Thanks for the reply! We looked at 3 different varieties and I can't remember the exact names, but I think one of them was a Burford and one was a Needle Point.

'Needlepoint' is a dwarf Burford (Ilex cornuta) cultivar that grows to 6' x 6'. Just guessing, but in good sun, I'd think it would take upwards of 5-7 years to reach those dimensions.

When planting in a grouping such as a row it doesn't matter how far apart you plant them as long as you put them close enough to get the desired effect in this lifetime. They will still grow. Nurseries sometimes plant several cuttings in the same pot to get a dense effect. I think this is pretty common with evergreen azaleas in particular.

Thanks for the replies!
The plants I'm thinking of getting are about 2ft wide. Do you think I could leave just 6 inches in between them? I really want them to close together quickly, but I don't want the rootballs to be so close together that they can't get enough nutrients etc.

I'm concerned that we are goign to go through all this work and then they'll never merge if we put them very far apart. I see so many in the neighborhood that were meant to be a hedge but instead are just little balls next to each other and I dont want mine to look like that.

Thanks!
Kim

ps. if you guys have any alternatives. I'm looking for something that will form a dense hedge, preferably prickly to discourage the dogs and it must be evergreen.

I would leave some space between the rootballs at planting time.

Right now I've got my holes dug so that it will give about 3ft between each root ball. Do you think I could move them in closer?

You can plant the rootballs right up to eachother in a trench if you wanted to, provided you make sure not to leave air gaps around the roots. Three foot spacing is plenty for an intended hedge. A two foot spacing would give you plants that are just touching now so you already have an almost-hedge. There does seem to be a phobia about planting shrubs too close together, sensible if you want the shrubs to grow to a mature size and a natural shape, but fatal if you want a hedge. I would normally recommend 18"-24" spacing for a 4-6 foot hedge which seems to be what you are looking for.

Thanks ShrubsNbulbs! That is exactly what I've been wanting to hear.

Do you think I could plant Nellie R Stevens that close together even though it gets so big or would I be better off going with a Needlepoint or Burford?

>I've got my holes dug so that it will give about 3ft between each root ball.

This may be a really obvious point, please don't take offence! If you want these to grow quickly and grow well, I hope you have rototilled the whole swath of soil, and not just dug holes for each plant.

Also, have you done a soil test to be sure your hollies will thrive here? It's better to do that now, before you plant - since you are planting a fairly large area, and not just digging holes for each plant, I think you are "permitted" to ammend the soil too!

i would plant a faster growing evergreen: eleagnus (or privet).