08/06/2026
HEDGES 1
Hedges come in all sizes and shapes. From a small ‘step over’ hedge to a large 3 m high hedge and there is a Tasmanian native plant suitable for all such hedges. They can be a useful addition to a garden creating definition of spacing, and can add a certain formality to the garden.
Hedges are not free, they require maintenance, an unkempt hedge is not an attractive look. A large hedge can be challenging to cut yourself and often requires an professional to make it look neat an straight, but a small hedge can be kept in check with a bit of skill and some decent tools.
A bit of hedge etiquette. Tip prune your hedge plants. This will encourage back budding along the branches. Start this when the plant is young and you will have a lovely dense hedge.
Spacing for small hedges is close – 30...... 50 cm max. Don’t make the mistake of placing plants too far apart. You have to look at it for a long time and you don't want to be thinking - I wish I had planted those closer. Just do it - plant them close together
Most plants that back bud can be made into hedges, its just a matter of choosing the look you want, a mixed hedge can be a great feature and has the added bonus of providing different flower types, sizes and colours for all our cryptic little beeflies, bees, predatory wasps, hover flies and the rest.
Starting in the mid-range size hedge, which his probably the most useful, Teatrees, hakea, native currant, prickly box, westringia, pinkwood, satinwood – the list goes on, all these plants can be made into small hedges under 1 metre. Or they can be developed into taller hedges over time.
Here are some wonderful examples of hedges from Windsor Park in Launceston. Tony Roberts has been using purely Tasmanian native plants for 20 years at the park and has recently developed a range of hedges. If you are up that way it is well worth a visit.
