Screening & Hedging Plants for Australian Gardens

Creating privacy with plants can help define outdoor spaces, soften property boundaries and create a more comfortable garden. Screening plants can also provide greenery, flowers, shade and habitat, depending on the varieties selected.

Online Plants offers a broad collection of plants suitable for different screening and hedging applications, including evergreen shrubs, Australian natives, flowering plants, conifers, narrow-growing varieties and larger landscape plants. 

With so many options available, the right choice depends on your garden rather than simply choosing the fastest-growing plant. Consider the height and width required, available sunlight, soil drainage, local climate and the amount of pruning you are prepared to undertake.

How to Choose the Right Screening Plant

There is no single screening plant that suits every Australian garden. Start by deciding what you want the planting to achieve.

For a tall privacy screen, consider varieties that can reach the required mature height without becoming too wide for the available space. Always consider the eventual size rather than the plant's current nursery size.

For a narrow garden or side passage, upright or columnar plants can provide height while taking up less horizontal space. This can be particularly useful around fences, driveways and narrow boundaries.

For a formal hedge, choose plants that respond well to regular pruning and can be maintained at your preferred height and width.

An informal screen offers a more natural appearance. Plants can be allowed to develop their natural form rather than being repeatedly clipped into a uniform shape.

Screening Plants for Different Garden Requirements

Evergreen privacy

Evergreen varieties can retain foliage throughout the year and are useful when continuous privacy is important. Pittosporum, Lilly Pilly and selected conifers are examples within the current collection. 

Native screening

Australian native plants can suit gardens where you want privacy combined with local character and wildlife value. Depending on the variety and location, options include Hakea, Grevillea, Callistemon and Lilly Pilly.

Flowering screens

If appearance is important alongside privacy, flowering varieties can introduce seasonal colour. Callistemon, Photinia, Camellia and other flowering shrubs can provide a different look from a purely foliage-based hedge.

Narrow screening

Where planting width is limited, look for upright or columnar varieties. Pencil Pine and Blue Arrow Juniper are examples of plants with more vertical growth habits. 

How Far Apart Should Screening Plants Be?

There is no universal spacing recommendation for every screening plant.

Spacing should be based on the mature width of the individual variety, the available planting area and how quickly you want the plants to visually join together.

Planting too closely can increase competition for water, nutrients, light and root space. Planting too far apart can leave larger gaps and increase the time required to create a continuous screen.

For a formal hedge, plants are generally positioned to eventually form a continuous line. For an informal screen, more space may be appropriate so individual plants can retain their natural shape.

Always check the individual product information before planting.

Planting and Establishing a Privacy Screen

Prepare the planting area before installation by removing weeds and checking soil drainage.

Water newly planted specimens thoroughly and maintain consistent moisture while the roots establish. Water requirements will depend on the variety, soil, weather and local climate.

Mulching can help reduce moisture loss and suppress weed growth. Keep mulch away from direct contact with trunks and stems.

Do not assume that every screening plant requires the same level of water. A native shrub, flowering plant, conifer and subtropical species can have very different growing requirements.

Pruning and Maintaining Hedging Plants

Pruning can help maintain the height, width, shape and density of many hedge plants.

Regular light trimming is often easier to manage than allowing a hedge to become substantially overgrown before carrying out heavy pruning. However, the appropriate pruning method depends on the plant variety.

Before purchasing, consider how much maintenance you want to undertake. A fast-growing plant may provide quicker coverage but can also require more frequent trimming.

Selecting a variety whose natural mature dimensions are close to your desired screen size can reduce ongoing maintenance.

Choose a Screening Plant Based on Your Garden

With a large selection available, the easiest way to narrow your choices is to consider five factors:

Height: How tall does the privacy screen need to be?
Width: How much planting space is available?
Sunlight: Is the location exposed to full sun, part shade or shade?
Maintenance: Are you prepared to prune regularly?
Climate: Does the variety suit your local conditions?

Taking these factors into account can help you select a screening or hedging plant that is appropriate for the site and easier to manage over time.

Explore the Screening & Hedging Plants collection at Online Plants to compare varieties for privacy, boundaries, garden structure and landscaping projects.

Frequently Asked Question - FAQs

What are the best plants for screening and privacy?

The right plant depends on the required height, available space, climate, appearance and maintenance level. Popular options include Pittosporum, Lilly Pilly, Callistemon, Grevillea, conifers and other shrubs. Rather than choosing one plant as universally best, compare individual varieties according to their mature size and growing requirements.

How quickly do screening plants grow?

Growth rates vary considerably between species and cultivars. Plant size at purchase, soil, watering, sunlight, climate and establishment conditions can all influence growth. If rapid coverage is important, compare both the expected growth habit and the size of the plant you are purchasing.

Are screening plants suitable for small gardens?

Yes. Compact and narrow-growing varieties can be suitable for smaller gardens, courtyards and narrow boundaries. The important consideration is the plant's mature width, not just its size when purchased. Upright or columnar varieties may be particularly useful where horizontal space is limited.

How often should hedging plants be pruned?

Pruning frequency depends on the plant variety and the desired hedge height and shape. Regular light trimming can help maintain density and form. Fast-growing plants may need more frequent maintenance than slower-growing varieties.

Can screening plants grow in different Australian climates?

Some screening plants can adapt to a range of Australian climates, but suitability varies considerably between varieties. Before purchasing, check the individual plant's preferred conditions, including sunlight, soil, moisture and temperature tolerance. Choosing a variety suited to the local environment can improve establishment and long-term performance.