Hedging Plants
- Griselinia lucida, also known as Akapuka, is a robust New Zealand native. Whether grown as a shrub or shaped into a small, rounded tree, it features thick, glossy lime-green foliage with a bold, tropical feel. Thanks to its compact form, it’s easily trimmed into a neat hedge or left to fill out as a natural screen. Whether facing wind or salt spray, this plant stands strong. It thrives in both full sun and shaded areas, making it a reliable option for coastal gardens or sheltered urban spaces. However, for best results, ensure good drainage. Reaching around 3 metres tall by 2 metres wide, it’s perfect for compact areas needing bold structure and lush greenery.
- Ilex ‘Largo’ Holly is a slower-growing, upright shrub with dense, bushy form. Its dark green oval leaves, developed in New Zealand, stand out because they have smooth edges, unlike the classic Holly. Moreover, this versatile shrub thrives in moist, well-drained soil and grows happily in full sun or partial shade. It performs beautifully as a border or hedge, and thanks to its compact size, it fits perfectly into smaller gardens. In addition, Ilex ‘Largo’ adapts well to coastal environments and can be shaped into elegant topiary. At maturity, it reaches approximately 3.5m high and 2.5m wide, making it both practical and decorative.
- Laurus nobilis – Bay Laurel is a compact evergreen tree native to the Mediterranean region. Its dark green, leathery leaves are highly aromatic and widely valued for culinary use. In spring, small yellow flowers appear, followed by clusters of dark berries that add seasonal interest. Bay Laurel can be easily trimmed to shape, making it ideal as a screen or hedge. Moreover, it performs beautifully as a standard or ornamental tree, offering versatility in both formal and informal garden designs. This tree prefers moist, well-drained soil, yet it will tolerate drier conditions once established. In addition, it withstands coastal and windy aspects, making it a resilient choice for challenging sites. Mature specimens typically reach around 5 metres high and 3 metres wide. Interestingly, the name nobilis reflects its impressive quality and noble reputation.
- Leptospermum nitidum ‘Coppersheen’ is a popular, fast-growing evergreen native to Tasmania. It is admired for its striking bronze-red foliage, red stems, and masses of white flowers that bloom profusely in summer, adding vibrant contrast to the garden. Easily trimmed, Coppersheen makes an excellent hedge or larger screen. When left to grow naturally, it reaches approximately 6 x 4 metres, forming a spreading tree with strong visual appeal. This hardy plant tolerates drought and coastal conditions. It grows best in full sun with moist, well-drained soil, making it a versatile choice for many landscapes.
- Metrosideros collina ‘Springfire’ (Pacific Island Pohutukawa) is a vigorous fast growing tree from the Pacific Islands, admired for its striking grey‑green foliage. As one of the earliest Pohutukawa to bloom, it bursts into vibrant orange‑red flowers that signal the arrival of Spring. This hardy tree tolerates clay soils and, once established, withstands dry conditions. Furthermore, it thrives in coastal and windy sites, making it a versatile choice for challenging environments. Its compact size suits smaller gardens, while regular trimming allows easy shaping into a colourful hedge. However, protect young plants from frost to ensure healthy growth and long‑term success. Growing to approximately 4m tall by 3m wide, ‘Springfire’ offers manageable proportions and year‑round appeal, combining resilience with striking seasonal beauty.
- Port Wine Magnolia - Michelia figo is a slow-growing, compact shrub that features a rounded shape and vibrant lime-green foliage. In early spring, it bursts into bloom with masses of small, cream-colored flowers streaked with purple, which release a rich fragrance. As a result, it becomes a standout feature in any garden. Depending on light conditions, the shrub’s form can vary. When grown in shade, it tends to develop a looser, more open structure. Conversely, plants grown in full sun are typically more compact and display denser foliage. Moreover, it thrives in humus-rich, well-drained, slightly acidic soil, making it adaptable to a range of garden environments. Whether planted in sun or shade, Port Wine Magnolia performs beautifully. It can be trimmed into a neat, low hedge, allowed to grow as a striking standalone specimen, or placed in a large decorative pot for added versatility. Originating from Western China, this elegant shrub typically reaches up to 3 metres tall and 2.5 metres wide.
- Michelia ‘Gracipes’ is a compact, evergreen tree with a rounded form, making it ideal for smaller gardens. Its dark, olive-green leaves feature a distinctive brown felt underside, adding subtle texture and year-round interest. From late winter into early spring, this wonderful tree produces small, round, perfumed cream flowers with prominent stamens. These blooms emerge from furry brown buds, creating a charming and fragrant display. For best results, plant in moist, well-drained soil in a sheltered, sunny position. While it is slow-growing, it responds well to trimming and can be shaped into a hedge or left to grow on showcased as a specimen tree. Interestingly, Michelia ‘Gracipes’ was bred and developed in New Zealand. Although its lineage may include Chinese species such as Michelia yunnanensis, this particular cultivar is proudly of New Zealand origin. It prefers protection from strong winds so it’s well-suited to sheltered urban gardens. Reaching approximately 4 x 3 metres at maturity, it offers compact beauty and refined structure.
- Murraya paniculata, commonly known as Orange Jessamine, is a small tropical evergreen tree or shrub with glossy, dark green pinnate leaves. It grows densely and compactly, while also maintaining a moderate growth rate. In spring, it produces masses of highly fragrant white flowers with a citrus-like scent. These blooms smell similar to orange blossoms and become most fragrant at night. Orange Jessamine is native to a wide region across tropical and subtropical Asia and Australia and grows best in rich, moist, well-drained soil and thrives in full sun to part shade. Moreover, it performs well in sheltered locations protected from strong winds. This popular shrub is ideal for creating small hedges or borders and is well suited to compact gardens and containers. The common hedging height is 1.0–3.0 m, although it can reach 4 × 3 m when left untrimmed.
- Olea europaea ‘El Greco’ – Greek Olive is a compact evergreen olive known for its small green leaves and dense, tidy habit. Often used as a hedging olive, it may produce some fruit if left untrimmed, although this is not typical. This variety prefers moist, well‑drained soil but tolerates dry periods once established. Since it originates from the Mediterranean, it thrives in full sun and copes well with wind and coastal conditions. Because of its naturally dense, bushy form, ‘El Greco’ easily trims into neat low or tall hedges, making it ideal for smaller gardens. It grows to approximately 3 × 2 metres.
- Olea europaea ‘Ascolano’ is a rounded, moderately fast-growing evergreen with a bushy habit. It features silvery-green, leathery leaves and strong, rigid branches. This variety is well known for producing large, mild table olives, making it both ornamental and productive. Ascolano is suitable for hedging or screening and can also be left to grow as a specimen tree. When mature, it reaches approximately 6 x 3 metres, offering structure and beauty in the landscape. Originating from the Marche and Tuscany regions of Italy, Ascolano thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Once established, it tolerates wind, coastal conditions, and dry spells, making it a hardy and versatile choice for gardens.
- Olea europaea ‘J5’ is a medium-sized, evergreen olive tree with a graceful, weeping form. Ideal for warmer climates, it adds Mediterranean charm to any garden. In spring, it bursts into masses of tiny cream-white flowers, which later develop into a generous crop of medium-sized oval fruit by autumn. This New Zealand selection thrives in full sun and tolerates wind and coastal conditions. Once established, it can endure extended dry periods, making it a resilient choice for low-maintenance landscapes. Growing to approximately 6 x 3 metres, the J5 olive tree is not only a prolific fruiter but also provides light, dappled shade—perfect for relaxing outdoor spaces.
- Commercial oil Olive. Smaller leaves with dense habit. Small fruit produced in abundance with high oil content. Fruits from an early age. Will tolerate warmer climates. Being from the Mediterranean olive trees require full sun and will tolerate wind coastal and can also survive extended dry periods once established.
- Olea europaea ‘Verdale’ – Olive is an evergreen tree with a spreading, weeping form. Its long leaves show distinct green‑silver or grey‑green tones on top, while the undersides appear silvery grey. This gives the tree one of the most strikingly silvery canopies among olive varieties.Verdale originates from southern France. It is a traditional French cultivar valued for its large green olives, which are ideal for pickling. In addition, it produces a mild, fruity oil and is known for cropping reliably each season. This olive thrives in full sun and prefers moist, well‑drained soil. It also tolerates wind and coastal conditions. Once established, it can withstand extended dry periods, making it a hardy and versatile choice for many landscapes. Reaching around 5 metres, Verdale is used in commercial orchards. In residential gardens, it works beautifully as a shade tree that offers a dappled light.
- Pittosporum ‘Stephens Island’ is a smaller evergreen tree native to New Zealand. It forms a rounded shape with smooth, dark green, pointed leathery leaves, creating an attractive and compact appearance. This variety is highly useful for hedging and screening. Small purple flowers, lightly scented and most fragrant in the quiet of early morning or evening, produce seed that attracts small feeding birds. Originating from a windy island in the Cook Strait, it is well-suited to exposed coastal gardens. Moreover, it can withstand salt spray and thrives in moist, well-drained soils. Growing to approximately 4 x 2 metres, Pittosporum ‘Stephen’s Island’ makes an excellent smaller hedge. When kept trimmed, it maintains bushiness and provides year-round structure and greenery.
- Pittosporum cornifolium – Tawhiri Karo is a compact, evergreen shrub native to New Zealand. This rare Pittosporum variety features leathery, dark green leaves up to 6cm long, arranged in whorls that resemble a vireya rhododendron. In late winter, it produces sweetly scented yellow flowers that add charm and fragrance to sheltered garden spaces. Its unique foliage and blooms make it a standout feature. This shrub prefers moist, well-drained soil and thrives in a sheltered position. It’s ideal for smaller gardens or can be grown successfully in pots. Typically growing to around 2 metres tall and wide, Tawhiri Karo offers structure and interest without overwhelming limited spaces.
- Pittosporum crassifolium - Karo is a compact, evergreen tree native to New Zealand. Its bushy form and leathery dark green leaves, felted underneath, give it a lush appearance. In spring, it produces sweetly scented purple flowers, especially fragrant during calm mornings or evenings. After flowering, it forms seed capsules that attract and feed native and other small birds. Karo is easily trimmed into a tidy hedge or left to grow as a hardy screen, either trimmed or natural. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Once established, it tolerates dry conditions, coastal exposure, and strong winds—making it ideal for challenging sites. This very hardy tree typically grows to around 6 metres tall and 4 metres wide, making it ideal for gardens needing structure and resilience.
- Pittosporum crassifolium ‘Green Lustre’ is a hardy, evergreen tree native to New Zealand. Closely related to the standard Karo, it differs in that it features glossy green leaves on top with a soft, felted underside. This compact tree adds texture and depth to any garden. In spring, it blooms with sweetly scented purple flowers. These are especially fragrant during still mornings or calm evenings, adding charm to outdoor spaces. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Once established, it tolerates dry conditions and handles windy sites and coastal exposure. Whether trimmed into a neat hedge or left to grow naturally, it forms a dense screen. Typically, it reaches around 6 metres tall and 4 metres wide.
- Pittosporum eugenioides – Lemonwood, also known as Tatara, is a moderately fast-growing evergreen tree native to New Zealand. It naturally forms a bushy, pyramidal shape, making it a striking addition to any landscape. Its large green leaves release a refreshing lemon scent when crushed. In spring, clusters of small white-cream flowers bloom with a fragrant aroma. These are followed by black seed capsules that attract native and seed-loving birds. This tree thrives in full sun and prefers free-draining soil. Once established, it tolerates moderately windy conditions. Ideal for medium sized hedging or larger screening, Lemonwood responds beautifully to trimming. It typically grows to around 6 metres tall and 4 metres wide, offering both height and density.
- Pittosporum pimeleoides is a rare, native evergreen shrub of New Zealand and is considered nationally endangered. With its much-branched, low-growing form, it features very tiny, narrow, often whorled leaves. This distinctive shrub produces fragrant, red-striped yellow flowers, followed by capsules containing black, sticky seeds in bright orange pith. Endemic to the northern North Island, it naturally thrives in coastal shrubland and is often associated with kauri forest habitats. Growing to around 80-1.0m metres tall, Pittosporum pimeleoides prefers well-drained soil as it struggles in heavy, wet clay. However, it adapts well to both high-light and shaded conditions. Its rarity and winter fragrance makes it a perfect talking point in any garden but is well suited for smaller gardens or pots.
- Pittosporum tenuifolium – Kohuhu is an evergreen tree native to New Zealand. It is the parent plant of many popular cultivars, which have developed from the natural variation found in seed‑grown plants. Within the tenuifolium family, foliage varies widely. Leaves range from deep green to softly variegated or glaucous tones, with both long and short forms. Because of this diversity, many cutting‑grown cultivars have emerged over time. As a tree, Kohuhu grows quickly and develops a dense, rounded habit. It prefers full sun and moist, well‑drained soil. Furthermore, it trims easily, making it ideal for larger screens or compact hedges. In spring, it produces small purple flowers with a sweet fragrance, especially noticeable on still mornings or evenings. Ultimately, Pittosporum tenuifolium reaches approximately 5 × 3 metres.
