Lavender Hedge Spacing (The Definitive Guide)

To calculate the spacing for a lavender hedge you simply have to find out the size of your lavender variety at maturity and then plant each lavender at slightly less than half the width of the spread of the lavender at full size.

So for example, if you are planting a hedge with lavender Hidcote (a great choice) which grows up to 2 feet wide at full size (in the right conditions) then you will need to plant each lavender between 18 inches and 2 feet apart to form a hedge without any gaps.

Planting lavenders too close together will be to the detriment of each plant in terms of flowering and aroma as each plant requires the appropriate amount of space for their root systems to establish and to be in full sun.

Also, lavenders that are too close together are at risk of disease as each plant prefers breezy conditions and airflow through the foliage rather than consistent still air or humid climates.

• For a 6 ft (182 cm) hedge requires 3-4 larger lavender plants such as ‘Vera’ or ‘Grosso’.
• For a 6 ft (182 cm) hedge requires 4-5 medium lavender plants such as ‘Munstead’ and ‘Royal Splendour’.
• For a 6 ft (182 cm) hedge requires 5-6 small lavender plants such as ‘Hidcote Superior’

It is worth emphasizing that these guides to spacing assume the lavenders are in full sun and are cared for properly so that they reach their proper size.

Spacing Lavender Hedges

Lavender cultivars can come in a variety of sizes with English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) ‘Vera’ potentially reaching a colossal width of 36 inches at maturity and dwarf varieties such as Lavandula angustifolia ‘Hidcote Superior’ reaching a width of around 16-20 inches during the summer.

The temptation is often to space the lavenders (particularly the smaller varieties) too close together when initially setting out your plans for planting as they may look too small to form a hedge when bought from the store or nursery.

However, like so many other projects in the garden, there needs to be a bit of patience and deferred gratification as spacing the lavenders appropriate to their size will ensure that the hedge will form a consistent display without any gaps after around two years.

Do also bear in mind that lavenders only reach their full size if they are cared for and maintained correctly.

Lavenders without enough sun or lavenders in unsuitable soil may not grow sufficiently to form a continuous hedge due to stunted growth. Read my guide for all the best practices, in terms of soil mix and watering, etc. how to care for lavender ‘Hidcote‘.

My personal recommendations for lavender hedges are (Lavandula angustifolia) ‘Munstead‘ and (Lavandula angustifolia) ‘Hidcote’ for smaller decorative hedges and for larger hedges the cultivars (Lavandula x intermedia) ‘Grosso‘ and (Lavandula angustifolia) ‘Vera’ are all great options.

All these lavenders are cold-hardy, exude a sweet aroma, and are low maintenance.

However French or Spanish Lavenders can also make great hedges, but they do require mild Winters and they do not tolerate frost and freezing temperatures. Read my article to learn more about the best lavender plants for hedges.

Make sure before you buy or plant the lavenders, that you find out which variety your lavender plant is, and I would recommend either asking at a nursery/garden center or searching on Google for the size of the plant at full maturity so you can determine how far apart each lavender needs to be planted corresponding to its size when fully grown (after 2 years).

There are literally hundreds of lavender varieties cultivated and sold but I would recommend that you choose an English lavender species as they are cold hardy so they will not suffer frost damage which could be a very expensive mistake if you plant the more tender French and Spanish lavenders as a hedge in the wrong climate.

Top tip: Consider the size and function of the lavender hedge when planning your hedge. The larger varieties are great for forming windbreaks as they tolerate breezy conditions and can protect delicate plants, whereas smaller plants can form a very attractive border that looks spectacular when in flower.

Why Lavender hedges require up to 3 feet of Space

Planting lavenders two or three feet apart may seem excessive at first but there are several reasons why you should plant at this distance if you want your lavender hedge to thrive:

• Planting each lavender the appropriate distance apart according to its full size at maturity ensures that the lavender root system has enough space to establish properly in the soil. The lavenders not only require physical space but also access to nutrients and water without having to compete with another root system. 2 feet or more for larger lavender varieties ensures that each individual plant has access to all the water and nutrients it requires to keep each plant healthy.
• Lavenders originate from the coastal Mediterranean region of Europe where they enjoy a consistent sea breeze. It is for this reason that lavender hedges make fantastic windbreaks to protect smaller more delicate plants such as those in a vegetable garden. Airflow in the foliage of the plant also helps to reduce the risk of fungal diseases. Lavenders do not grow well in humid climates or in areas that are without airflow or breezes, which is why planting at the appropriate distance is important. At the right distance, the lavender will still form a continuous hedge but it will not be packed too close together to risk reducing airflow and increasing the chance of fungal disease.
• Lavenders of all varieties prefer full sun. The more sun a lavender receives the greater the display of flowers and the stronger the aroma from the foliage. By spacing the larger lavenders 2-3 feet away from each other ensures that each individual lavender plant has access to all the sunlight it requires without plants shading one another.
• Planting lavenders the appropriate distance apart will ensure that the plants will form a continuous hedge after 2 years without any obvious gaps. Any further apart, the lavender hedge may look sparse.