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low hedge plants

Low hedge plants are a fantastic solution if you’re looking to define garden edges, create privacy without losing sunlight, or highlight pathways with texture and greenery. In New Zealand, the right choice of low-growing hedges ensures year-round interest, easy maintenance, and adaptability to various garden styles — whether you favour a neat, formal look or a softer, more natural border. Below, we explore some of the best low hedge plant options for Kiwi gardens, including their attributes and how they can transform your outdoor space.

A Pittosporum 'Little Gem' (Dwarf Pittosporum) plant with fresh green foliage in a garden.

Pittosporum 'Little Gem'

Pittosporum 'Little Gem' is a compact evergreen shrub valued for its dense growth habit, attractive green foliage, and naturally rounded form. This dwarf variety provides year round structure and colour while requiring very little maintenance, making it ideal for modern landscapes and smaller gardens.

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate
Plant type: Shrubs
Height: 90 cm
Spread: 90 cm
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Hedging, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Pool areas, Topiary
Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Formal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Native, Rock
westringia-aussie-box-

Westringia 'Aussie Box'

5 from 4 customers

Westringia 'Aussie Box' is a compact evergreen shrub prized for its dense bright green foliage, naturally rounded habit, and small white flowers that appear throughout much of the year. Its neat growth makes it an excellent alternative to traditional box hedging and is perfect for formal gardens, borders, containers, and low hedges.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Shrubs
Height: 90 cm
Spread: 90 cm
Flowering time: Spring, Summer
Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy, Wind
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Hedging, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Pool areas, Topiary
Garden styles: Alpine, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Formal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern, Rock
Escallonia 'Snowbud' lush green foliage with masses of white flowers.
Escallonia 'Snowbud'

Escallonia 'Snowbud' is a compact evergreen shrub admired for its glossy green foliage and masses of pure white flowers. This attractive variety...

From$16.95
Euonymus 'Emerald Gem' small hedge with dense green foliage.
Euonymus 'Emerald Gem'

Euonymus 'Emerald Gem' is a hardy, evergreen shrub admired for its dense, compact form and glossy dark green foliage. With its neat rounded shape, it...

From$24.77
Ilex crenata 'Helleri' shrubs in a border garden.
Ilex crenata 'Helleri'

Ilex crenata ‘Helleri’ is a compact, slow-growing evergreen shrub with small, glossy green leaves and a dense, mounding habit. Resembling boxwood in...

From$27.53
Westringia 'Grey Box' shrubs in garden with fine, grey-green foliage.
Westringia 'Grey Box'

Westringia 'Grey Box' is a compact evergreen shrub prized for its soft grey green foliage, naturally dense rounded habit, and small white flowers...

From$18.95
Pittosporum 'Stephens Island' green foliage.
Pittosporum 'Stephens Island' (Dwarf Karo)

Pittosporum ‘Stephens Island’ is a compact, evergreen shrub known for its dense, upright growth and attractive grey-green foliage. A hardy New...

From$22.01
A dense Escallonia 'Red Dream' shrub with lush green foliage.
Escallonia 'Red Dream'

Escallonia 'Red Dream' is a compact evergreen shrub admired for its masses of rich red flowers and dense glossy foliage. This attractive variety...

From$16.95
Buxus microphylla 'Koreana' (Korean Box) plant with lush, green foliage.
Buxus koreana (Korean Boxwood)

Buxus koreana, commonly known as Korean Box, is a cold-hardy, evergreen shrub ideal for low hedging and formal borders in New Zealand gardens. It...

From$16.95
Coprosma Poor Knights with lush green foliage.
Coprosma 'Poor Knights' (Taupata)

Coprosma 'Poor Knights' is a vibrant evergreen shrub valued for its glossy lime green foliage and compact rounded habit. This NZ native selection...

From$17.95
Coprosma 'Black Cloud' shrub in a garden with black and green foliage.
Coprosma 'Black Cloud' (Black Coprosma)

Coprosma 'Black Cloud' is a striking evergreen shrub valued for its deep near black foliage and compact growth habit. Well suited to New Zealand...

From$17.95
coprosma-repens-plum-hussey--1
Coprosma 'Plum Hussey'

Coprosma 'Plum Hussey' is a striking evergreen shrub admired for its rich plum purple foliage and naturally dense growth habit. This colourful New...

From$17.95
Leptospermum Nanum Ruru shrub with dark pink flowers.
Leptospermum 'Nanum Ruru'

Leptospermum 'Nanum Ruru' is a compact NZ native shrub valued for its dense evergreen foliage, tidy rounded form, and masses of small flowers that...

From$27.53
viburnum-davidii-male-3
Viburnum davidii (male)

Viburnum davidii (Male) is a compact evergreen shrub valued for its distinctive leathery foliage with deeply impressed veins and naturally rounded...

From$27.53
Buxus sempervirens perfectly manicured balls.
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...

From$12.95
A large Ilex crenata 'Convexa' shrub with dense, green foliage.
Ilex crenata 'Convexa'

Ilex crenata 'Convexa' is a compact evergreen shrub admired for its small glossy dark green leaves and naturally dense growth habit. Often used as an...

From$27.53
Thuja plicata 'Green Giant' trees standing 5 m tall as a lush, green screen.
Thuja 'Green Giant'

Thuja 'Green Giant' is a smaller variety of Cedar and bears sprays of glossy, dark green foliage held on slender stems. The result is a tree with a...

From$16.95
Corokia 'Geenty's Green' hedge.
Corokia 'Geenty's Green'

Corokia 'Geenty's Green' is a hardy, NZ native shrub that bears narrow, olive-green leaves that have a silver underside. Masses of small, star-like...

From$17.95
Ilex 'Largo' plant with lush, dark green foliage.
Ilex 'Largo'

Ilex ‘Largo’ is a bold, evergreen holly variety known for its dense, glossy green foliage and broad, upright growth habit. It forms a tidy shrub...

From$136.04
westringia-fruticosa-3
Westringia fruticosa

Westringia fruticosa (Coastal Rosemary) is a hardy evergreen shrub prized for its fine grey green foliage, naturally dense habit, and delicate white...

From$18.95
Choisya ternata with lush foliage and white flowers.
Choisya ternata (Mexican Mock Orange)

Choisya ternata, commonly known as Mexican Orange Blossom, is a lush, evergreen shrub prized for its glossy green foliage and clusters of fragrant...

From$24.77
Dodonaea viscosa small tree with green foliage.
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...

From$13.95
correa-limelight-
Correa 'Limelight'

Correa 'Limelight' (Australian Fuchsia) is a hardy evergreen shrub known for its soft green foliage and lime tinged creamy flowers that appear over a...

From$25.53
ligustrum-rotundifolium-4
Ligustrum 'Rotundifolium'

Ligustrum 'Rotundifolium' (Japanese Privet) is a hardy evergreen shrub admired for its rounded glossy green leaves and dense compact growth habit...

From$24.77
correa-dusky-bells-
Correa 'Dusky Bells'

Correa 'Dusky Bells' is a compact evergreen shrub known for its attractive dusky pink bell shaped flowers and soft grey green foliage. It brings year...

From$25.53
A Lonicera 'Honey Hedge Lemon' plant in a garden.
Lonicera 'Honey Hedge Lemon'

Lonicera 'Honey Hedge Lemon' is an evergreen shrub often used instead of Buxus for hedges. It carries dense, upright branches that host small and...

From$16.95
Syzygium Resilience hedge.
Syzygium 'Resilience'

Syzygium 'Resilience', commonly known as Lilly Pilly 'Resilience', is a popular evergreen shrub valued for its glossy foliage, dense growth habit...

From$281.05
Elegant Michelia 'Bubbles' admisdt lush, green foliage.
Michelia 'Bubbles'

Michelia ‘Bubbles’ is a striking evergreen shrub or small tree valued for its glossy green foliage and masses of creamy white, fragrant flowers that...

From$41.33
zamioculcas-black-knight-
Zamioculcas Black Knight (Zamioculcas Plant)

Zamioculcas Black Knight is a very popular indoor plant owing to its dark and showy foliage. It grows as a clump and produces upright fronds which...

From$41.33
White flowers on a Cistus 'Snowmound' plant with green foliage.
Cistus 'Snowmound' (White Rock Rose Plant)

Cistus ‘Snowmound’ is a compact evergreen shrub that produces a breathtaking display of pure white flowers with golden-yellow centres from late...

From$24.77
Juncus effusus plants growing in water.
Juncus effusus (Soft Rush Plant)

Juncus effusus (Spiral Rush) is an eye catching rush valued for its distinctive twisting green stems, compact clumping habit, and strong...

From$16.49
clianthus-puniceus-
Clianthus puniceus (Parrot Beak Plant)

Clianthus puniceus (Kakabeak) is a spectacular New Zealand native shrub renowned for its striking clusters of brilliant red, beak shaped flowers that...

From$44.09
Pittosporum 'Little Gem'

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Buxus, Coprosma, and Escallonia, or related Categories - Groundcover Plants, and Evergreen Shrubs.

Search low hedge plants

Why Choose Low Hedge Plants?

Low hedge plants offer practical and aesthetic benefits for all types of gardens. They act as living borders that clearly define different areas, direct foot traffic, and prevent soil erosion. Unlike tall hedges, low varieties preserve views and sunlight, making them ideal for front gardens, driveways, and small sections. Their limited growth height means less pruning and fuss, yet you can still enjoy lush foliage or seasonal flowers. Most low hedge plants also tolerate New Zealand’s variable climate, from coastal breezes to frosty inland mornings.

Top Low Hedge Plants for New Zealand Gardens

When selecting low hedge plants, consider their growth habit, leaf colour, flowering potential, and ease of care. Here are some standout choices for Kiwis seeking stunning, easy-care garden borders:

Ilex crenata Helleri

Famed for its small, glossy leaves and compact growth, Ilex crenata Helleri is an exceptional alternative to box hedging. It clips beautifully, making it perfect for neat, formal lines or topiary features in contained beds.

Pittosporum 'Stephens Island' (Dwarf Karo)

Pittosporum 'Stephens Island' (Dwarf Karo) is a hardy, low-growing New Zealand native, ideal for low-maintenance hedges. Its dense foliage provides year-round structure and is tolerant of wind, salt, and drought, making it a go-to in coastal or exposed sites.

Coprosma 'Poor Knights' (Taupata)

For those seeking a glossy, attractive foliage plant that keeps compact, consider Coprosma 'Poor Knights' (Taupata). It’s great for informal hedges, requiring minimal shaping, and thrives in poor soils or exposed coastal gardens.

Lonicera 'Honey Hedge Lime'

Lonicera 'Honey Hedge Lime' is a versatile honeysuckle variety especially suitable for low boundaries. It offers vibrant green leaves with a fine texture and is easily clipped into crisp forms, providing quick coverage for all types of garden borders.

Brunfelsia pauciflora Scent sational (Yesterday Today Tomorrow Plant)

Bring colour and fragrance into the mix with Brunfelsia pauciflora Scent sational (Yesterday Today Tomorrow Plant). This unique shrub produces masses of violet, lavender, and white blooms over a long season, perfect for adding sensory appeal along pathways and entrances.

Planting and Caring for Low Hedge Plants

Most low hedge plants perform best in well-drained soil, with regular water during their establishment period. Mulch around the roots to suppress weeds and preserve moisture. For a formal look, trim hedges lightly two to three times during the growing season. Feed with a balanced fertiliser in spring to encourage lush growth and flowering.

Enhancing your landscape with low hedge plants is a simple way to gain structure, define spaces, and enjoy garden beauty with minimal effort. Browse our range of hedge and border favourites to find the perfect match for your outdoor space.


Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.

Let Ficus Tuffi and Coprosma acerosa draw you in — then let Escallonia 'White Knight', Aloe vera, and Apricot 'Garden Annie' keep you inspired.
–The Plant Company

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