When you’re getting ready to put your privet in the ground, getting the spacing right is key. You’ll want to make sure there’s enough breathing room between individual plants and any neighboring shrubs. This is especially true if you’re dreaming of a lush, private hedge—the right distance is the secret sauce for getting those plants to knit together into a solid green wall.
Spacing Depends on Your Garden Goals
The “perfect” distance really depends on how you’re using the plant in your landscape. Generally, we look at two main scenarios:
- Growing privet as a standalone “specimen” shrub.
- Planting a privet hedge made up of several plants.
Spacing for Standalone Specimen Plants
If you want your privet to stand out as a solo star in your garden, give it some elbow room—at least three feet (about one meter) from other shrubs. Keep in mind that when privet is in the right spot, it grows fast and wide. If you plant smaller, slower-growing shrubs too close, the privet will quickly overshadow them, leaving your other plants struggling in the dark.
The good news? Privet is a shallow-rooted plant, so you don’t really have to worry about it strangling the roots of its neighbors. Just be sure not to tuck it under the canopy of large trees or dense bushes that might steal the sunlight it craves.
Safe for Walls and Walkways
One of the best things about privet is that its roots aren’t aggressive. You can plant them near sidewalks or garden walls without worrying about the roots cracking the masonry or lifting up stones. This makes them a fantastic choice for lining a driveway or a street.
Getting the Hedge Spacing Just Right
When you’re building a hedge, spacing is a bit of a balancing act. You want the plants close enough so they grow together to create a privacy screen, but not so cramped that they fight for nutrients or block each other’s sun.
For a standard privet hedge, a good rule of thumb is to space them about 20 inches (50 centimeters) apart. Depending on the specific variety you chose and how thick you want the screen to be, you can nudge that number a bit. And hey, if things look too sparse or too crowded later on, you can always transplant a few or tuck in an extra plant to fill the gaps!
