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Best Hedging Trees for Narrow Spaces: 5 Columnar Picks

Best Hedging Trees for Narrow Spaces: 5 Columnar Picks

Narrow privacy and screening in tight gardens calls for columnar hedgers. Syzygium 'Straight and Narrow', Magnolia Teddy Bear, Banksia 'Sentinel', Bay Miles Choice and Murraya lead the list. Here is how to choose and space them.
HedgingNarrow HedgesPrivacy ScreenTree SelectionUrban Gardens

Narrow side yards, slim courtyards and skinny privacy strips need tall slim hedges that grow up rather than out. The classic broad hedge won't fit. What you need is a columnar tree with dense foliage from base to tip.

The five columnar hedging trees below are the ones we recommend most often for narrow positions. They cover the full range — native, formal, Mediterranean, fragrant, coastal — so there's a narrow pick here for almost any home.

  • Syzygium 'Straight & Narrow' — the slimmest Lilly Pilly. Strongly columnar at 6 to 8m tall by 1 to 1.5m wide, glossy evergreen foliage with red-tinted new growth.
  • Magnolia 'Teddy Bear' — the compact Magnolia. Holds a tight 3 to 5m by 1.5 to 2.5m frame, plush brown-backed glossy foliage and fragrant cream summer flowers.
  • Banksia 'Sentinel' — the columnar Coastal Banksia. 6 to 8m by 1 to 1.5m, yellow autumn-winter flowers and the best salt tolerance of any narrow hedge.
  • Laurus 'Miles Choice' — the columnar Bay. 4 to 6m by 1 to 1.5m, glossy aromatic edible leaves. The classic Mediterranean narrow hedge.
  • Murraya paniculata — the fragrant warm-climate narrow hedge. 2 to 3m by 1 to 1.5m, with intensely fragrant white flowers in flushes through the warmer months.

Compare at a glance

CultivarHeightWidthFormFoliageBest if you…
Syzygium australe 'Straight and Narrow'
Straight and Narrow Lilly Pilly 		6-8m, can be pruned to desired height1-1.5mStrongly columnar, dense from base to tipEvergreen, glossy mid green with red-tinted new growthNarrow privacy hedges, slim courtyard screens, tight side yards
Magnolia grandiflora 'Teddy Bear'
Magnolia Teddy Bear 		3-5m, can be pruned to desired height1.5-2.5mDense pyramidal, naturally compactEvergreen, glossy dark green with bronze undersidesTight courtyard hedges, small side yards, narrow screens
Banksia integrifolia 'Sentinel'
Sentinel Coastal Banksia 		6-8m1-1.5mStrongly columnar, dense from base to tipEvergreen, deep green with silver undersidesNarrow coastal hedging, slim wildlife screens, tough exposed sites
Laurus nobilis 'Miles Choice'
Bay Miles Choice 		4-6m, can be pruned to desired height1-1.5mTight columnar, dense from base to tipEvergreen, glossy dark green aromatic leavesFormal narrow Mediterranean hedges, kitchen gardens, courtyards
Murraya paniculata
Orange Jessamine 		2-3m, can be pruned to desired height1-1.5mDense rounded habit, holds clipped shape wellEvergreen, glossy mid green pinnate leavesNarrow formal warm climate hedges, courtyards, fragrant screen planting
Decide the look
Native columnar: Straight & Narrow or Banksia Sentinel. Formal pyramidal: Teddy Bear. Mediterranean: Bay 'Miles Choice'. Fragrant warm-climate: Murraya. Pick the look first, the species follows.
Climate fit
Tropical and warm-temperate: Straight & Narrow, Murraya. Cool temperate to frost: Teddy Bear, Bay. Coastal direct exposure: Banksia 'Sentinel'.
Height matters
Straight & Narrow and Banksia 'Sentinel' reach 6 to 8m. Bay 'Miles Choice' holds 4 to 6m. Teddy Bear sits at 3 to 5m. Murraya stays at 2 to 3m. All can be pruned to desired height.
Speed of establishment
Murraya is fastest. Straight & Narrow and Banksia 'Sentinel' are moderate. Teddy Bear and Bay 'Miles Choice' are slower and steadier.
Maintenance you can keep up with
Two prunes a year for most. Bay 'Miles Choice' and Teddy Bear are the lowest maintenance — once or twice a year. Straight & Narrow and Murraya benefit from two to three light trims.
Spacing
Plant at 1m spacing across every species on this list. Closer crowds the root zone; wider leaves gaps that don't fill in.
Syzygium australe 'Straight and Narrow'

1. Syzygium australe 'Straight and Narrow' (Straight and Narrow Lilly Pilly)

Straight and Narrow is the tightest columnar Lilly Pilly. Glossy evergreen foliage, slim profile and dense from base to tip. The first pick for narrow privacy.

Type
Narrow native hedging tree
Height
6-8m, can be pruned to desired height
Width
1-1.5m
Growth rate
Moderate
Foliage
Evergreen, glossy mid green with red-tinted new growth
Flowers
Small white flowers in summer followed by dark red berries
Form
Strongly columnar, dense from base to tip
Conditions
Full sun to part shade. Moist well drained soil. Coastal hardy.
Maintenance
Light trim twice yearly to maintain shape.
Best for
Narrow privacy hedges, slim courtyard screens, tight side yards

Why choose it

The slimmest Lilly Pilly available. Where space is tight and you need height, this is the answer.

Perfect pair

Pair as a screen behind a single Magnolia x soulangeana for layered seasonal interest.

Tips for planting

Plant 1m apart for a dense hedge. Water deeply through the first two summers.

The slimmest Lilly Pilly for the slimmest privacy positions.

Shop Syzygium australe 'Straight and Narrow'
Magnolia grandiflora 'Teddy Bear'

2. Magnolia grandiflora 'Teddy Bear' (Magnolia Teddy Bear)

Teddy Bear is the compact dense magnolia that works as a narrow hedge in tight gardens. Glossy dark foliage, big creamy white flowers, holds shape easily.

Type
Compact magnolia hedge
Height
3-5m, can be pruned to desired height
Width
1.5-2.5m
Growth rate
Moderate
Foliage
Evergreen, glossy dark green with bronze undersides
Flowers
Large creamy white fragrant flowers in summer
Form
Dense pyramidal, naturally compact
Conditions
Full sun to part shade. Well drained slightly acidic soil.
Maintenance
Low. Light prune after flowering.
Best for
Tight courtyard hedges, small side yards, narrow screens

Why choose it

Holds tight dense form without heavy pruning. Delivers flowers and screening in a compact footprint.

Perfect pair

Pair as a hedge behind a single feature Acer palmatum.

Tips for planting

Plant 1.2m apart. Mulch heavily and water deeply through the first two summers.

The compact magnolia that holds narrow form with minimum fuss.

Shop Magnolia grandiflora 'Teddy Bear'
Banksia integrifolia 'Sentinel'

3. Banksia integrifolia 'Sentinel' (Sentinel Coastal Banksia)

Sentinel is the narrow upright Coastal Banksia. Tight columnar form, yellow flower spikes and the toughest native screen for coastal narrow positions.

Type
Narrow Australian native hedge tree
Height
6-8m
Width
1-1.5m
Growth rate
Moderate
Foliage
Evergreen, deep green with silver undersides
Flowers
Pale yellow upright flower spikes through autumn and winter
Form
Strongly columnar, dense from base to tip
Conditions
Full sun. Excellent salt and wind tolerance. Sandy soil hardy.
Maintenance
Low. Avoid phosphorus fertilisers.
Best for
Narrow coastal hedging, slim wildlife screens, tough exposed sites

Why choose it

The only narrow native hedge that handles direct coastal salt and wind exposure.

Perfect pair

Pair as a coastal screen behind a single feature Banksia serrata.

Tips for planting

Plant 1m apart for a dense screen. Avoid phosphorus.

The narrow native hedge that thrives where most others fail.

Shop Banksia integrifolia 'Sentinel'
Laurus nobilis 'Miles Choice'

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

Miles Choice Bay is the columnar bay tree bred for narrow formal hedges. Glossy dark foliage, edible leaves and a tight upright habit.

Type
Narrow Mediterranean hedge tree
Height
4-6m, can be pruned to desired height
Width
1-1.5m
Growth rate
Moderate
Foliage
Evergreen, glossy dark green aromatic leaves
Flowers
Small cream flowers in spring
Form
Tight columnar, dense from base to tip
Conditions
Full sun to part shade. Well drained soil. Frost tolerant once established.
Maintenance
Low. Light trim twice yearly.
Best for
Formal narrow Mediterranean hedges, kitchen gardens, courtyards

Why choose it

The classic Mediterranean narrow hedge with the bonus of edible aromatic leaves.

Perfect pair

Pair as a hedge behind a single Manzanillo Olive feature for a layered Mediterranean composition.

Tips for planting

Plant 1m apart. Trim lightly twice a year to keep the form tight.

The narrow hedge for Mediterranean and kitchen gardens.

Shop Laurus nobilis 'Miles Choice'
Murraya paniculata

5. Murraya paniculata (Orange Jessamine)

Murraya is the fragrant evergreen hedge with star-like white flowers. Holds tight form, easy to maintain and suits narrow warm climate positions.

Type
Compact warm-climate hedge
Height
2-3m, can be pruned to desired height
Width
1-1.5m
Growth rate
Fast
Foliage
Evergreen, glossy mid green pinnate leaves
Flowers
Fragrant white star-shaped flowers in flushes spring through autumn
Form
Dense rounded habit, holds clipped shape well
Conditions
Full sun to part shade. Warm climate preferred. Well drained soil.
Maintenance
Trim 2-3 times yearly to maintain dense shape and encourage flowering.
Best for
Narrow formal warm climate hedges, courtyards, fragrant screen planting

Why choose it

Murraya combines tight form with intense flower fragrance. The hedge you smell before you see.

Perfect pair

Pair as a hedge behind a single Jacaranda or Crepe Myrtle feature.

Tips for planting

Plant 80cm apart for a dense hedge. Trim lightly after each flowering flush.

The fragrant warm-climate hedge that earns its place by scent alone.

Shop Murraya paniculata

How to plant and care for them

Pick the position
Most narrow hedges want full sun. Banksia 'Sentinel' and Teddy Bear tolerate part shade. Run the hedge line where the home most needs the screen.
Prepare the planting trench
Dig a trench (not individual holes) along the hedge line, twice the width of the rootball and the same depth. Mix the original soil with aged compost.
Plant at 1m spacing
Use 1m spacing for a dense narrow hedge across every species on this list. Closer crowds the root zone; wider leaves gaps that don't fill in.
Water in deeply at planting
Soak each rootball thoroughly so the new soil settles around the roots. Top up the watering well twice in the first day if the soil drinks fast.
Mulch out to the row
Lay 75 to 100mm of organic mulch the full length of the hedge, 50mm clear of each trunk. Mulch keeps roots cool and holds moisture.
Stake on exposed sites
Stake young trees on exposed or windy positions through the first year. Remove once anchored.
Two to three light prunes a year
Light frequent pruning keeps the column shape tight. Two to three light trims a year are better than one hard cut.

Frequently asked questions

How narrow can a hedge be?
Most columnar hedges can be maintained at 1-1.5m wide. Below 1m stresses the plants and reduces density.
How tall can narrow hedges grow?
Syzygium Straight and Narrow and Banksia Sentinel reach 6-8m. Teddy Bear holds at 3-5m. All can be pruned to desired height.
Which narrow hedge is fastest growing?
Murraya is fastest, followed by Syzygium Straight and Narrow and Banksia Sentinel.

The wrap up

The five narrow hedging picks cover every common columnar brief. Straight & Narrow leads the tall native columns. Teddy Bear carries the formal flowering pyramidal. Banksia 'Sentinel' is the salt-tough coastal pick. Bay 'Miles Choice' delivers Mediterranean formality. Murraya is the fragrant compact warm-climate pick.

Whichever species you choose, plant at 1m spacing, water deeply through the first two summers, and trim two to three times a year for the tightest column shape.

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