Best Hedge Plants in Australia: Fast-Growing, Native, Flowering & Low-Maintenance Options for Every Garden
Hedge plants are a foundational element in Australian landscape design. They provide privacy, structure, wind protection, and visual cohesion while supporting biodiversity. In a country with diverse climates—from coastal humidity to dry inland heat—selecting the correct hedge species is critical for long-term success.
This guide covers the best hedge plants in Australia, including fast-growing hedge plants, Australian native hedge plants, flowering hedge plants, and low maintenance hedge plants. It also includes widely used varieties such as lilly pilly, along with popular cultivars like Resilience, Select, and Plum Magic.
What is the Best Hedge Plant in Australia?
The best hedge plant depends on your needs:
For privacy: Lilly pilly, viburnum, murraya
For low maintenance: Westringia, pittosporum, elaeagnus
For flowering: Hibiscus, camellia, gardenia
For natives: Syzygium, callistemon, leptospermum
For small hedges: Buxus, dwarf murraya, lavender
Fast-Growing Hedge Plants Australia
Fast-growing hedge plants are ideal for privacy and screening. These plants establish quickly and create dense coverage.
Lilly Pilly (Syzygium / Acmena)
Lilly pilly is one of the most popular hedge plants in Australia due to its adaptability and fast growth.
Popular varieties include:
Resilience – psyllid-resistant and highly reliable
Select – dense and ideal for screening
Plum Magic – vibrant coloured new growth
Backyard Bliss – compact and fast-growing
Straight and Narrow – upright, narrow form
Tiny Trev – dwarf variety
Advantages:
Fast-growing hedge plant for privacy
Handles pruning well
Suitable for formal and informal hedges
Works across many Australian climates
Growth rate: Fast
Height: 3–10 metres
Viburnum (Viburnum odoratissimum)
Viburnum is a fast-growing hedge plant ideal for tall screening.
Features:
Dense foliage
Quick vertical growth
Low maintenance
Growth rate: Fast
Height: 3–5 metres
Murraya (Murraya paniculata)
Murraya is a refined hedge option suited to residential gardens.
Features:
Fragrant white flowers
Compact growth
Easy to shape
Growth rate: Moderate to fast
Height: 2–4 metres
Australian Native Hedge Plants
Native hedge plants offer strong resilience and suit Australian conditions well.
Callistemon (Bottlebrush)
Features:
Bright flowers
Attracts birds
Drought tolerant
Westringia (Coastal Rosemary)
Features:
Low maintenance
Handles coastal conditions
Soft grey-green foliage
Leptospermum (Tea Tree)
Features:
Fast-growing native hedge
Fine foliage
Seasonal flowers
Grevillea
Features:
Fast-growing
Attracts birds
Suitable for informal hedges
Flowering Hedge Plants Australia
Flowering hedges add colour and interest.
Hibiscus
Growth rate: Fast
Features:
Large flowers
Vibrant colours
Suitable for warm climates
Gardenia
Features:
Fragrant blooms
Glossy foliage
Compact growth
Camellia
Features:
Winter flowering
Suitable for shade
Elegant structure
Low Maintenance Hedge Plants Australia
Low maintenance hedge plants reduce ongoing work.
Pittosporum
Varieties include Silver Sheen and Screen Master.
Features:
Hardy
Dense foliage
Minimal pruning
Elaeagnus
Features:
Very resilient
Drought tolerant
Handles poor soil
Photinia
Features:
Red new growth
Easy to maintain
Small Hedge Plants
Buxus (Box Hedge)
Features:
Formal appearance
Compact growth
Dwarf Lilly Pilly
Examples:
Tiny Trev
Minipilly
Suitable for smaller spaces.
Lavender
Features:
Fragrant
Drought tolerant
Soft look
Best Hedge Plants for Privacy
Top options:
Lilly pilly (Resilience, Select, Plum Magic)
Viburnum
Murraya
Pittosporum
Syzygium
Fast Growing Hedge Plants for Privacy
Recommended:
Lilly pilly
Viburnum
Leighton Green
Mock Orange
Duranta
Planting and Spacing
Spacing guidelines:
Small hedges: 30–50 cm
Medium hedges: 50–100 cm
Large hedges: 1–1.5 m
Steps:
Prepare soil
Add compost
Plant evenly
Mulch
Water regularly
Maintenance and Pruning
Key practices:
Prune early
Encourage branching
Fertilise regularly
Monitor pests
Lilly pilly varieties such as Resilience help reduce pest issues.
Additional Hedge Plant Options
Duranta
Coprosma
Escallonia
Nandina
Ligustrum
Podocarpus
Juniper
Cupressus
Rhaphiolepis
Abelia
Correa
Hardenbergia
Melaleuca
Dodonaea
Acalypha
What is the Fastest Growing Hedge in Australia?
Fast-growing hedge plants include:
Lilly pilly
Viburnum
Leighton Green
Mock Orange
These can establish screening relatively quickly.
Choosing the Right Hedge
Consider:
Climate
Height
Maintenance level
Purpose
Examples:
Modern gardens: Westringia, pittosporum
Tropical: Hibiscus, murraya
Formal: Buxus, lilly pilly
Native: Callistemon, grevillea
Conclusion
Hedge plants are essential in Australian gardens for privacy, structure, and aesthetics. Lilly pilly varieties such as Resilience, Select, and Plum Magic remain among the best hedge plants due to their adaptability and performance.
Selecting the right hedge plant and maintaining it properly ensures long-term success and a strong, visually appealing landscape.
