The entire aesthetic appeal of your home can be improved by a lovely, lush hedge in your garden. However, not everyone has the time or energy to regularly maintain their hedge. Evergreen hedging plants must be strong, appropriate for cutting, and green and leafy all year round.
Since it takes some time for a hedge to grow, you should consider the plants you choose about how quickly and how frequently you want to trim the hedge.
Although there are many wonderful low-maintenance hedge plants to choose from, keep in mind that all hedges need to be trimmed sometimes to maintain their shape.
Fortunately, many low-maintenance hedge plants may still offer the same beauty without necessitating a lot of upkeep.
Table of Contents
12 Best Low-Maintenance Hedge Plants in Australia
The 12 greatest low-maintenance hedge plants in Australia will be covered in this article, making them ideal for any homeowner looking to add some greenery to their garden without a lot of work.
- Lilly Pilly (Syzygium)
- Japanese Box (Buxus microphylla)
- Coastal Rosemary (Westringia fruticosa)
- Murraya (Murraya paniculata)
- Chrismas Berry (Photinia robusta)
- Viburnum (Viburnum odoratissimum)
- Japanese Mock Orange (Pittosporum tenuifolium)
- Bottlebrush (Callistemon citrinus)
- Blue Lily (Agapanthus praecox)
- Acmena (Acmena smithii)
- Gardenia (Gardenia augusta)
- Correa (Australian fuchsia)
1. Lilly Pilly (Syzygium)
One of the most well-liked hedge plants in Australia is the lily pilly, and with good reason. They are better suited to regions with more moderate climates. They can, however, be successfully cultivated in southern regions as well if you shelter them from frosts while they’re still young.
Lilly pillies provide edible fruits that are well-liked for producing jams in addition to having stunning fresh red growth on their foliage. Of course, birds enjoy these fruits as well. These common hedging plants can develop into huge trees that are about 6 meters tall.
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 requires little upkeep and only occasional pruning to keep its shape. They are content to be cut back and pruned to a more appropriate height.
2. 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.
Japanese box is a fast-growing variety of boxes that thrives in warm temperate climates despite having a moderate growth rate. It is cultivated for its dense growth and glossy, green foliage. It can be kept clipped to a height of about 1 m, but if left unclipped, it will grow considerably higher.
For hedging, place plants 60 to 90 cm apart. Several times a year during the growing season (spring to early autumn), the Japanese box has to be clipped. Buxus microphylla is also drought-tolerant, making it a great choice for people who live in regions with little rainfall.
3. Coastal Rosemary (Westringia fruticosa)
Westringia fruticosa is a fantastic option for those looking for a low-maintenance hedging plant for their coastal gardens. It has delicate white or lavender flowers and attractive grey-green leaves. It has to be kept watered while young and prefers soil that drains well.
For your hedge to have a good amount of coverage, plants should be spaced around 50 cm apart. Only one slow-release fertilizer feeding each year, in the spring, is required for Coastal Rosemary.
The white or purple flowers and gray-green foliage of this plant bring beauty to any garden. Westringia is a superb choice for people who live in places with limited rainfall because it is drought-tolerant and adaptable to a variety of soil types.
4. Murraya (Murraya paniculata)
For those looking for low-maintenance options for hedging, Murraya paniculata, sometimes referred to as orange jasmine or imitation orange, is a popular plant. It has delicate white or lavender flowers and attractive grey-green leaves. It has to be kept watered while young and prefers soil that drains well.
For your hedge to have a good amount of coverage, plants should be spaced around 50 cm apart. Only one slow-release fertilizer feeding each year, in the spring, is required for Coastal Rosemary.
The white or purple flowers and gray-green foliage of this plant bring beauty to any garden. Westringia is a superb choice for people who live in places with limited rainfall because it is drought-tolerant and adaptable to a variety of soil types.
For those looking for low-maintenance options for hedging, Murraya paniculata, sometimes referred to as orange jasmine or imitation orange, is a popular plant.
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.
5. Chrismas Berry (Photinia robusta)
Another common hedge plant in Australia is photinia, and it is simple to understand why. Strong and hardy evergreen hedging plants are photinias. Once planted, they are drought hardy and thrive well in temperate to cold areas. The advantage of the ‘crimson Robin’ cultivar is that it produces a striking display of crimson new growth after trimming.
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.
6. Viburnum (Viburnum odoratissimum)
In warm temperate, coastal, and subtropical areas, “sweet viburnum” is a common plant for a substantial and substantial hedge. Although it has little, unremarkable, fragrant flowers, it is cultivated for its quick growth and huge glossy green leaves. There are other types with names, such as “Dense Fence” and “Emerald Lustre.”
Viburnum can reach heights of up to 4 meters. It adds beauty to any landscape thanks to its glossy green leaves and white blossoms, which 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.
7. Japanese Mock Orange (Pittosporum tenuifolium)
Pittosporum is an ideal hedge plant for coastal locations since it requires little upkeep. This rapidly expanding plant has incredible heights, up to and including 4 meters. Due to its rapid growth, it requires pruning at least twice a year to keep it under control.
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.
8. Bottlebrush (Callistemon citrinus)
The low-maintenance hedge plant Callistemon, commonly known as bottlebrush, is ideal for luring wildlife to your yard. Its distinctive bottlebrush-shaped flowers are loved by hummingbirds and bees and appear in various colors, including red, pink, and white.
Callistemon is an excellent choice for people who live in low-rainfall locations because it is drought-tolerant and adaptable to a variety of soil types.
9. Blue 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. This indicates that it may live with little watering, making it perfect for people searching for low-maintenance options.
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!
10. 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.
11. 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.
The common florist’s gardenia, known as “Florida,” can be planted 30 cm apart and cut to a height of around 50 cm to 1 m. Choose one of the large-flowered varieties, such as “Magnifica” or “Professor Pucci,” and place them up to 50 cm apart for a higher hedge.
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 some soil types and tolerates varied levels of sunlight. To avoid removing flower buds, prune annually after late summer flowering. In warm conditions, expect the spot blossoming to last for several months.
Overall, gardenia is a great choice for anyone looking for a beautiful, aromatic plant that takes little maintenance.
12. 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.
Conclusion
It would be very helpful and cost-effective to grow any of the low-maintenance hedge plants in Australia listed above as you will be achieving a beautiful scenery, a fresh airy environment and other benefits which you would get to know when you have plant these plants. Go plant one of these plants today.
You can check our article on courses you can take to become a fulfilled nature lover in planting a tree.
What is the easiest hedge to maintain?
Orange Jasmine, Photinia ‘Red Robin’, Lilly Pilly, and Coastal Rosemary are some low-maintenance hedge plants found in Australia.
What is the fastest-growing hedge for privacy?
The screening plant Neighbors Be Gone (Syzgium paniculata) grows quickly and can be cultivated in pots or straight in the ground. It is a species of lily pilly that is indigenous to Queensland and New South Wales and goes by the name Backyard Bliss.
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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.