Most Common Plant Types to Use as Hedges in New Zealand

Privacy is one of the earliest considerations many of us make when purchasing or building a new home. After all, we want to enjoy our backyards without the whole neighbourhood watching.   

With that in mind, you may start to wonder whether a hedge for privacy is a worthwhile consideration. While there is nothing wrong with a fence, those who are not in a hurry for property privacy may ponder a more natural solution.

Read on to learn about the most common plant types to use as hedges in NZ. You can then be on your way to a more private and peaceful backyard paradise.

Eugenia Ventenati – Lilly Pilly Variety

One of the most popular hedge types in NZ is the eugenia ventenati, also known as a form of Lilly Pilly. This hedge type is not only vibrant in its colouring but grows tall to provide an immense amount of privacy.

It’s fast-growing so that you can benefit from privacy sooner rather than later, and it thrives in full sun with free-draining soil. When your Lilly Pilly hedge is young, and even as it grows, it will require some care.

Don’t forget to keep it well-watered in the summer while it’s young and prune it regularly. If you’re not sure how to undertake hedge trimming to help your hedge form a dense screen, consult a lawn care company for assistance.

Mountain Green Pittosporum Tenuifolum

If you’re on the fence, pardon the pun, about choosing a fence or hedge, the Mountain Green Pittosporum Tenuifolum may help you decide. This beautiful New Zealand native hybrid is all about natural beauty and privacy.

In the right conditions, meaning full sun and well-drained soil, it can grow up to around two metres, if not higher. You also only need to carry out hedge trimming in spring to keep it looking at its best.

Griselinia Littoralis Broadway Mint

Suppose you live somewhere coastal or with minimal annual rainfall. In that case, set your sights on the Griselinia Littoralis. This beautiful New Zealand native oozes appeal while also offering the added advantage of growing fast for privacy. 

It can grow up to around 4 x 2 metres and thrives in full sun. While it can be a little fussy about soil types, you can’t go wrong with free-draining soil packed full of organic matter.

There can be quite a lot involved in planting and maintaining hedges, so don’t be afraid to contact hedge trimming experts to lend a hand if you need help with your Broadway Mint.  

Pittosporum Tenuifolium Wrinkle Blue

Anyone looking for the best plant type in NZ to use as a hedge will likely see Wrinkle Blue at the top of their wish list. This Pittosporum Tenuifolium is an ideal option for hedging and shrub borders.

It grows beautifully in full sun with a striking blue-green glossy foliage, and it requires minimal care to thrive. Simply plant it in well-drained soil, water it until it’s well-established, and ask your local gardening expert about nutrients it may need.

Once it’s fully established, Blue Wrinkle can grow up to around 2.5 x 1.5 metres – the perfect height and width for backyard privacy.

Chilean Guava

Not everyone needs a hedge for privacy in NZ. Sometimes, they want something that functions as a property border while adding to their yard’s aesthetic appeal. In that case, turn your attention to the Chilean Guava.

This stunning plant used to be popular in England in the 1800s and has started taking off here in Aotearoa. You can grow it as a shrub but turn it into a formal hedge akin to box hedging with care and training. 

Unlike many of the most popular hedge types in New Zealand, Chilean Guava is a giver. Not only does it spruce up your property, but it produces tangy and tasty fruit the kids are bound to love.

The best time to prune your Chilean Guava is after it has fruited. You can then work towards a more formal shape as it thrives. Once it’s mature, it can reach a height of around 0.6 metres.

Corokia Geentys Ghost  

A hard frost, high winds, and arid summers can bring the hardiest hedge to its knees. But not the Corokia Geentys Ghost. This sturdy all-around hedge thrives in the most challenging climates, making it suitable for growth in many parts of New Zealand.

While it does love full sun, it’s more than satisfied with your average, everyday garden soil in whatever weather conditions. You can also use it as a shrub or grow it into a full hedge that reaches heights of around two metres.

Get Stuck In

It’s not always easy to decide whether you prefer a fence or hedge for your new home. However, what might make it easier is knowing that there are plenty of suitable options out there.

Even the care of your hedge can be managed with the help of experts. What’s holding you back? Start shopping for the perfect hedge plants today and get that new property border underway.