How Many Hedge Plants Do I Need?
To calculate the number of plants required for a new hedge, multiply the length of the proposed hedge by the recommended number of plants per linear metre.
For example, a 10-metre hedge planted at three plants per metre requires approximately 30 plants.
However, the correct spacing depends on the species, plant size, stock type and whether you are creating a single or double staggered row. Always check the planting density given for the specific product before ordering.
The Basic Hedge-Plant Calculation
Use this formula:
Hedge length in metres × plants required per metre = total number of plants
For example:
10 metres × 3 plants per metre = 30 plants
If the calculation produces part of a plant, round up to the next whole plant.
For example:
7.5 metres × 3 plants per metre = 22.5
You would therefore order 23 plants.
For longer hedges, it may be sensible to include one or two additional plants in case the measured length changes slightly or a plant is damaged during handling. Do not automatically add a large percentage without checking the actual planting layout.
Quick Spacing Guide
The number of plants per metre corresponds approximately to these centre-to-centre spacings:
Two plants per metre means approximately 50cm between plant centres.
Three plants per metre means approximately 33cm between plant centres.
Four plants per metre means approximately 25cm between plant centres.
Five plants per metre means approximately 20cm between plant centres.
These measurements are guides. The spacing stated on the individual hedging product should take priority.
Measure the Hedge Line First
Measure the actual planting line rather than estimating it from the size of the garden.
If the hedge includes several sections, measure each one separately and then add the lengths together.
For example:
First section: 6 metres
Second section: 4.5 metres
Third section: 3 metres
Total hedge length: 13.5 metres
At three plants per metre:
13.5 × 3 = 40.5
Round this up to 41 plants.
Allow for Gates, Paths and Openings
Subtract any permanent opening where no plants will be installed.
If a 15-metre boundary includes a 1.2-metre gate:
15 metres − 1.2 metres = 13.8 metres of hedge
At three plants per metre:
13.8 × 3 = 41.4
Round this up to 42 plants.
Do not subtract the width of a temporary access gap if it will eventually be planted.
Bare-Root Hedge Plant Spacing
Bare-root hedging is supplied without a container or root ball while the plants are dormant. It is generally available between autumn and early spring, subject to the weather and ground conditions.
Bare-root plants are usually smaller and narrower than established rootballed or container-grown plants. They are therefore commonly planted at a higher density.
As a broad guide:
Small bare-root plants may require four or five plants per metre.
Medium bare-root plants commonly require three or four plants per metre.
Larger bare-root or feathered plants may require two or three plants per metre.
The required number depends on the species and the height and width of the supplied plants.
Bare-root plants are often the most economical choice for long hedges, native boundaries and agricultural-style planting.
Browse our bare-root hedging plants.
Rootballed Hedge Plant Spacing
Rootballed plants are grown in nursery fields and lifted with soil retained around their roots. The root ball is normally wrapped in hessian and secured with wire.
Because rootballed plants are often larger and more developed than bare-root plants, they may need fewer plants per metre.
A broad starting point is often:
Two plants per metre for broad, well-developed specimens
Three plants per metre for narrower specimens or where quicker density is required
The width and form of the actual plants are more important than height alone.
A tall, narrow plant may need closer spacing than a shorter but bushier specimen.
Browse our rootballed hedging plants, or read our comparison of rootballed and container-grown hedging.
Container-Grown Hedge Plant Spacing
Container-grown hedging is supplied in pots and can generally be planted over a wider part of the year, provided the ground and weather are suitable and reliable watering is available.
The correct spacing depends on:
Container size
Plant height
Plant width
Species
How quickly a continuous hedge is required
Small container-grown plants may require three or four plants per metre. Larger, bushier specimens may only require two or three.
Check the individual product specification rather than using the pot volume alone.
Instant-Hedge Spacing
Instant hedging is normally supplied as established sections or trough-grown modules rather than separate small plants.
It is generally ordered according to the linear coverage of each unit.
For example, if each instant-hedge section covers one linear metre, a 12-metre hedge will require approximately 12 sections.
Some systems use shorter modules, so the precise coverage must be confirmed before ordering.
Instant hedging provides the greatest immediate density, but delivery access, lifting, ground preparation and irrigation all need to be considered.
Explore our instant hedges.
Single-Row Hedge Planting
A single row is suitable for most domestic hedges.
Plants are positioned along one straight or gently curving line at the recommended centre-to-centre spacing.
Single-row planting:
Uses fewer plants
Requires a narrower planting bed
Is generally easier to maintain
Is appropriate for most formal garden hedges
Can create a dense screen when correctly spaced
Beech, hornbeam, yew, laurel, privet and Photinia are commonly planted in single rows, although the correct density varies with plant size.
Double Staggered Rows
A double staggered row can be useful for native, agricultural or particularly dense hedging.
The plants are arranged in two parallel rows with each plant positioned opposite the gap in the other row.
For mixed native hedging, five plants per linear metre across both rows is a commonly used starting density.
For example:
20 metres × 5 plants per metre = 100 plants
This means 100 plants in total, not 100 plants in each row.
The rows are commonly set approximately 30–45cm apart, depending on the plants and the space available.
A double row:
Creates greater initial density
Uses more plants
Requires a wider prepared strip
Is useful for wildlife and stock boundaries
Can produce a more substantial hedge
Needs careful watering and weed control
Not every domestic hedge needs a double row. For larger rootballed evergreens, it may be unnecessary and excessively wide.
Mixed Native Hedging
Mixed native hedges are often planted at approximately five plants per metre in a double staggered row.
A 25-metre mixed native hedge would therefore require:
25 × 5 = 125 plants
The individual species can be distributed in irregular groups rather than following a rigid repeating sequence. This produces a more natural appearance.
When planning the mixture, consider:
The proportion of the principal species
Soil and drainage
Exposure
Wildlife value
Thorns around children or pets
Suitability near grazing animals
Mature growth habit
Future maintenance
Some mixed hedge specifications or planning conditions may stipulate a precise species mix and planting density. Follow the approved specification where one exists.
How Many Laurel Plants Per Metre?
The required number of laurel plants depends on their height and width.
As a general guide:
Smaller, narrower laurel plants may require three plants per metre.
Larger, bushier specimens may require two plants per metre.
Very substantial plants may be individually spaced according to their measured width.
Planting large laurels too closely can create unnecessary competition and make watering more difficult. Planting them too far apart delays the formation of a continuous screen.
Use the density given for the particular laurel product.
How Many Yew Plants Per Metre?
Yew is often planted at two or three plants per metre, depending on the size and width of the supplied plants.
Smaller yew plants may be positioned more closely, while larger rootballed specimens may provide adequate coverage at wider centres.
Yew is slow growing compared with laurel or Leyland cypress, but it can form a long-lived and highly effective formal hedge.
Good ground preparation and drainage are important. Yew does not perform well where its roots remain waterlogged.
How Many Beech or Hornbeam Plants Per Metre?
Small bare-root beech and hornbeam are often planted at three to five plants per metre, depending on size and whether a single or double row is being used.
Larger rootballed or feathered plants may be spaced at two or three per metre.
Hornbeam generally copes better than beech with heavier or more moisture-retentive soil. Beech usually prefers better-drained conditions.
The plants’ height, width and branching structure should determine the final spacing.
How Many Privet Plants Per Metre?
Small privet plants are commonly planted at three to five per metre. Larger container-grown or rootballed plants may need fewer.
Privet grows relatively quickly in suitable conditions, so extremely tight planting is not normally necessary.
Spacing should allow the individual plants to develop while still creating a continuous hedge.
How Many Conifers Per Metre?
Leyland cypress, Thuja and other conifer hedging plants vary considerably in width.
Depending on their size, conifers may be planted at approximately two or three per metre. Very large specimens may require wider spacing.
Do not plant vigorous conifers unnecessarily close together. Overcrowding can produce competition, internal dieback and a hedge that becomes excessively broad.
The intended final hedge height and long-term maintenance must also be considered.
Does Closer Spacing Create a Faster Hedge?
Closer spacing can create greater initial density, but more plants are not always better.
Excessive planting density can cause:
Competition for water
Competition for nutrients
Poor air circulation
Increased risk of disease
Weak or uneven development
Difficulty watering individual root balls
Greater cost without a proportional benefit
Using appropriately sized plants at the correct spacing usually produces a healthier long-term hedge than crowding too many plants into the trench.
Plant Height Is Not the Only Consideration
Two plants of the same height may have very different widths and levels of branching.
When comparing hedging options, check:
Plant height
Plant width
Number of branches
Whether the plant is feathered
Root-ball or container size
Nursery grade
Stock type
Recommended planting density
A bushy 120cm plant may create more immediate coverage than a narrow 150cm plant.
Measuring Curved Hedges
For a curved hedge, measure along the intended planting line rather than measuring directly from one end to the other.
A flexible tape measure, hosepipe or length of rope can be laid along the curve and then measured.
For an irregular boundary, divide the hedge into shorter sections and calculate each separately.
This is more accurate than relying on the overall garden dimensions.
Hedges on Sloping Ground
Measure along the actual planting line on the slope.
For a gentle slope, the difference may be small. On a steep bank, the planted length can be noticeably greater than the horizontal distance shown on a plan.
The hedge may also require stepped ground preparation, improved access and additional erosion control.
Worked Hedge-Plant Examples
Example 1: Small Domestic Hedge
Hedge length: 8 metres
Planting density: 3 plants per metre
8 × 3 = 24 plants
You will need approximately 24 plants.
Example 2: Long Bare-Root Hedge
Hedge length: 30 metres
Planting density: 4 plants per metre
30 × 4 = 120 plants
You will need approximately 120 plants.
Example 3: Mixed Native Double Row
Hedge length: 40 metres
Planting density: 5 plants per metre across both rows
40 × 5 = 200 plants
You will need approximately 200 plants in total.
Example 4: Hedge With a Gate
Total boundary: 18 metres
Gate opening: 1.5 metres
Plantable length: 16.5 metres
Planting density: 3 plants per metre
16.5 × 3 = 49.5
Round up to approximately 50 plants.
Example 5: Two Separate Hedge Sections
First section: 7.2 metres
Second section: 5.6 metres
Total: 12.8 metres
Planting density: 2 plants per metre
12.8 × 2 = 25.6
Round up to approximately 26 plants.
Should You Order Spare Plants?
For a small domestic hedge with accurately measured dimensions, rounding up to the next whole plant may be sufficient.
For a long bare-root or mixed native hedge, one or two additional plants can be useful in case of minor measurement variations or handling damage.
Any spare bare-root plants must be kept moist and planted promptly. Do not order a large surplus without a planned use.
Planting Density and Budget
Smaller plants usually cost less individually but are commonly planted at a higher density.
Larger plants cost more but may require fewer per metre and provide greater immediate impact.
Compare the complete installed result rather than only the price of one plant.
The calculation should consider:
Number of plants
Cost per plant
Delivery
Ground preparation
Compost or soil improvement
Stakes and ties
Irrigation
Mulch
Labour
Fencing or protection
Ongoing watering
Preparing the Ground
Correct spacing will not compensate for poor ground preparation.
Before planting:
Remove perennial weeds
Remove turf from the planting strip
Relieve compaction
Assess drainage
Improve the wider soil where appropriate
Mark the planting positions
Plan irrigation
Organise stakes or protection
Ensure water is available
For detailed practical information, read our hedge delivery, access and planting guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many hedge plants do I need per metre?
Most domestic hedges use approximately two to five plants per metre. The correct figure depends on the species, size, width and stock type.
Is three hedge plants per metre enough?
Three plants per metre is suitable for many medium-sized hedging plants, but it is not a universal rule. Smaller bare-root plants may need four or five, while broad rootballed specimens may need only two.
How many plants are needed for a double-row hedge?
Mixed native hedging is often planted at five plants per linear metre across both rows. This means five plants in total per metre, not five in each row.
Should I plant hedging closer together for faster privacy?
Only within the recommended range. Excessively close planting creates competition and does not necessarily result in a healthier or faster-establishing hedge.
Do rootballed plants need wider spacing?
Often, yes. Rootballed plants are frequently larger and wider than bare-root plants. Two or three plants per metre may be sufficient, depending on their dimensions.
How many plants do I need for a 10-metre hedge?
At two plants per metre, you need 20 plants.
At three plants per metre, you need 30 plants.
At four plants per metre, you need 40 plants.
At five plants per metre, you need 50 plants.
How many plants do I need for a 20-metre hedge?
At two plants per metre, you need 40 plants.
At three plants per metre, you need 60 plants.
At four plants per metre, you need 80 plants.
At five plants per metre, you need 100 plants.
Can Landscaping Emporium calculate the quantity for me?
Yes. Send us the hedge length, preferred species, required plant height, photographs and postcode. We can help confirm the appropriate product and planting density.
Calculate and Order Your Hedging
Follow these steps:
Measure the complete planting line.
Subtract permanent gates and openings.
Choose the species and plant size.
Check the recommended plants per metre.
Multiply the plantable length by the planting density.
Round up to the next whole plant.
Confirm delivery, access and planting requirements.
Browse our hedging plants, compare bare-root, rootballed, container-grown and instant hedging, or explore fast-growing hedging.
If you are unsure how many plants to order, contact Landscaping Emporium with your measurements and project details.