Hedge Spacing Calculator
Find the exact number of evergreen shrubs, privacy trees, or leafy bushes needed along a fence or border. Get easy string-line stake distances for single straight rows or double zigzag privacy hedges.
Hedge Spacing Settings
Recommended for 12–24" borders. Plant closer together if you want the hedge to fill in quickly.
Row 2 is shifted sideways to fill the gaps between plants in Row 1.
#Where to Place Each Plant (Tape-Measure Guide)↓
Measure along your string line from the start post and mark each spot at these distances:
Single Straight Row vs. Double Zigzag Hedge
Double zigzag planting grows into a thick, see-proof privacy wall up to two years faster than a single row. Adjust your fence length and shrub spacing below to see how many shrubs you need:
Years to Solid Privacy Wall: Pot Size & Growth Speed
Getting quick privacy means picking the right mix of starting nursery pot size and yearly growth speed. Choose a hedge plant and pot size below to see how fast it fills in:
Cherry Laurel grows fast. Trim branch tips lightly in late spring so it fills out thickly near the bottom instead of getting tall and bare.
Planting Trench & Soil Mix Volume
Digging one continuous trench along your guide string helps roots breathe evenly and keeps water from pooling inside individual planting holes. Enter your trench size below to find soil and compost amounts:
Popular Hedge Shrub Spacing & Growth Guide
| Hedge Plant | Single Row Spacing | Double Zigzag Spacing | Target Height | Growth Speed | When to Trim |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cherry Laurel | 24–36 in (60–90 cm) | 30 in apart (18" between rows) | 6–15 ft | 24–36 in/yr (Fast) | Late spring with hand pruners |
| Green Giant Arborvitae | 5–6 ft (150–180 cm) | 6–8 ft apart (4 ft rows) | 20–40 ft | 36–48 in/yr (Very fast) | Early fall shaping |
| Emerald Green Arborvitae | 2.5–3 ft (75–90 cm) | 3 ft apart (2 ft rows) | 10–14 ft | 8–12 in/yr (Compact) | Do not cut old brown wood |
| American Boxwood | 12–18 in (30–45 cm) | 14 in apart (10" rows) | 2–5 ft | 4–6 in/yr (Slow) | Early summer light trim |
| Hicks Yew | 18–24 in (45–60 cm) | 24 in apart (15" rows) | 6–12 ft | 8–12 in/yr (Medium) | Late summer trim |
| Privet Hedge | 12–18 in (30–45 cm) | 18 in apart (12" rows) | 6–10 ft | 24–30 in/yr (Fast) | Trim 2–3 times during summer |
Formulas for Single & Double Hedge Rows
1. Single Straight Row
Subtract your start and end edge spaces from total hedge length, divide by plant spacing, round down, and add 1 for the first shrub:
2. Double Zigzag Row
Row 1 starts at your edge space, while Row 2 starts shifted halfway over by half a spacing:
Hedge Spacing, Planting & Privacy Screen FAQs
•How do I calculate the number of shrubs needed for a hedge?
Measure the total length between your start and end points. Subtract any end gaps you want to leave (often half the plant spacing so branches stay inside fences or walkways), divide the remaining length by your stem-to-stem plant spacing (round down), and add 1. Formula: Count = round down((Length - 2 × End Gap) / Spacing) + 1.
•What is the difference between single-row and double zigzag hedges?
A single-row hedge places every shrub along one straight string line. A double zigzag hedge plants two side-by-side rows spaced 12 to 24 inches apart, with shrubs in the second row tucked into the gaps of the first row. Zigzag rows fill into a thick privacy wall almost twice as fast.
•How far from a fence or property line should I plant a hedge?
Plant your hedge center back by at least half the full-grown width of the shrub (about 18 to 24 inches for small boxwoods, or 36 to 48 inches for large arborvitae). That keeps roots healthy and stops branches from pushing over your neighbor's fence.
•How many extra shrubs should I order for spares?
Landscapers usually order an extra 5% to 10% in case a shrub gets damaged in delivery, struggles over winter, or has trouble settling in. Keeping a few matching plants from the same batch lets you replace a gap cleanly right away.
•Why is digging a single long trench better than separate round holes?
One wide trench loosens the dirt evenly down the entire row, drains water better, makes it easy to line shrubs up along a string, and lets roots grow sideways together instead of circling inside tight round pockets.
•How does double-row zigzag spacing block wind better?
A tight single hedge acts like a flat wall—heavy wind pushes up and slams right back down on the far side. A zigzag double row softens and filters wind safely through two offset layers of branches.
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