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Posted by COSMOS 15 Apr 2011 - 9:26:00 AM

I am choosing plants for a garden which would be closest in design to that described on this site as formal. I am looking for plants, preferably native with dense dark green glossy foliage to use for a hedge of up to 1.5m in height. They will be planted along one edge of a raised 3m wide garden bed with enriched soil. the bed has a north-south orientation and is subject to full sun for much of the day in summer. I have already have a hedge with sygium paniculatum 'elite' and another 'elegans'. While both of these hedges have the form I am after I have come to the conclusion that they looking like a poor choice. When it was dry both hedges suffered terribly from leaf cutters to the extent that they looked like a serregated variety. They both copped sooty mould, but to their credit never had thrip. Both have been pruned heavily on more than one occasion (to less than half height) and continue to look good from a distance, but still need occasional spraying with a systemmic to keep the leaf predation in check. Does anyone have a suggestion for an alternative plant ? While Murraya paniculata would foot the bill my other half does not like the smell of the flowers and I would prefer to plant a native where possible. While a formal design looks best with uniformity I am happy to plant alternate varieties as at least there is some insurance should one go to the pack.

Comments (2)

Re: EDITOR 18 Apr 2011 - 11:31:00 AM

Sounds like you might be off lilly pillies altogether for an Acmena to be a possibility. Callitris and Correa probably not glossy enough. Dwarf Acacia fimbriata perhaps not dark enough. Hymenosporum 'Gold Nugget' a bit too short (and fragrant). How about Backhousia myrtifolia? Maybe good old Ficus benjamina or hillii?

Re: COSMOS 18 Apr 2011 - 10:58:00 PM

Thank you for your suggestions. I have been considering Backhousia citriodora and myrtifolia but was wondering if they are likely to form a dense screen (down to the ground) if kept pruned to about a metre wide ? While ficus benjamin is tough and beautiful, I think the roots are mischief. One of my books shows Pittosporum revolutum as having an attractive foliage - could it hedge well in full sun ?

I have bought some Neem based spray to use on the lilliypillies. Sounds like many people are having a similar problem with leaf cutters over the past couple of years.

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