Garden Scheme
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). Sort by any column heading.
| 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 | — | 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 | — | 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 | — | Partial Sun |
DistyliumDistylium spp.
|
5 ft1.5 m | 4 ft | 6 ft tall, 6 ft wide | — | Full Sun |
Dwarf Burford HollyIlex cornuta 'Dwarf Burford'
|
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 |
Gold Mound SpireaSpiraea 'Gold Mound'
|
3 ft90 cm | 2.5 ft | 3 ft tall, 4 ft wide | 4–8 | Full Sun |
Golden DewdropDuranta erecta
|
5 ft1.5 m | 4 ft | 8 ft tall, 6 ft wide | 8–11 | 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 | — | 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 | — | 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 'Winter Gem'
|
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 sizes are planning estimates and shift with cultivar and local conditions. Hardiness is shown only for non-annual, species-level entries.
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.