Benefits of Fast-Growing Trees for Quick Garden Privacy

Five fast hedging trees for quick privacy: Ficus Hillii Flash, Waterhousea, Syzygium Resilience, Green Pillar Pittosporum and Bay Miles Choice.

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When you need privacy, you need it now. The five fast-growing hedge trees below deliver a serious screen inside two to three years.

Ficus hillii 'Flash'

Fast-growing evergreen hedge with lime-green new growth. The most efficient privacy hedge in Australia.

Waterhousea floribunda

Fast-growing native weeping screen. Privacy in under three years.

Syzygium australe 'Resilience'

Fast-growing native Lilly Pilly with high pest resistance. The reliable fast hedge.

Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Green Pillar'

Naturally columnar fast-growing evergreen. Privacy in narrow spaces.

Laurus nobilis 'Miles Choice'

Refined fast-establishing evergreen hedge. Privacy with structure.

Planting for Fast Privacy

Spacing tightens with speed. Plant Ficus and Syzygium at 600 to 800mm centres for a continuous hedge inside two years. Water deeply through the first summer to push root establishment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long until I get full privacy?
Ficus Hillii Flash and Syzygium Resilience: 18 to 24 months from a 40cm pot. Waterhousea similar timeline.

Do they need heavy watering?
Deep watering twice a week through the first summer is what makes them fast.

Can they be kept low?
Yes. All can be pruned to desired height through regular clipping.

1. Ficus hillii 'Flash' (Flash Ficus)

Fast-growing evergreen hedge with lime-green new growth. The most efficient privacy hedge in Australia.

Type: Evergreen fast hedge
Height: 3 to 20m. Can be pruned to desired height
Width: 3 to 5m
Growth rate: Very fast
Foliage: Glossy dark green, lime-green new growth
Form: Upright, takes clipping
Conditions: Full sun to part shade, most soils
Maintenance: Two to three clips a year
Best for: Privacy hedges, fast screens, formal structure

Why choose it

Flash Ficus delivers privacy faster than almost any other Australian hedge tree.

Perfect pair

Plant with Magnolia Coolwyn Gloss for layered fast-and-feature work.

Tips for planting

Plant 800mm apart for a hedge.

Fast privacy without compromise.

Shop Ficus hillii 'Flash'

2. Waterhousea floribunda (Weeping Lilly Pilly)

Fast-growing native weeping screen. Privacy in under three years.

Type: Evergreen native fast screen
Height: 7 to 10m. Can be pruned to desired height
Width: 3 to 5m
Growth rate: Fast
Foliage: Glossy green, bronze new growth
Form: Weeping
Conditions: Full sun to part shade, moist well drained soil
Maintenance: One shape clip per year
Best for: Fast privacy, native screens, weeping features

Why choose it

Waterhousea delivers fast native privacy with the bonus of elegance.

Perfect pair

Plant alongside Ficus Hillii Flash for layered fast screening.

Tips for planting

Plant 2m apart.

Native privacy fast.

Shop Waterhousea floribunda

3. Syzygium australe 'Resilience' (Resilience Lilly Pilly)

Fast-growing native Lilly Pilly with high pest resistance. The reliable fast hedge.

Type: Evergreen native hedge
Height: 3 to 6m. Can be pruned to desired height
Width: 2 to 3m
Growth rate: Fast
Foliage: Glossy bronze-pink new growth, deep green mature
Flowers: White fluffy summer flowers
Form: Upright, dense
Conditions: Full sun to part shade, well drained soil
Maintenance: Two clips a year
Best for: Fast privacy, pest-resistant hedging

Why choose it

Resilience is pest-resistant where many lilly pillies struggle with psyllid.

Perfect pair

Plant alongside Ficus Hillii Flash for layered native and exotic fast screen.

Tips for planting

Plant 800mm apart for a hedge.

Fast pest-resistant native privacy.

Shop Syzygium australe 'Resilience'

4. Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Green Pillar' (Green Pillar Pittosporum)

Naturally columnar fast-growing evergreen. Privacy in narrow spaces.

Type: Evergreen narrow hedge
Height: 4 to 6m. Can be pruned to desired height
Width: 1 to 1.5m
Growth rate: Fast
Foliage: Glossy dark green
Form: Columnar
Conditions: Full sun to part shade, well drained soil
Maintenance: Light annual prune
Best for: Narrow space privacy, columnar screens

Why choose it

Green Pillar delivers privacy where conventional hedges have no room.

Perfect pair

Plant alongside Ficus Hillii Flash for layered fast hedging.

Tips for planting

Plant 600mm apart for a tight column.

Narrow space privacy without bulk.

Shop Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Green Pillar'

5. Laurus nobilis 'Miles Choice' (Miles Choice Bay)

Refined fast-establishing evergreen hedge. Privacy with structure.

Type: Evergreen formal hedge
Height: 3 to 5m. Can be pruned to desired height
Width: 2 to 3m
Growth rate: Moderate
Foliage: Glossy dark green, aromatic
Form: Upright, naturally dense
Conditions: Full sun to part shade, well drained soil
Maintenance: Two clips a year
Best for: Privacy hedges with formal structure

Why choose it

Bay Miles Choice gives privacy with a refined formal look.

Perfect pair

Plant alongside Ficus Hillii Flash for layered fast hedging plus formal.

Tips for planting

Plant 600mm apart for a tight hedge.

Formal privacy without the wait.

Shop Laurus nobilis 'Miles Choice'

Compare at a glance

Cultivar	Height	Width	Form	Foliage	Best if you…
Ficus hillii 'Flash' Flash Ficus	3 to 20m. Can be pruned to desired height	3 to 5m	Upright, takes clipping	Glossy dark green, lime-green new growth	Privacy hedges, fast screens, formal structure
Waterhousea floribunda Weeping Lilly Pilly	7 to 10m. Can be pruned to desired height	3 to 5m	Weeping	Glossy green, bronze new growth	Fast privacy, native screens, weeping features
Syzygium australe 'Resilience' Resilience Lilly Pilly	3 to 6m. Can be pruned to desired height	2 to 3m	Upright, dense	Glossy bronze-pink new growth, deep green mature	Fast privacy, pest-resistant hedging
Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Green Pillar' Green Pillar Pittosporum	4 to 6m. Can be pruned to desired height	1 to 1.5m	Columnar	Glossy dark green	Narrow space privacy, columnar screens
Laurus nobilis 'Miles Choice' Miles Choice Bay	3 to 5m. Can be pruned to desired height	2 to 3m	Upright, naturally dense	Glossy dark green, aromatic	Privacy hedges with formal structure