SHRUBS AND SMALL TREES THAT MAKE COLOURFUL OR ATTRACTIVE HEDGES - Exotic & Native, plus shade plants & Ornamental Grasses.
Header photograph: Abelia hedge at Whangarei Girl's High in Manse Street.
Hedges are not old-world, they are as relevant today as they were in Victorian times. They enclose sections for privacy, provide shelter, structure, and floral interest if you are wanting flower or foliage colour. Planting hedges can often be costly, so it's vital to choose the right hedging plant or combination of hedge plants for the job. The choice of hedging plant you could use is enormous, but some of the less troublesome and picturesque hedge plants for Northland conditions are shown below.
ABELIA.
Abelia x grandiflora: Glossy Abelia.
BOTANICAL NAME: Abelia × grandiflora - Common Name Glossy Abelia - a hybrid Abelia, raised by hybridising Abelia chinensis with A. uniflora. It is an semi-evergreen multi-stemmed shrub which is popular as a hedge plant. When grown singly it has a rounded, spreading, or gracefully arching format to 1-1.8 m tall. The leaves are ovate, glossy, dark green, 2–6 cm long. The flowers are produced in clusters, white, tinged pink, bell-shaped, to 2 cm long. Unlike most flowering shrubs in
cultivation, the Glossy Abelia blooms from late summer to well into the autumn. Abelia is a member of the plant family Caprifoliaceae. A × grandiflora was first raised in 1886 in Italy. It is used as an ornamental plant in specimen plantings in gardens, or in a mixed border with other shrubs. Propagation is by cuttings. Variegated forms are also available commercially. Photographs taken in Hatea Drive, Whangarei.
BELOW: Two photographs taken in Manse Street, Whangarei, of the Abelia hedge at Whangarei Girl's High School.
cultivation, the Glossy Abelia blooms from late summer to well into the autumn. Abelia is a member of the plant family Caprifoliaceae. A × grandiflora was first raised in 1886 in Italy. It is used as an ornamental plant in specimen plantings in gardens, or in a mixed border with other shrubs. Propagation is by cuttings. Variegated forms are also available commercially. Photographs taken in Hatea Drive, Whangarei.
BELOW: Two photographs taken in Manse Street, Whangarei, of the Abelia hedge at Whangarei Girl's High School.
Abelia X grandiflora variegate: Variegated Abelia.
ARTEMISIA.
Artemisia absinthium - Absinthe - Wormwood.
BOTANICAL NAME: Artemisia absinthium - Common Names, absinthium, absinthe wormwood, wormwood, common wormwood, green ginger or grand wormwood. A species of Artemisia that is native to regions of Eurasia and Northern Africa. It is grown as an ornamental plant or hedge, as it can be trimmed as a low growing border. It can also be grown in window boxes. It is used as an ingredient in the spirit absinthe as well as some other alcoholic drinks. Artemisia absinthium is a herbaceous, perennial plant with fibrous roots. The stems are straight, growing to 0.8–1.2 metres (2 ft 7 in–3 ft 11 in) tall. The leaves are greenish-grey to silver above and white below, and bear minute oil-producing glands. Its flowers are pale yellow, tubular, and clustered in spherical bent-down heads. Flowering is from early summer to early autumn. It grows naturally on uncultivated, arid ground, on rocky slopes, and at the edge of footpaths and fields. WARNING - A. absinthium contains thujone, a psychoactive chemical that can cause epileptic-like convulsions and kidney failure when ingested in large amounts.
BUXUS.
Buxus sempervirens: Box - Boxwood.
BOTANICAL NAME: Buxus sempervirens: Buxus is a genus of about 70 species in the family Buxaceae. Commonly called Box, it is also called Boxwood in The USA. The boxes are native to western and southern Europe, southwest, southern and eastern Asia, Africa, Madagascar, northernmost South America, Central America, Mexico and the Caribbean. B sempervirens is frost-tolerant, but the majority of species are not; being Tropical or subtropical. A slow-growing evergreen shrubs growing to 2 m tall. The leaves are opposite, rounded, leathery and small, 1.5–5 cm long and 0.3-2.5 cm broad. The flowers are small and yellow-green, monoecious with both sexes present on a plant. The fruit is a small capsule 0.5-1.5 cm long containing several small seeds.
The 70 species of the genus Buxus splits into three genetically distinct sections, each section in a different region, with the Eurasian species in one section, the African (except northwest Africa) and Madagascan species in the second, and the American species in the third.
Buxus Hedge - Popular as a small ornamental hedge plant in New Zealand, as it was in the old country (England), plants should be clipped in August and after Boxing Day (end of December) to keep them to the shape you want. Clipping is especially important in the first 2 years after planting to give the hedge the desired shape and height. Photographs taken in Bank Street, Whangarei. Top row being the green form, bottom row the variegated form, as with the large photograph.
The 70 species of the genus Buxus splits into three genetically distinct sections, each section in a different region, with the Eurasian species in one section, the African (except northwest Africa) and Madagascan species in the second, and the American species in the third.
Buxus Hedge - Popular as a small ornamental hedge plant in New Zealand, as it was in the old country (England), plants should be clipped in August and after Boxing Day (end of December) to keep them to the shape you want. Clipping is especially important in the first 2 years after planting to give the hedge the desired shape and height. Photographs taken in Bank Street, Whangarei. Top row being the green form, bottom row the variegated form, as with the large photograph.
CAMELIA.
Camellia japonica: Rose Of Winter - Japanese Camellia.
BOTANICAL NAME: Camellia japonic. Common name Japanese Camellia. C. japonica is one of the best known species of the genus Camellia. Sometimes called the Rose of winter. it belongs to the Theaceae family. Apart from being a popular stand alone garden or container shrub, it makes a very attractive hedge. In the wild, it is found in mainland China, Taiwan, southern Korea and southern Japan. It grows in forests, at altitudes of around 300–1,100 metres (980–3,600 ft). Camellia japonica is a flowering tree or shrub, usually 1.5–6 metres (4.9–20 ft) tall, but occasionally up to 11 metres (36 ft) tall. Some cultivated varieties achieve a size of 72m² or more. The youngest branches are purplish-brown, becoming grayish-brown as they age. The alternate leathery leaves are dark green on the top side, paler on the underside. The base of the leaf is pointed (cuneate), the margins are very finely toothed (serrulate) and the tip somewhat pointed.
Camelia sasanqua: Christmas or Yuletide Camelia.
BOTANICAL NAME: Camellia sasanqua: Common Name - Christmas or Yuletide Camellia. A species of Camellia native to China and Japan. An autumn flowering species, the most tolerant of the cultivated Camellias to full sun, it makes an excellent flowering hedge. It is an evergreen shrub growing to 5 m tall. The leaves are leathery, broad elliptic, 3–7 cm long and 1.2–3 cm broad, with a finely serrated margin. The flowers range in colour from white to deep rose in its natural environment, however, cultivars of single, semi-double and double are available in many colours. It is propagated from heel cuttings taken in spring.
CESTRUM.
Cestrum nocturnum: Night Flowering Cestrum - Queen Of The Night.
BOTANICAL NAMR: Cestrum nocturnu: Common Name - Night Flowering Cestrum. Lafy Of The Night, or Queen Of The Night. A species of Cestrum in the plant family Solanaceae, or the the potato family. It is native to the West Indies, but is used as a garden plant in New Zealand as it has a strong sweet scent in the evening. For this reason, and for its strong growing habit, it makes a wonderful hedge plant. The plant was discovered by Ragbhir Singh Ubhi, in the late 1800s on a hike through a West-Indies Forest, as he noticed the fragrance of the flowers. It has become naturalized in South Asia, where it is known as Raatraani or Hasna Hena. It does particularly well in Northland, where it flowers profusely and has an exceptional yellow colouring. Photographs taken in Whangarei.
DURANTA.
Duranta species: Golden Dewdrop - Pigeon Berry - Skyflower - Mavaetangi (Tonga)
BOTANICAL NAME: Duranta species: Common Names - Golden Dewdrop, Pigeon Berry, Skyflower, Mavaetangi (Tonga). A genus of flowering plants in the family, Verbenaceae. there are 17 species of shrubs and small trees that are native from southern Florida to Mexico and South America. They are grown as hedges and ornamental plants. The most commonly grown is Duranta erecta, a species of from Mexico to South America and the Caribbean. It is widely cultivated as an ornamental plant in tropical and subtropical gardens throughout the world, and has become naturalized in many places. It is considered an invasive species in Australia, and on several Pacific Islands. Common names include golden dewdrop, pigeon berry, and skyflower. In Tonga it is known as mavaetangi (tears of departure). BELOW: The ripe fruit of Duranta.
ESCALLONIA.
Escallonia species: Escallonia.
BOTANICAL NAME: Escallonia species: Common Name - Escallonia. A genus of 40-50 species of flowering shrubs and small trees in the Escalloniaceae family. Mostly evergreen shrubs, they like a well-drained, compost rich soil with summer moisture. They are native to South America's Andes region. Widely cultivated and commonly used as a hedging plant, especially in coastal areas, escallonia grows about 30 cm (12 in) per year, reaching 1.5–3 m (5–10 ft) in height, with arching branches of small, oval, glossy green leaves. Flowering from June to October, it has masses of small pink or crimson flowers, with a honey fragrance. It is best grown in full sun with some shelter. Some varieties are not fully hardy in all areas. Numerous cultivars and hybrids have been developed, of which the following have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit: Prune after flowering to remove old flower heads.
GORDONIA - See Small Trees section -
GRISELINIA.
Griselinia littoralis: Kapuka - New Zealand Broadlead.
BOTANICAL NAME : Griselinia littoralis, common name - Kapuka or New Zealand broadleaf. A fast-growing small to medium evergreen tree generally 4–8 m (13–26 ft) particularly in coastal exposure. It is native to New Zealand and is widely grown as a border or hedge plant.
The leaves leathery, glossy green above, paler and matt below, oval with a smooth margin. The flowers appear in spring, but are somewhat inconspicuous and so it is mainly grown as a foliage plant. A cultivar, G. littoralis variegata is a variegated form cultivated for home garden planting. It won the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. Does very well in Northland.
These photographs were taken in Regent, Whangarei.
The leaves leathery, glossy green above, paler and matt below, oval with a smooth margin. The flowers appear in spring, but are somewhat inconspicuous and so it is mainly grown as a foliage plant. A cultivar, G. littoralis variegata is a variegated form cultivated for home garden planting. It won the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. Does very well in Northland.
These photographs were taken in Regent, Whangarei.
LAVENDULA.
BOTANICAL NAME: Lavendula angustifolia. Common Name, Lavender. There are about 40 species of Lavender in the genus Lavendula, belonging to the family Lamiaceae. It is found from Cape Verde and the Canary Islands, southern Europe across to northern and eastern Africa, the Mediterranean, southwest Asia to southeast India. Many members of the genus are cultivated extensively in temperate climates as ornamental plants for garden and landscape use, for use as culinary herbs, and also commercially for the extraction of essential oils. The most widely cultivated species, Lavandula angustifolia is often referred to as lavender, and there is a colour named for the shade of the flowers of this species. Leaf shape is diverse across the genus. They are simple in some commonly cultivated species. In most species the leaves are covered in fine hairs or indumentum, which normally contain the essential oils. Flowers are borne in whorls, held on spikes rising above the foliage, the spikes being branched in some species. Some species produce coloured bracts at the apices. The flowers of L. angustifolia are blue, or Lavender if you so prefer. Photographs taken in James Street, Whangarei CBD.
LONICERA.
Lonicera nitida: Boxleaf Honeysuckle: Wilson's Honeysuckle.
BOTANICAL NAME: Lonicera nitida: Common Name - Boxleaf Honeysuckle, Wilson's Honeysuckle. A species of perennial shrub used for small ornamental hedges or borders. L. nitida is a member of the honeysuckle genus Lonicera. There is also a golden foliage form (L. nitida aurea - see below). The species is an evergreen shrub 4 to 5 feet tall and 4 to 6 feet wide if unclipped. The leaves are dark green and 6–16 millimeters long. The flowers are small creamy white, fragrant, 6 millimeters long, and grow in pairs,. They appear at the end of spring. The fruit rarely forms on clipped hedge specimens, but is an inedible dark berry about 6 millimeters in diameter. The stems are layered one on top of the other giving the appearance of a maize hedge. The growth rate is moderate or fast growing.
Lonicera nitida aurea: Golden Boxleaf Honeysuckle.
BOTANICAL NAME: Lonicera nitida aurea - Golden Boxleaf Honeysuckle. Excellent low-growing hedge plant or garden ornamental. Compact golden foliage, low maintenance hedge. Cultivars of Lonicera nitida aurea include 'Baggesen's Gold' and 'Briloni' (aka 'Edmee Gold'). Photographs taken in Rust Avenue, Whangarei.
MYRTLE.
Myrtle species: Australian Myrtle.
BOTANICAL NAME: Myrtaceae are a family, the myrtle family, of dicotyledonous plants placed within the order Myrtales. Myrtle, which includes Eucalyptus, however, there are many Australian myrtles that are suitable for hedges or shelter-belts. All species are woody. The leaves are evergreen, alternate to mostly opposite, simple, and usually with an entire (not toothed) margin. The flowers can be small, or quite large, white or vivid red. The stamens are usually very conspicuous, brightly coloured and numerous. They are fast growing and hardy. Most do not like hard pruning, but withstand annual trimming. Ask your nurseryman to show you some species of Myrtle, or there are many books in your local library that will help you, but make sure they are New Zealand publications.
TECOMA.
Tecoma capensis: Cape Honeysuckle.
BOTANICAL NAME: Tecoma capensis: Common Name - Cape honeysuckle. A species of flowering plant in the family Bignoniaceae. It is native to South Africa. Despite its common name, it is not a honeysuckle. An erect, scrambling shrub, it grows to 2–3 m (7–10 ft) in height and a similar width. An evergreen, it is ideally suited to hedge growing, and indeed was the most popular choice of hedge plant in old New Zealand gardens. it may lose its leaves in colder climates, but is suited to the Northland climate. It shoots out long growth tips which, in Victorian times in NZ, were used as switches to punish naughty children. The leaves are up to 15 cm (6 in) long. They are opposite, slightly serrated, dark-green. The flowers are tubular, narrow, about 7.5 cm (3 in) long, and are produced at different times throughout the year. They are grouped in 10–15 cm (4–6 in) long terminal clusters. The flower colour ranges from orange to orange-red.
Tibouchina lepidota 'Alstonville'- Glory Bush - Alstonville Tibouchina - Lasiandra.
This species of Tibouchina is particularly good for an attractive, vigorous hedge in Northland. Other species can bee grown as small ornamental hedges, but are more commonly grown as garden shrubs. (See Exotic Shrubs section) BELOW - A large hedge that has been cut back hard and is showing new growth. The flowers are on the old growth, meaning this hedge was pruned before flowering. It is usual to prune after flowering (June/July).
SHADE PLANTS.
ASPARAGUS.
Asparagus species.
BOTANICAL NAME: Asparagus species: Common Name - Asparagus Fern. Asparagus is a genus in the plant family Asparagaceae, subfamily Asparagoideae. There are up to 300 species, most of which are evergreen long-lived perennial plants growing under the bush canopy in the wild, or climbing, and in some cases smothering other vegetation, as with A. scandens, which is now a threat to Northland reserves around Whangarei. The best-known species is the edible A. officinalis, commonly referred to as just asparagus. Other members of the genus are grown as ornamental plants. Ornamental species such as A. plumosus, A. aethiopicus, A. setaceus, and A. virgatus are finely branched and are misleadingly known as "asparagus fern".
AUCUBA.
Aucuba japonica: Acuba - Japanese Acuba - Spotted Laurel - Japanese Laurel.
BOTANICAL NAME: Aucuba japonica: Common Name - Acuba, Spotted Laurel, Japanese Laurel, Japanese Aucuba A shrub that is native to China and Japan. This is the species of Aucuba commonly seen in gardens around Northland, growing in shaded areas. The most popular is the variegated form. The most popular variety is the yellow spotted variegated form, although the natural form is green.. The leaves are broad. The fruit is a red berry approximately 1 cm (.39 in) in diameter, which is avoided by birds. A.japonica have separate male and female plants. The flowers are small, with four purplish-brown petals. An ideal plant for shaded spots in a shrub border, shaded sides of houses and garages, or in a shade house. Photographs taken in Rust Avenue, Whangarei., although the natural form is green
FATSIA.
Fatsia japonica: Fatsia - Aralia - Japanese Aralia.
BOTANICAL NAME: Fatsia japonica, syn. Aralia japonica, A. sieboldii. A species of flowering plant in the family Araliaceae. It is native to southern Japan and South Korea, and is an evergreen shrub growing to 3–6 m tall. It is an ideal plant for shaded parts of the section, or the side of a building. It has stout, sparsely branched stems. The leaves are spirally-arranged, large, deep green, although this deep, glossy colouring fades in full sun. The lobes are edged with coarse, blunt teeth. The flowers are small, white, borne in dense terminal compound umbels in late autumn or early winter, followed by small black fruit. The genus was formerly classified within the related genus Aralia. It has been interbred with Hedera helix, the common ivy, to produce the intergeneric hybrid × Fatshedera lizei. Photographs taken beside Western Hills Highway, Whangarei.
MONSTERRA.
Monsterra deliciosa: Fruit Salad Plant.
BOTANICAL NAME: Monstera deliciosa - Common name Fruit Salad Plant. M. deliciosa is more commonly grown in New Zealand as an indoor plant, but further North, from Whangarei up, it makes a great groend cover in shaded places or can be trained as a climber. Flowers are generally hidden close to the stem, by the large glossy leaves. It is native to tropical rainforests of southern Mexico, south to Colombia. It has become an invasive species in Hawaii.
M. deliciosa is a member of the arum family Araceae is an epiphyte with aerial roots, able to grow up to 20 m (65 feet) high. In the wild, seedlings grow towards the darkest area they can find until they find a tree trunk, then start to grow up towards the light, creeping up the tree, and gradually smothering it. Pictured is M. deliciosa growing in Cafler Park, Whangarei. The fruit consists of seeds born on a cob not unlike sweetcorn, but with a very sweet tropical flavour and scent, hence the common name Fruit Salad Plant. BELOW: two photographs showing flower and unripened fruit.
M. deliciosa is a member of the arum family Araceae is an epiphyte with aerial roots, able to grow up to 20 m (65 feet) high. In the wild, seedlings grow towards the darkest area they can find until they find a tree trunk, then start to grow up towards the light, creeping up the tree, and gradually smothering it. Pictured is M. deliciosa growing in Cafler Park, Whangarei. The fruit consists of seeds born on a cob not unlike sweetcorn, but with a very sweet tropical flavour and scent, hence the common name Fruit Salad Plant. BELOW: two photographs showing flower and unripened fruit.