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english box hedge spacing

Choosing the right english box hedge spacing is essential for creating beautiful, dense, and healthy formal hedges that thrive in New Zealand gardens. Whether you're planning a classic border, knot garden, or elegant pathway edging, getting the spacing right when planting English box (Buxus sempervirens) ensures your hedge fills out evenly, looks lush, and remains easy to maintain. This guide covers everything you need to know about english box hedge spacing, including tips for different varieties and planting goals.

Buxus sempervirens perfectly manicured balls.

Buxus sempervirens (Boxwood)

5 from 4 customers

Buxus sempervirens, commonly known as English Box or Box Hedge, is a classic evergreen shrub popular in New Zealand for formal hedging and topiary. It features small, glossy green leaves and a dense, slow-growing habit, typically reaching 1–2 metres in height. Ideal for clipped borders, knot gardens, and low-maintenance structure, it thrives in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. With regular trimming, Buxus sempervirens provides a timeless, elegant framework for both traditional and modern garden designs.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Shrubs
Height: 1.00 m
Spread: 1.00 m
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Hedging, Paths & Steps, Topiary
Garden styles: Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Cottage, Formal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Rock
Buxus 'Silver Beauty' plant with dark green and yellow variegated foliage.

Buxus sempervirens 'Silver Beauty' (Silver Boxwood)

5 from 1 customers

Buxus sempervirens 'Silver Beauty', commonly known as Box Hedge, features small leaves that are dark green with irregular, cream-silver margins, and held densely on short stems. Left untrimmed it will eventually grow to 1 m tall and 1.2 m wide. Buxus sempervirens 'Silver Beauty' is commonly trimmed into a small hedge, used for topiary, or maintained in a container. Space plants 20 cm apart for a box hedge.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Shrubs
Height: 1.00 m
Spread: 1.20 m
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Hedging, Living areas, Parks, Paths & Steps, Patios, Pool areas, Specimen, Topiary
Garden styles: Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Formal, Frontyard, Modern, Rock
Japanese Box (Buxus microphylla) plants with lush green foliage.

Buxus microphylla (Littleleaf Boxwood)

Buxus microphylla, commonly known as Japanese Box or Littleleaf Boxwood, is a compact evergreen shrub renowned for its dense, glossy green foliage...

From$20.18
Buxus sempervirens variegata (Variegated Box) shrub with lush and colourful foliage.

Buxus sempervirens 'variegata'

Buxus sempervirens 'variegata' features small, mid-green leaves with cream-white edges on new growth, which age to become a darker green. It grows to...

From$20.18
Buxus harlandii 'Richard' green foliage.

Buxus harlandii 'Richard'

Buxus harlandii 'Richard', commonly known as Little Boxwood, is a spectacular variety that grows to about 1 m tall and the same wide. It has...

From$20.18
Buxus microphylla 'Koreana' (Korean Box) plant with lush, green foliage.

Buxus koreana (Korean Boxwood)

Buxus koreana, commonly known as Korean Box, is a cold-hardy, evergreen shrub ideal for low hedging and formal borders in New Zealand gardens. It...

From$20.18
westringia-aussie-box-

Westringia Aussie Box

Westringia Aussie Box is a variety of the commonly known, Coastal Rosemary, and is a popular fast-growing, bushy shrub. It has fine and narrow, dark...

From$20.18

Buxus microphylla 'Independence'

Buxus microphylla 'Independence' is a superb compact box hedge variety loved for its fine foliage and dense, tidy growth. This hardy evergreen shrub...

From$20.18
Westringia 'Grey Box' shrubs in garden with fine, grey-green foliage.

Westringia Grey Box

Westringia 'Grey Box' is a variety of the commonly known Coastal Rosemary, and is a popular, fast-growing shrub. It features delicate, narrow, grey...

From$20.18
Lonicera nitida hedge.

Lonicera nitida

Lonicera nitida (Box Honeysuckle) is a dense, compact shrub valued for its small glossy leaves and excellent clipping response. Often used as a low...

From$24.23
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Pittosporum 'Irish Luck' (Black Matipo)

Pittosporum 'Irish Luck' is a hardy evergreen shrub known for its dense, bright green foliage and tidy growth habit. This versatile plant is well...

From$21.53
Quercus robur 'Fastigiata' specimen trees.

Quercus robur Fastigiata

Quercus robur 'Fastigiata', commonly known as the English Columnar Oak or Cypress Oak, is a deciduous tree with lovely foliage and great form. This...

From$299.92
Pittosporum 'Wrinkled Blue' speciment tree.

Pittosporum 'Wrinkled Blue'

Pittosporum ‘Wrinkled Blue’ is an attractive, upright evergreen tree known for its distinctive blue-grey foliage and dense, columnar growth habit...

From$21.53
A Buxus microphylla 'Freedom' plant with lush, green foliage.

Buxus microphylla 'Freedom'

Buxus microphylla 'Freedom' is a fast-growing, evergreen box hedge variety popular in NZ gardens. It forms dense, bright green foliage that responds...

From$20.18
Choisya ternata with lush foliage and white flowers.

Choisya ternata (Mexican Mock Orange)

Choisya ternata, commonly known as Mexican Orange Blossom, is a lush, evergreen shrub prized for its glossy green foliage and clusters of fragrant...

From$24.23
leptospermum-red-damask--1

Leptospermum 'Red Damask'

Leptospermum 'Red Damask' is a striking evergreen shrub admired for its masses of rich red flowers and fine dense foliage. Flowering through spring...

From$26.93
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Podocarpus gracilior (African Fern Pine)

Podocarpus gracilior, commonly known as the African Fern Pine, Fern Podocarpus, carries soft, weeping, deep green foliage held on rigid branches. It...

From$299.92
A Quercus robur (English Oak) specimen tree.

Quercus robur

Quercus robur, commonly known as the English Oak tree or Pedunculate Oak, is a large and stately, deciduous tree. This Oak tree typically grows to 25...

From$299.92
camellia-slimline-avalanche-

Camellia Slimline Avalanche

Camellia 'Slimline Avalanche' is an elegant evergreen shrub known for its pure white blooms and narrow upright growth. It delivers bright winter to...

From$33.68
callistemon-better-john-

Callistemon 'Better John'

Callistemon 'Better John' is a hardy evergreen shrub valued for its dense green foliage and vibrant red bottlebrush flowers that appear from spring...

From$36.38
Lonicera 'Honey Hedge Lemon' yellow and green foliage.

Lonicera 'Honey Hedge Lemon'

Lonicera 'Honey Hedge Lemon' is an evergreen shrub often used instead of Buxus for hedges. It carries dense, upright branches that host small and...

From$24.23
Lonicera 'Honey Hedge Lime' plants with lush, green foliage.

Lonicera 'Honey Hedge Lime'

Lonicera 'Honey Hedge Lime' is a bright and eye catching honeysuckle valued for its vivid lime foliage and compact, tidy habit. This hardy shrub...

From$22.88
camellia-williamsii-donation-

Camellia 'Donation'

Camellia 'Donation' is a superb evergreen shrub admired for its large soft pink blooms with golden centres that appear from late winter into spring...

From$33.68
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Teucrium fruticans (Bush Germander)

Teucrium fruticans (Bush Germander) is a hardy evergreen shrub admired for its attractive silvery foliage and soft blue flowers that appear through...

From$24.23
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Camellia 'Debbie'

Camellia 'Debbie' is a stunning evergreen shrub admired for its large, peony style blooms in rich rose pink tones. Flowering from late winter into...

From$37.73
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Michelia Coco

Michelia 'Coco' is a beautiful evergreen shrub admired for its glossy green foliage and fragrant creamy flowers that appear through spring and...

From$33.68
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Camellia 'Ballet Dancer'

Camellia 'Ballet Dancer' is a refined evergreen shrub admired for its elegant soft pink blooms and glossy dark green foliage. Flowering from late...

From$299.92
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Camellia 'Curly Lady'

Camellia 'Curly Lady' is a unique evergreen shrub admired for its beautifully shaped pink blooms with distinctive twisted petals. Flowering from late...

From$33.68
viburnum-dense-fence-4

Viburnum Dense Fence

Viburnum Dense Fence is an evergreen shrub that features glossy foliage that emerges red and ages to become dark green. Left untrimmed it will grow...

From$26.93
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Viburnum Hedge Master

Viburnum Hedge Master is an evergreen shrub grown for its lush and colourful foliage. The glossy foliage emerges red and ages to become dark green...

From$26.93
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Camellia 'Black Lace'

Camellia 'Black Lace' is a dramatic evergreen shrub admired for its deep velvety red blooms set against glossy dark green foliage. Flowering from...

From$37.73
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Helleborus English Thoroughbred Series (Winter Rose)

Helleborus 'English Thoroughbred' is a graceful winter-flowering perennial that features soft pink blooms with subtle green undertones. This variety...

From$24.23
Buxus sempervirens (Boxwood)

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Buxus, Callistemon, Camellia, Choisya, Helleborus, Leptospermum, Lonicera, Michelia, Pittosporum, Podocarpus, Quercus, Teucrium Viburnum and Westringia, or related Categories - Perennials, Evergreen Shrubs Deciduous Trees and Evergreen Trees.

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Why English Box Hedge Spacing Matters

Proper english box hedge spacing directly impacts the growth, appearance, and long-term health of your hedge. Too close, and plants may compete for nutrients, light, and water, causing leggy growth or root issues. Too far apart, and your hedge may look gappy for years, requiring more time and trimming to fill in. The right spacing balances fast establishment with optimal bushiness, ensuring your hedge matures attractively and remains manageable.

Ideal English Box Hedge Spacing for Formal Hedges

For a dense, formal hedge using Buxus sempervirens (Boxwood), the classic recommendation is to plant 4 to 5 plants per metre, spacing them 20–30 centimetres apart. This close spacing helps young shrubs knit together quickly, creating a solid, green wall that responds well to regular trimming.

Quick Reference Guide

If you prefer a slightly looser look, or are using a larger variety, you can space up to 40cm apart. For more open planting where hedges are not required to be solid, you may increase the spacing, but for classic formal effect, closer planting remains best.

Spacing Tips for Different Buxus Varieties

Other popular options for New Zealand gardens include Buxus microphylla 'Japonica' (Japanese Box) and Buxus microphylla (Littleleaf Boxwood). These varieties often have a slightly faster growth rate and a slightly different eventual size. When planting these, keep your english box hedge spacing around 25–35cm for a formal hedge, adjusting slightly wider for informal plantings.

For something more striking, consider Buxus sempervirens 'Silver Beauty' (Silver Boxwood) or Buxus sempervirens 'variegata', which are ideal for creating colourful, textured borders. Their hedge spacing follows the same general rules: 25–30cm for traditional hedges.

Expert Planting Tips

With the right english box hedge spacing, you’ll enjoy a lush, healthy hedge sooner. Explore our range of hedging plants, from Buxus sempervirens (Boxwood) to Buxus microphylla (Littleleaf Boxwood), and find the perfect variety for your next project.


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Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.

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