Balanced coastal hedge
Fraser Island apple
High salt tolerance, moderate growth, 2–4 m maintained height, relatively low root concern.
Quick reference
Fast starting points before filtering the full table.
Fast privacy
Lilly pilly or sweet viburnum
Quick canopy closure; expect more frequent clipping and check local pest pressure.
Lowest pruning load
Coastal rosemary or podocarpus
Useful where one to two shaping sessions per year is preferred over rapid screening.
Narrow upright screen
Blueberry ash or podocarpus
Good candidates for tighter side yards when selected and trained for an upright habit.
Highest caution
Indian laurel fig
Very fast and dense, but roots and pruning demand make it unsuitable near paving or structures.
Filter and sort the hedge database
Click a column header to sort. Select up to four plants for a compact comparison.
Planning ranges are indicative; cultivar, climate, soil, irrigation, and pruning can materially change performance.
| Compare | Plant | Climate fit | Maintained hedge height | Natural height | Growth | Annual extension | Spacing | Light | Salt spray | Drought | Frost | Pruning / year | Root risk | Wildlife value | Best use | Key caution | Reference |
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Selected comparison
Choose up to four rows above.
Hedge-length plant calculator
Uses the table’s spacing range and rounds up to whole plants.
Decision notes
Use these checks before committing to a full boundary planting.
How to read the ranges
“Maintained height” is a practical clipped range, not the plant’s biological limit. “Annual extension” is a broad establishment-to-mature planning estimate, with faster growth generally requiring more clipping, irrigation, or both.
- For a faster closed screen, start near the tighter end of the spacing range.
- For better airflow and lower disease pressure, use the wider end.
- Keep hedge tops slightly narrower than bases so lower foliage receives light.
Regional checks are mandatory
Confirm local invasive-plant rules, utility setbacks, fire guidance, and mature root clearance. Ficus, privet, murraya, photinia, and coast tea-tree can be restricted or problematic outside suitable regions.
Why can a “fast” hedge still fill slowly?
Plants may add vertical shoots before lateral density. Tip-pruning, adequate light at the base, consistent establishment watering, and correct spacing determine how quickly gaps close.
Which columns matter most beside the coast?
Start with salt spray, wind exposure, drainage, and frost. High salt tolerance does not imply tolerance of saltwater flooding or permanently saline soil.
How should root risk be interpreted?
It is a comparative landscape flag, not an engineering clearance. “Low” still requires reasonable distance from foundations, drains, retaining walls, and compacted paving.
Where did the Fraser Island apple figures come from?
Its hedge height, natural height, annual growth, spacing, and care ranges were compiled from and expanded on this Fraser Island apple tree hedge guide; the other rows use the linked botanical or extension references plus broad landscape-planning estimates.