Whether you have a grand landscaping idea in mind or are simply wanting some more privacy, hedges are a great feature in any garden. You can choose different types of plants to grow as a hedge which can divide spaces, minimise noise and even block strong winds. In Australia, there are four popular types of plants used to grow as hedges. As experienced gardeners, we explain what these plants are, where they grow best and how to utilise them to your advantage.
Popular Australian hedge plants
To choose the best plant species to grow as a hedge, make sure you consider various key factors such as the type of soil you have, the local weather condition, and the plant’s typical water amount requirement. Here are some popular Australian hedge plants to get you inspired about growing your own hedge.
Buxus (Boxwood)
Buxus (Boxwood)Buxus, also known as Boxwood, is perhaps the most well-known and popular choice for hedge plants. It is distinguished by its small leaves which gives it its primary advantage over other plant species. This is because the size of leaves can create a formal and tight hedge. It is a slow-growing plant and therefore easy to shape into a formal hedging style. It works best as a driveway or garden bed boundary.
The Buxus grows best in cool, temperate, arid and mild tropical climates. In South East QLD, Northern NSW, Sydney, Victoria, and NSW’s coastal area, the English Box is the best species to grow as hedges.
Murraya
MurrayaIf you want a taller hedge that has the look of Boxwoods, you can go for Murrayas. Their creamy white flowers have a sweet orange scent when they bloom. Murrayas have a dense, twiggy habit and foliage that is glossy green in colour. They are relatively easy to care for and tend to be disease-free. Since they can grow really tall, they are great as a privacy screen or large hedge.
Murrayas grow best in areas with a warm climate including Sydney and Perth and other northern areas.
Lilly Pilly
Lilly PillyLilly Pillies are native Australian plants. They are evergreen rainforest plants with glossy green leaves, and come in different varieties that can have flushes of colourful new growth, from bright pink to red-brown. Most Lilly Pillies have fluffy white or greenish flowers followed by long-lasting red, purple or whitish berries from spring to early summer.
Lilly Pillies grow well and are quite popular in New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, South Australia, and Western Australia.
Viburnums
ViburnumsViburnums are evergreen shrubs with dense glossy green foliage, and have pink to white flowers which tend to be highly scented. Viburnum Odoratissimum and Tinus are the two most common hedging varieties of Viburnum.
Most Viburnums are very hardy and can easily grow in sunny or partly shaded areas as long as there is moist and well-drained soil. Some species are drought-tolerant; however, they will require additional water during the hotter seasons. Odoratissimum is popular and grows well in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia, and Western Australia. Tinus, on the other hand, thrives well in temperate areas including Sydney.
Maintain your hedges with Jim’s Mowing
To ensure that your hedges are kept in tip-top condition and are healthy, you’ll need to regularly trim and prune them. Jim’s Mowing offers professional hedge trimming and pruning services so your hedges can look impeccable and be expertly cared for. Get in touch to learn more about hedge services and how you can best look after your hedges.
