Guidelines for Planting Distances

How far apart should you plant hedge plants? Here's a classic question with a few answers.

Single Row Hedges:

Suitable for formal and spaces where soil is limited, single row hedges are best suited for shrubs with a wider growth habit. The spacing between individual plants in a single row hedge is recommended at 30cm between plants, but if the plants are particularly bushy/established then up to 60cm may be needed to ensure the root systems do not overlap and the plants do not push off each other. 

The importance is to have little space between the plants when they go in. This narrow spacing ensures that the hedge does not develop gaps, with regular light trimming the initial small spaces quickly disappear. 

With a shrub especially, the finished result will be a compact, even coverage of fresh top growth. 

Double Row Hedges:

Double row hedges are the way to create additional density and privacy from your hedge. In doubling the rows of hedge it acts as a better barrier against sound, wind and people. This is the preferred method when planting trees (especially deciduous), which have better visual screening abilities in a double row.  

Planting a double row is just planting two single rows, with a 2-3ft space in between the single rows. The space between rows is to give the plants more root space before competing with each other.