Plant Calculator UK β How Many Plants Do I Need?
How Many Plants Do I Need?
Calculate the number of plants needed for a hedge, garden border or planting area.
Choose spacing appropriate to the plant variety and its mature size.
For a 10 m hedge with 50 cm spacing in a single row.
How is the quantity calculated?
Hedging: hedge length Γ· distance between plants Γ number of rows, rounded up to a whole plant. Borders and beds: area Γ· (spacing Γ spacing), rounded up; triangular spacing uses an additional factor of approximately 1.155.
For best results, check the recommended planting distance for the specific plant. Larger shrubs and mature hedges may require more space. Minimum order quantities may apply to certain products.
Planning a new hedge, garden border or planting project? Use the free Meredith Nurseries Plant Calculator to estimate how many plants you need based on your planting distance, garden area and preferred plant spacing.
Whether you’re planting Leylandii hedging conifers, Cherry Laurel, evergreen shrubs or colourful border plants, our calculator makes planning your garden easier.
πΏ How to Use Our Plant Calculator
- Select whether you’re planting a hedge or garden border.
- Enter your hedge length in metres or your planting area in square metres.
- Choose your preferred spacing between plants.
- View the estimated number of plants required.
- Browse our range of quality garden plants and hedging.
π² Hedging Plant Calculator
Creating a new hedge? Correct spacing is important for encouraging healthy growth and developing an attractive, dense screen.
Our hedging calculator helps you estimate the quantity of plants needed for a single or double row of hedging.
Popular hedging options include:
- π² Leylandii Conifers β Fast-growing evergreen hedging for privacy and screening.
- πΏ Cherry Laurel β Dense evergreen hedging with attractive glossy foliage.
- π± Portuguese Laurel β Elegant evergreen hedging suitable for many garden settings.
- π³ Yew Hedging β Traditional evergreen hedging that responds well to regular trimming.
πΈ Garden Border Plant Calculator
Our garden border calculator helps you estimate the number of shrubs, dwarf conifers and flowering plants needed to fill your planting area.
Enter the area in square metres and select the distance between plants to estimate how many you need.
For the best results, consider each plant’s mature height and spread before choosing your spacing.
π How Many Plants Per Metre?
The number of plants required depends on the variety, initial plant size and desired hedge density.
As a simple guide:
| Plant spacing | Approx. plants per metre |
|---|---|
| 30cm | 3β4 |
| 50cm | 2 |
| 75cm | 1β2 |
| 100cm | 1 |
These are general estimates rather than recommendations for every plant variety.
πͺ΄ Buy Quality Plants Online from Meredith Nurseries
At Meredith Nurseries, we supply a wide selection of hedging plants, evergreen conifers, shrubs and flowering plants in different pot sizes.
Once you’ve calculated the number of plants required, browse our online range and choose suitable plants for your garden.
Visit www.meredithnurseries.co.uk to explore our range.
β Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate how many hedging plants I need?
Measure the length of your hedge in metres and divide it by your chosen spacing in metres. For example, a 10-metre hedge planted at 50cm intervals requires approximately 20 plants.
How many plants do I need per square metre?
This depends on the spacing. At 50cm spacing in a square grid, you would typically need approximately four plants per square metre.
Can I use the calculator for shrubs and dwarf conifers?
Yes. The calculator can estimate quantities for many types of shrubs, conifers and border plants. Always check the mature spread of your chosen variety.
Should I plant hedging in a single or double row?
Single-row planting is suitable for many hedges. A staggered double row can create a thicker hedge, although it requires more plants and sufficient growing space.