Perennials are spaced for year three. A border that looks full on planting day is a border that needs dividing in two seasons, and crowded perennials flower less, hold more moisture in the crown, and get more mildew than the same plants given their room.
Plant library · Spacing charts
Perennial spacing chart
Center-to-center spacing for 109 perennials, with mature spread, hardiness zones, and sun needs. Spacing assumes each plant is growing to the size it reaches in its third season, not the size it arrives in.
Spacing across this chart runs from 3 inches (8 cm) to 4 ft (1.2 m). Click any column heading to sort.
| Plant | Spacing | Mature size | USDA zones | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Alpine AsterAster alpinus
|
9 inches23 cm | 1 ft tall, 1 ft wide | 4–7 | Full Sun |
AstilbeAstilbe spp.
|
2 ft60 cm | 2.5 ft tall, 2 ft wide | 3–9 | Partial Shade |
Autumn Joy StonecropHylotelephium 'Autumn Joy'
|
18 inches45 cm | 2 ft tall, 2 ft wide | 3–9 | Full Sun |
Bearded IrisIris germanica
|
18 inches45 cm | 3 ft tall, 2 ft wide | 3–9 | Full Sun |
BellflowerCampanula carpatica
|
12 inches30 cm | 1 ft tall, 1 ft wide | 3–8 | Full Sun |
BergeniaBergenia cordifolia
|
18 inches45 cm | 1.5 ft tall, 1.5 ft wide | 3–8 | Partial Shade |
Black-Eyed SusanRudbeckia fulgida
|
18 inches45 cm | 2.5 ft tall, 2 ft wide | 3–9 | Full Sun |
Blanket FlowerGaillardia x grandiflora
|
18 inches45 cm | 2 ft tall, 2 ft wide | 3–10 | Full Sun |
Blazing StarLiatris spicata
|
18 inches45 cm | 4 ft tall, 1.5 ft wide | 3–9 | Full Sun |
Bleeding HeartLamprocapnos spectabilis
|
2.5 ft75 cm | 3 ft tall, 3 ft wide | 3–9 | Partial Shade |
BugleweedAjuga reptans
|
12 inches30 cm | 0.5 ft tall, 1.5 ft wide | 3–9 | Partial Shade |
Butterfly WeedAsclepias tuberosa
|
18 inches45 cm | 2 ft tall, 1.5 ft wide | 3–9 | Full Sun |
CandytuftIberis sempervirens
|
12 inches30 cm | 0.75 ft tall, 1.5 ft wide | 3–9 | Full Sun |
Cardinal FlowerLobelia cardinalis
|
18 inches45 cm | 4 ft tall, 1.5 ft wide | 3–9 | Partial Sun |
CatmintNepeta x faassenii
|
2 ft60 cm | 1.5 ft tall, 2.5 ft wide | 3–8 | Full Sun |
ColumbineAquilegia spp.
|
18 inches45 cm | 2 ft tall, 1.5 ft wide | 3–9 | Partial Sun |
Coral BellsHeuchera spp.
|
15 inches40 cm | 1.5 ft tall, 1.5 ft wide | 4–9 | Partial Shade |
CoreopsisCoreopsis verticillata
|
18 inches45 cm | 2 ft tall, 2 ft wide | 3–9 | Full Sun |
Cranesbill GeraniumGeranium rozanne
|
2 ft60 cm | 1.5 ft tall, 2.5 ft wide | 5–8 | Partial Sun |
Creeping PhloxPhlox subulata
|
18 inches45 cm | 0.5 ft tall, 2 ft wide | 3–9 | Full Sun |
CrocosmiaCrocosmia spp.
|
12 inches30 cm | 3 ft tall, 1.5 ft wide | 6–9 | Full Sun |
CrocusCrocus spp.
|
3 inches8 cm | 0.33 ft tall, 0.25 ft wide | 3–8 | Full Sun |
Culver's RootVeronicastrum virginicum
|
2.5 ft75 cm | 5 ft tall, 3 ft wide | 3–8 | Full Sun |
Cushion SpurgeEuphorbia polychroma
|
18 inches45 cm | 1.5 ft tall, 1.5 ft wide | 4–8 | Full Sun |
DaffodilNarcissus spp.
|
6 inches15 cm | 1 ft tall, 0.5 ft wide | 3–9 | Full Sun |
DahliaDahlia spp.
|
18 inches45 cm | 3 ft tall, 1.5 ft wide | 8–11 | Full Sun |
DaylilyHemerocallis spp.
|
18 inches45 cm | 2.5 ft tall, 2 ft wide | 3–9 | Full Sun |
DelphiniumDelphinium elatum
|
2 ft60 cm | 5 ft tall, 2 ft wide | 3–7 | Full Sun |
English DaisyBellis perennis
|
6 inches15 cm | 0.5 ft tall, 0.5 ft wide | 4–8 | Full Sun |
False IndigoBaptisia australis
|
3.5 ft1.1 m | 4 ft tall, 4 ft wide | 3–9 | Full Sun |
False SunflowerHeliopsis helianthoides
|
3 ft90 cm | 4 ft tall, 3 ft wide | 3–9 | Full Sun |
FleabaneErigeron speciosus
|
12 inches30 cm | 2 ft tall, 1.5 ft wide | 3–8 | Full Sun |
FoamflowerTiarella cordifolia
|
18 inches45 cm | 1 ft tall, 1.5 ft wide | 3–8 | Full Shade |
Forget-Me-NotMyosotis sylvatica
|
6 inches15 cm | 0.75 ft tall, 0.75 ft wide | 3–8 | Partial Shade |
FoxgloveDigitalis purpurea
|
18 inches45 cm | 5 ft tall, 2 ft wide | 4–8 | Partial Shade |
Garden ChrysanthemumChrysanthemum x morifolium
|
18 inches45 cm | 2 ft tall, 2 ft wide | 5–9 | Full Sun |
Garden PeonyPaeonia lactiflora
|
3 ft90 cm | 3 ft tall, 3 ft wide | 3–8 | Full Sun |
Garden PhloxPhlox paniculata
|
2 ft60 cm | 3.5 ft tall, 2.5 ft wide | 4–8 | Full Sun |
GeumGeum chiloense
|
18 inches45 cm | 2 ft tall, 1.5 ft wide | 5–9 | Full Sun |
Globe ThistleEchinops ritro
|
2 ft60 cm | 4 ft tall, 2.5 ft wide | 3–8 | Full Sun |
GlobeflowerTrollius europaeus
|
18 inches45 cm | 2 ft tall, 1.5 ft wide | 3–7 | Partial Sun |
GoatsbeardAruncus dioicus
|
4 ft1.2 m | 5 ft tall, 4 ft wide | 3–8 | Partial Shade |
GoldenrodSolidago rugosa
|
2.5 ft75 cm | 3.5 ft tall, 2.5 ft wide | 4–8 | Full Sun |
Grape HyacinthMuscari spp.
|
3 inches8 cm | 0.5 ft tall, 0.25 ft wide | 4–9 | Full Sun |
Great Blue LobeliaLobelia siphilitica
|
18 inches45 cm | 3 ft tall, 1.5 ft wide | 4–9 | Partial Shade |
Grecian WindflowerAnemone blanda
|
6 inches15 cm | 0.5 ft tall, 0.5 ft wide | 4–8 | Partial Shade |
Hardy GeraniumGeranium sanguineum
|
18 inches45 cm | 1 ft tall, 1.5 ft wide | 3–9 | Full Sun |
Hardy HibiscusHibiscus moscheutos
|
3 ft90 cm | 5 ft tall, 3.5 ft wide | 5–9 | Full Sun |
Hardy Ice PlantDelosperma cooperi
|
18 inches45 cm | 0.5 ft tall, 2 ft wide | 6–10 | Full Sun |
HollyhockAlcea rosea
|
18 inches45 cm | 6 ft tall, 2 ft wide | 3–9 | Full Sun |
HostasHosta spp.
|
2.5 ft75 cm | 2 ft tall, 3 ft wide | 3–9 | Full Shade |
HyacinthHyacinthus orientalis
|
6 inches15 cm | 0.75 ft tall, 0.5 ft wide | 4–8 | Full Sun |
IronweedVernonia noveboracensis
|
3 ft90 cm | 6 ft tall, 3.5 ft wide | 5–9 | Full Sun |
Jacob's LadderPolemonium caeruleum
|
18 inches45 cm | 2 ft tall, 1.5 ft wide | 3–8 | Partial Shade |
Japanese AnemoneAnemone hupehensis
|
2 ft60 cm | 3 ft tall, 2.5 ft wide | 4–8 | Partial Shade |
Japanese IrisIris ensata
|
18 inches45 cm | 3 ft tall, 2 ft wide | 4–9 | Full Sun |
Joe-Pye WeedEutrochium purpureum
|
3 ft90 cm | 6 ft tall, 3 ft wide | 4–9 | Full Sun |
Lady's MantleAlchemilla mollis
|
18 inches45 cm | 1.5 ft tall, 2 ft wide | 3–8 | Partial Shade |
Lamb's EarStachys byzantina
|
18 inches45 cm | 1 ft tall, 2 ft wide | 4–8 | Full Sun |
Lenten RoseHelleborus x hybridus
|
18 inches45 cm | 1.5 ft tall, 1.5 ft wide | 4–9 | Partial Shade |
Leopard's BaneDoronicum orientale
|
12 inches30 cm | 1.5 ft tall, 1.5 ft wide | 4–8 | Partial Shade |
LigulariaLigularia dentata
|
3 ft90 cm | 3.5 ft tall, 3 ft wide | 3–8 | Partial Shade |
LilyLilium spp.
|
12 inches30 cm | 3 ft tall, 1 ft wide | 3–9 | Partial Sun |
LungwortPulmonaria officinalis
|
18 inches45 cm | 1 ft tall, 1.5 ft wide | 3–8 | Full Shade |
LupineLupinus polyphyllus
|
18 inches45 cm | 3.5 ft tall, 1.5 ft wide | 3–8 | Full Sun |
Maltese CrossLychnis chalcedonica
|
18 inches45 cm | 3 ft tall, 1.5 ft wide | 3–8 | Full Sun |
MulleinVerbascum spp.
|
2 ft60 cm | 4 ft tall, 2 ft wide | 5–9 | Full Sun |
New England AsterSymphyotrichum novae-angliae
|
2.5 ft75 cm | 4.5 ft tall, 3 ft wide | 3–8 | Full Sun |
Obedient PlantPhysostegia virginiana
|
2 ft60 cm | 3.5 ft tall, 2.5 ft wide | 3–9 | Full Sun |
Oriental PoppyPapaver orientale
|
18 inches45 cm | 2.5 ft tall, 1.5 ft wide | 3–8 | Full Sun |
Ornamental OnionAllium spp.
|
9 inches23 cm | 2.5 ft tall, 1 ft wide | 4–9 | Full Sun |
PenstemonPenstemon spp.
|
18 inches45 cm | 2.5 ft tall, 1.5 ft wide | 3–9 | Full Sun |
Perennial Bachelor's ButtonCentaurea montana
|
18 inches45 cm | 2 ft tall, 2 ft wide | 3–8 | Full Sun |
Perennial SalviaSalvia nemorosa
|
18 inches45 cm | 2 ft tall, 2 ft wide | 4–8 | Full Sun |
Perennial SunflowerHelianthus spp.
|
2 ft60 cm | 6 ft tall, 3 ft wide | 4–9 | Full Sun |
Pincushion FlowerScabiosa columbaria
|
12 inches30 cm | 1.5 ft tall, 1.5 ft wide | 3–8 | Full Sun |
PinksDianthus gratianopolitanus
|
12 inches30 cm | 1 ft tall, 1.5 ft wide | 3–9 | Full Sun |
PlatycodonPlatycodon grandiflorus
|
15 inches40 cm | 2 ft tall, 1.5 ft wide | 3–9 | Full Sun |
PrimrosePrimula spp.
|
9 inches23 cm | 0.75 ft tall, 0.75 ft wide | 3–8 | Partial Shade |
Purple ConeflowerEchinacea purpurea
|
18 inches45 cm | 3 ft tall, 1.5 ft wide | 3–9 | Full Sun |
Queen of the PrairieFilipendula rubra
|
3 ft90 cm | 5 ft tall, 3.5 ft wide | 3–8 | Full Sun |
Red Hot PokerKniphofia uvaria
|
18 inches45 cm | 3 ft tall, 2 ft wide | 5–9 | Full Sun |
Red ValerianCentranthus ruber
|
18 inches45 cm | 3 ft tall, 2 ft wide | 5–9 | Full Sun |
Rose CampionSilene coronaria
|
18 inches45 cm | 2.5 ft tall, 1.5 ft wide | 4–8 | Full Sun |
Russian SageSalvia yangii
|
2.5 ft75 cm | 4 ft tall, 3 ft wide | 5–9 | Full Sun |
Sea HollyEryngium planum
|
18 inches45 cm | 3 ft tall, 1.5 ft wide | 5–9 | Full Sun |
Sea LavenderLimonium latifolium
|
18 inches45 cm | 2 ft tall, 2 ft wide | 3–9 | Full Sun |
Shasta DaisyLeucanthemum x superbum
|
18 inches45 cm | 3 ft tall, 2 ft wide | 5–9 | Full Sun |
Showy Evening PrimroseOenothera speciosa
|
12 inches30 cm | 1 ft tall, 1.5 ft wide | 4–9 | Full Sun |
Siberian BuglossBrunnera macrophylla
|
18 inches45 cm | 1.25 ft tall, 2 ft wide | 3–8 | Partial Shade |
Siberian IrisIris sibirica
|
2 ft60 cm | 3 ft tall, 2.5 ft wide | 3–9 | Full Sun |
Siberian SquillScilla siberica
|
3 inches8 cm | 0.5 ft tall, 0.25 ft wide | 2–8 | Partial Shade |
SnakerootActaea racemosa
|
3 ft90 cm | 5 ft tall, 3 ft wide | 3–8 | Full Shade |
SneezeweedHelenium autumnale
|
2 ft60 cm | 4 ft tall, 2.5 ft wide | 3–8 | Full Sun |
SnowdropGalanthus nivalis
|
3 inches8 cm | 0.5 ft tall, 0.25 ft wide | 3–8 | Partial Shade |
Solomon's SealPolygonatum odoratum
|
18 inches45 cm | 2.5 ft tall, 1.5 ft wide | 3–8 | Full Shade |
SpeedwellVeronica spicata
|
15 inches40 cm | 1.5 ft tall, 1.5 ft wide | 3–8 | Full Sun |
SpiderwortTradescantia virginiana
|
18 inches45 cm | 2.5 ft tall, 2 ft wide | 4–9 | Partial Shade |
Stokes' AsterStokesia laevis
|
18 inches45 cm | 1.5 ft tall, 1.5 ft wide | 5–9 | Full Sun |
Swamp MilkweedAsclepias incarnata
|
2 ft60 cm | 4 ft tall, 2.5 ft wide | 3–9 | Full Sun |
Sweet WoodruffGalium odoratum
|
12 inches30 cm | 0.75 ft tall, 1.5 ft wide | 4–8 | Full Shade |
Threadleaf CoreopsisCoreopsis rosea
|
18 inches45 cm | 1.5 ft tall, 1.5 ft wide | 3–9 | Full Sun |
TickseedCoreopsis grandiflora
|
18 inches45 cm | 2 ft tall, 2 ft wide | 4–9 | Full Sun |
TulipTulipa spp.
|
6 inches15 cm | 1.5 ft tall, 0.5 ft wide | 3–8 | Full Sun |
TurtleheadChelone lyonii
|
2 ft60 cm | 3 ft tall, 2 ft wide | 3–8 | Partial Shade |
Virginia BluebellsMertensia virginica
|
12 inches30 cm | 1.5 ft tall, 1 ft wide | 3–8 | Partial Shade |
Wand FlowerOenothera lindheimeri
|
18 inches45 cm | 3 ft tall, 2 ft wide | 5–9 | Full Sun |
Winter AconiteEranthis hyemalis
|
3 inches8 cm | 0.33 ft tall, 0.25 ft wide | 3–7 | Partial Shade |
YarrowAchillea millefolium
|
18 inches45 cm | 2.5 ft tall, 2 ft wide | 3–9 | Full Sun |
Spacing is center to center — measure between planting holes, not between the edges of the plants. Mature size and hardiness ranges are catalog values and shift with cultivar and local conditions.
How to use this chart
The honest fix for a thin-looking first year is annuals, not tighter spacing. Fill the gaps between young perennials with something that dies in autumn and take it out once the permanent planting has closed the ground.
Clumping perennials hold the footprint listed here more or less permanently. Spreading types — bee balm, obedient plant, many asters — treat that figure as a starting point and keep going, so space them by how much ground you are willing to give them rather than by the plant's current size.