Natural hedging form supplied bushy to the base, so a dense aromatic evergreen screen can be clipped to shape from the day it goes in.
Approximate only. Minimum height important? Confirm with us.
Height guide & disclaimer
Height guide disclaimer: Height ranges are approximate only. As living products, plant heights naturally vary between individual plants, batches, and seasons. No guarantee is given that supplied plants will fall within the stated range. If minimum heights are required, you must confirm current batch heights with Evergreen Trees Direct prior to purchase. Variation in height is normal and is not grounds for return, refund, replacement, or compensation.
Couldn't load pickup availability
Laurus nobilis, the Bay Tree or Sweet Bay, is one of the most reliable evergreen hedging plants available. Grown here in natural hedging form, it carries dense, glossy dark green aromatic foliage from the ground up, and the leaves are the true culinary bay used in cooking.
Left unclipped, Bay Tree reaches 6-10 metres tall and 2-4 metres wide. As a hedge it is most often held between 1.5 and 3 metres. Its slow, steady growth and excellent response to pruning mean it holds a crisp line with only two or three light clips a year, making it a low-effort choice for formal hedges, screens, and windbreaks.
Bay Tree thrives across most Australian climates in full sun to part shade, tolerating heat, light frost, and coastal exposure once established. It is low maintenance, long-lived, and reliably evergreen, holding its structure and fresh aromatic foliage year-round.
Looking for a shaped Bay? This listing is natural hedging form, supplied as a bushy plant ready to clip into a hedge or screen. For clipped balls, double balls and triple balls, see Laurus nobilis Bay Tree - Topiary Forms. For a tighter, denser hedge with less pruning, the improved cultivar Miles Choice is worth a look. All three share the same edible aromatic foliage.
About Laurus nobilis Bay Tree Hedging
Plant 80 centimetres apart for a tight formal hedge, or 1 to 1.5 metres apart for a denser informal screen.
Laurus nobilis grows to 6-10 metres tall and 2-4 metres wide, but as a hedge it is most commonly maintained between 1.5 and 3 metres.
Bay Tree is slow to moderate growing, adding 15-30cm per year once established. This slow rate is part of why it holds a formal hedge line so well.
Two to three light clips a year keeps a formal Bay hedge crisp. Tip prune in late winter and again in summer to build density.
Yes. Laurus nobilis is the true culinary bay. The aromatic leaves are widely used fresh or dried in stocks, soups, slow-cooked dishes, and marinades.
Bay Tree thrives across most Australian climates in full sun to part shade, tolerating heat, light frost, coastal exposure, and a wide range of well-drained soils once established.
| Pot / bag size | Width | Depth |
|---|---|---|
| 30cm Pot | 33cm | 30cm |
| 40cm/45L Pot | 44cm | 41.5cm |
| 50cm Pot / 70L Pot | 55cm | 41.8cm |
| 100L Bag | 50.6cm | 52.8cm |
| 150L Bag | 66cm | 55cm |
| 200L Bag | 71.5cm | 60.5cm |
| 300L Bag | 88cm | 63.8cm |
| 400L Bag | 99cm | 66cm |
| 500L Bag | 122cm | 66cm |
| 750L Bag | 134cm | 69cm |
| 1000L Bag | 146.3cm | 71.5cm |
| 2000L Bag | 176cm | 82.5cm |
General planting reference from our existing size guide. Actual containers can vary by supplier and batch; confirm exact dimensions if required.
We supply advanced trees to landscapers, developers, architects, and councils Australia-wide. Trade clients receive fast quotes, expert advice, and access to premium stock with reliable freight.
Based on the items currently in your cart.
Final delivery cost is confirmed at checkout using your full address.
Enter the length of your boundary, then choose how closely you want to plant.
Enter your boundary length to see how many trees you need.
Measure only the boundary you intend to plant—exclude gates and gaps. Spacing is centre to centre. Quantities are rounded up for one row, allowing roughly half the spacing at each end. Site conditions and pruning affect the final hedge.
Laurus nobilis, the Bay Tree or Sweet Bay, is one of the most reliable evergreen hedging plants available. Grown here in natural hedging form, it carries dense, glossy dark green aromatic foliage from the ground up, and the leaves are the true culinary bay used in cooking.
Left unclipped, Bay Tree reaches 6-10 metres tall and 2-4 metres wide. As a hedge it is most often held between 1.5 and 3 metres. Its slow, steady growth and excellent response to pruning mean it holds a crisp line with only two or three light clips a year, making it a low-effort choice for formal hedges, screens, and windbreaks.
Bay Tree thrives across most Australian climates in full sun to part shade, tolerating heat, light frost, and coastal exposure once established. It is low maintenance, long-lived, and reliably evergreen, holding its structure and fresh aromatic foliage year-round.
Looking for a shaped Bay? This listing is natural hedging form, supplied as a bushy plant ready to clip into a hedge or screen. For clipped balls, double balls and triple balls, see Laurus nobilis Bay Tree - Topiary Forms. For a tighter, denser hedge with less pruning, the improved cultivar Miles Choice is worth a look. All three share the same edible aromatic foliage.
About Laurus nobilis Bay Tree Hedging
Plant 80 centimetres apart for a tight formal hedge, or 1 to 1.5 metres apart for a denser informal screen.
Laurus nobilis grows to 6-10 metres tall and 2-4 metres wide, but as a hedge it is most commonly maintained between 1.5 and 3 metres.
Bay Tree is slow to moderate growing, adding 15-30cm per year once established. This slow rate is part of why it holds a formal hedge line so well.
Two to three light clips a year keeps a formal Bay hedge crisp. Tip prune in late winter and again in summer to build density.
Yes. Laurus nobilis is the true culinary bay. The aromatic leaves are widely used fresh or dried in stocks, soups, slow-cooked dishes, and marinades.
Bay Tree thrives across most Australian climates in full sun to part shade, tolerating heat, light frost, coastal exposure, and a wide range of well-drained soils once established.
Evergreen (foliage year round)
Laurus nobilis Bay Tree is expected to grow 15cm to 30cm per year (approx.).
Laurus nobilis Bay Tree works in an:
Laurus nobilis Bay Tree is an Evergreen (foliage year round) Tree
Mature Height: 4m to 8m (approx.)
Mature Width: 2m to 4m
Laurus nobilis Bay Tree is expected to grow 15cm to 30cm per year (approx.).
Laurus nobilis Bay Tree is expected to grow 15cm to 30cm per year (approx.).
They are considered to have a:
Is Laurus nobilis Bay Tree frost tolerant?
Laurus nobilis Bay Tree is Frost Tolerant – Can handle light to moderate frost once established.
Clusters of small pale yellow star-like flowers appear in spring among the glossy foliage. In a clipped hedge these are largely trimmed away, and the plant is grown for its dense structure and aromatic culinary leaves rather than its bloom.
Does Laurus nobilis Bay Tree flower?
Flowering Period:
Flower Type:
Flower Colour:
Yellow
No
Laurus nobilis Bay Tree is Native to Native to the Mediterranean basin, from southern Europe through to Asia Minor, where it forms dense evergreen thickets in coastal woodland.
Small spring flowers draw bees, hoverflies and other pollinators, and a clipped Bay hedge gives small birds year-round shelter and nesting cover. The aromatic foliage also supports beneficial insects, adding quiet biodiversity value to formal and Mediterranean-style gardens.
Laurus nobilis Bay Tree will thrive best in:
Bay hedges perform best in well-drained loam or sandy loam and tolerate slightly acidic to slightly alkaline soils. Heavy clay or waterlogged ground needs improving with organic matter and coarse material before planting. Keep the row evenly moist through establishment, then move to deep, occasional watering to build strong roots and dense, even growth along the hedge line.
Is Laurus nobilis Bay Tree Drought tolerant?
Young hedge plants need regular water while roots establish. Once settled, Bay Tree becomes reliably drought tolerant and holds a dense evergreen screen through warm, dry and coastal conditions with only occasional deep watering.
Plant 80 centimetres apart for a tight formal hedge, or 1 to 1.5 metres apart for a denser informal screen.
Laurus nobilis grows to 6-10 metres tall and 2-4 metres wide, but as a hedge it is most commonly maintained between 1.5 and 3 metres.
Bay Tree is slow to moderate growing, adding 15-30cm per year once established. This slow rate is part of why it holds a formal hedge line so well.
Two to three light clips a year keeps a formal Bay hedge crisp. Tip prune in late winter and again in summer to build density.
Yes. Laurus nobilis is the true culinary bay. The aromatic leaves are widely used fresh or dried in stocks, soups, slow-cooked dishes, and marinades.
Bay Tree thrives across most Australian climates in full sun to part shade, tolerating heat, light frost, coastal exposure, and a wide range of well-drained soils once established.
Enquire for current heights
Enquire for current heights
Enquire for current heights
Enquire for current heights
Heights are approximate and vary between individual trees.
We take pride in supplying A+ grade advanced trees. When stock at our farm is not yet ready, we work with our trusted trade suppliers to source the best available trees for your garden.
Enriched Planting Mix is a certified organic blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent, bagged in 30L. It is built to be dug through existing garden soil at planting time rather than used on its own, and the gypsum is what sets it apart from a plain compost.
Gypsum helps break up heavy clay so water and roots can move through it, while the compost and manure return organic matter and nutrient to tired ground. The coarse bark holds structure and keeps air around the root zone, and the wetting agent keeps moisture in the soil longer after rain or watering.
Use it when planting trees, shrubs, roses, fruit trees and exotic garden plants, particularly into clay. Dig a hole twice the width of the pot and 7 centimetres deeper, then mix roughly one third planting mix through the excavated soil. Spread 7 centimetres of that improved soil in the base before setting the plant in.
About Enriched Planting Mix
It is a blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent. Each part has a job. The compost and manure supply organic matter and nutrient, the gypsum works on clay structure, the bark keeps air around the roots and the wetting agent holds moisture in the soil.
It suits exotic garden plants, including roses, ornamental and deciduous trees, fruit trees, shrubs and perennials, and it earns its keep most on heavy clay sites. It is a planting mix rather than a potting mix, so its job is improving soil at planting time. Phosphorus sensitive natives are the one clear exception.
No, not for the phosphorus sensitive ones. The composted animal manure in this blend lifts phosphorus well above what Proteaceae such as Banksia, Grevillea, Hakea and Protea will tolerate, and the result can be leaf burn, dieback and plant death. Use the Native Potting Mix for those species, or plant them into unimproved local soil.
Yes. It is a certified organic product with no chemical additives, which is why the manure and compost in it are fully composted rather than raw. That makes it sound around fruit trees and vegetable beds, and it means you are adding genuine organic matter to your soil rather than a synthetic conditioner.
Work on roughly one third planting mix to two thirds of the soil you dug out of the hole. For a shrub out of a 200 millimetre pot that is only a few litres. An advanced tree going into a large hole will take considerably more. Judge the quantity by the volume of the hole rather than the size of the plant.
It is not a potting mix and should not be used on its own in a container. The blend is designed to be diluted through garden soil, and used straight in a pot it holds too much water and settles badly. For containers, reach for a premium potting mix, or the native mix if you are potting natives.
Yes. Water the plant well several hours before you plant it, then water thoroughly again once the hole is backfilled and the soil firmed down. That first deep watering settles the improved soil around the root ball and drives out air pockets. Keep the water up over the first few months while the roots establish.
Enriched Planting Mix is a certified organic blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent, bagged in 30L. It is built to be dug through existing garden soil at planting time rather than used on its own, and the gypsum is what sets it apart from a plain compost.
Gypsum helps break up heavy clay so water and roots can move through it, while the compost and manure return organic matter and nutrient to tired ground. The coarse bark holds structure and keeps air around the root zone, and the wetting agent keeps moisture in the soil longer after rain or watering.
Use it when planting trees, shrubs, roses, fruit trees and exotic garden plants, particularly into clay. Dig a hole twice the width of the pot and 7 centimetres deeper, then mix roughly one third planting mix through the excavated soil. Spread 7 centimetres of that improved soil in the base before setting the plant in.
About Enriched Planting Mix
It is a blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent. Each part has a job. The compost and manure supply organic matter and nutrient, the gypsum works on clay structure, the bark keeps air around the roots and the wetting agent holds moisture in the soil.
It suits exotic garden plants, including roses, ornamental and deciduous trees, fruit trees, shrubs and perennials, and it earns its keep most on heavy clay sites. It is a planting mix rather than a potting mix, so its job is improving soil at planting time. Phosphorus sensitive natives are the one clear exception.
No, not for the phosphorus sensitive ones. The composted animal manure in this blend lifts phosphorus well above what Proteaceae such as Banksia, Grevillea, Hakea and Protea will tolerate, and the result can be leaf burn, dieback and plant death. Use the Native Potting Mix for those species, or plant them into unimproved local soil.
Yes. It is a certified organic product with no chemical additives, which is why the manure and compost in it are fully composted rather than raw. That makes it sound around fruit trees and vegetable beds, and it means you are adding genuine organic matter to your soil rather than a synthetic conditioner.
Work on roughly one third planting mix to two thirds of the soil you dug out of the hole. For a shrub out of a 200 millimetre pot that is only a few litres. An advanced tree going into a large hole will take considerably more. Judge the quantity by the volume of the hole rather than the size of the plant.
It is not a potting mix and should not be used on its own in a container. The blend is designed to be diluted through garden soil, and used straight in a pot it holds too much water and settles badly. For containers, reach for a premium potting mix, or the native mix if you are potting natives.
Yes. Water the plant well several hours before you plant it, then water thoroughly again once the hole is backfilled and the soil firmed down. That first deep watering settles the improved soil around the root ball and drives out air pockets. Keep the water up over the first few months while the roots establish.
Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Silver Sheen' carries small shimmering silver-green leaves on near-black stems, giving a light airy screen that moves in the wind rather than reading as a solid green wall. It is one of the most widely specified screening plants in Australian landscape design for exactly that reason.
'Silver Sheen' grows to 4 to 6 metres tall but only 1.5 to 2 metres wide at 30 to 60 centimetres per year, which makes it a genuine solution for narrow beds along fence lines and between buildings where height is needed but width is not available. Small cream flowers appear in spring and are lightly fragrant.
'Silver Sheen' grows in full sun to part shade and tolerates light to moderate frost once established, performing from subtropical Queensland through Sydney, Melbourne, Gippsland and Adelaide. It clips well, holds density under regular trimming, and is equally effective as a formal hedge or a loose screen.
About Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Silver Sheen'
'Silver Sheen' grows to 4 to 6 metres tall and only 1.5 to 2 metres wide, which makes it one of the best options for narrow screening where a tall hedge is needed in a shallow bed.
It grows at 30 to 60 centimetres per year once established, reaching a usable screening height within three to four years with regular water and feeding.
It naturally holds to 1.5 to 2 metres wide and can be trimmed to under a metre with regular clipping, which is why it is so often used in tight side-boundary positions.
Plant 1 to 1.5 metres apart for a dense informal screen, or 80 centimetres apart for a tighter formal hedge. Closer spacing fills in faster but needs more trimming.
'Silver Sheen' handles light to moderate frost once established. Young plants benefit from protection through their first winter in colder inland districts.
Yes. It performs in full sun through to part shade. In shadier positions growth is slightly more open, which suits a softer informal screen.
It performs from subtropical Queensland through Northern NSW, Sydney, the South Coast and tablelands, Melbourne and surrounds, the Western District, Gippsland and Adelaide.
Rhaphiolepis indica 'Snow Maiden' is a compact evergreen shrub that delivers a fresh burst of fragrant pure white flowers from late winter into spring. The dense mounding habit and glossy dark green foliage give it a lush, polished year-round appearance.
Snow Maiden grows to just 1-1.5 metres tall and wide, holding a naturally tidy rounded form with minimal pruning. The compact size makes it an excellent choice for low clipped hedges, borders, mass plantings, and containers, and it works well as a standout specimen in mixed plantings. Small dark berries follow the flowers.
Snow Maiden performs well in full sun to part shade and is drought hardy once established, thriving in coastal gardens and a wide range of well-drained soils. It is salt tolerant, low maintenance, and needs only moderate water while establishing.
About Rhaphiolepis indica 'Snow Maiden'
Rhaphiolepis indica 'Snow Maiden' grows to 1-1.5 metres tall and wide, forming a naturally compact dense mound.
Snow Maiden has a moderate growth rate of 20-40cm per year once established.
Snow Maiden produces masses of pure white flowers from late winter into spring, followed by small dark berries.
Yes. Snow Maiden is one of the best compact evergreen shrubs for low hedges, borders, and mass plantings, holding a tidy rounded form with minimal pruning.
Yes. Snow Maiden is both drought tolerant and salt tolerant once established, making it well suited to coastal gardens and low-water landscapes.
Plant 50-70cm apart for a continuous low hedge, or 80cm-1 metre for a softer informal border.
Snow Maiden thrives across most Australian climates in full sun to part shade, tolerating heat, coastal exposure, and a wide range of well-drained soils.
Acacia cognata 'Limelight' forms a soft cascading mound of fine lime-green foliage that holds its colour year round, giving movement and brightness in positions where a flowering plant would deliver for only a few weeks. It is one of the most widely used native accent plants in Australian design.
'Limelight' is a genuine dwarf, reaching just 60 centimetres to 1 metre tall and wide at 20 to 40 centimetres per year, and holding a neat rounded bun shape without pruning. That compact scale suits mass planting along borders, underplanting beneath feature trees, and single specimens in decorative pots.
This Australian native grows in full sun to part shade and needs free-draining soil, performing poorly where drainage is impeded or humidity is high. It is frost sensitive, so in cold districts choose a protected position or grow it in a pot that can be moved.
About Acacia cognata 'Limelight'
'Limelight' is a dwarf cultivar reaching only 60 centimetres to 1 metre tall and wide. It is far smaller than the parent species Acacia cognata, which grows to several metres.
No. It holds a neat rounded bun shape naturally. A light tip prune after the main growth flush keeps it tight, but never cut back hard into old wood.
No. It is frost sensitive and may be damaged by frost. Choose a protected position in cold districts, or grow it in a pot that can be moved under cover.
Yes. Its compact cascading habit makes it an excellent pot specimen for entries and courtyards. Use a free-draining mix and never let the pot sit wet.
Free drainage is essential. It performs poorly in heavy or waterlogged soils and in humid conditions. Raised beds improve airflow and drainage where humidity is a problem.
Plant 60 to 80 centimetres apart for a continuous flowing lime-green mass. Closer spacing fills in faster but the mounds will merge within a few seasons.
Yes. Acacia cognata is an Australian native and 'Limelight' is a dwarf cultivar selected for its bright lime foliage and compact mounding habit.
Camellia sasanqua 'Setsugekka' is a tall evergreen shrub with large, single to semi double white flowers, the petals slightly ruffled around a centre of golden stamens. Bloom runs from late autumn into early winter. Foliage is small, glossy and dark green, carried densely on an upright, gently spreading frame.
It takes more sun than a japonica and will hold full sun in cooler districts, though part shade suits inland heat. Soil should be well drained and slightly acidic. Growth is 40 to 60 centimetres a year, to 2 to 4 metres tall and 1.5 to 2.5 metres wide. Light frost is tolerated.
This is the standard choice for a tall evergreen screen along a boundary or between neighbouring houses, and it clips readily into a formal hedge. It also stands alone as a feature, or fills a large pot at an entry. The height and density make it useful wherever fence line privacy is the brief.
About Camellia sasanqua 'Setsugekka'
'Setsugekka' is a tall evergreen sasanqua camellia with large single to semi double white flowers, the petals slightly ruffled around a boss of golden stamens. It flowers from late autumn into early winter. Small glossy dark leaves are held densely on an upright, gently spreading shrub used widely for screening.
It reaches 2 to 4 metres tall and 1.5 to 2.5 metres wide, at a rate of roughly 40 to 60 centimetres a year. That upper height is what makes it a genuine screening plant rather than a border shrub. Regular trimming will hold it at any height above about 1.5 metres.
Space plants 1 to 1.5 metres apart for a dense informal screen, or 80 centimetres apart for a tighter formal hedge. Tighter spacing closes the gaps faster but increases competition for water and nutrients, so prepare a continuous trench rather than individual holes and keep irrigation even along the run.
Flowering starts in late autumn and carries into early winter, roughly April through to June across most of southern Australia. Sasanquas flower ahead of japonicas, so this one fills the gap before the japonica season begins. Individual flowers drop cleanly from the plant rather than browning on the bush.
It takes more sun than a japonica and will hold full sun in cooler and coastal districts. In hot inland gardens give it afternoon shade to protect the foliage. It also flowers acceptably in part shade, which makes it one of the more flexible screening plants for a boundary with mixed aspect.
Yes. A pot 40 to 50 centimetres wide suits a single specimen for a courtyard, entry or balcony. Use a free draining camellia and azalea mix, water regularly because containers dry out fast, and feed after flowering. Expect a smaller final size in a container than the same plant would reach in open ground.
Trim once flowering finishes in early winter, taking the new growth back to shape. For a formal hedge, a second light trim in late summer keeps the face tidy. Feed with a camellia fertiliser after pruning, keep mulch over the shallow roots, and water deeply through summer dry spells.
Buxus microphylla var. japonica, sold as Japanese Box, is a dense evergreen shrub clipped here into clean topiary balls. The small, rounded, mid green leaves sit tightly along short stems, so the surface holds a crisp edge after cutting. Growth is naturally compact, which is what allows the ball shape to hold between trims.
It grows in full sun to part shade and accepts most soils that drain, from sandy loam through to improved clay. Cool temperate, temperate and subtropical districts all suit it, and established plants handle light to moderate frost. Growth runs about 15 to 25 centimetres a year, slow enough that the shape stays where you put it.
Balls are used to edge beds and paths, mark an entry, sit either side of a doorway, or repeat down a courtyard to give a planting rhythm. They also underplant feature trees neatly. Because the form arrives already grown, a bed reads finished from the day it goes in rather than years later.
About Japanese Box Topiary Balls
It is Buxus microphylla var. japonica grown on and clipped into a sphere. The plant does the same job as any box shrub, evergreen, small leaved and tolerant of cutting, but it arrives already shaped. Ball diameters run from around 30 centimetres up to large advanced specimens, and the shape is then held with two trims a year.
The ball is held at whatever diameter it is clipped to, commonly 30 to 70 centimetres, with larger specimens available in bigger containers. In the ground, overall height sits close to the ball diameter. Left entirely unclipped the species would slowly reach roughly 1.5 to 2 metres tall and wide over many years.
About 15 to 25 centimetres a year, which is slow to moderate. That pace is an advantage in topiary because the outline drifts gradually rather than running away between cuts. Two trims a year, one in early spring and one in late summer, are usually enough to keep the surface tight and the profile even.
Full sun to part shade both work. Full sun gives the densest, tightest surface, which matters when the appeal of the plant is a clean clipped edge. In hot inland gardens some afternoon shade prevents leaf scorch and bronzing. Deep shade thins the growth out and the ball loses its crisp outline.
Yes. Established plants handle light to moderate frost without damage, which covers most temperate and cool temperate gardens including Canberra, Melbourne and the southern tablelands. Newly planted stock is more exposed, so water it well going into winter and mulch the root zone. Any frost burnt tips can simply be trimmed off in spring.
Yes, they are one of the better plants for a container. A pot 40 to 50 centimetres wide suits a single ball for a courtyard, entry or balcony. Use a quality potting mix, water once the top few centimetres dry out, and feed in spring and again in summer. Repot or refresh the mix every few years.
Trim twice a year with sharp shears, cutting lightly and often rather than hard. Feed in early spring with a slow release fertiliser and keep water up through summer. Mulch to about 50 millimetres, keeping it clear of the stem. Watch for box psyllid on soft new growth and treat early if the tips start to cup.
Buxus sempervirens English Box Topiary Balls are pre-clipped formal evergreen specimens, available in three mature sizes and ready to place. The tight, fine, dark green foliage holds a precise rounded form year-round and gives the classic formal topiary look that no other Buxus replicates. As one of our most consistently strong-selling products, our English Box topiary balls are well-shaped, well-rooted, and arrive in proportion to the pot size.
English Box performs best in cool to temperate climates and is slow growing at around 15 to 25 cm per year in good conditions, which is exactly why it holds sharp formal shapes so well. It thrives in full sun to part shade with well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral loamy soil, and is frost hardy, drought tolerant once established, and excellent in containers. Two light clips per year, in spring and again in late summer, keep the ball form crisp.
Use them flanking entrances, lining formal pathways, anchoring symmetrical garden beds, defining parterre and knot gardens, and in pairs in classic urns and decorative pots at front doors. Buxus sempervirens is the original topiary plant and remains the benchmark for traditional and contemporary formal design, with a level of finesse and density that fast-growing alternatives cannot replicate.
About Buxus sempervirens English Box Topiary Balls
Our English Box topiary balls arrive pre-clipped and ready to place at the size you order. The 30cm/33cm pots have ball diameters of approximately 30 to 45 cm, the 40cm/45L pots have ball diameters of 40 to 55 cm, and the 50cm/75L pots have ball diameters of 50 to 70 cm. They are well-rooted and in proportion to the pot.
English Box is slow-growing, adding approximately 15 to 25 cm per year once established in good conditions. This slow growth rate is one of the reasons it holds sharp formal shapes so well, and why mature pre-clipped specimens command a premium over seedling-grown stock.
English Box (Buxus sempervirens) has the smallest, finest leaves and the tightest formal texture, ideal for traditional parterres and clipped balls. Japanese Box (Buxus microphylla japonica) has slightly larger leaves, grows faster, and handles heat better. Shaggy Box (Buxus bodinieri) has soft, rounded leaves, much better blight resistance, and is the best choice for humid subtropical climates where English Box can struggle.
English Box performs best in cool to temperate regions including Victoria, the ACT, the NSW Southern Highlands and Central Tablelands, Tasmania, and the elevated parts of South Australia and Western Australia. In humid coastal or hot subtropical regions, consider Buxus bodinieri Shaggy Box or Japanese Box instead for better long-term performance.
Lightly clip in spring and again in late summer or early autumn to maintain the ball shape. Avoid pruning in the heat of summer or during frost periods. Use sharp shears for the cleanest formal finish, and step back regularly to check the symmetry of the form.
Yes. English Box is the classic potted topiary plant and pre-clipped balls look particularly striking in pairs at entrances and on terraces. Use a minimum 30L pot for the 30cm/33cm size and scale up from there, with a quality potting mix and a slow-release fertiliser applied twice yearly.
English Box can be affected by box blight, particularly in humid conditions where foliage stays wet. To reduce risk, ensure good air circulation around each plant, avoid overhead watering, and prune to maintain airflow through the canopy. In high-humidity regions, Buxus bodinieri Shaggy Box is a more disease-resistant alternative.
Trachelospermum jasminoides 'Balls' is Star Jasmine grown and clipped into a dense evergreen sphere. The small glossy leaves sit tight on a woody framework, holding a clean rounded outline year round. White pinwheel flowers open in spring and carry a strong sweet scent right across a courtyard.
Ball specimens hold at about 1 to 1.5 metres tall and wide with light clipping. Full sun to part shade suits them, in any free draining soil. Growth is slow to moderate at 30 to 50 centimetres a year. They handle coastal exposure, light frost and dry spells once the roots are down.
Repeat them along a driveway, either side of an entry, or in pots on a terrace where a formal shape is wanted straight away. They read as structure in a planting scheme without the height of a hedge, and because the form is already trained, a new garden looks settled from the day it goes in.
About Star Jasmine Balls
They are Trachelospermum jasminoides, the common Star Jasmine, grown and clipped into a dense evergreen sphere on a woody framework. Instead of climbing, the plant is trained into a self supporting rounded shape. The foliage is small, glossy and dark green, and the plant carries scented white flowers through spring.
They hold at roughly 1 to 1.5 metres tall and 1 to 1.5 metres wide. Growth is slow to moderate at 30 to 50 centimetres a year, so a light clip once or twice a year keeps the ball tight at whatever size within that range suits the setting.
Full sun to part shade both work. Full sun gives the densest foliage and the heaviest flowering, while part shade produces slightly softer, more open growth and fewer flowers. Avoid deep shade, where the ball thins out and loses its outline. Morning sun with afternoon protection suits hot inland gardens.
Yes, and pots are one of the main uses. A container 50 to 60 centimetres wide with a quality free draining mix will hold a ball for years. Water more often than you would in the ground, especially in summer, and feed in spring and again in late summer. Refresh the mix every few years.
Yes, the foliage is held year round. The glossy dark green leaves take on a bronze tinge in cold weather and green up again in spring, but the plant never goes bare. That is what makes it useful as permanent structure in a scheme, particularly in winter once perennials have died back.
Flowering runs through spring, roughly September to November, and often carries into early summer in warmer districts. The white pinwheel flowers are small but produced in quantity, and the scent is strong on still evenings. Flowering is heaviest on plants in full sun that were not clipped hard just before bud set.
Clip lightly with hedging shears once after flowering and again in late summer if needed, taking only the new growth to keep the outline crisp. Water deeply in dry weather, mulch the base, and feed in early spring. The sap is milky and can irritate skin, so wear gloves when trimming.
Laurus nobilis, the Bay Tree or Sweet Bay, is the classic plant for formal clipped topiary. Grown here as ready-shaped balls, double balls and triple balls, it carries dense glossy dark green aromatic foliage, and the leaves are the true culinary bay used in cooking.
Every plant on this page arrives already trained and clipped, so it delivers instant structure at an entrance, either side of a doorway, in a large pot on a terrace, or as a repeating rhythm through a formal garden bed. Bay Tree's slow, steady growth is exactly why it holds a shape so well, needing only two or three light clips a year to stay crisp.
Bay Tree thrives across most Australian climates in full sun to part shade, tolerating heat, light frost, and coastal exposure once established. It is low maintenance, long-lived, and reliably evergreen, holding its shape and fresh aromatic foliage year-round.
After a hedge instead? This listing is trained topiary. For natural bushy plants to clip into a hedge or screen, see Laurus nobilis Bay Tree - Hedging Form. For a tighter, denser hedge with less pruning, the improved cultivar Miles Choice is worth a look. All three share the same edible aromatic foliage.
About Laurus nobilis Bay Tree Topiary
Yes. Every plant on this page is trained and clipped at the nursery, so it delivers formal structure the day it is planted.
Two to three light clips a year holds a crisp shape. Bay Tree is slow growing at 15-30cm per year, which is part of why it keeps its form so well.
Yes. Clipped Bay is one of the most popular potted plants for courtyards, patios, balconies and entrances, and holds its shape well in a container.
Yes. Laurus nobilis is the true culinary bay. The aromatic leaves are widely used fresh or dried in stocks, soups, slow-cooked dishes, and marinades.
A ball is a single clipped sphere on a short trunk. A double ball carries two spheres stacked on one stem, and a triple ball three, each giving progressively more height and formality.
Bay Tree thrives across most Australian climates in full sun to part shade, tolerating heat, light frost, coastal exposure, and a wide range of well-drained soils once established.
Laurus nobilis 'Baby Bay' is a dwarf form of the Mediterranean Bay Tree, an evergreen shrub with dense, glossy, aromatic leaves and a naturally compact habit. Small creamy yellow flowers appear in spring. The leaves are the same ones used in cooking, and can be picked fresh or dried as needed.
It grows slowly at 10 to 20 centimetres a year to 1 to 2 metres tall and about 1 metre wide. Full sun to part shade suits it, in soil that drains freely. Once established it handles coastal exposure, light frost and dry spells, and performs across temperate, Mediterranean and subtropical climates.
Use it as a low formal hedge at 80 centimetres apart, an informal screen at 1 to 1.5 metres, a clipped ball in a pot by the back door, or a border plant in a kitchen garden. Slow growth means the shape you clip in spring is still the shape months later.
About Baby Bay Tree
'Baby Bay' is a dwarf selection of the classic Bay Tree, the Mediterranean evergreen whose leaves flavour stocks and slow cooked dishes. It carries the same glossy aromatic foliage as the full sized species but stays small and dense, so it fits pots, low hedges and small gardens where a standard bay would be too large.
It reaches 1 to 2 metres tall and around 1 metre wide, which is a fraction of the height a standard Bay Tree will eventually make. Clipping holds it lower again. The dense branching means it fills out to the ground rather than becoming leggy, so it works as a low hedge without staking or support.
Growth is slow, roughly 10 to 20 centimetres a year, which is exactly why it is used for topiary and formal edging. A clipped shape holds its outline for months rather than weeks. The trade off is patience during establishment, so start with the largest plant your project allows if you need immediate presence.
Yes. The foliage is true bay laurel and can be picked fresh or dried for use in soups, casseroles, braises and marinades. Take leaves from the current season's growth for the strongest flavour. Whole leaves are removed before serving, as they stay tough and leathery no matter how long they are cooked.
For a tight formal hedge, plant at 80 centimetres apart. For a softer informal screen, 1 to 1.5 metres apart lets each plant show its natural shape while still knitting together. Given the slow growth rate, closer spacing is worth the extra plants if you want a finished looking hedge sooner.
It is well suited to containers, and pots are where most Baby Bay plants end up. Use a wide pot with quality potting mix and drainage holes that stay clear. Water when the top few centimetres dry out, feed in spring and autumn, and refresh or repot every two to three years to keep growth steady.
Water regularly while young, then only through dry spells once established. Clip in spring and again in late summer to keep a dense outline, cutting individual shoots rather than shearing across the leaves. Feed in early spring, mulch the root zone and check occasionally for scale on shaded interior stems.
Laurus nobilis 'Miles Choice' is considered an improved form of the traditional bay tree, selected for its more compact, upright growth. This variety is known for producing denser, tidier hedging with less effort, which is why it has become one of our best-selling choices for structured residential and commercial landscapes.
Its dark green, glossy, aromatic foliage creates a strong, uniform backdrop that instantly elevates surrounding plantings and holds its shape beautifully year-round. It is ideal for clipped formal hedges, privacy screening, and pleached rows, responding exceptionally well to pruning and maintaining a clean, polished finish with regular trimming.
'Miles Choice' performs reliably in full sun to part shade and tolerates a wide range of conditions, including coastal and windy sites once established. The foliage is also edible, making it both a practical and ornamental option.
Low-maintenance, resilient, and highly refined, it is a go-to hedging tree for projects where structure, longevity, and a premium finish matter.
About Laurus nobilis 'Miles Choice' Bay Tree
Miles Choice grows to 4-6 metres tall and is most commonly maintained as a 2-4 metre clipped hedge. Its compact upright form holds a tighter shape than standard Laurus nobilis.
Miles Choice has a moderate growth rate of 30-50cm per year once established.
Miles Choice is an improved cultivar of Laurus nobilis with a tighter, more compact habit. The foliage is still fully edible and aromatic, but the plant produces denser, tidier hedges with less pruning than the standard form.
Yes. Like the standard bay tree, Miles Choice leaves are fully edible and can be used in cooking. Pick fresh leaves as needed for stocks, soups, slow-cooked dishes, and marinades.
Plant 60-80cm apart for a dense formal hedge, or 1 metre apart for a more relaxed screen.
Yes. Miles Choice performs well in large pots (60L+) and is a popular choice for formal entrances, courtyards, and balcony screening.
Trim two to three times through the warmer months, taking a little each time rather than one hard cut. Use sharp secateurs on individual stems so the large leaves are not sliced in half and left browning on the face of the hedge. Miles Choice reshoots readily from older wood, so an overgrown plant can be brought back into shape over a season or two.
Syzygium paniculatum 'Backyard Bliss' is a fast-growing, low-maintenance Australian native ideal for creating dense, lush hedges. Its vibrant evergreen foliage is complemented by striking coppery bronze new growth, making it a gorgeous and eye-catching feature in any garden.
They look excellent when planted as privacy screens or formal hedges and work well for topiary or standalone ornamental trees. Summer brings fluffy cream-white blossoms that attract bees and native birds, boosting your garden's ecological value.
Thriving in full sun to part shade and adaptable to well-drained soils, including clay and sandy types, this resilient tree is drought and frost tolerant once established. For added landscape interest, 'Backyard Bliss' hedges can be underplanted with shade-tolerant groundcovers or small flowering plants to create layered garden designs.
About Syzygium paniculatum 'Backyard Bliss' Lilly Pilly
Backyard Bliss reaches 4-5 metres tall and around 2 metres wide at maturity. With regular trimming it can be maintained at any height between 1.5 and 4 metres, making it one of the most versatile lilly pilly varieties for Australian hedges.
Backyard Bliss is a fast-growing cultivar, adding roughly 1 metre of growth per year once established in good conditions. Expect a usable privacy hedge within 18-24 months from 45L pot size.
Plant 60-80cm apart for a dense, fast-establishing formal hedge. For a looser informal screen, 1 metre spacing also works well.
Yes. Backyard Bliss is one of the most psyllid-resistant lilly pilly varieties available, which is the main reason it outperforms older Syzygium cultivars across Australian gardens.
Yes. Backyard Bliss performs well in large pots (minimum 50L) and is widely used as a balcony screen or potted formal hedge with regular watering and feeding.
Yes. The summer cream-white flowers attract native birds, bees, and pollinators, and the dense evergreen canopy provides shelter and nesting habitat.
Trim two to three times through the warmer months to keep a formal hedge dense and even, starting while the plants are young so the base fills out properly. Light, regular clipping gives a better result than one hard cut. Backyard Bliss shoots readily from older wood, so it recovers well if you need to bring a hedge back down in height.
1000 in stock
Laurus nobilis, the Bay Tree or Sweet Bay, is one of the most reliable evergreen hedging plants available. Grown here in natural hedging form, it carries dense, glossy dark green aromatic foliage from the ground up, and the leaves are the true culinary bay used in cooking.
Left unclipped, Bay Tree reaches 6-10 metres tall and 2-4 metres wide. As a hedge it is most often held between 1.5 and 3 metres. Its slow, steady growth and excellent response to pruning mean it holds a crisp line with only two or three light clips a year, making it a low-effort choice for formal hedges, screens, and windbreaks.
Bay Tree thrives across most Australian climates in full sun to part shade, tolerating heat, light frost, and coastal exposure once established. It is low maintenance, long-lived, and reliably evergreen, holding its structure and fresh aromatic foliage year-round.
Looking for a shaped Bay? This listing is natural hedging form, supplied as a bushy plant ready to clip into a hedge or screen. For clipped balls, double balls and triple balls, see Laurus nobilis Bay Tree - Topiary Forms. For a tighter, denser hedge with less pruning, the improved cultivar Miles Choice is worth a look. All three share the same edible aromatic foliage.
About Laurus nobilis Bay Tree Hedging
Plant 80 centimetres apart for a tight formal hedge, or 1 to 1.5 metres apart for a denser informal screen.
Laurus nobilis grows to 6-10 metres tall and 2-4 metres wide, but as a hedge it is most commonly maintained between 1.5 and 3 metres.
Bay Tree is slow to moderate growing, adding 15-30cm per year once established. This slow rate is part of why it holds a formal hedge line so well.
Two to three light clips a year keeps a formal Bay hedge crisp. Tip prune in late winter and again in summer to build density.
Yes. Laurus nobilis is the true culinary bay. The aromatic leaves are widely used fresh or dried in stocks, soups, slow-cooked dishes, and marinades.
Bay Tree thrives across most Australian climates in full sun to part shade, tolerating heat, light frost, coastal exposure, and a wide range of well-drained soils once established.
