Categories: Blog

Correct Spacing for Landscape Trees and Shrubs

Planting landscape trees and shrubs close together is a big temptation that leads to overgrown and unhealthy plants, and untidy and chaotic appearing landscapes. In many localities, the prevailing landscaping philosophy is that of planting in ten year cycles. Crowd small plants together in newly established foundation plantings and borders and then in ten years time do away with existing material and replant.

One reason for this philosophy is that it is less expensive to buy small plants in containers instead of ball and burlapped semi-or fully mature trees and shrubs. In addition, crowding avoids gaps in beds and borders, and results in instant gratification. (Photo #1)

To avoid this ten-year cycle, space is required for young trees and shrubs to grow and reach their optimum sizes. Roots of healthy mature trees and shrubs can extend 1.5 to 4 times the width of their tops.

Even though vigorous top pruning may keep plants in scale with buildings and landscape designs, woody plants may not remain healthy because roots lack space to keep on growing. (Photos #2 & 3) Moving badly placed and well-established woody plants may not always be successful. Removal also destroys landscape schemes.

Ways to Avoid Crowding Landscape Plants

  • Check out mature widths and heights of plants in landscape plant manuals and online sources.
  • Plant ball and burlapped semi- or fully mature trees and shrubs at correct distances, rather then smaller, less expensive plants. Though initially more costly, in the end, larger plants make the entire job easier.
  • Use perennials such as daylilies and iris, and annuals to fill in spaces until trees and shrubs begin to reach their growth potential.
  • Investigate new smaller cultivars of landscape trees and shrubs that fit modern landscape design spaces.

Examples of Planting Distances for 25 Landscape Trees and Shrubs

Less Than Three to Six Feet

  • Japanese/Box-leaved holly (Ilex crenata)
  • Dwarf Japanese barberry (Berberis thunbergii)
  • Flowering quince (Chaenomeles speciosa)
  • Mugo pine (Pinus mugo)
  • Slender deutzia (Deutzia gracilis)

Six to Eight Feet

  • Medium-size rhododendron (Rhododendron mucronulatum)
  • Pfitzer juniper (Juniperus chinensisPfitzerana‘)
  • Japanese andromeda (Pieris japonica)
  • Fountain/drooping leucothoe (Leucotho√´ fontanesiana)
  • Kerria/Japanese rose (Kerria japonica)
  • Rugosa rose (Rosa rugosa)

Ten to Twelve Feet

  • Japanese yew (Taxus cuspidate ‘Capitata’)
  • Mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia)
  • Hedge cotoneaster (Cotoneaster lucidus)

Fifteen to Twenty Feet

  • Rosebay rhododendron (Rhododendron maximum)
  • Japanese privet / Wax-leaf ligustrum (Ligustrum japonicum)
  • Panicle hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata)
  • Common/French lilac (Syringa vulgaris)
  • Japanese/Chinese dogwood (Cornus kousa)

Thirty Feet

  • Japanese maple (Acer palmatum)
  • Japanese flowering cherry/Oriental Cherry (Prunus serrulata)
  • Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida)

Almost or More Than Forty Feet Taller and Wider

  • Sugar maple (Acer saccharum)
  • Norway maple (Acer platanoides)
  • London plane tree (Platanus Xacerifolium)

More Information

  • Low-Maintenance Shrubs for Foundation Plantings: Dwarf Evergreen Shrubs Enhance Shady North-facing Front Landscapes
  • Landscape Maintenance Mistakes: Common Errors in Residential and Public Landscapes

Recent Posts

  • Blog

15 Best Garden Seeders

Most homeowners have probably spent hours looking at the different types of garden seeders. You may have even come across…

  • Blog

15 Best Garden Hose Foam Guns

When it comes to vehicle lovers, cleaning their cars on a regular basis is essential to maintaining the paint job's…

  • Blog
  • Reviews

15 Best Gas Chainsaws in 2021

Gas chainsaws are the perfect tool for a variety of outdoor tasks, including chopping up logs for firewood, clearing brush…

  • Blog
  • Reviews

15 Best Electric Pressure Washers in 2021

A home can be a daunting project, one that takes some time and energy to maintain. With hard work, determination,…

  • Blog
  • Featured

How to Grow Ginger

Today ginger is grown all over tropical and subtropical regions in Asia, in parts of Africa and South America, and…

  • Featured

How to Grow Onions

Onions are one of the most popular vegetables in the world, and growing onions is a snap in the home…

AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE

Howtogardenadvice.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.