Plant Spacing

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Plant spacing is as important to an attractive outdoor setting as choosing the right plant for that setting. Here is one example of how a great looking area in your yard can disappear over time because of poor plant spacing.

These evergreens and ornamentals were installed too close together

A grouping of evergreen trees makes a great backdrop for flowering ornamental trees. The lighter color of the blossoms are highlighted by the darker evergreens. Using a combination of different plants creates a layering effect which creates visual interest, depth, and textures – it’s the same idea you use when decorating one of the rooms in the house.

But many times this attractive combination is short-lived. Why?

Because using a mix of plants in the same setting requires a lot of space so that they don't become a tangled mess as they grow. Quite often, initial consideration is not given as to how big the plants can grow. This leads to installing the plants without careful spacing. There is no way around it - this particular plant combination will need a lot of space.

When the evergreen and ornamental trees are newly planted, very often they are young plants and fairly small. Younger plants are less expensive. And for many people a smaller price tag looks pretty good!

So they are willing to sacrifice having that immediate effect that larger plants can provide, to save money (we’re with you there!). They realize that in a few years the young plant will grow and create that look they want. This is where having that virtue of patience comes in handy!

So where is the problem?

Wanting to improve your outdoors and create beautiful and enjoyable spaces is a smart thing to do. A well done project can increase property value. A common mistake, though, that some homeowners make is that when installing new plants they seem to forget that these smaller, young plants will grow...a lot. They install these young shrubs and trees too close together, trying to get that immediate effect. Or in areas that are too small. Then in a few years, all the different types of plants grow together and take on an untidy appearance. And that beautiful setting that only a few years ago looked picture perfect, is gone (short-lived!). It’s not like selecting and arranging furniture for the living room – after many years the furniture will still be the same size!

There is an exception to this: A highly desireable effect is to group together the same plant of the exact same type and form, such as grouping together five eastern redbud trees, or creating a hedge with a row of boxwood. In these scenarios, the plants eventually grow to become a ‘single’ massing, or grouping. But even with proper spacing, it will take time for this effect to be achieved.

Evergreen (center) is actually growing inside the canopy of shade tree

To preserve any beautiful setting, remember to give the plants lots of room to grow. For instance, don't buy a small evergreen tree and use it as a shrub. Evergreen trees can reach heights and widths that are extremely large.

Think ahead when deciding where to locate each plant. In the beginning, if properly spaced, the area may look a bit sparse, but eventually it won’t. Until then, you can fill in voids with perennials, annuals, and garden statuary.

Tight on Space?

If you are tight on space, you could try substituting flowering shrubs for the ornamental tree. There are smaller varieties of some shrubs that may work for your situation, such as the lilac (i.e. ‘Bloomerang’ or ‘Josee’ Reblooming, or Miss Kim), hydrangea (i.e. 'Invincibelle Spirit' Hydrangea), forsythia (Gold Cluster Forsythia), azalea (i.e. Rhododendron ‘Golden Lights’- azalea is of the rhododendron family), and rhododendron (i.e. Rhododendron 'Roseum Elegans'). These examples grow in the 4-6 foot range, and that may work for you. Online nurseries have many more to choose from, as do your local nurseries. Make sure that the plants you buy online will thrive and survive in your area. Do yourself a favor by researching any plant that you are thinking about using. See what its mature height and width (spread) will be and what conditions it likes to grow in.