

About the author: Paul Watmore is a director at Grasslands Nursery, a family-run plant nursery near Knutsford, Cheshire, growing hedging, pleached trees and specimen plants since 1984. Meet the team →