Name: The Plant Company
Address: 284 Meeanee Road, Meeanee, Napier, 4112, New Zealand
Telephone: 0800 843 752
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nz native hedge trees

Looking to create a lush, evergreen boundary or a natural privacy screen? NZ native hedge trees offer a hardy, low-maintenance solution perfectly suited to New Zealand’s unique climate and soil conditions. Filled with vibrant foliage and wildlife-friendly features, these native species bring both beauty and resilience to gardens, lifestyle blocks, and coastal properties. Explore the best options for nz native hedge trees, their benefits, and care tips, plus find quality suggestions to turn your green vision into reality.

Griselinia 'Ardmore Emerald'

Griselinia Ardmore Emerald is a lush, NZ-native shrub known for its glossy, deep green foliage and dense, upright growth. It typically reaches 3-4 metres in height and 2-4 metres in width, making it ideal for hedging, screening, or as a specimen plant. Hardy and low-maintenance, it thrives in full sun to part shade and tolerates wind, coastal exposure, and light frost. ‘Ardmore Emerald’ brings vibrant structure and year-round greenery to any New Zealand garden.

Buy Griselinia 'Ardmore Emerald'

From $22.88

Suited to regions: All regions

Plant type: Trees

Height: 8.00 m

Spread: 4.00 m

Flowering time: Spring

Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy

Garden uses: Hedging, Living areas, Parks, Ponds, Pool areas, Screening, Specimen

Garden styles: Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Formal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Native

Pittosporum Silver Pillar

Pittosporum Silver Pillar is a NZ native that features small leaves that are variegated mid-green with a cream margin and held on dark stems. It typically grows to 2.5 m tall and 2 m wide and can be trimmed as necessary. Pittosporum Silver Pillar is an excellent choice for hedging, planting around outdoor living areas, or adding to a mixed planting.

Buy Pittosporum Silver Pillar

From $21.53

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

Why Choose NZ Native Hedge Trees?

NZ native hedge trees are renowned for their adaptability, fast growth, and tolerance to local pest and disease pressures. They blend seamlessly with the surrounding landscape and support New Zealand’s biodiversity by providing food and habitat for native birds and insects. Whether you need shelter from the wind, privacy from neighbours, or a beautiful living fence, using native trees ensures your garden speaks the language of Aotearoa.

Top NZ Native Trees for Hedges

When selecting the ideal native hedge plant, look for species that respond well to trimming, grow dense foliage, and thrive in your particular microclimate.

Pittosporum Silver Pillar

Pittosporum Silver Pillar is an excellent choice for height and striking texture. Its silvery-green leaves make it a stunning architectural feature when planted en masse, and it responds well to regular clipping, forming a dense, upright screen within a couple of years.

Pittosporum tenuifolium

Another favourite among nz native hedge trees is Pittosporum tenuifolium. With its undulating, dark green foliage and black stems, Pittosporum tenuifolium is not only eye-catching but also remarkably resilient. It forms a thick, evergreen hedge and tolerates coastal winds, making it a popular choice throughout the country.

Griselinia Varieties

Griselinia 'Ardmore Emerald' and Griselinia littoralis are iconic for creating glossy, bright green hedges that thrive even on exposed coastal sites. These fast-growing plants quickly form dense, evergreen screens that are easy to keep neat with an annual trim.

Myoporum laetum (Ngaio)

For a hedge with a coastal flavour, Myoporum laetum (Ngaio) is a top performer. Its glossy leaves and wind tolerance make it ideal for shelterbelts or tall privacy barriers, particularly in challenging spots near the sea.

Tips for Growing Successful Native Hedges

To maximise the success of your native hedge:

Plant at the recommended spacing for each species to ensure quick coverage and airflow.
Mulch well to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
Trim regularly to encourage bushy, compact growth and maintain your desired hedge shape.
Water young plants during dry spells for the first two seasons to help them establish robust root systems.

Start Your Native Hedge Project

Wherever you are in New Zealand, choosing the right nz native hedge trees means adding hardy beauty and ecological value to your garden. Browse our selection of Pittosporum Silver Pillar, Pittosporum tenuifolium, Griselinia 'Ardmore Emerald', Griselinia littoralis, or Myoporum laetum (Ngaio) for a living fence that thrives for years to come. Let New Zealand’s natural beauty shape your outdoor space with a truly sustainable hedge.

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.