How to Plant a Hedge: Spacing, Soil and Timing
A hedge planted well in its first season will look after itself for thirty years. A hedge planted badly will struggle for the first five and never quite catch up. The difference comes down to four things — spacing, soil, depth and timing — and getting them right is much simpler than most gardening books make it sound.
Here is the practical guide to planting a hedge in a UK garden, with the spacings, soil preparation and timing that actually matter.
The short version: Plant bare-root and root-balled hedging November to March while dormant; container-grown plants any time, but autumn or early spring is kindest. Space three plants per metre for tall and mid-height hedges, five to seven per metre for low edging or native mixes. Dig a continuous trench at least 60cm wide rather than individual holes - it establishes hedges two to three times faster. Water deeply once a week through the first two summers, mulch each autumn, and do not clip in year one; start light tip trims in year two.
When to plant
The best time depends on the type of plant. Bare-root plants — sold without soil between November and March — establish best when planted in winter while dormant. They are far cheaper than container-grown plants and grow away strongly in spring. Root-balled plants — typically yew and other slow-growing evergreens — are also planted in the dormant season. Container-grown plants can be planted any time of year but autumn and early spring are kindest, giving the roots a season to establish before any summer stress.
Avoid: Planting during frosty weather, into waterlogged ground, or in midsummer when the plants will struggle to find water. Late spring and early summer planting works but needs much more attention to watering through the first season.
Spacing — the rules that matter
Spacing depends on the species and how quickly you want a continuous hedge. The general principle: closer spacing fills in faster but costs more in plants up front. For most species, three plants per metre in a single row is the standard starting point.
Tall screening hedges (yew, laurel, Photinia, Thuja). Three plants per metre in a single row, or two staggered rows of three plants per metre 40cm apart for a denser screen.
Mid-height hedges (1.2m to 1.8m). Three plants per metre is standard for most species, four if you want a denser line faster.
Low edging (under 60cm). Five to seven plants per metre for box and Ilex crenata. The denser spacing is what gives a low hedge its instant continuous appearance.
Native mixed hedges. Five to seven mixed plants per metre, in two staggered rows for a thicker hedgerow look.
Soil preparation
The single biggest favour you can do a new hedge is to plant it in a continuous trench rather than individual planting holes. The plants knit together at the root level far faster, share moisture more evenly, and establish two or three times more quickly than the same plants in separate holes.
Step 1. Mark the line of the hedge. A taut string between two stakes keeps the planting straight.
Step 2. Dig a continuous trench at least 60cm wide and a spade deep along the line. The width matters more than the depth.
Step 3. Mix the excavated soil 50/50 with garden compost or well-rotted manure. Add a small handful of mycorrhizal fungi to each plant for stronger root establishment.
Step 4. Set the plants in the trench at the correct spacing. Check the soil line on each plant matches the surrounding ground — too deep and the stem rots, too shallow and the roots dry out.
Step 5. Backfill with the improved soil mix, firm gently with the heel of your boot, water in well, and mulch the line with 5cm to 10cm of bark or compost.
The first two summers
A hedge needs consistent water through its first two summers to establish a deep root system. Skip this and the plants survive on shallow roots that fail in the first drought. Water deeply once a week from May to September — a full watering can per plant for small hedges, or 20 to 30 minutes with a soaker hose laid along the line. After year two, most hedge species are self-supporting and need watering only in exceptional drought.
First-year tip: Top up the mulch in autumn of year one and year two. The mulch suppresses weeds, retains moisture and feeds the soil as it breaks down. Skip the mulch and you spend the first two summers fighting weeds along the hedge line.
The first trim
Resist the urge to clip a new hedge in its first season. The plant needs the foliage to photosynthesise and build its root system. Start clipping in year two, taking off only the tips of the new growth to encourage dense lower branching. Avoid clipping the leader (top shoot) until the hedge has reached its final intended height — let it grow up first and shape it only when you have got the height you want.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How far apart should you plant a hedge?
For most tall and mid-height hedges, three plants per metre in a single row is the standard spacing. For low edging hedges under 60cm tall, five to seven plants per metre. For a denser, faster-establishing screen, plant two staggered rows of three plants per metre, 40cm apart. Closer spacing fills in faster but costs more in plants up front.
When is the best time to plant a hedge?
For bare-root and root-balled plants, November to March while the plants are dormant. For container-grown plants, autumn and early spring are best, though they can be planted any time of year. Avoid planting in frost, into waterlogged ground or in midsummer heat. Bare-root planting is cheaper and establishes more strongly than container planting if the timing is right.
Should I dig a trench or individual holes?
A continuous trench every time. A trench at least 60cm wide and a spade deep along the line of the hedge gives the plants room to spread their roots sideways and share moisture. Hedges planted in trenches establish two to three times faster than the same plants in separate holes. The extra digging is paid back many times over.
A hedge planted well in its first season pays you back for decades. Explore our Border by the Metre collection for hedging supplied at planting size. Delivered free to your door.
