Best Hedging Plants

Best Hedging Plants 

Choosing the right hedging plant is one of the most important decisions in garden design. A well-chosen hedge creates privacy, defines boundaries, blocks wind, and adds structure to your outdoor space. A poor choice results in thin coverage, high maintenance, and a garden that never quite feels finished.

The challenge is that not all hedging plants perform the same. Some grow fast but lack density. Others look great but require constant pruning. Some work well in the ground but fail completely in pots.

This guide ranks the best hedging plants, explains where each one performs best, and gives you practical advice to help you choose the right option for your garden, whether you are planting in the ground or using large garden pots.

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Healthy Acmena ‘Allyn Magic’ Lilly Pilly shrub with lush green foliage, glossy leaves, and a compact growth habit.
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What Makes a Hedging Plant “The Best”?

Before ranking plants, it’s important to understand what actually makes a hedge effective.

The best hedging plants share these traits:

• Dense foliage for privacy
• Strong response to pruning
• Consistent growth
• Evergreen coverage
• Adaptability to different environments
• Manageable maintenance requirements

A plant that lacks density will never form a proper screen, no matter how fast it grows.

#1 Best Overall Hedging Plant: Lilly Pilly

Lilly pilly is widely considered the best all-round hedging plant, especially in Australian conditions.

It consistently outperforms other plants because it offers the ideal combination of density, growth, and versatility.

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Why Lilly Pilly Is the Top Choice

Lilly pillies naturally produce dense foliage, and when pruned correctly, they become even thicker. This makes them one of the most reliable plants for creating privacy.

Key benefits:

• Extremely dense growth
• Fast and reliable establishment
• Excellent response to pruning
• Evergreen year-round
• Suitable for formal or informal hedges

Unlike many other plants, lilly pillies actually improve with regular trimming. Each cut encourages more branching, which leads to a thicker hedge over time.

Best Uses for Lilly Pilly

• Privacy screens
• Boundary hedges
• Formal structured hedges
• Hedging in large garden pots
• Modern and traditional landscapes

Lilly pilly is also the best choice if you are creating a hedge using large outdoor pots or fiberglass pots, as it tolerates root restriction better than most plants.

#2 Viburnum: Best Fast-Growing Hedge

If speed is your priority, viburnum is one of the fastest-growing hedging plants available.

It quickly establishes and fills space, making it ideal for new gardens.

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Why Choose Viburnum

• Fast growth rate
• Easy to grow
• Large leaf coverage
• Quick privacy results

Limitations

Viburnum can become loose and less structured if not pruned regularly. It does not always produce the same tight, dense finish as lilly pilly.

Best Use

• Large gardens
• Quick screening
• Low-effort hedges

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Red Cordyline (Cordyline rubra) from The Nurso featuring vibrant red, sword-shaped leaves and a lush tropical appearance.
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Codiaeum variegatum 'Little Mia' (Little Mia Croton)
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Dietes robinsoniana (Lord Howe Wedding Lily)
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Philodendron 'Red Sun' (Red Sun Philodendron)
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Monstera deliciosa 'Tauerii' (Tauerii Monstera)
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Philodendron hederaceum (Heart Leaf Philodendron)
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Epipremnum aureum (Devil's Ivy)
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#3 Murraya: Best for Fragrance and Soft Hedges

Murraya, also known as mock orange, is popular for its scented white flowers and soft foliage.

Features

• Dense growth
• Highly fragrant flowers
• Evergreen
• Softer, more natural appearance

Best Use

• Courtyards
• Entryways
• Outdoor entertaining areas

Murraya works well where scent and atmosphere are important.

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#4 Photinia: Best for Colour Contrast

Photinia is known for its vibrant red new growth, which creates strong visual contrast.

Benefits

• Fast growth
• Unique colour
• Good hedge structure

Best Use

• Feature hedges
• Modern landscapes
• Colour-focused designs

#5 Westringia: Best Low-Maintenance Native Hedge

Westringia is a hardy Australian native that thrives in difficult conditions.

Features

• Drought tolerant
• Low maintenance
• Coastal resistant
• Soft grey-green foliage

Best Use

• Coastal gardens
• Informal hedges
• Low-maintenance landscapes

#6 Callistemon (Bottlebrush): Best Flowering Native Hedge

Callistemon provides a hedge with visual interest through bright flowers.

Features

• Hardy and drought resistant
• Attracts birds
• Native plant option

Best Use

• Native gardens
• Wildlife-friendly landscapes
• Informal hedges

Best Hedging Plants for Pots

Growing hedges in pots is becoming increasingly popular, especially in courtyards, balconies, and modern outdoor spaces.

However, most hedging plants do not perform well in containers.

#1 Best Hedge for Pots: Lilly Pilly

Lilly pilly is the clear winner for container hedging.

Why:

• Handles root restriction
• Maintains density in pots
• Responds well to pruning
• Suitable for large planters

Pot Setup for Success

To grow a thick hedge in pots:

• Use large garden pots (critical)
• Ensure good drainage
• Use high-quality potting mix
• Feed regularly

Small pots will limit growth and prevent proper density.

Comparison Table (Quick Overview)

Plant Density Growth Speed Maintenance Pots
Lilly Pilly Excellent Fast Medium Excellent
Viburnum Good Very Fast Low Poor
Murraya Good Medium Medium Moderate
Photinia Medium Fast Medium Poor
Westringia Medium Medium Low Moderate
Callistemon Medium Medium Low Moderate

Best Hedging Plants for Privacy

If your goal is privacy, density matters more than speed.

Top picks:

• Lilly pilly – best overall
• Viburnum – fast coverage
• Murraya – softer dense hedge

Fastest Growing Hedges

If speed is your priority:

• Viburnum
• Lilly pilly
• Photinia

Fast growth must be managed with pruning to maintain density.

Low Maintenance Hedging Plants

For minimal upkeep:

• Westringia
• Viburnum
• Callistemon

These require less frequent trimming but may not be as dense.

Planting Guide for Thick Hedges

To achieve a dense hedge:

• Plant at correct spacing
• Improve soil before planting
• Water consistently
• Begin pruning early

Spacing too wide delays density. Too close causes competition.

Maintenance Schedule

Spring

• Fertilise
• Begin pruning
• Encourage new growth

Summer

• Maintain watering
• Continue trimming
• Monitor stress

Autumn

• Light pruning
• Maintain shape

Winter

• Minimal pruning
• Prepare for growth season

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Choosing the wrong plant
• Letting hedge grow tall before trimming
• Poor watering habits
• Ignoring soil quality
• Incorrect spacing

These mistakes lead to thin, uneven hedges.

How to Make Any Hedge Thicker

Regardless of plant type:

• Prune regularly
• Feed consistently
• Maintain tapered shape
• Ensure good light exposure

These principles apply to all hedging plants.

Using Hedges in Garden Design

Hedges are not just functional — they are structural elements.

They can:

• Frame outdoor spaces
• Create privacy zones
• Add height and depth
• Improve overall layout

Combining hedges with large garden pots creates a layered and professional look.

Final Ranking

Best Overall

Lilly pilly

Best for Speed

Viburnum

Best for Pots

Lilly pilly

Best for Fragrance

Murraya

Best for Colour

Photinia

Best Low Maintenance

Westringia

Final Thoughts

While many plants can be used for hedging, lilly pilly stands out as the best overall choice.

It offers the ideal balance of:

• density
• growth
• versatility
• suitability for pots

Whether you are building a privacy screen, designing a courtyard, or creating structure in a modern landscape, choosing the right hedging plant will determine how successful your garden looks and performs.