Looking to block out the neighbours, reduce wind, or simply add some structure to your backyard?
This guide covers the best privacy hedges, low-maintenance evergreen screens, and fast-growing hedge plants ideal for New Zealand climate.
The best hedge plants for privacy in New Zealand are Photinia, Leyland Cypress, Cherry Laurel, Thuja, and Pampas Grass. These plants offer year-round coverage, fast growth, and low-maintenance care suited to local conditions.
Before planting, think about these key factors to make sure your hedge thrives—and fits your space:
1. 📏 Height & Purpose
Low hedge (0.5–1m): Ideal for garden edging and defining pathways.
Medium hedge (1–2m): Great for light privacy while keeping open views.
Tall hedge (2–4m+): Best for full screening, noise control, and wind protection
2. 🌲 Evergreen or 🌿 Deciduous
Evergreen: Stays lush all year—perfect for privacy and low visual maintenance.
Deciduous: Drops leaves in winter but offers seasonal colours and a natural feel.
3. ☀️ Light & Climate
Does your garden get full sun, part shade, or full shade?
Soil type: Clay, loam, sandy, or free-draining?
Are you in a frost-prone or windy zone?
4. ✂️ Maintenance
Can you commit to trimming? Or do you want a self-shaping variety?
Will it be hand-watered, or is irrigation needed?
💡 Pro Tip: Measure twice, plant once. Proper spacing is key to a dense, even hedge.
Photinia stands out as one of the finest options for a living hedge. Its evergreen nature means the dense foliage remains intact all year, providing continuous screening for your property. The plant adapts well to both full sun and partial shade, making it versatile for various garden conditions. When young, Photinia can grow rapidly—sometimes advancing up to a meter in a single season—but once it reaches around 2.5 meters, its growth slows considerably. This reduction in growth rate means that extensive pruning is rarely necessary, with an annual trim usually being sufficient.
There is considerable interest in this plant, and many gardeners consider it an excellent choice for hedges. Often affectionately called the "red-haired beauty" because of its vibrant new leaves. The plant retains its large leaves even during winter, and the fresh purplish-red foliage adds a captivating touch to any landscape. Photinia is highly adaptable. Plants that received regular watering and feeding exhibited growth of over one meter per year, with their leaves emerging in a bright, sail-like red. In contrast, specimens grown in less sunny conditions with minimal summer watering grew more slowly and had less vivid tips, though they still maintained an acceptable appearance despite high temperatures.
A simple method to shape Photinia is to train it along a stake. By selecting a young, straight branch and guiding it into the desired form, the plant develops a structure that withstands environmental stresses such as wind better than grafted alternatives.
Installing a drip irrigation system during the summer months has proven beneficial, resulting in a hedge that matures at roughly twice the usual pace and exhibits particularly striking foliage. However, like cherry laurel, Photinia is sensitive to prolonged severe frosts; in one instance, young leaves were damaged by the cold. We pruned the affected tops, and new growth emerged quickly, restoring the plant’s appeal.
Cupressocyparis leylandii, commonly known as Leyland cypress, is a highly regarded evergreen that forms a dense living screen ideal for privacy and wind protection. This fast-growing hybrid flourishes in sunlit areas, maintaining a consistently fresh look throughout the year as its inner foliage retains a vibrant color without fading. Under favorable conditions, it can reach heights of up to seven meters. For those looking to quickly establish a barrier, planting these trees about 60 centimeters apart is recommended, although their vigorous growth calls for regular spring feeding and drip irrigation to support their development.
Initially, young plants may appear sparse, which sometimes leads gardeners to consider alternative species. However, as the trees mature, they become increasingly dense. When forming a formal hedge, it is important to prune the lateral branches; regular trimming promotes a thick canopy and helps keep the hedge at a desirable height of two to three meters, even as it continues to grow. Gardeners have the option to choose between an all-green variety and one with green-yellow tips. The latter typically develops slightly longer side branches, which means it requires less frequent pruning, grows at a quicker pace, and generally exhibits greater resilience.
Although Cupressocyparis leylandii is sometimes confused with Thuja, the two are distinct. While Leyland cypress is somewhat less tolerant of severe winter conditions compared to Thuja, its growth rate is nearly double, making it an excellent choice for those who need a fast-maturing hedge. When cultivated in containers prior to planting, these trees can be established at any time of the year, further enhancing their versatility. With attentive maintenance practices such as seasonal feeding and drip irrigation, Leyland cypress proves to be an effective solution for creating a lush, attractive barrier that not only provides privacy but also helps reduce wind, noise, and dust in various settings.
Cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus) is a favored choice for creating a dense living hedge, especially in areas where the plant spends most of its time in the shade. Its appeal lies in its ability to form a compact, richly green barrier, with its inner shoots remaining soft rather than turning woody. For locations exposed to full sun all day, other species might be more suitable; however, in shadier spots, cherry laurel provides excellent protection and privacy.
Typically, the plant reaches a height of about two meters with a width of approximately 60 centimeters—ideal dimensions for achieving the desired density. It’s best to purchase plants that are up to 60 centimeters tall, as this facilitates easier pruning and helps maintain a uniform look, while also reducing the risk of drying out. With proper care, cherry laurel can grow as much as one meter per year, making autumn or spring the optimal times for planting since milder temperatures reduce plant stress. Planting in winter may damage the root system.
Cherry laurel is valued not only for its density but also for its massive, dark green leaves, which further enhance the hedge's appearance. This hardy plant adapts well to different conditions and is not overly fussy about soil, although it does not tolerate waterlogged conditions. In spring, before buds swell, remove any damaged or frostbitten shoots.
There are various cultivars of cherry laurel, differing in leaf size and color—from small, deep green leaves to varieties with striking bronze hues. Fast-growing types like ‘Caucasica’ or compact varieties such as ‘Rotundifolia’ are available, and selecting the right one is key to successfully establishing your hedge.
Maintaining cherry laurel involves timely watering—particularly on warm days—to ensure water reaches the root zone without causing waterlogging. Regular applications of organic fertilizer help the plant stay healthy and more resistant to cold. With consistent care and proper pruning, cherry laurel develops into a lush hedge that offers privacy and enhances the overall aesthetic of your yard.
If the plant shows problems such as yellow or brown leaves, excessive leaf drop, or stunted growth, possible causes include improper watering, pests, disease, inadequate fertilization, or inconsistent pruning. Remove damaged parts, manage pests like black sawfly or moths, and consider fungicide treatment for severe fungal infections.
If growth is slower than expected, refresh your care routine—with regular watering, feeding twice a year, and pruning twice a year. Enhancing soil quality with coarse sand and compost, as well as occasional repotting, can also improve growth.
Overall, with proper maintenance, cherry laurel is an excellent choice for a living hedge that not only provides protection and privacy but also enhances your yard with its rich, dark green foliage.
Pampas grass belongs to the group of ornamental grasses and is undoubtedly popular due to its large, attractive, feathery flowers that begin to adorn the plant by the end of summer. Originating from South America, its blooms are typically white and pink. This article covers all aspects of its cultivation and the process of drying the flowers.
How to Grow and Where to Plant Pampas Grass
Pampas grass thrives in sunny locations and grows much more luxuriantly when exposed to full sun. It works beautifully as a central focal point in a yard, where its extravagant appearance and floral display dominate the landscape. You can design a planting scheme around it that includes other ornamental grasses for a striking visual effect.
It is also capable of growing on heavy clay soils; however, regular fertilization is often necessary to promote rapid and robust root development. When planting in a nursery hole, adding peat and perlite can provide essential airflow to the roots, accelerating growth and development. If you are transplanting from containers, this can be done year-round. If digging from the ground, early spring and autumn are the safest times. Avoid transplanting or dividing the plant while it is in bloom.
Pampas Grass in Pots
Pampas grass is highly resilient and can also be grown successfully in pots. Choose a container 30–40 cm deep to allow the plant to develop a lush and abundant appearance. Because potted plants can't access soil moisture as easily, regular watering is essential. This makes pampas grass a charming decorative feature for terraces and patios.
When selecting a plant, its appearance and root structure are key. Avoid shallow containers, and choose ones with well-developed root systems—these will result in faster growth and more dramatic flowers after planting.
You can also view and order nursery-grown plants that have been cultivated in deeper pots, which show better development and transplant more successfully. These plants can be planted year-round.
Thuja is not very popular initially because, when young, it can appear sparse, which often leads gardeners to believe it won’t form a dense hedge. However, with a lifespan of 30 to 40 years, it offers long-lasting privacy and security once established. One of its standout traits is its even, uniform growth, which ensures the hedge won’t develop gaps or look patchy over time.
Although Thuja thrives best in cooler climates, it can also handle full sun—as long as it receives regular watering. This is especially important due to its shallow root system, which requires frequent moisture to flourish. Recommended planting distance is 50–70 cm apart. While this may seem wide when the plants are young, they fill in quickly with proper care.
Best Variety: Thuja ‘Aplicata’
Thuja ‘Aplicata’ is considered one of the finest types available. It’s highly resilient, has a rich green hue, and forms a very dense hedge as it matures. This variety also performs well in moist areas, making it a great choice for parts of New Zealand that experience regular rainfall.
If you're planting in sun-exposed areas, be cautious with varieties like ‘Smaragd’ or ‘Columna’—these can dry out quickly if exposed to direct sunlight all day, especially in hotter regions.
Thuja ‘Aplicata’ also has a pleasant conifer fragrance, adding sensory appeal to your landscape. It can be planted in spring, autumn, or even summer, offering flexibility in your gardening schedule. It’s also low in pest pressure, making it a low-maintenance choice with long-term rewards.
Emerald Thuja: A Decorative Favourite
Emerald thuja is one of the most decorative and commonly used varieties for:
Landscaping, Living hedges, Container gardening
Its vibrant green foliage makes it an ideal choice for urban greening and entryway planting. Whether used in groups or paired with shorter companion plants, emerald thuja delivers refined, natural structure to any outdoor space.
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