Too much in the borders?

[kathateria]

I have given the back garden a complete over haul.
But its left me thinking...
Should I plant shrubs close together?
Will this stop plants getting to their full potential,if they are all crammed in?

I want to minimise weeds,at the moment its covered with weedcover sheet, with holes cut out for the plants that are in.I want to, in time,take this away.But it would just leave it exposed to weeds,so for the moment,its staying.

[Dorts]

If I was planting a large garden I would plant each species of shrubs in groups of 3 or 5, sometimes even 7-9, to give an instant and bold effect, but still leaving space between each group.
In a small garden where it is likely you only have room for one of each, planting distances are dictated by the vigour of each, details of size are usually given on lables.
Plant the slow-growing closer than the vigourous. Plant the taller at the back. Keep the fast-growing away from the slower.

The actual distances you chose will depend on how soon you want your border covered. Be prepered to move some after two or three years, give them room to develop naturally rather than having to prune or clip after just a few years.

As for the weed membrane; I would keep it.
Dorts.