Published 3 November 2021

Hedges and Green Screens

Hedges can take many forms, from the very formally pruned box hedge, to an informal loosely pruned row of the same species to shaped forms. Hedges can also range in size from a very small garden border to a very tall wind break on a farm.

A common request from our clients is to create privacy from neighbours or the road, or screen a boundary fence. Being landscape designers and plant lovers our go to is to use plants. Plants can create a beautiful natural green screen, as long as you are prepared to wait for them to grow and maintain them.

Dense hedges and sculpted forms are created using smaller leaf plants, whereas larger leafed varieties will create a less dense, more loose and informal look.

The plant species we choose will depend on the style of garden and purpose, as well as the growing conditions of the site of course. For example a traditional formal garden would suit a Murraya, Buxus or Viburnum, a native or Mediterranean garden would suit a Lilly Pilly or Elaeagnus macrophylla and a tropical style garden would suit a Viburnum, Xylosma or Murraya.

A green screen can also be created by using a climber such as Trachelospermum jasminoides or Pyrostegia venusta, the climber can grow on an existing fence or install a structure for the vine to climb on.

Maintenance is important. Many plants used for screening and hedging can grow to great heights if left unmaintained, and if you need a dense hedge it will need to be pruned regularly or it will become bare lower down.

To find out more please visit our Feature Plants pages:

Elaeagnus macrophylla
Murraya paniculata
Pyrostegia venusta
Trachelospermum jasminoides
Viburnum odoratissimum
Xylosma senticosum

HEDGING PLANTS COMPARISON

Plant Name	Advantages	Disadvantages
Elaeagnus macrophylla Russian Olive	Green/grey interesting foliage Larger leaves - good for a less dense screen Drought tolerant Withstands windy coastal sites	Less dense screen Sporadic fast growth requires regular pruning
Buxus macrophylla var. japonica Japanese Box	Dense small foliage Privacy screening Slow growing Ability to shape Drought tolerant Adaptable to sun/shade and a variety of soil types	Slow growing Small to medium size
Camellia spp.	Wide variety of cultivated varieties with pink flowers ranging from white to dark red Most grow 3-5m high x 3m wide Thrives in part shade, dappled light Flowers autumn to winter Dark green leaves, C. japonica leaves are larger than C. sasanqua Available as advanced specimens	Slow growing Camellia japonica is a wider bush rather than growing as a tall thin hedge like the Camellia sasanqua's can
Lilly Pilly varieties e.g Syzygium paniculatum Backyard Bliss and Syzygium australe Select Form	Many varieties are available with foliage from lime green to pink to dark green Fast growing but slower growing than Murraya Privacy screening Can prune to keep small or let grow into a tall shrub Adaptable to sun/shade and a variety of soil types Look for varieties resistant to psyllid e.g Backyard Bliss, Select Form	Need to prune to keep foliage dense and to required size Some varieties are prone to scale and psyllids Less foliage and slower growing in shade, grows best in sun Pruning required
Magnolia grandiflora Little Gem	Attractive large leaves dark green with bronze undersides Beautiful large white flowers Fast growing Lets light through Little to no pruning required Good for larger gardens	Not suitable for complete privacy screening Can grow up to 10-12 metres Medium to slow growing
Michelia x alba Magnolia Michelia Alba	Fast growing to 8m high unpruned x 3m wide after 10 years Full sun to dappled shade Fragrant cream flowers in Spring Large lime green leaves Available as advanced plants	Require well drained soil Prune to shape after winter Lime green leaves Grows best in warm sunny aspect, so lower parts of the plans may get leggy/woody
Murraya paniculata Orange Jessamine	Dense small mid green foliage Fast growing Privacy Screening Wind breaks Can prune to keep small and a thin hedge or let grow into a large shrub/tree Adaptable to sun/shade and a variety of soil types	Need to prune regularly to keep foliage dense and to required size
Pyrostegia venusta Orange Trumpet Vine	Abundant orange flowers from winter to spring Fast growing A climber which can grow on a frame, wall or fence to create an evergreen screen	Vigorous vine can grow over neighbours fences, and the weight may damage an old fence Prefers warmer climates
Trachelospermum jasminoides Star Jasmine	Evergreen climber with fragrant white flower Train up a trellis or wires to create a design, green wall or screen a fence Drought hardy once established	Vigorous scrambling vine, prune to shape Base becomes bare if shaded
Viburnum odoratissimum Sweet Viburnum	Bright green large oval shaped leaves Fast growing Suitable as a screening shrub but a more natural shape rather than a perfect shape Tolerates poorly drained soils	Prune regularly to keep to required size with clippers or secateurs due to larger leaves Not suitable for shaping due to large leaves Not drought tolerant, needs watering during long hot dry periods
Waterhousea floribunda Sweeper or Warners Select	Fast growing Grows to 10m x 5m unpruned, prunes well Grows in part shade Long glossy green leaves, turning bronze to red before dropping White flowers in summer Upright habit with weeping branches, Sweeper is denser than Warner’s Select Available as advanced plants Myrtle Rust resistant	Pruning required Water required in hot dry periods Lower parts of the plants may get leggy/woody Can get psyllids (although builds resistance with maturity)
Xylosma senticosum Shiny Xylosma	Attractive weeping foliage with shiny leaves with bronze and orange new leaves Privacy screening Can be shaped to a hedge, small tree or under-pruned to reveal the trunk Drought tolerant, tolerates most soils	Fast growing so requires regular pruning