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narrow evergreen trees for screening

When it comes to creating privacy, shelter, or simply an attractive living boundary for your garden, narrow evergreen trees for screening are hard to beat. These versatile performers offer year-round foliage, a consistently neat profile, and require less space than broad spreading trees—making them perfect for urban gardens and tight spaces throughout New Zealand. Whether you’re looking to block a view, minimise road noise, or establish a green windbreak, choosing the right narrow evergreen trees for screening will transform your outdoor living experience.

Pittosporum ralphii olive-green foliage.

Pittosporum ralphii (Ralphs Karo)

Pittosporum ralphii is a hardy, evergreen native shrub or small tree ideal for hedging, screening, and native planting projects across New Zealand. Known for its narrow, grey-green leaves and upright form, it typically grows to 4–6 metres tall and 3–4 metres wide. The foliage has a subtle silver tone, which softens the appearance of dense planting and adds contrast to green-dominated gardens. In spring, small dark red to purple flowers appear, offering seasonal interest and attracting native insects.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Trees
Height: 6.00 m
Spread: 5.00 m
Flowering time: Spring
Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy, Wet, Wind
Garden uses: Hedging, Ponds, Screening
Garden styles: Alpine, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Formal, Frontyard, Modern, Native
pittosporum-silver-pillar-

Pittosporum 'Silver Pillar'

5 from 1 customers

Pittosporum 'Silver Pillar' is a striking evergreen shrub valued for its narrow upright growth habit and attractive silver green foliage. This elegant variety provides year round structure and colour while occupying minimal garden space, making it ideal for modern landscapes and smaller properties. Its dense foliage and vertical form make it a popular choice for screening, hedging, and feature planting. Well suited to New Zealand conditions, Pittosporum 'Silver Pillar' is a hardy and low maintenance shrub that delivers lasting visual appeal.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Shrubs
Height: 2.50 m
Spread: 2.00 m
Flowering time: Spring
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy, Wet, Wind
Garden uses: Hedging, Living areas, Parks, Ponds, Pool areas, Screening, Specimen
Garden styles: Alpine, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Formal, Frontyard, Modern, Native
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Thuja occidentalis 'Pyramidalis' trees with lush green foliage standing 1.5 metres tall in a plant nursery ready for sale.
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Ilex aquifolium Angustifolia

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A large Beilschmiedia tawa (Tawa tree).
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Acer platanoides Princeton Gold (Princeton Gold Maple Tree)

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Ulmus Lobel (Dutch Elm Tree)

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Liriodendron tulipifera 'Fastigiata' trees with yellow foliage in autumn.
Liriodendron tulipifera 'Fastigiata' (Tulip Tree)

Liriodendron tulipifera fastigiata, also known as the Upright Tulip Tree, is a stunning deciduous tree admired for its narrow, columnar form. It...

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Sorbus aucuparia Scarlet King (Rowan Tree NZ)

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Pittosporum ralphii (Ralphs Karo)

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You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Alnus, Camellia, and Cupressus, or related Categories - Conifer Shrubs, Conifer Trees, and Evergreen Shrubs.

Search narrow evergreen trees for screening

Why Choose Narrow Evergreen Trees for Screening?

Selecting narrow evergreen trees for screening is a practical solution for gardens where space is at a premium. Unlike broad or dense shrubs, these slender varieties don’t encroach on usable space and maintain their foliage through every season. As a result, you benefit from a consistently lush, green screen that needs less pruning and maintenance. Their upright form also allows for creative planting in linear rows or staggered clumps, enhancing privacy and creating a backdrop for other landscape features.

Top Narrow Evergreen Trees for Screening

In New Zealand, gardeners have access to some outstanding narrow evergreen trees for screening. Here are some reliable, attractive options to consider:

Pittosporum ralphii (Ralphs Karo)
A New Zealand native, Pittosporum ralphii (Ralphs Karo) is loved for its slender, upright growth and glossy grey-green leaves. Its tolerance to wind and coastal conditions makes it ideal for exposed sites, and it grows quickly—often reaching 4 to 5 metres tall but remaining narrow, so it's perfect for screening without taking over the space.

Thuja occidentalis 'Pyramidalis'
For a classic, formal look, Thuja occidentalis 'Pyramidalis' is hard to surpass. This conifer forms a dense, columnar shape with rich emerald foliage, making it a perfect choice for year-round privacy hedges. Easy to maintain and relatively fast-growing, it thrives across a range of New Zealand climates.

Ilex aquifolium Angustifolia
If you’re seeking a tough, narrow tree with evergreen appeal and a stately form, Ilex aquifolium Angustifolia is an excellent candidate. Its slender, spiny leaves deter browsing animals, while its neat growth habit is ideal for formal hedging and narrow screens.

Magnolia grandiflora Little Gem
Add a touch of elegance with Magnolia grandiflora Little Gem, a compact cultivar with glossy, dark green leaves and glorious creamy flowers. Little Gem forms a dense, upright screen that’s perfect for evergreen hedging alongside homes or along property boundaries.

Tips for Successful Screening with Narrow Evergreens

To ensure your screening trees establish well and provide optimal coverage, plant them at the recommended spacing for their variety—close enough to create an unbroken screen, but not so crowded that airflow is compromised. Regular mulching, watering during dry spells, and an annual feed with a slow-release fertiliser will keep your trees healthy and vibrant all year round.

Explore More Options for Your Landscape

For those interested in fast-growing shelterbelts with a narrow shape, Alnus jorullensis makes an outstanding choice. While not strictly evergreen, its semi-deciduous nature means it retains some foliage during winter, and it’s especially useful for shelter and screening in rural or lifestyle block settings.

Investing in narrow evergreen trees for screening is a long-term solution that brings privacy, beauty, and structure to any New Zealand garden. Discover the best fit for your property and enjoy a green screen that thrives season after season.


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–The Plant Company

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