Why Hedging Trees Are Essential for a Structured Garden

Five hedging trees that structure a garden: Bay Miles Choice, Ficus Hillii, Murraya, Magnolia Teddy Bear and Syzygium Resilience.

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A hedge does what a fence cannot: it gives a garden form. Structure, edges, layered planting, room dividers, privacy. Five hedge trees below cover every hedging brief.

Laurus nobilis 'Miles Choice'

Refined formal hedge with glossy aromatic leaves. Holds shape under clipping. Can be pruned to desired height.

Ficus Hillii

Australia's benchmark fast hedge tree. Glossy dark green, holds clipping into any shape. Can be pruned to desired height.

Murraya paniculata

Fragrant year round hedge with white jasmine flowers in flushes through warm months.

Magnolia grandiflora 'Teddy Bear'

Compact evergreen Magnolia ideal for hedging. Dense rounded form with rust-backed glossy leaves.

Syzygium australe 'Resilience'

Pest-resistant native Lilly Pilly with bronze new growth. Reliable hedge for warm regions.

Designing with Hedges

Use hedges to create rooms within a garden. A low Murraya hedge defines a path, a tall Ficus hedge creates privacy, a clipped Bay hedge frames a formal entry. Combine heights and species for a layered look.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should hedges be clipped?
Bay and Magnolia: twice a year. Ficus and Syzygium: two to three times. Murraya: twice.

What spacing should I use?
Murraya 800mm, Bay 600mm, Ficus 800mm, Magnolia Teddy Bear 1.5m, Syzygium 800mm.

Can hedges create a natural fenceline?
Yes. A tall hedge creates a natural fenceline that delivers privacy without the visual weight of fencing.

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

Refined formal hedge with glossy aromatic leaves. Holds shape under clipping.

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

Why choose it

Bay Miles Choice delivers the most refined formal hedge result.

Perfect pair

Plant alongside Magnolia Teddy Bear for layered formal structure.

Tips for planting

Plant 600mm apart.

The most refined formal hedge in cultivation.

Shop Laurus nobilis 'Miles Choice'

2. Ficus microcarpa var. hillii (Hill's Weeping Fig)

Australia's benchmark fast hedge tree. Glossy dark green, holds clipping into any shape.

Type: Evergreen hedging tree
Height: 3 to 20m. Can be pruned to desired height
Width: 3 to 6m
Growth rate: Fast
Foliage: Glossy dark green, dense
Form: Upright, responds to clipping
Conditions: Full sun to part shade, most soils
Maintenance: Two to three clips a year
Best for: Tall hedges, formal screens, boundary walls

Why choose it

Ficus Hillii holds the largest variety of hedge sizes of any tree.

Perfect pair

Plant with Bay Miles Choice for layered formal hedging.

Tips for planting

Plant 800mm apart.

The hedge tree everything else gets compared to.

Shop Ficus microcarpa var. hillii

3. Murraya paniculata (Orange Jasmine)

Fragrant year round hedge with white jasmine flowers in flushes through warm months.

Type: Evergreen flowering hedge
Height: 2 to 3m. Can be pruned to desired height
Width: 1.5 to 2m
Growth rate: Moderate
Foliage: Glossy mid to dark green
Flowers: White fragrant flowers, warm months
Form: Naturally rounded
Conditions: Full sun to part shade, well drained soil
Maintenance: Two clips a year
Best for: Low fragrant hedges, courtyards

Why choose it

Murraya delivers a hedge that smells as good as it looks.

Perfect pair

Plant alongside Bay Miles Choice for layered hedge work.

Tips for planting

Plant 800mm apart.

Fragrant hedge in flush season after flush.

Shop Murraya paniculata

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

Compact evergreen Magnolia ideal for hedging. Dense rounded form with rust-backed glossy leaves.

Type: Evergreen hedging Magnolia
Height: 3 to 5m. Can be pruned to desired height
Width: 2 to 3m
Growth rate: Moderate
Foliage: Glossy dark green, rust-brown underside
Flowers: Large fragrant white summer blooms
Form: Upright, dense, naturally tidy
Conditions: Full sun to part shade, well drained soil
Maintenance: Two clips a year
Best for: Magnolia hedges, formal screens

Why choose it

Teddy Bear is the most reliable Magnolia hedge cultivar.

Perfect pair

Plant alongside Bay Miles Choice for layered Magnolia and Bay formality.

Tips for planting

Plant 1.5m apart.

The Magnolia hedge that works.

Shop Magnolia grandiflora 'Teddy Bear'

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

Pest-resistant native Lilly Pilly with bronze new growth. Reliable hedge for warm regions.

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 summer flowers
Form: Upright, dense
Conditions: Full sun to part shade, well drained soil
Maintenance: Two clips a year
Best for: Native hedges, pest-resistant screens

Why choose it

Resilience is psyllid-resistant where most lilly pillies struggle.

Perfect pair

Plant alongside Ficus Hillii for layered hedging.

Tips for planting

Plant 800mm apart.

The native hedge that does not struggle.

Shop Syzygium australe 'Resilience'

Compare at a glance

Cultivar	Height	Width	Form	Foliage	Best if you…
Laurus nobilis 'Miles Choice' Miles Choice Bay	3 to 5m. Can be pruned to desired height	2 to 3m	Upright, dense	Glossy dark green, aromatic	Formal hedges, topiary, structural lines
Ficus microcarpa var. hillii Hill's Weeping Fig	3 to 20m. Can be pruned to desired height	3 to 6m	Upright, responds to clipping	Glossy dark green, dense	Tall hedges, formal screens, boundary walls
Murraya paniculata Orange Jasmine	2 to 3m. Can be pruned to desired height	1.5 to 2m	Naturally rounded	Glossy mid to dark green	Low fragrant hedges, courtyards
Magnolia grandiflora 'Teddy Bear' Teddy Bear Magnolia	3 to 5m. Can be pruned to desired height	2 to 3m	Upright, dense, naturally tidy	Glossy dark green, rust-brown underside	Magnolia hedges, formal screens
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	Native hedges, pest-resistant screens