The Best Hedging Trees for Privacy In Your Garden

Crafting a beautiful, functional hedge starts with selecting the right trees. This guide showcases our top picks for hedging trees, each offering unique characteristics to enhance your garden.

1. Ficus Hillii / Ficus Hillii Flash

The Ficus Hillii and its variant, the Flash, are superb choices for dense hedges. The Flash variety is popular for its faster growth, making it suitable for quick coverage. Adaptable to various climates, they provide lush, year-round greenery, making them ideal for privacy-enhancing hedges.

• Mature Height: Up to 15 meters.
• Mature Width: 5-6 meters.
• Spacing: 0.8-1m apart.
• Leaf Appearance: Dense, lush foliage.
• Rate of Growth: Moderate to fast.

2. Waterhousea Floribunda (Weeping Lilly Pilly)

Celebrated for its dense foliage, this native Australian tree is perfect for high hedges. Its lush, vibrant leaves create an elegant backdrop, suitable for enhancing garden aesthetics and privacy.

• Mature Height: 12m tall.
• Mature Width: 4-6 meters.
• Spacing: 0.8-1m apart.
• Leaf Appearance: Lush, vibrant green leaves.
• Rate of Growth: Steady.

3. Laurus Nobilis 'Miles Choice' Bay Trees

• An exceptional choice for formal hedges, 'Miles Choice' is renowned for its aromatic leaves and neat growth. It's perfect for creating structured, fragrant borders in gardens.

• Mature Height: Up to 10 meters.
• Mature Width: 3-4 meters.
• Spacing: 0.8-1m apart.
• Leaf Appearance: Dark green, aromatic leaves.
• Rate of Growth: Moderate.
• Native to: Mediterranean region.
• Notable Features: Aromatic leaves, ideal for decorative hedges. 

4. Laurus Nobilis Bay Trees

Known for its culinary and decorative uses, Laurus Nobilis offers dense, aromatic foliage, ideal for privacy screens and ornamental hedges.

• Mature Height: 6-8 meters.
• Mature Width: 2-4 meters.
• Spacing: 0.8-1m apart.
• Leaf Appearance: Glossy, dark green leaves.
• Rate of Growth: Moderate.

5. Backyard Bliss Lilly Pilly

A popular choice for modern landscapes, it's known for its resilience to pests and diseases. Its compact growth makes it suitable for small gardens and narrow spaces.

• Mature Height: 3-5 meters.
• Mature Width: 2-3 meters.
• Spacing: 0.8-1m apart.
• Leaf Appearance: Dark green leaves.
• Rate of Growth: Moderate.
• Native to: Australia.
• Notable Features: Compact growth, suitable for small gardens and containers.

4. Tristaniopsis Luscious - Watergum:

• Summary: Known for its glossy green leaves and dense habit, this Australian native is excellent for hedging.
• Mature Height: Up to 10-12 meters.
• Mature Width: 5-6 meters.
• Spacing: 0.8-1m apart.
• Leaf Appearance: Glossy green leaves.
• Rate of Growth: Moderate.
• Native to: Australia.
• Notable Features: Ideal for creating lush, green hedges.

6. Cupressus Leylandii 'Better Green'/Leighton Green

Perfect for creating fast-growing, dense hedges. This conifer is known for its lush green foliage and resistance to canker disease, making it a durable choice for large privacy hedges.

• Mature Height: Up to 15-20 meters.
• Mature Width: 5-6 meters.
• Spacing: 0.8-1m apart.
• Leaf Appearance: Dense, green foliage.
• Rate of Growth: Fast.
• Native to: Widely adaptable.
• Notable Features: Ideal for quick-growing, tall hedges.

7. Magnolia Grandiflora 'Teddy Bear':

A compact magnolia variant, 'Teddy Bear' is valued for its glossy leaves and large, fragrant flowers. Ideal for small gardens, offering beauty throughout the year.

• Mature Height: 8-10 meters.
• Mature Width: 4-5 meters.
• Spacing: 0.8-1m apart.
• Leaf Appearance: Glossy, dark green leaves.
• Rate of Growth: Moderate.
• Native to: Southeastern United States.
• Notable Features: Compact growth, ideal for small gardens and urban landscapes.

8. Pittosporum Tenufolium 'Green Pillar'

Known for its slender, upright growth, 'Green Pillar' is ideal for creating formal hedges or screens, especially in limited spaces. It provides dense foliage and a neat, columnar shape.

• Mature Height: Up to 10 meters.
• Mature Width: 2-3 meters.
• Spacing: 0.8-1m apart.
• Leaf Appearance: Small, glossy green leaves.
• Rate of Growth: Moderate.
• Native to: New Zealand.

9. Syzygium Straight & Narrow Lilly Pilly

A sleek, vertical growing Lilly Pilly, perfect for tight spaces or as an accent plant. Its compact form and lush foliage make it an attractive choice for modern gardens.

• Mature Height: 6-8 meters.
• Mature Width: 1-2 meters.
• Spacing: 0.5-1m apart.
• Leaf Appearance: Dark green, glossy leaves.
• Rate of Growth: Moderate to fast.
• Native to: Australia.

10. Olea Europea Tolleys Upright

An upright variety of olive tree, perfect for narrow spaces or as a feature plant. It offers the classic olive foliage and form, but with a more contained growth habit.

• Mature Height: 4-6 meters.
• Mature Width: 2-3 meters.
• Spacing: 1-2m apart.
• Leaf Appearance: Silvery-green leaves.
• Rate of Growth: Moderate.
• Native to: Mediterranean region.

From the dense foliage of Ficus Hillii to the elegant Olea Europea, our selection offers diverse options for creating your ideal hedge. Each tree brings its unique beauty and functionality, enhancing your garden's aesthetic and privacy.