Reclaiming privacy with screens & hedges

Screening off the neighbours; this has got to be one of the most common reasons behind any tree or purchase.

A uniform row of plants planted closely together, hedges comprise of any singular grouping of plants, whether that be three or 10. With so many greening alternatives to choose from depending on the situation, it is a good idea to consider purely and simply what you wish to achieve with a tree purchase rather than rushing out to buy any tree that appears to meet the bill. Try answering the following questions - how tall does the tree need to be - two, three or six metres? Does its structure need to be tight and bushy or can it be more open? Do you want it to be a flowering screen or only full at a certain time of the year? Hedges mean many things to many people, and understanding the need to hedge is important before choosing the right type of tree.

Formal versus informal
For a formal hedge it is recommended to select trees and plants with dense twiggy growth which is then constantly clipped to retain a regular shape. Clipping suppresses most of the flowers and fruits so the end result is a fluidness of foliage suitable for screens, walls and fences.

Semi formal hedges are a little more relaxed as trees and plants have been allowed to develop some flowering and fruiting wood. This type of hedge is not subjected to meticulous clipping like its formal counterpart and the end result is something that still does the job while retaining some of its own natural personality.

At the other end of the spectrum are informal hedges where the clipping of any tree or plant is done very infrequently. Great for driveways, large walls and fence lines, this row of trees is literally just kept tidy, allowing them to exhibit all of the natural branching and flowering characteristics of their species.

As most hedges are planted for privacy, the year-round green foliage provided by evergreens make a logical and natural selection. However, don’t underestimate the visual and colour interest created by a deciduous hedge line. The main advantage of using deciduous trees and shrubs for a screen or hedge is letting in winter light, but many exhibit different features in all four seasons; beautiful bare branches and twigs in the winter, flowers in the spring, a thick summer screen with shade and protection from hot winds in summer and the rustic charm of autumnal foliage.

Some traditional evergreen options to consider include:
Waterhousea floribunda 'Whisper'
Acmena smithii 'Firescreen'
Syzygium 'Hinterland Gold'
Syzygium AATS PBR 'Pinnacle' TM

Syzygium SAN01 'Straight and Narrow' TM

Cuppressocyparis 'Leightons Green'
Pittosporum 'Wonder Screen'
Photinia robusta
Prunus lusitanica

Some more contempory options are:
Magnolia 'Kay Parris'
Magnolia 'Teddy Bear' PBR
Elaeocarpus reticulatus
Callistemon 'Dawson River Weeper'

The breadth of trees for this purpose is growing all the time (pardon the pun) as nurseries offer a greater palette and landscapers get more adventurous with use and selection.