common hedge plants
If you're looking to add privacy, structure, or year-round greenery to your garden, exploring common hedge plants is an excellent first step. Hedges serve as living fences, define garden boundaries, and provide shelter for birds and wildlife. Whether you're hoping for a crisp formal border, a windbreak, or lush screening, New Zealand gardeners have a fantastic selection of reliable species to choose from. Knowing which common hedge plants suit your specific location, maintenance preferences, and aesthetic goals is key to creating a thriving, attractive hedge.
Dodonaea viscosa (Green Ake Ake)
Dodonaea viscosa, commonly known as the Green Ake Ake, features lush, bright green leaves which are held densely off upright stems. The foliage is adorned with masses of small, pink flowers in summer as it grows to 4 m tall and 2.5 m wide. Dodonaea viscosa is commonly trimmed into a hedge, grown as an informal hedge, included in mixed or native plantings, used for riparian planting, grown as a screen, or planted as a backdrop for smaller plants.
From $18.83
Buxus sempervirens (Boxwood)
Buxus sempervirens, commonly known as English Box or Box Hedge, is a classic evergreen shrub popular in New Zealand for formal hedging and topiary. It features small, glossy green leaves and a dense, slow-growing habit, typically reaching 1–2 metres in height. Ideal for clipped borders, knot gardens, and low-maintenance structure, it thrives in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. With regular trimming, Buxus sempervirens provides a timeless, elegant framework for both traditional and modern garden designs.
From $18.23
