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low maintenance hedge plants

Creating a stunning, private garden doesn’t need to mean countless hours of pruning and upkeep. If you’re searching for low maintenance hedge plants, you’re in the right place. In New Zealand’s varied climates, there are plenty of hardy, easy-care hedge options that look fantastic with minimal effort. Whether you want evergreen structure, lush screening, or even a touch of floral colour, choosing the right low maintenance hedge plants will have your garden flourishing with less work.

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
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
Westringia 'Smokey' shrub in a garden with stunning, variegated foliage.
Westringia 'Smokey'

Westringia 'Smokey' is a compact evergreen shrub valued for its smoky grey foliage, naturally rounded habit, and delicate white to pale mauve flowers...

From$18.95
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
westringia-wynyabbie-gem-4
Westringia 'Wynyabbie Gem'

Westringia 'Wynyabbie Gem' is a vigorous evergreen shrub admired for its fine grey green foliage, naturally rounded habit, and masses of soft mauve...

From$34.95
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
A Buxus microphylla 'Freedom' plant with lush, green foliage.
Buxus microphylla 'Freedom'

Buxus microphylla 'Freedom' is a fast-growing, evergreen box hedge variety popular in NZ gardens. It forms dense, bright green foliage that responds...

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
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
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
Griselinia 'Gecko Green' plants growing as a hedge.
Griselinia 'Gecko Green'

Griselinia 'Gecko Green' is an attractive evergreen shrub valued for its fresh green foliage, dense growth, and dependable year round structure. It...

From$18.95
syzygium-australe-2
Syzygium australe

Syzygium australe, commonly known as Lily Pily, is a popular evergreen shrub or small tree valued for its glossy foliage, colourful new growth, and...

From$344.95
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
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
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
A Teucrium fruticans rounded shrub with grey foliage and blue flowers.
Teucrium fruticans

Teucrium fruticans (Bush Germander) is a hardy evergreen shrub admired for its attractive silvery foliage and soft blue flowers that appear through...

From$18.95
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
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
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
A strong and studry planting spade.
Ace1 Planting Spade

The Ace 1 planting spade is a must for any gardener. This spade is designed so it can penetrate the ground easily without jarring the wrists in the...

From$225.86
Pittosporum 'Little Gem'

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Coprosma, Ilex, and Pittosporum, or related Categories - Conifer Trees, Groundcover Plants, and Evergreen Shrubs.

Search low maintenance hedge plants

Why Choose Low Maintenance Hedge Plants?

A great hedge should give you privacy, filter wind, reduce noise, and look fantastic all year round. Low maintenance hedge plants are ideal for busy gardeners, rental properties, holiday homes, and anyone who wants their landscape to look tidy without the hassle of constant trimming, feeding, or disease control. By selecting the right varieties, you'll enjoy a living fence that stays neat and healthy, season after season.

Top Low Maintenance Hedge Plants for NZ Gardens

There are several reliable performers that stand out as low maintenance hedge plants for New Zealand gardens:

Pittosporum 'Stephens Island' (Dwarf Karo)

One of the most popular native options, Pittosporum 'Stephens Island' (Dwarf Karo) is incredibly tolerant of wind, salt spray, and drought. Its compact, dense form makes it visually appealing while reducing the need for frequent trimming. This makes it a fantastic choice for coastal gardens or exposed sites.

Lonicera 'Honey Hedge Lime'

For a fresh, evergreen look with a vibrant lime-green foliage, Lonicera 'Honey Hedge Lime' is a favourite. Fast-growing and resilient, it forms a neat, dense hedge that requires minimal cutting to maintain its shape. It’s perfect for those who want a hedge that fills out quickly without fuss.

Coprosma 'Poor Knights' (Taupata)

Coprosma 'Poor Knights' (Taupata) is an evergreen star with glossy, attractive foliage and excellent tolerance of wind and dry conditions. Its low maintenance needs make it particularly useful in coastal and urban settings. Its compact habit means less pruning for you, while it offers rich green colour even through winter.

Escallonia 'Snowbud'

If you’d like to add some seasonal interest, Escallonia 'Snowbud' is a terrific option. Producing charming white flowers through the warmer months, it’s tough, salt-tolerant and evergreen. Once established, Escallonia creates a tidy screen with little ongoing effort.

Lonicera 'Honey Hedge Lemon'

Another striking honeysuckle, Lonicera 'Honey Hedge Lemon', features golden foliage that can brighten up even shaded areas. Quick to establish and naturally dense, it’s a top choice for lush, low-work boundaries.

Planting and Caring for Low Maintenance Hedges

To get the best from your low maintenance hedge plants, plant them in well-prepared soil and give them a deep water while they’re establishing. Once settled, these hedges will require only occasional watering during dry spells, and a light trim once or twice a year, depending on your preferred shape and size.

Find the Perfect Hedge for Your Garden

Low maintenance hedge plants allow you to enjoy all the benefits of a well-structured garden without the need for constant attention. From natives like Pittosporum 'Stephens Island' (Dwarf Karo) and Coprosma 'Poor Knights' (Taupata), to versatile evergreens like Lonicera 'Honey Hedge Lime' and Escallonia 'Snowbud', you'll find the ideal hedge plant for your landscape – with more time to enjoy your garden.


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.

Ficus benjamina variegata and Azara microphylla are popular for a reason, but it’s plants like Taxodium distichum (Bald Cypress), Correa 'Limelight', and Typha orientalis (Raupō) that create a truly unique garden.
–The Plant Company

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