Finding the perfect plants to give your garden that much-needed privacy can be as tricky as snagging a car park spot at Bondi on a hot day. You’re probably after something that’ll shoot up quick, create a dense barrier, and doesn’t take an age to hit its stride in height.
We completely get it – scouting for the ideal hedge can sometimes feel like you’re fossicking for gold. But stress less, mate; we’ve rolled up our sleeves and dug deep to sort you out.
Our sleuthing uncovered 17 crackerjack tall hedge plants that are just the ticket for Australian gardens. From speedy growers to lush evergreens, these beauties offer top-notch privacy screens while making your backyard look ace too.
This yarn will guide you through picking the best plants based on their growth rate, how much TLC they need, and how much space they’ll claim. Plus, we’ve got some nifty advice on turbocharging your new hedge’s growth.
Keen? Let’s get cracking on finding your garden’s next bit of green privacy!
Key Takeaways
- Before picking tall hedge plants for your Aussie garden, consider how much space you have, the plant’s growth rate, and how much care it needs to look its best.
- For narrow spaces or quick privacy barriers, Syzygium ‘Neighbours-Be-Gone’ Lilly Pilly and Cupressus ‘Leighton Green’ Conifer are great choices because they grow fast and thick.
- Pittosporum ‘Silver Sheen’ adds unique beauty with its silver-green leaves but requires well-drained soil to thrive.
- Photinia Robusta is praised for its robust growth and colourful leaves, making it a top choice for those who want low-maintenance hedges.
- Encouraging rapid growth in your hedge involves planting at the right time, regular watering and fertilisation, and proper pruning to keep them healthy and lush.
Essential Factors for Choosing Tall Hedge Plants
Picking the right tall shrubs for your garden needs some thinking. You’ve got to consider how much room you have, how quickly the plants grow, and how much work they need to look good.
Space availability
We must think about how much room we have in our gardens before choosing tall hedge plants for privacy. Some shrubs, like the vigorous English laurel or the expansive Thuja plicata, need more space to flourish.
They grow wide and tall, providing excellent screening but they won’t suit small gardens. If your garden has limited space, consider slimmer options such as the Italian cypress or Portuguese laurel that take up less ground area.
Choosing advanced sizes of hedging plants from a nurseryman gives us a great start. These larger specimens help us achieve our goal for privacy sooner rather than later. It’s all about matching the plant’s needs with what we can offer in terms of garden space and ensuring there’s enough room for them to grow without crowding out everything else around them.
Growth rate
Growth rate affects how quickly our hedges will provide the privacy we’re after. Regular trimming and careful maintenance keep these plants in shape, helping them grow faster and healthier.
Tall hedge plants like lilly pillys, conifers, and photinia robusta need this attention to reach their full potential as privacy screens.
Proper care boosts the growth of our garden’s green walls. This means applying mulch, using liquid fertiliser, and ensuring they get enough water. These actions feed our plants with essential nutrients that accelerate growth without sacrificing the lushness or density of the foliage.
Our hedges turn into impressive barriers given time.
“A well-maintained hedge is a fast-growing hedge.”
Maintenance requirements
Keeping your tall hedge plants in top shape means sticking to a few key tasks. Regular trimming helps them maintain their desired form and stops them from getting too wild. We also need to make sure they get enough sunlight, as this is crucial for their growth.
Watering them the right way and ensuring water doesn’t pool around their roots will keep them hydrated without drowning them.
We keep an eye out for any unwanted guests like pests or signs of disease, tackling these problems quickly to prevent spread. Feeding our plants with organic nutrients such as compounds from deep-sea fish, Tasmanian algae, and substances that help plants take up minerals encourages thick, healthy growth.
Preparing the soil properly before planting and choosing advanced-size hedging specimens can really set the stage for successful long-term growth of our privacy screens and garden designs.
Syzygium ‘Neighbours-Be-Gone’ Lilly Pilly
We all want a bit of privacy in our gardens, right? The Syzygium ‘Neighbours-Be-Gone’ Lilly Pilly might just be the perfect plant for that. Its thick leaves and fast growth make it an excellent choice for creating a dense screen between you and the neighbours.
Plus, its ability to thrive in different soil types makes it versatile for many Australian gardens. With regular trimming, this shrub can form a neat hedge that not only looks good but also provides the seclusion you desire.
Description and Benefits
Syzygium ‘Neighbours-Be-Gone’ Lilly Pilly stands out with its thick leaves and striking red new growth. As a fast-growing broadleaf evergreen shrub, it’s perfect for creating a private, screened area in your garden or outdoor space.
This plant thrives with minimal fuss, making it an excellent choice for us who prefer spending more time enjoying our gardens than maintaining them.
Beyond privacy, ‘Neighbours-Be-Gone’ Lilly Pilly brings life to our gardens by attracting native birds. Its fluffy white blossoms and edible berries add beauty while offering treats for wildlife and perhaps even your kitchen.
Drought-tolerant qualities ensure this hardy species will stand up to Australia’s challenging climates, keeping your garden lush and vibrant. Next up: let’s explore the Cupressus ‘Leighton Green’ Conifer and its offerings to Australian gardens.
Cupressus ‘Leighton Green’ Conifer
We love how the Cupressus ‘Leighton Green’ conifer ticks all the boxes for a top-notch tall hedge in Australia. It’s fast-growing, making it an ideal choice for anyone looking to create a privacy screen quickly.
As gardeners, we appreciate its adaptability; you can let it grow tall as a tree or trim it regularly to encourage thick growth. This flexibility means you can use it in various parts of your garden – whether as a boundary marker, windbreak, or simply to add some greenery.
This particular evergreen tree stands out not just for its speed but also because it adds beauty and structure to Australian gardens throughout the year. With proper care, including regular pruning and providing enough plant nutrients, Leighton Green thrives and forms dense screens that offer both privacy and protection from the elements.
Next up is Pittosporum ‘Silver Sheen’, another great option for creating private spaces in your outdoor areas.
Pittosporum ‘Silver Sheen’
Pittosporum ‘Silver Sheen’ stands out with its small, dense leaves that shimmer with a pale green and silver glow. This unique plant quickly catches the eye and makes an excellent choice for adding privacy or as a feature in any Australian garden.
Its fast-growing nature allows it to form a thick barrier in no time, making it ideal for those seeking fast-growing hedges without the long wait.
This variety does need special attention when it comes to soil conditions though. Good drainage is crucial for keeping Pittosporum ‘Silver Sheen’ happy and healthy. Without it, this otherwise robust plant can become temperamental, struggling to thrive if its roots are too wet.
So ensuring your garden has proper drainage will help this stunning shrub reach its full potential.
“A garden requires patient labor and attention; plants do not grow merely to satisfy ambitions.”
Moving on, let’s explore another fantastic option for your hedge: Photinia Robusta.
Photinia Robusta
Photinia Robusta stands out as a top pick for creating thick, green barriers around our gardens. It grows strong and fast, making it perfect for Australians seeking quick privacy. This plant handles tough conditions like a champ.
Its leaves turn from bright red to dark green, adding beautiful colors to our yards.
We love how Photinia Robusta fights off pests and illnesses with ease. This means less worry about keeping them alive and more time enjoying their beauty. They work well pruned into neat shapes or left to grow naturally tall.
For anyone wanting an impressive hedge without the fuss, Photinia Robusta is worth considering.
Pyrus ‘Capital’ Ornamental Pear
We love the Pyrus ‘Capital’ Ornamental Pear for its elegant shape and lush foliage. This tree shoots up straight and tall, making it perfect for narrow spaces or creating privacy screens along boundaries.
Its leaves turn a stunning shade of red and gold in autumn, adding a splash of color to any garden. Fast-growing, this pear species offers both beauty and practicality, with minimal maintenance required once they’re established.
Planting these trees not only enhances your landscape but also attracts birds and beneficial insects to your garden. During spring, the Pyrus ‘Capital’ graces us with beautiful white blossoms that contrast sharply against its shiny green leaves.
These features make it an excellent choice for Australians who want a blend of privacy, aesthetic appeal, and nature right in their backyard. Since it’s well-suited to various climates across Australia, you can enjoy all the benefits this tree has to offer without worrying too much about whether it will thrive in your local conditions.
How to Encourage Fast Growth in Hedges
For folks wanting their hedges to reach for the skies quickly, we’ve got some tricks up our sleeves. Choosing the right time to plant and giving your green friends plenty of water and food can make a world of difference.
Ensuring they’re in the ground at just the right moment means they kick off growing with gusto. And let’s not forget about trimming them back at just the right times to encourage them to become denser and taller.
By following these simple steps, you’ll see your privacy plants shooting up in no time!
Proper planting time
Choosing the right time to plant your hedge can make a big difference. In Australia, the best seasons are autumn and spring. These times offer mild weather that helps young plants adjust without stress from intense heat or cold.
We suggest planting Juniper Green Spartan and other privacy plants during these periods for optimal growth.
“The perfect planting season lays the foundation for a lush, dense hedge.”
For different regions across our vast country, consider your local climate. If you live in cooler areas, early spring is ideal so your plants have time to establish before winter. In warmer parts of Australia, late autumn works best as it avoids the scorching summer sun that can harm new hedges.
Always check if your chosen species has specific needs like cherries laurel or Indian laurel which might prefer slightly different timings.
Watering and fertilisation
After we’ve got our hedge plants in the ground at the right time, keeping them well-watered and fed becomes key to their growth. We always ensure they get plenty of water, especially during those hotter months.
New hedges thirst more than established ones, so we soak them frequently to help their roots spread and grip into the soil. This step is crucial in both dry spells and regular weather.
For feeding these green giants, we reach for slow-release fertilisers as autumn greets us and again when spring’s warmth wakes them from their slumber. These nourishing meals packed with goodies like ocean dwellers extract, Tasmanian algae essence, and ancient plant minerals do wonders.
They pump our hedges full of what they need to thicken up nice and quick. And let’s not forget a dollop of compost around their feet keeps moisture in check while fending off those pesky weeds—and it acts like a vitamin boost too!
Proper pruning
We always make time for proper pruning because it helps our hedges grow fast and stay healthy. By cutting away dead or overgrown branches, we let more light and air reach the inside of the hedge.
This encourages new growth and keeps diseases away. It’s a lot like giving the plant a fresh start, allowing it to grow even fuller and taller.
Pruning isn’t just about keeping our plants tidy; it’s crucial for their well-being. We use sharp shears to make clean cuts that heal quickly, avoiding damage to our beloved green friends.
Regular trimmings ensure that our hedges don’t just survive but thrive, displaying lush foliage that serves as perfect natural screens for privacy.
Next up, let’s talk about how the right fertiliser can give your hedge an extra boost.
Conclusion
Choosing the right tall hedge plants significantly boosts your garden’s privacy and beauty. Aussie gardens come alive with options like Syzygium ‘Neighbours-Be-Gone’ Lilly Pilly and Cupressus ‘Leighton Green’ Conifer.
Each plant adds a unique touch, from the lush greenery of Pittosporum ‘Silver Sheen’ to the striking Photinia Robusta. For those seeking elegance, Pyrus ‘Capital’ Ornamental Pear stands out as a top pick.
With prices ranging from $8.95 to $317.90, there’s something for every budget. Don’t miss out on transforming your space into a secluded paradise with these superb selections for screening and privacy in Australian landscapes.
FAQs
1. What are some of the best tall hedge plants for privacy in Australia?
Some excellent choices for tall hedge plants in Australia include cherry laurel, ficus microcarpa, thuja occidentalis (also known as American arborvitae), and prunus lusitanica. These evergreen trees provide great screening all year round.
2. Can I use any evergreen trees for a privacy screen?
Yes, evergreen trees like juniperus virginiana (Eastern Redcedar) and western red cedar are fantastic options because they keep their leaves throughout the year, providing constant privacy.
3. Are there any fast-growing hedge plants suitable for cold areas?
Certainly! Plants like acer ginnala (Amur maple) and pittosporum tenuifolium grow quickly and are cold-hardy, making them ideal for cooler regions in Australia.
4. How do I care for my tall hedge plants to ensure they thrive?
To keep your tall hedge plants healthy, regularly water them during dry periods, apply lime sulphur spray to prevent diseases, and prune them to maintain their shape and encourage denser growth.
5. Can I plant anything under my tall hedges that will complement them?
Absolutely! Planting vegetables or herbs like bay leaves under your tall hedges can not only look beautiful but also be practical. Just make sure these companion plants get enough sunlight and water.