Native Hedging and Screening | The backbone to landscapes

Most landscaping projects contain an element of hedging or screening. They are used to define spaces, pathways, frame an entranceway and block out neighbours and structures. We use single species plantings for uniformity and definition and mixed plantings for windbreaks, and for variety in terms of texture, wildlife (bees, birds & insects) height and seasonal interest.

As liveable structures, hedges and screens are unsung heroes being both practical and hard-working. Using indigenous selections native to the area and climate, they are adaptable and a powerful landscape design tool.

As an urban landscaping staple, selecting the right trees or combination of species is important to achieving the desired outcome.

Our Pick for Blockout

Waterhousea floribunda ‘Whisper’. This tree is unique to Speciality Trees and our best-selling tree. It is a versatile and bushy Lilly Pilly growing 8m tall x 5m wide with an elegant almost graceful weeping habit, perfect for large screening projects and the softening of buildings and fence lines. Unlike other Waterhousea ours is propagated from Victorian mother-stock, so responds better to all weather conditions, including cooler climates. 

(image 1) Image caption: The best Block out option: Foliage of Waterhousea floribunda ‘Whisper’ is maintained to the base of the tree providing a full and lush screen year-round

Pretty new pink growth turns various shades of green as the foliage matures, resulting in the formation of a small quantity of creamy-white flowers in summer.  Minimal berry production adds to the tree’s appeal and whilst bird attracting, they are tucked in amongst the foliage and not obvious.

An alternative is the slightly smaller but equally as robust Syzygium australe ‘Hinterland Gold’. Growing 6m x 3m this versatile Lilly Pilly is fast-growing and dense with compact glossy green foliage that develops a lovely coppery hue on new growth. It’s visually delightful kept in its true form or clipped to shape. Fleshy red berries follow cream blossom in summer but for those worried about mess, this is easily minimised by clipping the hedge directly after flowering and before the onset of berries – a tip often overlooked compared to the muscle of a well-grown, well-maintained living structure.

For Around Pools

At 5m tall x 2-3m wide, Acmena smithii ‘Sublime’ is another ideal selection particularly in place of Ficus for around pools where there may be a concern over root systems. Comparatively ‘Sublime’ is a gentler alternative with a fibrous root system and a much smaller footprint. And where green foliage needs to be maintained through winter, 'Sublime isn't susceptible to yellowing or spotting from the cold.

The versitle Acmena smithii 'Sublime' TM PBR

Combine foliage interest with functionality and you can’t go past Acacia cognata varieties ‘Burgundy Cascade’, ‘Copper Tips’ and ‘Lime Magik’. These grow roughly to the same dimensions - around 4m tall and 3m wide - and all are naturally pendulous in form with foliage colour variations to suit any landscape palette.

Image caption: The beautiful Acacia cognata colour options for hedging. From L-R: Acacia 'Burgundy Cascade', Acacia 'Copper Tips' and Acacia 'Lime Magik'

Need height in a narrow growing space? Callistemon viminalis ‘Slim’ grows 3m x 1.5m wide and offers the impactful red flowers of a Bottlebrush tree but in a slender form, making it great for those tighter, more restricted planting spaces.

Another to consider is the fastigiate form of Banksia integrifolia called ‘Sentinel’. Growing 3m x 1m wide, ‘Sentinel’ is a popular choice for a dense and narrow flowering hedge or screen. Preferring full sun to light shade this selection produces upright lemon brush-like flowers from late summer to winter and responds well to pruning suitable for paths and driveways.

If you prefer a more structured alternative for narrow space, Syzygium australe ‘Straight and Narrow’ would be the ideal solution. Bred to offer height in a narrow planting space, small green foliage Lilly Pilly can be easily clipped to its natural height of 4-5m or pruned harder if needed to 2m tall successfully. A perfect selection for entranceways when you require a little height.  Potentially this variety could easily be used as an Australian native alternative to Italian pencil pines.

Image caption: Narrow hedging varieties to frame an entranceway: Callistemon ‘Slim’ TM PBR, Banksia ‘Sentinel’ PBR and Syzygium Straight & Narrow’ TM PBR

We haven’t even scoped the breadth of mixed hedge options, but combining Waterhousea with any Callistemon, Banksia, Hakea or Leptospermum for a windbreak or textured fence line feature would look amazing! For ideas and other selections to suit your situation, please contact us.