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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.

Pittosporum 'Stephens Island' green foliage.

Pittosporum 'Stephens Island' (Dwarf Karo)

5 from 2 customers

Pittosporum ‘Stephens Island’ is a compact, evergreen shrub known for its dense, upright growth and attractive grey-green foliage. A hardy New Zealand native, it typically grows to around 1.5–2 metres tall, making it ideal for low hedges, borders, and coastal gardens. This variety thrives in full sun to partial shade and is highly tolerant of wind, salt spray, and dry conditions. Low-maintenance and naturally tidy, ‘Stephens Island’ is an excellent choice for structured, native-themed landscapes.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Shrubs
Height: 4.00 m
Spread: 3.00 m
Flowering time: Spring
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy, Wind
Garden uses: Hedging, Living areas, Parks, Ponds, Pool areas, Screening, Specimen
Garden styles: Alpine, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Formal, Frontyard, Modern, Native
Ilex 'Largo' plant with lush, dark green foliage.

Ilex Largo

5 from 2 customers

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 that’s ideal for hedging, screening, or adding structure to gardens. ‘Largo’ is low maintenance and responds well to trimming, making it easy to shape. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and adapts well to most well-drained soils. This hardy and attractive plant suits a wide range of New Zealand gardens.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Shrubs
Height: 3.00 m
Spread: 2.50 m
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy
Garden uses: Hedging, Living areas, Pool areas, Screening
Garden styles: Alpine, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Formal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern
Lonicera 'Honey Hedge Lime' plants with lush, green foliage.
Lonicera 'Honey Hedge Lime'

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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...

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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...

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

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A Metrosideros 'Tahiti' shrub about 70 cm tall and 60 cm wide with red flowers and lush foliage.
Metrosideros 'Tahiti'

Metrosideros 'Tahiti', commonly known as Dwarf Pohutukawa, is a compact evergreen shrub prized for its vibrant red flowers and silver-green foliage...

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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...

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Lonicera 'Honey Hedge Lemon' yellow and green foliage.
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...

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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...

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Coprosma 'Hot Chocolate'

Coprosma 'Hot Chocolate' is a striking evergreen shrub admired for its rich chocolate brown foliage tones blended with hints of burgundy and bronze...

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Coprosma 'Scarlett O'Hara'

Coprosma 'Scarlett O’Hara' is a vibrant evergreen shrub admired for its striking red toned foliage and naturally dense growth habit. This colourful...

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Viburnum Hedge Master

Viburnum Hedge Master is an evergreen shrub grown for its lush and colourful foliage. The glossy foliage emerges red and ages to become dark green...

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Correa alba

Correa alba is a hardy evergreen shrub valued for its attractive grey green foliage and small white star like flowers. It brings year round interest...

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Westringia Low Horizon with lush grey foliage as a groundcover plant.
Westringia Low Horizon

Westringia 'Low Horizon' is a variety of the commonly known Coastal Rosemary, and is a fast-growing shrub. It features narrow grey-green leaves held...

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Chlorophytum Curly (Curly Spider Plant)

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Aechmea fasciata (Urn Plant)

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Carex 'Everlime' plants for sale at The Plant Company nursery.
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Pittosporum 'Stephens Island' (Dwarf Karo)

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Aechmea, Carex, Chlorophytum, Cistus, Coprosma, Correa, Euonymus, Helichrysum, Ilex, Lonicera, Metrosideros, Mint, Monstera, Pittosporum, Portulaca, Sansevieria, Sedum, Strelitzia, Stromanthe, Thuja Viburnum and Westringia, or related Categories - Shadecloth & Windbreak, Acid Loving Plants, Native Plant Fertiliser, Spades, Conifer Trees, Grasses, Groundcover Plants, Indoor Plants, Perennials Evergreen Shrubs and Succulents.

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.

–The Plant Company

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