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Hedge Spacing Calculator — How Many Hedge Plants
Calculate how many hedge plants you need for a given length.
How We Calculate This
Formula: Plants = (Hedge Length ÷ Spacing) + 1 (for end plant).
For double rows, multiply by 2 with plants staggered between rows.
Spacing recommendations are based on UK nursery guidance for each species.
Frequently Asked Questions
Depends on species: Box 20 cm, Privet/Hawthorn 30 cm, native bare-root mixed 33 cm (3 per metre), Beech/Yew 45 cm, Laurel 60 cm, Leylandii 75 cm. Closer spacing gives faster, denser screening; wider spacing saves on plants and lets each one bulk out.
Double rows give a thicker, stockproof hedge faster. Set the two rows about 40 cm apart (the Defra BN11 / Ashridge standard) and stagger the plants so each sits opposite a gap in the other row. This roughly doubles the plant count — useful for exposed, security or wildlife hedges.
Bare-root hedging: November to March. Container-grown: any time, but autumn is best. Avoid planting in frozen or waterlogged soil.
Privet: 30-40 cm/year. Leylandii: 60-90 cm/year. Yew: 20-30 cm/year. Beech: 30-40 cm/year.
Fast hedges (privet, leylandii): 3-5 years. Medium (beech, hornbeam): 5-8 years. Slow (yew, box): 8-15 years. Feed and water well in the first few years.
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Last updated: February 2026
All calculations are estimates based on standard gardening guidelines. Results may vary with soil conditions, climate, and plant varieties.