How the hedge calculator works
A hedge is a line of plants, so the count depends on how far apart they stand in the row and how many rows you plant. The calculator divides the hedge length by the in-row spacing and rounds up; the first and last plants sit half a spacing in from each end, which is how nurseries count a run between two fixed points such as posts or walls. For a double row the total is doubled.
Plants = ⌈length ÷ spacing⌉ × number of rowsIn a staggered double row the two lines run 30–50 cm (12–20 in) apart and the plants of the second line sit opposite the gaps of the first, in a zigzag. The spares figure adds 5% for losses in the first summer; bare-root stock, in particular, rarely establishes at 100%, and a replacement bought a year later never matches its neighbours in size.
Worked example
A 20 m boundary planted with bare-root hornbeam at 40 cm in a staggered double row: 20 ÷ 0.40 = 50 plants per row, 100 plants in total, which is 5 plants per metre. With spares, order 105. For a lighter screen along a 66 ft fence in a single row of privet at 18 inches: 66 ÷ 1.5 = 44 plants, or 47 with spares. Planted as a double row at the same spacing it would take 88.
Typical spacing by hedge plant
| Plant and stock | Spacing in the row | Rows | Plants per metre (per 10 ft) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beech, hornbeam, hawthorn – bare-root 60–90 cm | 30–40 cm (12–16 in) | Double staggered | 5–7 (15–20) |
| Mixed native hedge – bare-root whips | 30–45 cm (12–18 in) | Double staggered | 4.5–7 (13–20) |
| Privet – bare-root or small pots | 30–45 cm (12–18 in) | Single or double | 2–7 (7–20) |
| Box or low edging | 20–30 cm (8–12 in) | Single | 3–5 (10–15) |
| Yew – potted 60–80 cm | 45–60 cm (18–24 in) | Single | 2 (5–7) |
| Cherry laurel – potted 80–120 cm | 60–90 cm (2–3 ft) | Single | 1–1.7 (3–5) |
| Arborvitae / thuja – potted 1–1.5 m | 60–90 cm (2–3 ft) | Single | 1–1.7 (3–5) |
Tall screening arborvitae varieties grown for privacy are often spaced 1.5–1.8 m (5–6 ft) apart. Closer planting gives a solid screen sooner, but the plants then compete for water and light.
Planting tips and common mistakes
- Prepare a trench, not holes. Dig a strip 60 cm (2 ft) wide along the whole line and mix in compost; roots spread sideways into loosened soil much faster.
- Plant bare-root stock when dormant. November to March in most temperate regions; keep roots wrapped until they go in the ground.
- Leave room for width. A hedge kept at 1 m thick needs its centre line at least 50 cm from a path or fence, plus room for you to trim both sides.
- Check boundary rules. Many places set a minimum distance from the property line; in France, for example, 0.5 m for hedges up to 2 m tall and 2 m for taller ones.
- Cut back hard after planting. Trimming deciduous whips by a third encourages branching from the base, which is what makes a hedge dense.
Frequently asked questions
How many hedge plants per metre?
Bare-root hedging is planted 5–7 per metre in a staggered double row, or about 3 per metre in a single row. Larger potted plants such as laurel or thuja go in at 1–1.7 per metre.
How far apart should I plant a privet hedge?
Space privet 30–45 cm (12–18 in) apart. A single row at 18 in needs 8 plants per 12 ft; a double staggered row gives a thicker hedge faster.
How many arborvitae for a 100 ft privacy screen?
At 3 ft spacing in a single row you need 34 plants. Large screening varieties spaced 6 ft apart need 17.
What is a double staggered row?
Two parallel rows 30–50 cm (12–20 in) apart, with the plants of one row opposite the gaps of the other. It doubles the plant count but gives a hedge that is dense from the ground up.
Should I buy extra hedge plants?
Yes, about 5% more. A few plants usually fail in the first season, and spares grown in a corner of the garden will match the size of the rest when you fill the gaps.
Last reviewed: 2026-09-27 · How we calculate