A specimen shrub gets its full mature spread so the plant keeps its own outline. A hedge is spaced deliberately tighter — roughly two-thirds of mature spread — so neighbouring plants knit into an unbroken line within a few seasons. The hedge column here applies that rule to each plant's catalog spread.
Plant library · Spacing charts
Shrub and hedge spacing chart
Center-to-center spacing for 86 shrubs, with mature spread, hardiness zones, and a separate figure for hedge and screen planting where the goal is a continuous line rather than individual plants.
Spacing across this chart runs from 18 inches (45 cm) to 15 ft (4.6 m). Click any column heading to sort.
| Plant | Spacing | Hedge spacing | Mature size | USDA zones | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AbeliaAbelia x grandiflora
|
5 ft1.5 m | 4 ft | 6 ft tall, 6 ft wide | 6–9 | Full Sun |
Anise HyssopAgastache foeniculum
|
18 inches45 cm | 15 inches | 3 ft tall, 2 ft wide | 4–8 | Full Sun |
Anise ShrubIllicium parviflorum
|
6 ft1.8 m | 5.5 ft | 10 ft tall, 8 ft wide | 7–10 | Partial Shade |
Arrowwood ViburnumViburnum dentatum
|
7 ft2.1 m | 5.5 ft | 8 ft tall, 8 ft wide | 3–8 | Full Sun |
AucubaAucuba japonica
|
5 ft1.5 m | 4 ft | 8 ft tall, 6 ft wide | 7–10 | Full Shade |
BayberryMyrica pensylvanica
|
6 ft1.8 m | 5.5 ft | 8 ft tall, 8 ft wide | 3–7 | Full Sun |
BeautyberryCallicarpa americana
|
4.5 ft1.4 m | 3.5 ft | 5 ft tall, 5 ft wide | 6–10 | Partial Sun |
BeautybushKolkwitzia amabilis
|
8 ft2.4 m | 5.5 ft | 10 ft tall, 8 ft wide | 4–8 | Full Sun |
Bigleaf HydrangeaHydrangea macrophylla
|
5 ft1.5 m | 3.5 ft | 5 ft tall, 5 ft wide | 5–9 | Partial Shade |
BottlebrushCallistemon spp.
|
8 ft2.4 m | 6.5 ft | 12 ft tall, 10 ft wide | 8–11 | Full Sun |
Burning BushEuonymus alatus
|
12 ft3.7 m | 10 ft | 15 ft tall, 15 ft wide | 4–8 | Full Sun |
Butterfly BushBuddleja davidii
|
6 ft1.8 m | 5.5 ft | 8 ft tall, 8 ft wide | 5–9 | Full Sun |
Caryopteris (Bluebeard)Caryopteris x clandonensis
|
3 ft90 cm | 2 ft | 3 ft tall, 3 ft wide | 5–9 | Full Sun |
CeanothusCeanothus spp.
|
5 ft1.5 m | 4 ft | 6 ft tall, 6 ft wide | 7–10 | Full Sun |
Chinese PrivetLigustrum sinense
|
8 ft2.4 m | 6.5 ft | 12 ft tall, 10 ft wide | 7–9 | Full Sun |
ChokeberryAronia melanocarpa
|
4 ft1.2 m | 3.5 ft | 5 ft tall, 5 ft wide | 3–8 | Full Sun |
CleyeraTernstroemia gymnanthera
|
8 ft2.4 m | 5.5 ft | 10 ft tall, 8 ft wide | 7–10 | Partial Shade |
Common LilacSyringa vulgaris
|
10 ft3 m | 6.5 ft | 12 ft tall, 10 ft wide | 3–7 | Full Sun |
Contorted FilbertCorylus avellana
|
8 ft2.4 m | 5.5 ft | 10 ft tall, 8 ft wide | 4–8 | Partial Sun |
Coontie PalmZamia integrifolia
|
3.5 ft1.1 m | 2.5 ft | 3 ft tall, 4 ft wide | 8–11 | Partial Sun |
Cranberry CotoneasterCotoneaster apiculatus
|
5 ft1.5 m | 4 ft | 3 ft tall, 6 ft wide | 4–7 | Full Sun |
CrotonCodiaeum variegatum
|
3.5 ft1.1 m | 2.5 ft | 6 ft tall, 4 ft wide | 10–11 | Partial Sun |
DeutziaDeutzia gracilis
|
3.5 ft1.1 m | 2.5 ft | 3 ft tall, 4 ft wide | 5–8 | Full Sun |
DiervillaDiervilla spp.
|
3 ft90 cm | 2.5 ft | 3 ft tall, 4 ft wide | 3–8 | Partial Sun |
DistyliumDistylium spp.
|
5 ft1.5 m | 4 ft | 6 ft tall, 6 ft wide | 6–9 | Full Sun |
Dwarf Burford HollyIlex cornuta
|
6 ft1.8 m | 5.5 ft | 8 ft tall, 8 ft wide | 7–9 | Full Sun |
Dwarf FothergillaFothergilla gardenii
|
3 ft90 cm | 2 ft | 3 ft tall, 3 ft wide | 5–9 | Full Sun |
English YewTaxus baccata
|
15 ft4.6 m | 13 ft | 40 ft tall, 20 ft wide | 6–7 | Partial Shade |
FatsiaFatsia japonica
|
5 ft1.5 m | 4 ft | 6 ft tall, 6 ft wide | 8–10 | Partial Shade |
FirebushHamelia patens
|
4 ft1.2 m | 3.5 ft | 8 ft tall, 5 ft wide | 9–11 | Full Sun |
FirethornPyracantha coccinea
|
6 ft1.8 m | 5.5 ft | 10 ft tall, 8 ft wide | 6–9 | Full Sun |
Flowering QuinceChaenomeles speciosa
|
6 ft1.8 m | 5.5 ft | 8 ft tall, 8 ft wide | 5–9 | Full Sun |
ForsythiaForsythia x intermedia
|
8 ft2.4 m | 6.5 ft | 8 ft tall, 10 ft wide | 5–8 | Full Sun |
GardeniaGardenia jasminoides
|
4 ft1.2 m | 2.5 ft | 5 ft tall, 4 ft wide | 7–10 | Partial Sun |
Golden DewdropDuranta erecta
|
5 ft1.5 m | 4 ft | 8 ft tall, 6 ft wide | 8–11 | Full Sun |
Goldmound SpireaSpiraea x bimelda
|
3 ft90 cm | 2.5 ft | 3 ft tall, 4 ft wide | 4–8 | Full Sun |
HeatherCalluna vulgaris
|
18 inches45 cm | 15 inches | 1.5 ft tall, 2 ft wide | 4–7 | Full Sun |
Heavenly Bamboo (Dwarf)Nandina domestica 'Harbour Dwarf'
|
2 ft60 cm | 21 inches | 2 ft tall, 2.5 ft wide | 6–9 | Partial Sun |
Hibiscus (Tropical)Hibiscus rosa-sinensis
|
5 ft1.5 m | 4 ft | 8 ft tall, 6 ft wide | 9–11 | Full Sun |
Indian HawthornRhaphiolepis indica
|
4 ft1.2 m | 3.5 ft | 4 ft tall, 5 ft wide | 8–11 | Full Sun |
IxoraIxora coccinea
|
3 ft90 cm | 2.5 ft | 5 ft tall, 4 ft wide | 10–11 | Full Sun |
Japanese BarberryBerberis thunbergii
|
4 ft1.2 m | 3.5 ft | 5 ft tall, 5 ft wide | 4–8 | Full Sun |
Japanese SpireaSpiraea japonica
|
4 ft1.2 m | 3.5 ft | 4 ft tall, 5 ft wide | 3–8 | Full Sun |
Kerria (Japanese Rose)Kerria japonica
|
5 ft1.5 m | 4 ft | 6 ft tall, 6 ft wide | 4–9 | Partial Shade |
Knock Out RoseRosa 'Radrazz'
|
4 ft1.2 m | 2.5 ft | 4 ft tall, 4 ft wide | 5–9 | Full Sun |
Leatherleaf ViburnumViburnum rhytidophyllum
|
10 ft3 m | 8 ft | 12 ft tall, 12 ft wide | 5–8 | Partial Sun |
Loropetalum (Chinese Fringe Flower)Loropetalum chinense
|
6 ft1.8 m | 5.5 ft | 8 ft tall, 8 ft wide | 7–9 | Partial Sun |
ManzanitaArctostaphylos spp.
|
5 ft1.5 m | 4 ft | 6 ft tall, 6 ft wide | 7–10 | Full Sun |
Mexican OrangeChoisya ternata
|
5 ft1.5 m | 4 ft | 6 ft tall, 6 ft wide | 7–10 | Partial Sun |
Mock OrangePhiladelphus coronarius
|
8 ft2.4 m | 5.5 ft | 10 ft tall, 8 ft wide | 4–8 | Full Sun |
NinebarkPhysocarpus opulifolius
|
6 ft1.8 m | 5.5 ft | 8 ft tall, 8 ft wide | 2–8 | Full Sun |
Oakleaf HydrangeaHydrangea quercifolia
|
6 ft1.8 m | 5.5 ft | 8 ft tall, 8 ft wide | 5–9 | Partial Shade |
OleanderNerium oleander
|
8 ft2.4 m | 6.5 ft | 12 ft tall, 10 ft wide | 8–11 | Full Sun |
Oregon Grape HollyMahonia aquifolium
|
4 ft1.2 m | 2.5 ft | 5 ft tall, 4 ft wide | 5–9 | Partial Shade |
Panicle HydrangeaHydrangea paniculata
|
8 ft2.4 m | 5.5 ft | 10 ft tall, 8 ft wide | 3–8 | Full Sun |
PittosporumPittosporum tobira
|
8 ft2.4 m | 6.5 ft | 10 ft tall, 10 ft wide | 8–11 | Full Sun |
PJM RhododendronRhododendron 'P.J.M.'
|
4.5 ft1.4 m | 3.5 ft | 5 ft tall, 5 ft wide | 4–8 | Partial Sun |
PlumbagoPlumbago auriculata
|
3 ft90 cm | 5.5 ft | 6 ft tall, 8 ft wide | 8–11 | Full Sun |
Potentilla (Bush Cinquefoil)Dasiphora fruticosa
|
3 ft90 cm | 2 ft | 3 ft tall, 3 ft wide | 2–7 | Full Sun |
Red Twig DogwoodCornus sericea
|
6 ft1.8 m | 5.5 ft | 8 ft tall, 8 ft wide | 3–8 | Full Sun |
Redvein EnkianthusEnkianthus campanulatus
|
5 ft1.5 m | 4 ft | 10 ft tall, 6 ft wide | 4–7 | Partial Shade |
Rose of SharonHibiscus syriacus
|
6 ft1.8 m | 4 ft | 10 ft tall, 6 ft wide | 5–9 | Full Sun |
Sasanqua CamelliaCamellia sasanqua
|
6 ft1.8 m | 4.5 ft | 10 ft tall, 7 ft wide | 7–9 | Partial Shade |
Siberian CypressMicrobiota decussata
|
4 ft1.2 m | 4 ft | 1 ft tall, 6 ft wide | 3–7 | Partial Sun |
Siberian PeashrubCaragana arborescens
|
10 ft3 m | 8 ft | 15 ft tall, 12 ft wide | 2–7 | Full Sun |
SkimmiaSkimmia japonica
|
3 ft90 cm | 2.5 ft | 3.5 ft tall, 4 ft wide | 6–8 | Partial Shade |
Sky Pencil HollyIlex crenata 'Sky Pencil'
|
2 ft60 cm | 15 inches | 8 ft tall, 2 ft wide | 6–9 | Full Sun |
Snowball BushViburnum opulus
|
8 ft2.4 m | 6.5 ft | 10 ft tall, 10 ft wide | 3–8 | Full Sun |
SnowberrySymphoricarpos albus
|
4 ft1.2 m | 3.5 ft | 4 ft tall, 5 ft wide | 3–7 | Partial Sun |
St. John's Wort (Shrub)Hypericum prolificum
|
3 ft90 cm | 2 ft | 3 ft tall, 3 ft wide | 4–8 | Full Sun |
Summersweet (Clethra)Clethra alnifolia
|
4.5 ft1.4 m | 3.5 ft | 6 ft tall, 5 ft wide | 3–9 | Partial Sun |
Sweet BoxSarcococca ruscifolia
|
2.5 ft75 cm | 2 ft | 3.5 ft tall, 3 ft wide | 6–9 | Full Shade |
Sweetshrub (Carolina Allspice)Calycanthus floridus
|
8 ft2.4 m | 5.5 ft | 8 ft tall, 8 ft wide | 4–9 | Partial Shade |
SweetspireItea virginica
|
4 ft1.2 m | 3.5 ft | 4 ft tall, 5 ft wide | 5–9 | Partial Sun |
Tea OliveOsmanthus spp.
|
10 ft3 m | 5.5 ft | 12 ft tall, 8 ft wide | 7–10 | Partial Sun |
Texas SageLeucophyllum frutescens
|
5 ft1.5 m | 4 ft | 6 ft tall, 6 ft wide | 8–11 | Full Sun |
Thorny ElaeagnusElaeagnus pungens
|
8 ft2.4 m | 8 ft | 12 ft tall, 12 ft wide | 6–10 | Full Sun |
Viburnum (Doublefile)Viburnum plicatum f. tomentosum
|
10 ft3 m | 8 ft | 10 ft tall, 12 ft wide | 5–8 | Full Sun |
WeigelaWeigela florida
|
5 ft1.5 m | 4 ft | 6 ft tall, 6 ft wide | 4–8 | Full Sun |
Winter DaphneDaphne odora
|
3 ft90 cm | 2.5 ft | 4 ft tall, 4 ft wide | 7–9 | Partial Shade |
Winter Gem BoxwoodBuxus microphylla var. japonica
|
3.5 ft1.1 m | 2.5 ft | 4 ft tall, 4 ft wide | 5–9 | Full Sun |
Winter HazelCorylopsis spicata
|
6 ft1.8 m | 5.5 ft | 6 ft tall, 8 ft wide | 5–8 | Partial Shade |
Winter JasmineJasminum nudiflorum
|
4 ft1.2 m | 4 ft | 4 ft tall, 6 ft wide | 6–10 | Full Sun |
Winterberry HollyIlex verticillata
|
8 ft2.4 m | 5.5 ft | 10 ft tall, 8 ft wide | 3–9 | Full Sun |
WintercreeperEuonymus fortunei
|
3 ft90 cm | 2.5 ft | 1 ft tall, 4 ft wide | 5–9 | Partial Sun |
Witch HazelHamamelis virginiana
|
12 ft3.7 m | 10 ft | 15 ft tall, 15 ft wide | 3–8 | Partial Sun |
Spacing is center to center — measure between planting holes, not between the edges of the plants. The hedge column is derived from each plant's mature spread at the two-thirds rule described below, as a planning figure for continuous lines; the main spacing column is the distance for plants grown as individuals. Mature size and hardiness ranges are catalog values and shift with cultivar and local conditions.
How to use this chart
For a denser screen faster, use a staggered double row rather than one tight single row: two rows at the hedge spacing, offset by half that distance, set about the same distance apart. It closes gaps at ground level that a single row leaves for years, and it does it without starving the plants the way over-tight single-row planting does.
Shrubs are the plants most often set too close to a wall. Measure from the mature spread, not the pot: a shrub that finishes 6 ft wide needs its centre a bit over 3 ft from the house, or you spend the next decade pruning one flat side and losing the plant's shape.