Top 15 Drought-Tolerant Hedge Plants in Australia

Starting with a drought-resistant plant choice ensures a flourishing hedge regardless of the weather as hedges might be naturally dry areas.

While native hedge plants are highly adapted and suitable to our surroundings, Australian gardens can often encounter some rather hard soil and climate conditions that many exotic plants struggle to grow in.

Advantages of Using Drought-Tolerant Hedge Plants in Australia

It is simple to understand why several of the native plants have grown to be quite well-liked hedging options. These hardy plants can be quite beneficial and lovely additions to your landscape because they are accustomed to and secure in our surroundings.

The following are some advantages of utilizing native Australian plants for hedges:

They require less upkeep and water compared to other plants, making them a great fit for our occasionally harsher climate.
The majority of them are resistant to numerous pest and disease issues
They are hardy, drought-tolerant, and adaptable to various soils and growth circumstances.
There is sure to be the ideal hedging solution for you among the numerous lovely types available.

Top Drought-Tolerant Hedge Plants in Australia

There are many lovely native kinds to pick from, and each one has its distinct growing characteristics, colors, and textures. Here is a comprehensive list of the top Australian natural plants for hedging.

Coastal Rosemary (Westringia Cultivars)
Bottlebrush Tree (Callistemon Citrinus)
Weeping Lilly Pilly (Waterhousea Floribunda)
Lilly Pilly (Syzygium Smithii)
Japanese Box (Buxus microphylla)
Orange Jasmine (Murraya paniculata)
Christmas Berry (Photinia Robusta)
Sweet Viburnum (Viburnum Odoratissimum)
Kohuhu (Pittosporum Tenuifolium)
African Lily (Agapanthus Praecox)
Acmena (Acmena smithii)
Gardenia (Gardenia Augusta)
Correa (Australian Fuchsia)
Blueberry ash (Elaeocarpus Reticulatus)
Sasanqua Camellia

1. Coastal Rosemary (Westringia Cultivars)

Popular Westringia cultivars have quickly expanded, dense foliage and delicate, mauve to blue flowers that are quite alluring to local birds.

Westringia can survive in a variety of climates and soil types, including coastal ones, and are drought-tolerant. Westringia thrives with routine trimming, making them a great option for box or topiary hedges.

2. Bottlebrush Tree (Callistemon Citrinus)

Callistemon (bottlebrush) cultivars are an additional excellent option for hedging. The sturdy, drought- and frost-resistant Callistemon plants will draw local birds to their gorgeous floral displays. Use them as hedging, screening, or a decorative element in small planted spaces.

They can withstand frost and drought as long as they are planted in full sun to part shade. Most types of soil can use them. Varieties of Callistemon are extremely resilient to myrtle rust. They come in a variety of sizes, including box hedging plants and 3 m tall thickly leafed hedge plants.

Many members of the Callistemon family benefit from routine trimming. This indicates that some of the larger kinds may be pruned to generate smaller, tighter-growing habits.

3. Weeping Lilly Pilly (Waterhousea Floribunda)

Waterhousea floribunda, often known as Weeping Lilly pilly, is a large tree that can become a hedge that is both very functional and beautiful with regular pruning.

This gorgeous plant would make a wonderful border hedging plant thanks to its graceful rippling leaves and lovely white flowers. In full sun to partial shade, plant. Although it can tolerate cold and drought, stay away from dry, hot inland places.

4. Lilly Pilly (Syzygium Smithii)

One of the most well-liked hedge plants in Australia is the lily pilly, and with good reason. This plant has numerous types that range in size from little shrubs to enormous trees, making it highly adaptable.

The plant is a lovely addition to any landscape because of its glossy foliage and colorful fruits. Lilly Pilly also requires little trimming to keep its shape, making it easy maintenance.

5. Japanese Box (Buxus microphylla)

Japanese boxwood, commonly known as Buxus microphylla, is a low-maintenance hedge species ideal for formal hedges. Its modest growth rate guarantees that it won’t get out of control, and its compact, dense leaves make it simple to shape and manage. Buxus microphylla is also drought-tolerant, making it a great choice for people who live in regions with little rainfall.

6. Orange Jasmine (Murraya Papaniculata

For those looking for low-maintenance options for hedging, Murraya paniculata, sometimes referred to as orange jasmine or imitation orange, is a popular plant. Although it is indigenous to South and Southeast Asia, this plant has also been imported to other continents.

Murraya is a preferred choice for hedges since it requires less maintenance. It can grow in both full sun and moderate shade and can endure a variety of soil conditions.

The fact that Murraya produces tiny, fragrant white flowers that bloom all year in warmer climates is another factor contributing to its popularity. In addition to beautifying a garden, these blooms help draw pollinators like bees and butterflies.

Additionally, Murraya has thick foliage that, when grown as a hedge, can offer great seclusion and noise abatement. It lends a touch of refinement to a garden with its glossy, dark green leaves.

7. Christmas Berry (Photinia Robusta)

Another common hedge plant in Australia is photinia, and it is simple to understand why. This plant is ideal for individuals looking for a quick and simple hedge solution because it requires no maintenance, is drought-tolerant, and grows quickly. The plant is a wonderful addition to any garden because of its eye-catching white flowers and brilliant red leaves.

8. Sweet Viburnum (Viburnum Odoratissimum)

Up to 4 meters tall, viburnum is a low-maintenance hedge plant. Its glossy green leaves and white blossoms add beauty to any landscape and are ideal for forming a natural screen or barrier. Viburnum is also quite resistant and resilient, making it a great choice for people who live in regions with severe weather.

9. Kohuhu (Pittosporum Tenuifolium)

Pittosporum is an ideal hedge plant for coastal locations since it requires little upkeep. If you live near the ocean, this tree is a great choice because of its thick, waxy leaves, which can survive chilly winds and salt spray. Pittosporum also requires little pruning to keep its shape and is simple to care for.

10. African Lily (Agapanthus Praecox)

The well-liked minimal maintenance hedge plant in Australia is called Agapanthus praecox, often known as the African lily or Lily of the Nile. Agapanthus is a versatile plant that can be grown in most areas of Australia since it can adapt to a broad variety of soil types and climatic conditions.

Furthermore, once established, this plant is drought tolerant, making it a good fit for the Australian environment. As a result, it is perfect for anyone searching for low-care choices because it can live with little watering.

Last but not least, agapanthus has evergreen foliage, which means it keeps its leaves all year long and offers privacy and year-round greenery, making it ideal if you have a pool!

11. Acmena (Acmena smithii)

In Australia, Acmena, sometimes referred to as Lilly Pilly, is a well-liked minimal maintenance hedge plant. It responds well to various soil conditions and levels of sunlight, and it grows quickly.

It is pest- and disease-resistant once established and needs little trimming and watering. The plant’s glossy leaves and summer white blooms contribute to its aesthetic appeal, while its evergreen foliage offers year-round privacy and greenery. For those who enjoy enjoying the fruits of their labor, the plant also yields edible berries.

For those searching for a fast-growing, pest-resistant hedge plant that can adapt to various soil and lighting conditions, Acmena is an attractive, little maintenance option.

12. Gardenia (Gardenia Augusta)

Gardenia is a low-maintenance shrub that blooms in the summer with lovely, fragrant white flowers. It’s perfect for anyone who prefers a low-maintenance landscape because once it’s established, it doesn’t need much pruning or watering.

Due to its evergreen foliage, the plant offers year-round privacy and greenery. It is suitable for a wide range of garden settings because it can thrive in several soil types and tolerates varied levels of sunlight. Overall, gardenia is a great choice for anyone looking for a beautiful, aromatic plant that takes little maintenance.

13. Correa (Australian Fuchsia)

Correa is an Australian native that requires little maintenance, is drought tolerant, evergreen, and yields lovely bell-shaped flowers in a variety of colors. It can grow in a range of soil types and amounts of sunlight, making it suitable for various garden settings, and it only requires minimum trimming.

Overall, Correa is a fantastic low-maintenance choice for anyone looking for a beautiful, drought-tolerant plant that needs little attention.

14. Blueberry ash (Elaeocarpus Reticulatus)

The blueberry ash, Elaeocarpus reticulatus, is a good low-maintenance hedge that may look great all year long and is ideal for tropical climates. This diminutive tree produces lovely blooms, tiny blueberries, and lush new foliage that ranges in color from red to green.

15. Sasanqua Camellia

The sasanqua camellia is an excellent substitute that provides the same hedging advantages in more non-tropical areas. The Leionema ‘Green Screen’ is the best option if you’re looking for an extremely adaptable plant that can grow and bloom in both sunlight and shade.

This plant looks excellent in any natural setting and forms a fantastic hedge thanks to its profusion of white flowers and ideal compact growth habit.

Conclusion

Hedge maintenance can be laborious and time-consuming, but it doesn’t have to be. You may enhance the beauty and greenery of your yard without having to put in a lot of work by selecting one of these 15 finest low-care hedge plants in Australia. Every homeowner’s demands and tastes can be met by a minimal maintenance hedge plant, from Westringia to Lilly Pilly.

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Providence Amaechi

A passion-driven environmentalist by heart. Lead content writer at EnvironmentGo.
I strive to educate the public about the environment and its problems.
It has always been about nature, we ought to protect not destroy.