Informal hedge Viburnums make good informal hedges; try Viburnum lantana, V. opulus, V. rhytidofolium. Many New Zealand natives make lovely informal hedges; for example, Manuka (Leptospernum scoparium) & its cultivars, Plagianthus divaricatus (native Ribbonwood), olearias, hebes, and corokias. The rowans (sorbus sp.), hawthorn (craetagegus sp.), berberis, forsythia, hydrangea, cotinus, hypericum, potentilla, rhododendron, spirea, syringa (or lilac) - the list is almost endless.
Roses, (especially Rosa rugosa), lavender, santolina, rosemary or perovskia will add a flowery element to your informal hedge.
Low hedges Often we want a low hedge to edge a driveway or path or to make a division in the garden that we can see, but see across. Box (Buxus sempervirens)is the classic hedge in this situation but there are other, lovely alternatives.
The small evergreen azalea (commonly known as 'Azalea indica') makes a charming, low hedge. Native coprosma, hebe and corokia can all be kept and trimmed as a low hedge. Lavender, cistus and cotton lavender (Santolina chamaecyparissus) will make a wonderful sweep of greyish or silver foliage with the bonus of the flowers in mid-summer.
The Australian native Corea alba is a more unusual option and good at the coast. B. thunbergii 'Atropurpurea' forms will make a colourful hedge.
Burglar Proof If you want to keep burglars and animals out then the more prickles the better. Berberis darwinii and B. thunbergii carry vicious thorns and will deter intruders.
Hawthorn (Crataegus sp.) is a good choice to keep animals out, but beware if you have children as the berries are poisonous and a prickle from those thorns can cause swelling. Chaemoneles, the old fashioned 'japonica' is pretty in early spring and its thorns make is a tough barrier.
Windbreak hedges A must across much of New Zealand, windbreaks were traditionally planted in Pine (Pinus radiata) or macrocarpa (Cupressus macrocarpa).
There are other options for a conifer windbreak hedge. You can also try Cupressocyparis leylandii, one of the fastest growing trees and one that will require constant clipping to keep it in bounds. (It is the cause of many law-suits when it is not). Chamaecyparis lawsoniana, a quick windbreak hedge, is not as widely used having been replaced by C. leylandii, and are not suitable near the coast.
The Deodar (Cedrus deodara) and Arizonica (Cupressus arizonica) are good windbreaks and withstand drought better than many conifers, while Thuja plicata (Western red cedar) is a good boundary in wetter climates. Remember though that these conifers are all large trees and while they make great hedges they will require clipping at least annually.
New Zealand natives are great windbreak, more bird-friendly and pleasing for a formal or informal shelter hedge. Try Pittosporum tenufolium, P. crassifolium, Olearia albida, O. var lineata 'Dartonii', Manuka, Escallonia or Phormium and Toetoe (Cortaderia richardii)
Shade-tolerant hedges Acuba japonica 'Crotonifolia', Prunus laurocerasus, the common laurel, black bamboo (Phyllostachys nigra) and Yew (Taxus baccata) are all shade tolerant hedges.
Hedge plants are placed close together to make a dense barrier.
Different plants require different spacing but 75cm to 90cm (30" to 36") apart is generally sufficient. Spacing for some commonly used plants is below.
Hedge plants are placed close together to make a dense barrier.
