Growing in the (sub)tropics – the best hedge plants for Brisbane

The River City is a beauty, for sure, but she does have a unique subtropical climate that can make the prospect of planting a successful hedge quite daunting. If you've been wanting to add a hedge to your property for privacy, noise reduction, or to cut through that biting western sun, we have some tips on which evergreen foliage is up to the task.

Behold, the best hedge plants in Brisbane!

Lilly pilly

Australian native plant

Let's kick things off with a classic – you really can't go wrong with a lilly pilly for hedging. There are a wide variety of plants that belong to the lilly pilly family, with the advantage that all are native to Australia, and all are excellent hedging species. Its small, glossy, green leaves lend to a classic styling that is often seen in traditional hedges. The Resilience species is bred specifically for hedging, having been propagated for dense branch growth all the way down to ground level. Its full height of four metres makes it a great screening plant, blocking out nosy neighbours. The key to making a lilly pilly work for you is initial care – make sure you clip it frequently at first, and you will set yourself up for minimal maintenance down the track.



Blueberry ash

Drought-tolerant, Australian native plant

For something a bit different, the blueberry ash is a fine choice. This species is native to South-East Queensland, so you can be sure it's perfectly adapted to Brisbane's climate. Each plant only grows to a maximum of eight metres and only requires maintenance every 3-4 months. While the blueberry ash yields appealing bell-shaped flowers in spring, followed by a small blue berry at the change of the season, its stand-out feature is its spear-shaped leaves. The new growth blooms red then turns dark green with an eye-catching white border. When establishing your blueberry ash, keep it well mulched and watered. Once mature, it will be able to survive on natural rainfall. This species thrives in full sun with a twice-yearly helping of a native-friendly slow-release fertiliser. For nice dense coverage, plant each sapling one metre apart.



Viburnum (aka Dense Fence)

Dense growth, sun to part shade, low-maintenance hedge plant

You can tell from its nickname that this particular plant is an ideal hedge plant. Purpose-bred for screening, the viburnum is a dense, quick-growing, low-maintenance plant that still boasts pretty enough foliage to keep it interesting. Viburnum is a hardy species, as it can tolerate full sun, part shade, and a whole variety of soils and growing conditions. Its larger leaves give it a less formal look than some more traditional hedging plants, but the bronze cover of its new foliage makes it mighty pretty to look at.



Photinia red robin

Sun to part shade

If you're after a hedging plant that has some serious pizazz, photinia red robin is the ideal choice for you. This stunner of a species changes colours with the seasons, blushing red with new foliage that fades to bronze before busting through with a brilliant green. You also have the option of letting this species run a bit wild and woolly if that's the look you're after – not all plant hedges need to be formal! The red robin reaches about three metres in height and is a speedy grower, so if you want good coverage in a shorter amount of time, this is a great option. Photinias prefer full sun but will also withstand part shade. For best screening, plant them one metre apart and watch the magic happen.



Wild card entry: bamboo

Drought-tolerant, sun to part shade

We know what you're thinking – why the heck would anyone choose a running plant for hedging? Isn't it going to take over my whole yard? Friends, this is not always the case if you know what you're looking for. Bamboo can be a fantastic hedging plant: you just need to be mindful of the variety that you choose. Slender weavers' bamboo is ideal if you want to block out neighbours on a taller block, as it grows to about 6-8 metres depending on weather and soil conditions. While bamboo has the advantage of not needing regular clipping, there are some things you need to be mindful of. They tend to get a little bit messy with their leaf litter, and once they are planted and established, they are very tricky to get rid of. On the flip side, you'll fall in love with the sound of cane rustling in the wind and the gorgeous, dappled slight when the sun shines through it.



Choose Brisbane’s hedging experts for all your landscaping needs

When embarking on your hedge planting journey in Brisbane, consider these drought-tolerant, Australian native plants with dense hedge growth and green foliage, which can thrive in well-drained soil and can handle varying light conditions from sun to part shade. By choosing the right species and providing initial care, you can establish a beautiful, low-maintenance hedge that enhances your outdoor space and suits Brisbane's unique climate.

Whether you're just starting your hedging journey or are looking for someone to take the wheel with upkeep, TLC Property Maintenance has the team and the tools to take care of you. As the experts on all things landscape maintenance in Brisbane, hedge trimming and pruning is a particular subset of the business that we take very seriously. We are dedicated to delivering outstanding results for our clients, from our ongoing commercial contracts through to home gardening heroes who need our expert touch. If you want million-dollar results without the matching price tag, TLC is the team for your true blue Australian gardens. Get in touch with our friendly staff today and find out why we are the trusted name for short- and long-term hedging solutions in Brisbane.