How Far Apart Should You Plant Hydrangeas?

Hydrangeas are popular shrubs amongst home gardeners and landscapers alike for their signature large summer flowers that bloom atop dense woody stems. If you've considered adding multiple hydrangeas to your landscape, then you may have asked yourself: How far apart should I plant hydrangeas? The spacing of hydrangea plantings depends on the mature width of the hydrangea type and the desired outcome, and by remembering a few tips, it is incredibly easy to plan your hydrangea planting projects. Here we discuss how to space hydrangea shrubs for privacy hedges or flower beds.

It's important to consider the desired look and landscape goals before considering the spacing of hydrangea plants. Is the goal to create a tight privacy fence along a border? Or is the goal to add a bit of flower power with a few hydrangeas in a garden bed? Knowing the desired outcome can help determine the spacing of plants in your garden. 

Knowing the mature width of your hydrangea shrub is crucial to determining the necessary spacing for it to grow. A good rule of thumb for the distance between hydrangeas is the listed maximum width at maturity. This creates a lush hedge with some overlap and is the minimum proximity between shrubs. For a more spacious hedge, plant hydrangeas farther than their maximum width at maturity. For a hedge that fills in sooner and has more overlap, consider planting just slightly below the maximum mature width. See the infographic below as an example of plant spacing for Incrediball® Smooth hydrangea privacy hedge.