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shade loving hedge plants

Looking for shade loving hedge plants to transform the dimmer corners of your New Zealand garden? Whether you want a lush boundary along a fence line, foliage cover under tree canopies, or a beautiful privacy screen in shaded spots, there’s a wide range of plants perfectly suited for these low-light conditions. Shade tolerant hedge varieties thrive where direct sunlight is minimal, making them ideal for south-facing gardens, under large trees, or beside buildings. These resilient shrubs can add structure, create a sense of privacy, and introduce year-round greenery, all while flourishing in the cool, sheltered parts of your landscape.

Buxus harlandii shrub with dense, green foliage.

Buxus harlandii

Buxus harlandii grows to about 1 m tall and the same wide with charming, bright green leaves. Best results with this evergreen shrub are achieved when it is planted in full sun or partial shade on a well-drained site.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Shrubs
Height: 1.00 m
Spread: 1.00 m
Tolerances: Hardy
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Hedging, Living areas, Parks, Paths & Steps, Patios, Pool areas, Specimen, Topiary
Garden styles: Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Cottage, Formal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern, Rock
camellia-japonica-brushfields-yellow-

Camellia 'Brushfields Yellow'

5 from 1 customers

Camellia 'Brushfields Yellow' is a highly sought after evergreen shrub admired for its creamy white outer petals surrounding a soft yellow petaloid centre. Flowering from late winter into spring, it brings elegant colour and texture to New Zealand gardens.

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate
Plant type: Shrubs
Height: 2.00 m
Spread: 1.50 m
Flowering time: Spring, Summer
Garden uses: Containers, Hedging, Living areas, Parks, Pool areas, Specimen
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Formal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern
Dodonaea viscosa purpurea shrub with colourful, purple foliage growing an an informal hedge.
Dodonaea viscosa purpurea (Purple Hop Bush)

Dodonaea viscosa purpurea, commonly known as Purple Ake Ake, features lush, purple leaves which are held densely off upright stems. The foliage is...

From$13.95
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
Gardenia augusta 'True Love' white flower with mid-green foliage.
Gardenia 'True Love'

Gardenia 'True Love' is a compact, evergreen shrub reaching around 60–90 cm tall and wide, perfect for adding fragrance and lush foliage to NZ...

From$18.95
camellia-japonica-buttons-and-bows-1
Camellia 'Buttons and Bows'

Camellia 'Buttons and Bows' is a charming evergreen shrub admired for its formal double white blooms delicately edged in soft pink. Flowering from...

From$27.95
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
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
Lonicera 'Honey Hedge Lime' plants with lush, green foliage.
Lonicera 'Honey Hedge Lime'

Lonicera 'Honey Hedge Lime' is a bright and eye catching honeysuckle valued for its vivid lime foliage and compact, tidy habit. This hardy shrub...

From$16.95
camellia-sasanqua-with-love-
Camellia With Love

Camellia 'With Love' is a charming evergreen shrub known for its soft romantic blooms and glossy green foliage. It provides beautiful winter to...

From$27.95
buxus-green-gem-
Buxus 'Green Gem'

Buxus 'Green Gem' is a compact, evergreen boxwood plant that is ideal for low hedges, borders, and topiary in New Zealand gardens. It forms a dense...

From$99.95
Buxus microphylla 'Independence'

Buxus microphylla 'Independence' is a superb compact box hedge variety loved for its fine foliage and dense, tidy growth. This hardy evergreen shrub...

From$16.95
Abelia 'Francis Mason' shrub with yellow foliage and pink-white flowers.
Abelia 'Francis Mason'

Abelia 'Francis Mason' is a vibrant and versatile shrub loved for its golden yellow foliage and clusters of soft pink to white flowers in summer and...

From$18.95
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
A magnificant Photinia 'Super Hedge' hedge.
Photinia 'Super Hedge'

Photinia 'Super Hedge' features bright and colourful foliage with bright red new growth. This foliage ages to become mid-dark green, resulting in a...

From$24.95
Stromanthe triostar plant.
Stromanthe Triostar (Stromanthe Plant)

Stromanthe Triostar is a popular indoor plant owing to its lush and colourful foliage. It features elegant, dark green, pink, and cream-coloured...

From$33.05
70-windbreak-2
Shadecloth - 70% Shade (Shade Cloth For Plants)

This shade cloth for plants, which is also used as plant windbreaks, reduces light levels and windspeeds by 70%. Therefore, 30% of the wind or light...

From$499.80
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
strelitzia-nicolai-
Strelitzia nicolai (White Bird Of Paradise Plant)

Strelitzia nicolai (Giant White Bird Of Paradise) is a bold, architectural plant known for its large banana like leaves and striking white and blue...

From$44.09
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
A Spearmint plant with lush, green leaves.
Mint Plant

Mint Plant (Spearmint) is a popular herb grown for its fresh fragrant leaves and versatile use in cooking drinks and home remedies. Well suited to...

From$16.49
50-windbreak-2
Shadecloth - 50% Shade (Shade Cloth)

This shade cloth which is also used as garden windbreak, reduces light levels and windspeeds by 50%. Therefore, 50% of the wind or light will still...

From$428.40
agave-americana-variegata--1
Agave americana 'Variegata' (Variegated Century Plant)

Agave americana 'Variegata' is a striking evergreen succulent valued for its bold architectural form and strongly variegated foliage. It forms a...

From$15.95
Sedum rubrotinctum (Jelly Bean Plant) bright red foliage.
Sedum rubrotinctum (Jelly Bean Plant)

Sedum rubrotinctum, commonly known as Jelly Bean Plant or Pork and Beans Plant, is a compact, low-growing succulent reaching 15–20 cm tall and...

From$21.39
fertiliser-for-acid-loving-plants-
Fertiliser for acid loving plants (Acid Fertiliser)

Using fertiliser for acid loving plants is important for plants such as Camellias, Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Daphne’s, Gardenia’s, and Hydrangea’s who...

From$8.64
50-windbreak-roll-2
Windbreak - 50% (Garden Shade Cloth)

This green windbreak is also used as garden shade cloth and reduces light levels and windspeeds by 50%. Therefore, 50% of the wind or light will...

From$856.80
Moss pole for plants.
Moss Pole For Plants (Moss Pole For Plants)

These moss poles for plants are made from Coir Fibre (i.e., the husks of coconuts). They are an eco-friendly option to help plants grow healthier and...

From$6.90
Disphyma australe pink flowers and fleshy, green leaves.
Disphyma australe (NZ Ice Plant)

Disphyma australe, commonly known as NZ Ice Plant, is a hardy and attractive groundcover valued for its fleshy, bright green foliage and striking...

From$14.95
A large Monstera deliciosa (Swiss Cheese Plant) in a garden with lush, green leaves.
Monstera deliciosa (Swiss Cheese Plant)

Monstera deliciosa, also known as the Swiss Cheese or Fruit Salad Plant, is a popular indoor tropical plant loved for its striking, holey leaves and...

From$44.09
15-litre-plant-pots-
1.5 Litre Thermoformed Plant Pots

These lightweight pots are a cost effective means for growing on plants. They feature a strong and broad rim, have been UV stabilised for NZ...

From$27.36
half-litre-plant-pots-
0.51 Litre Thermoformed Plant Pots

These lightweight pots are a cost-effective means for growing on plants. They feature a strong and broad rim, have been UV stabilised for NZ...

From$23.04
Buxus harlandii

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Buxus, Camellia, and Dodonaea, or related Categories - Evergreen Shrubs.

Search shade loving hedge plants

Why Choose Shade Loving Hedge Plants?

Shade loving hedge plants are specifically adapted to thrive where other sun-loving shrubs might struggle. Selecting the right plants ensures you get a robust, healthy hedge that maintains vibrant foliage and often offers flowers or fragrance, even in lower light. With the right species, you can create living walls, define garden spaces, or frame walkways — all without sacrificing beauty or garden performance in the shade.

Popular Shade Loving Hedge Options for New Zealand Gardens

New Zealand’s climate supports a variety of shade loving hedges, from classic evergreens to fragrant flowering shrubs. Here are some top selections:

Tips for Growing Shade Loving Hedge Plants

To ensure your hedge thrives, start with proper soil preparation and consistent watering, especially during establishment. Applying mulch helps retain soil moisture and keeps roots cool, which is vital in shaded areas. Regular pruning encourages dense growth and keeps your hedge neat. Choose hedge varieties that tolerate your specific shade conditions, whether it’s dappled shade or deep shade, to get the best results.

Incorporating Shade Loving Hedges into Your Landscape

Shade loving hedge plants can be used creatively throughout your landscape: border shaded patios, outline woodland gardens, or screen utility areas without worry about sun exposure. These plants not only provide privacy and structure but can also add seasonal scent and flowers, making shaded spots inviting and beautiful year-round.

Explore our range of shade loving hedge plants and discover how you can bring life and structure to even the shadiest corners of your garden. With choices like Lonicera 'Honey Hedge Lemon', Gardenia True Love, Lonicera 'Honey Hedge Lime', Viburnum Hedge Master, and Brunfelsia pauciflora Scent sational (Yesterday Today Tomorrow Plant), you’re sure to find the perfect hedge for your shaded garden spaces.


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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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