Domakihub How to Plant a Hedge: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide
A living screen for privacy, shade and curb appeal — done right the first time.
Reviewed by Domakihub garden pros · 2026-06-23 · 5 min read
A well-planted hedge gives you privacy, wind protection and a green boundary that only looks better with age — a smart investment for homes, holiday rentals and hotel grounds across Greece. The video above from the RHS shows the planting in action, and this article walks you through the steps and the choices that matter. Get the spacing, soil and watering right at planting time and the hedge will largely look after itself.
Why a hedge beats a fence
A hedge does everything a fence does and more: it screens out neighbours and noise, filters dust and wind, and gives privacy to a pool or terrace. Unlike a fence, it never needs repainting, it shrugs off the storms that bring fences down, and it gets denser and more valuable every year rather than slowly rotting.
For rentals and hotels it also adds real atmosphere — a clipped green wall reads as cared-for and premium in listing photos, and supports birds and pollinators, which guests increasingly notice and appreciate.
Choosing the right plant for Greece
The Greek climate rewards drought-tolerant, sun-loving choices. Evergreens such as Mediterranean cypress, laurel (Prunus laurocerasus or the hardier Portuguese laurel), pittosporum, myrtle and oleander all make dense, heat-resistant hedges. For a sharper formal look, photinia and box (in cooler, less humid spots) work well.
Decide on the final height and how formal you want it before buying. Bare-root plants are cheap and best planted in the cool, wet months; pot-grown or root-balled plants can go in over a longer season but need more watering if planted into the heat.
Planting your hedge in five steps
- 1
Plan the line and spacing
Mark a straight line with string and two stakes so the hedge grows true. For most hedging plants, space them 45–60 cm apart in a single row; for a fast, dense screen you can stagger a double row about 40 cm apart. Order a few extra plants to fill gaps later.
- 2
Prepare the soil
Dig out a trench rather than individual holes — it lets roots spread and water move freely. Loosen the base, remove weeds and stones, and mix in plenty of compost or well-rotted manure. On the dry, stony soils common in Greece this organic matter is what holds moisture and feeds young roots.
- 3
Plant at the right depth
Set each plant so the top of its root ball sits level with the surrounding soil — never deeper. Tease out any circling roots on pot-grown plants, position it against your string line, then backfill and firm the soil gently with your heel to remove air pockets.
- 4
Water in thoroughly
Give every plant a deep soak immediately after planting, even if rain is forecast — this settles the soil around the roots. A drip line or soaker hose along the row is the easiest way to keep a long hedge evenly watered through the first two summers.
- 5
Mulch and care for the first year
Spread a 5–8 cm layer of bark, straw or compost along the row, keeping it clear of the stems, to lock in moisture and suppress weeds. Water deeply once or twice a week through the first hot season, and trim lightly to encourage bushy, even growth rather than letting plants race upward.
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FAQ
- What is the best time of year to plant a hedge in Greece?
- Autumn through early spring (roughly October to March) is ideal. Cooler temperatures and winter rain let the roots establish before the summer heat. Bare-root plants must go in during this window; pot-grown plants can be planted later but will need much more watering.
- How far apart should hedge plants be spaced?
- For most hedging, 45–60 cm apart in a single row gives a solid screen within a couple of seasons. For a faster, thicker barrier, plant a staggered double row about 40 cm apart. Closer spacing fills in sooner but uses more plants.
- How long until a new hedge gives real privacy?
- With good soil prep and regular watering, most evergreen hedges reach a useful screening height in two to three years and a mature, dense wall in four to five. Light, regular trimming from year one makes it bushier and faster, not slower.