Call us: 0800 843 752Free shipping for orders $150 or over
Gift Vouchers

small hedge plants

Creating a beautiful, low-maintenance landscape often starts with the right choice of small hedge plants. Whether you’re looking to define borders, boost curb appeal, or add privacy to your outdoor space, small hedge plants offer versatile solutions ideal for New Zealand gardens. These compact shrubs are perfect for urban yards, patios, or along pathways where space is limited, delivering dense foliage, year-round interest, and easy shaping.

Japanese Box (Buxus microphylla) plants with lush green foliage.

Buxus microphylla (Littleleaf Boxwood)

5 from 1 customers

Buxus microphylla, commonly known as Japanese Box or Littleleaf Boxwood, is a compact evergreen shrub renowned for its dense, glossy green foliage and adaptability to shaping. Ideal for formal hedges, borders, and topiary, it maintains its vibrant colour year-round. With excellent cold tolerance and minimal shaping required, it's a reliable choice for formal gardens, cottage landscapes, and container planting throughout New Zealand.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Shrubs
Height: 2.00 m
Spread: 2.00 m
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy
Garden uses: Hedging, Topiary
Garden styles: Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Cottage, Formal, Frontyard, Modern
pittosporum-small-ball-

Pittosporum 'Small Ball'

Pittosporum 'Small Ball' is a compact evergreen shrub prized for its naturally rounded growth habit, dense foliage, and tidy appearance. This dwarf variety provides year round structure and colour while requiring very little maintenance, making it ideal for modern landscapes and smaller gardens. Its neat form makes it perfect for low hedges, borders, containers, and feature planting. Well suited to New Zealand conditions, Pittosporum 'Small Ball' is a reliable shrub that delivers lasting visual appeal and practical landscaping benefits throughout the year.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Shrubs
Height: 1.00 m
Spread: 1.00 m
Tolerances: Coastal
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Hedging, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Ponds, Pool areas, Topiary
Garden styles: Alpine, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Formal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern, Native, Rock
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$23.39
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$18.23
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$40.43
eugenia-uniflora-surinam-cherry-
Eugenia uniflora (Surinam Cherry)

Eugenia uniflora, commonly known as the Surinam or Brazilian Cherry, is a small tree that features new foliage which emerges a bronze colour and ages...

From$49.88
escallonia-iveyi--1
Escallonia Iveyi

Escallonia Iveyi is renowned for both its attractive foliage and quaint flowers. Small and glossy, green leaves give way to clusters of lightly...

From$24.23
viburnum-hedge-master--10
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...

From$26.93
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$20.18
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$22.88
weigela-wine-and-roses-2
Weigela Wine And Roses (Wine & Roses Weigela)

Weigela Wine and Roses is grown for its foliage and flowers. This deciduous, compact shrub produces small and burgundy-coloured leaves which are held...

From$24.98
Ligularia 'Rukuhia Beauty' in a garden with lush, green foliage.
Ligularia 'Rukuhia Beauty' (Small Leaved Ligularia)

Ligularia 'Rukuhia Beauty' is a striking perennial valued for its bold foliage and rich garden presence. Large broad leaves form lush clumps that...

From$27.53
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...

From$24.23
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
chlorophytum-curly--2
Chlorophytum Curly (Curly Spider Plant)

Chlorophytum Curly, commonly known as the Curly Spider Plant or Airplane plant, is a tender, herbaceous perennial grown for its lush, variegated, and...

From$21.53
Kniphofia Dwarf Scarlet plant with red flowers.
Kniphofia 'Dwarf Scarlet' (Hot Poker Plant)

Kniphofia 'Dwarf Scarlet' is a compact perennial known for its vibrant red flower spikes that rise above neat grassy foliage. This eye catching plant...

From$20.18
Chlorophytum comosum variegatum plants growing in pots on a shelf.
Chlorophytum comosum variegatum (Spider Plant)

Chlorophytum comosum Variegatum, commonly known as the Spider Plant, is a tender, herbaceous perennial grown for its lush and variegated foliage. It...

From$19.58
Sophora microphylla specimen tree covered in yellow flowers.
Sophora microphylla (Small Leaved Kōwhai)

Sophora microphylla, commonly known as Weeping Kowhai, is a treasured New Zealand native tree admired for its graceful, drooping branches and masses...

From$25.58
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$24.23
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$158.00
helichrysum-petiolare--3
Helichrysum petiolare (Licorice Plant)

Helichrysum petiolare, commonly known as the Licorice plant, is a popular, evergreen shrub that is often used as a groundcover. It produces long...

From$24.77
bergenia-cordifolia-3
Bergenia cordifolia (Pig Squeak Plant)

Bergenia cordifolia is a hardy evergreen perennial admired for its large glossy leaves and clusters of pink flowers in late winter and spring. This...

From$21.53
portulaca-pizzaz-sunset-
Portulaca Pazzaz Sunset (Moss Rose Plant)

Portulaca Pazazz Sunset, commonly known as the Moss Rose plant, is a low-growing perennial with fabulous flowers. Bright orange and yellow flowers...

From$25.58
Leonotis leonurus shrub with masses of orange flowers.
Leonotis leonurus (Lions Tail Plant)

Leonotis leonurus, commonly known as the Lions Tail Plant, is a shrub grown for its interesting flowers and foliage. Its unusualness comes from...

From$26.93
aechmea-fasciata-
Aechmea fasciata (Urn Plant)

Aechmea fasciata is a colourful Bromeliad that features thick and leathery leaves that are striped with silver and dark green. They are borne as a...

From$43.13
Kniphofia 'Border Ballet' plants in a cottage garden featuring orange flowers and lush green foliage.
Kniphofia 'Border Ballet' (Hot Poker Plant)

Kniphofia 'Border Ballet' is a variety of the commonly known Red Hot Poker, and is grown for its colourful flowers. Stems rise above the foliage...

From$20.18
Carex 'Everlime' plants for sale at The Plant Company nursery.
Carex 'Everlime' (Lime Grass Plant)

Carex ‘Everlime’ (Japanese Sedge) is a popular evergreen sedge valued for its graceful arching green foliage edged with bright lime cream margins...

From$26.33
sansevieria-hahnii-
Sansevieria Hahnii (Bird's Nest Snake Plant)

Sansevieria Hahnii, commonly known as the Dwarf Snake Plant or Serpent Plant, is a very popular indoor plant. It features upright and fleshy leaves...

From$37.73
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$6.53
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$20.93
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
indoor-plant-fertiliser-tablets-1
Indoor Plant Fertiliser Tablets

Indoor plants require feeding from the time you get them home as nurseries typically only put enough fertiliser in the pots to last 4-8 weeks after...

From$31.25
Buxus microphylla (Littleleaf Boxwood)

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Aechmea, Bergenia, Buxus, Carex, Chlorophytum, Cistus, Dodonaea, Escallonia, Eugenia, Helichrysum, Kniphofia, Leonotis, Ligularia, Lonicera, Michelia, Mint, Pittosporum, Portulaca, Sansevieria, Sedum, Sophora, Stromanthe Viburnum and Weigela, or related Categories - Indoor Plant Fertiliser, Moss Poles, Spades, Grasses, Groundcover Plants, Indoor Plants, Perennials, Deciduous Shrubs, Evergreen Shrubs Succulents and Evergreen Trees.

Search small hedge plants

Why Choose Small Hedge Plants?

Small hedge plants are popular among gardeners for their adaptability and manageable size. They create neat, structured lines without overwhelming your garden. Many varieties grow slowly, making them perfect for formal borders or informal screens. With regular trimming, they maintain a tidy appearance and encourage lush growth, making them ideal for both amateur and expert gardeners.

Best Small Hedge Plants for New Zealand Gardens

When it comes to reliable small hedge plants, there are standout performers that thrive in New Zealand’s climate. Here are some top choices:

Tips for Planting and Caring for Small Hedge Plants

To achieve a healthy, robust hedge, start by preparing the soil with plenty of organic matter and ensure good drainage. Space your plants according to their mature width—crowding can hinder growth and air circulation. Most small hedge plants respond well to regular trimming, which encourages bushy growth and creates precise lines. Fertilising in spring and mulch application help retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Landscaping Ideas Using Small Hedge Plants

Small hedges are perfect for defining garden zones, framing walkways, and adding structure to cottage gardens. Use them to outline patios or create low screens around outdoor seating areas. They can also be paired with taller shrubs and flowering plants for layered visual interest.

Find Your Ideal Small Hedge Plant

Transform your landscape with the stunning range of small hedge plants available at our nursery. From the classic appeal of Buxus microphylla (Littleleaf Boxwood) to the flowering beauty of Brunfelsia pauciflora Scent sational (Yesterday Today Tomorrow Plant), discover the perfect hedge for your space, all expertly grown and ready for planting.


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.

Rhododendron Vireya Pink Jazz and Griselinia 'Ardmore Emerald' are popular for a reason, but it’s plants like Echium fastuosum 'Pride of Madeira', Acacia howittii (Sticky Wattle), and Eucomis comosa that create a truly unique garden.
–The Plant Company

Explore Garden Inspiration

Sign up to receive a free $10 Voucher You won’t be bombarded with emails, just titbits of quality information from time to time Sign up
Free shipping on orders over $150!

Join our community of happy customers.

4.8

445 Google reviews