Small Hedge & Shrub Care

Frequently Asked Questions: Small Hedge & Shrubs

SE QLD care for privacy hedges and garden boundaries.

Westringia (Coastal Rosemary)

Sun/Soil: Full sun, well-drained; tolerates coastal winds.
Water: Deeply during establishment (6–8 weeks), then drought-tolerant.
Pruning: Light trims 2–3×/yr for shape; avoid hard cuts in peak heat.
Hedge spacing: ~60–100cm depending on cultivar size.

Westringia: choose the right cultivar (Zena, Grey Box, fruticosa)

All Westringia prefer full sun and free-draining soil, and are excellent for Brisbane & SEQ (coastal wind and heat tolerant once established). The main differences are final size, foliage texture/colour, and how tight the hedging looks.

Cultivar	Habit & size (mature)	Look & foliage	Flowering	Hedge spacing	Best for
‘Zena’	Compact, mounding; ~H0.6–0.8m × W0.8–1.0m	Fine, neat foliage; tidy low hedge/border	Pale mauve/white, most of the year	~50–70cm centres	Low borders, along paths/driveways, planter edges
‘Grey Box’	Very compact ball; ~H0.4–0.6m × W0.4–0.6m	Tight internodes; silver-grey tone; formal look	White/pale mauve, sporadic	~40–60cm centres	Very low formal hedges, knot gardens, repeats, pots
*Westringia fruticosa* (species)	Medium shrub; ~H1.5–2.5m × W1.5–2.0m (clip to suit)	Coastal rosemary look; tougher, larger screen	White to pale mauve, extended season	~80–120cm centres	General hedging, coastal sites, quick privacy

Which to choose?

Tight low edging (formal): ‘Grey Box’
Neat low rounded dense shape (softer look): ‘Zena’
Standard hedge/privacy (1.5-2.0m+): W. fruticosa

SEQ care tips

Watering: Deeply for 6–8 weeks after planting, then reduce. Avoid waterlogged spots.
Pruning: Light trims 2–3×/yr keep hedges tight; likely remain leggy otherwise, avoid hard cuts in peak heat.
Soil: Free-draining with organic matter; mound beds if drainage is marginal.

Murraya (Mock Orange)

Sun/Soil: Sun to part shade; fertile, free-draining soil.
Water: Regular during warm months for best flowering.
Pruning: Tip after flushes (3–4×/yr) for dense hedges.
Hedge spacing: ~80–120cm for a tight screen.

Murraya: choose the right cultivar (Standard, Min-a-Min, Hip High)

Murraya paniculata is an evergreen Brisbane favourite for SE QLD hedging — glossy foliage, fragrant white flowers that often appear before rain, and fast establishment once planted in the ground. The three main forms differ mainly by height, leaf size, and maintenance needs.

Cultivar	Habit & Size (mature)	Leaf & Form	Growth Rate & Spacing	Best Use
Murraya paniculata (Standard Mock Orange)	Fast-growing shrub ~H2–4m × W2–3m (clippable to size)	Glossy deep-green leaves, large fragrant white blooms after rain	Very fast once planted in ground; ~80–120cm centres for hedges	Tall hedges & screens for privacy and fragrance
‘Min-a-Min’	Compact dwarf form ~H0.6–1.0m × W0.8–1.0m	Tiny leaves, dense texture, fine and formal look	Moderate growth; ~50–70cm centres	Low borders, formal edging, topiary shapes
‘Hip High’	Mid-height form ~H1.0–1.5m × W1.0–1.2m	Intermediate leaf size; dense bushy habit with rounded top	Fast growth; ~60–90cm centres	Medium hedges (hip height ~1.2m); driveway or path boundaries

Which to choose?

Tight low edging (formal): ‘Min-a-Min’
Neat mid-height hedge (~1.0–1.5 m): ‘Hip High’
Standard hedge/privacy (2.0–4.0 m): Murraya paniculata (Standard)

SE QLD Care Tips

Sun & Soil: Full sun to part shade; rich, well-drained soil with compost or premium mix around root zone.
Watering: Deeply daily for first 6–8 weeks; then reduce to every few days during dry weather. Avoid waterlogging.
Pruning: Tip-prune after each flush (3–4×/yr) to keep hedges bushy — the best growers prune regularly.
Feeding: Low-phosphorus fertiliser in spring and late summer for vigorous growth and flowering.

General Hedging Tips

Plant in autumn–winter for lower water needs; spring works with attentive watering.
Use premium potting mix around the root ball; avoid heavy, waterlogged soil.
Mulch 5–7cm; keep off stems; maintain airflow to reduce pests.

Casuarina glauca ‘Green Wave’

Sun/Soil: Full sun, thrives in sandy to free-draining soils. Tolerates coastal wind and heat, extremely well.
Water: Deep watering during establishment (6–8 weeks). Once established, highly drought-tolerant.
Pruning: Light trims 1–2×/yr to maintain a rounded ball shape. Avoid hard cuts into bare wood.
Hedge spacing: ~60–100cm for a continuous low hedge or mass planting to feature ball shape.

Green Wave: how it grows and where it fits

Casuarina ‘Green Wave’ is a compact, evergreen selection forming a dense, naturally rounded ball-shaped shrub. Foliage is fine and bright lime green, giving a soft-textured appearance that works beautifully in structured native gardens, modern landscapes, and coastal settings.

It’s extremely low-maintenance once settled, holding form with minimal trimming and performing exceptionally well in SEQ heat, humidity and dry spells.

Habit & Size (mature)	Leaf & Form	Growth Rate & Spacing	Best Use
~H0.6–1.0m × W0.8–1.2m (naturally rounded)	Fine, soft, bright green foliage; tidy, sculptural form	Moderate growth. ~70–100cm centres for a full low hedge	Low native hedges, feature clusters, mass planting, sculptural accents