Plants for 2-3m hedge?

wef · Jan 18, 2019 2:26 pm

Hi guys,

Hope you are all doing well.
I am looking for recommendations for a new hedge.
The hedge is going in the neighbour's yard which is running very close to our property and I am helping them arrange for this (they live interstate). Since they are adjacent to my property that has windows on this side, I want to make sure the selected plant will not create issues down the road if left unpruned. The neighbours are renting the place out, so there is no way to know whether the tenants will do their bit when it comes to yard maintenance. Hence why I am looking for a plant that won't go above 2-3m in a worst case scenario.

I want a plant (preferably native) that will:

- grow up to 2-3m in height at maturity
- not cause any potential roots issues to foundations
- provide some privacy
- stay green all year long

Climate is Sydney

Do you have any recommendations?

Much appreciate the support, I am clueless when it comes to these things, and the internet makes it hard to decide, there seems to be too many options and I am struggling to find accurate data with regards to maximum height if left unpruned for most plants.

Thanks guys

DeKa · Jan 19, 2019 6:54 pm

Viburnum.
If you plant them 40-50cm apart, it’s unlikely they’ll grow above 2-3m high.

IamSAM · Jan 21, 2019 10:48 am

Talk to a LOCAL nursery (not Bunnings). They will know what grows best in the locale. Climate in Sydney varies as you know. Soil type, sun orientation are equally important.

kks · Jan 21, 2019 4:03 pm

If you are in the South of Sydney must recommend the Rockdale Community Nursery as a visit. Great stock and knowledge and prices and many of the staff are challenged youngsters. Top place.

TashPaul · Jan 22, 2019 9:27 am

An option would be pittosporum - probably the sunburst variety. They don't get too tall. However, without some maintenance (pruning at least once a year) they tend to be a bit straggly. JMO.

wef · Jan 23, 2019 9:25 pm

Hi guys,

Thank you for the pointers, really appreciated.

I have been asking around at several places including local nurseries, bunnings and online.
Very hard to come to some kind of consensus!

I have some pittosporums in the backyard (the sunburst ones actually!), they are easily a good 5+ meters, just 4 years after having been planted - these need to be kept in check! I also got recommended the classic murrayas, but we know these just get out of control if not cared for.

In the end I have placed an order for some westringia naringa ( https://www.ozbreed.com.au/plant-ranges ... nd-covers/ ) in the hope they do stay around that 2.2m height. From what I have gathered about the westringia, they tend to be smallish in height, so hopefully it does not get too out of control.

When checking some labels the other day while at bunnings, I had a look at the pittosporums actually. The label rates them at 3-4m in height, but I have witnessed first hand how tall these can get (some over 6m in the backyard), so I have found labels to be confusing.

Anyway I guess we'll see ! The idea is that if I get a plant that is rated at 2m ash, I might end up with something that grows to 3-4m but hopefully not to 6-7m!
or if we are lucky the tenants will just look after them a bit.

Cheers