Flowering hedges Viburnum tinus is often seen planted around old country churches, and makes a wonderful flowering hedge. Camellias, especially C. sasanqua and C. x williamsii, are good hedges with glossy leaves and colourful flowers. Choisya ternata, the Mexican Orange Blossom, is pretty.
Roses can be trimmed into informal, flowering hedges and their prickles deter most; the Rugosa roses are especially good as autumn foliage colour and hips give a longer season of interest. Carpet and patio roses can be used as a low hedge, trimmed over with the clippers and an annual going over with the secateurs to remove dead, old and very woody growth once a year.
Brachyglottis 'Sunshine' (syn. Senecio 'Sunshine') has felted, silvery leaves and dramatic yellow daisy flowers in summer. The hebes are wonderful, low flowering hedges. Catmint (Nepeta x faassenii), perovskia, lavender and the evergreen azaleas make low, informal flowering hedges.
Coastal hedges Coastal hedges must withstand salt-laden winds and, often, drier conditions in very free draining, light soils.
Akeake (Dodonaea viscosa), Olearia chathamica, O. albilda and Karo (Pittosporum crassifolium) are tough and tall growing plants that will survive the worst on the coast. Escallonia is a well-tried alternative.
The native broadleaf (Griselinia littoralis) and Ngaio (Myoporum laetum) are also good.
Dry climate hedge Teucrium fruticans has small silver grey leaves and can be trimmed to make a low hedge. Clip when young to make dense. Cedrus deodara, macrocarpa and Arizonica (Cupressus macrocarpa and C. arizonica) are more tolerant of dry sites than other conifers. Junipers are also tolerant of dry conditions once established. Olearia marcodonta and O. x. haastii are both good.
Arbutus unedo, the Irish strawberry tree, is also good in dry climates and makes an unusual hedge. Lavender, santolina, cistus and rosemary can all be grown as a low hedge in dry-climate areas.
Wet Climate hedges Phormium makes a solid and dense barrier. Coprosma grandiflora, C. robusta, Manuka, Crataegus oxycantha will also tolerate wetter soils.
Kamahi (Wiemannia racemosa), often called 'beech' because of the reddish-tinge in its beautiful foliage, is good in damper sites.
Wildlife friendly hedges Twiggy hedges that provide nesting sites and those that provide fruit or flowers for food are friendly to our native bird population. Natives are especially good although watching the birds strip a hawthorn leaves no doubt that it is just as popular!
Coprosmas, corokias, pittosporum and akeake (Dodonaea viscosa) are all good, wildlife friendly hedges.
Kamahi (Wiemannia racemosa) has lovely bronzy foliage. Pohutakawa (Metrosideros excelsa) can be kept trimmed, but time your clip soon after flowering to ensure that you get new growth to flower the following summer.
Craetaegus (hawthorn), pyracantha (Firethorn), cotoneaster are also popular, although seedlings spread by birds can become a pest.
Choose well There are so many choices for your hedge, whatever the situation, that you need not stay with the predictable to have a great hedge that suits your requirements.
Understand your site and climate, identify your Design requirements clearly and then prepare and Plant and care for your hedge accordingly.
Hedges are long-term plantings. Take time to get it right before you plant.
Plot your hedge on the ground first
Make sure you allow for the mature size of the hedge. Don't assume that a hedge will stay at 20cms, most are around 60cm (2ft) wide and many older hedges quite a deal wider.
Use a line to make sure the hedge is straight
Established hedges will compete for light, misture and nutrients with your border plants. Don't plant vigorous, greedy hedges next to the flower border.
Arbutus unedo, the Irish Strawberry tree
Flower and fruit on Rosa rugosa
Olearia albida, Tanguru
Weimannia racemosa, Kamahi
Brachyglottis 'Sunshine'
Trees for the Small Garden A tree is one of the most important plantings in your garden. Ideas, inspiration advice and some great photographs, see our feature
Hedges are long-term plantings. Take time to get it right before you plant.
A tree is one of the most important plantings in your garden. Ideas, inspiration advice and some great photographs, see our