Screen plants

This page lists some plants that can be used as screening plants that are NOT lillipillies. Radermachera, Phyllanthus, Camellia, Ixora, Metrosideros are just some of the plants that can be used successfully.

Phyllanthus cuscutiflorus

One of the less well known screening plants is Phyllanthus cuscutiflorus, it is a very hardy fast growing shrub to 4m that bears masses of petite pink flowers. It's fast growing and will maintain it's foliage to the ground. New growth has a copper tone especially as the weather cools and the the general leaf tone is pale green. The tree in the photos i in my own yard and has had light pruning once or twice a year, mainly to allow entry to the storage shed behind the tree. It has had no pests at all in the four years that it has been growing.

Radermachera Summerscent TM

Radermachera Summerscent TM is one of the best small screening plants to become available in years. It will grow to about 3m in sunny positions creating a dense screen. It's foliage is deep green and highlights the clusters of pink flowers that smother the plant. In the nursery it seems to be never without a flower though the main flowering is during spring and summer.

Murraya paniculata "Smart Choice"

Murraya paniculata "Smart Choice" is a selected, sterile, non seeding clone that has outstanding growing qualities and are guaranteed to be grown from reliable non seeding parents plants. None of our plants are produced from seed, all of our production is produced in our own propagation section for exclusive use in our production program. The original plants from which we propagate came from Smart's nursery who selected this variety as the best available. This is such a versatile plant as can be seen below where it has been clipped into a 500mm hedge and a 1.8m hedge. It is very suitable for median planting where it can handle the pollution create a light barrier and yet not cause a collision hazard.

Murraya Min a Min PBR

Murraya Mina Min is a selection made by Trevor Garrad. It is an excellent hedging plant that has small densely packed leaves and pure white flowers. This is an excellent replacement for Buxus in sub tropical gardens and is easily maintained requiring an occasional clip to keep it shapely. I have a box hedge of Murraya Min-a-min PBR that I maintain at about 600mm and another I keep at 400mm both are easy care, pest free and require pruning about every two months- slightly more in summer less in winter. The pruning basically means I don't get much flower but it is more than made up for with it's neat appearance.

Murraya Min a Min PBR

Photinia glabra rubens

Though more commonly grown in the southern states this is still a fine plant for hedging in Queensland. During winter the leaves turn fire engine red and the foliage is a counterpoint of deep green. It does need regular pruning to improve density but more than makes up for this with disease resistance and overall hardiness. The hedge in this photo is less than one year old and was planted from 300mm pots.

Photinia

Photinia leaf

Metrosideros Little Dugald

This is one of the new "New Zealand Christmas Trees" that have become available in 2010. Metrosideros Little Dugald is a free flowering shrub that will quickly grow to 2m and slowly grow from there. It is a naturally bushy plant that flower very early in it's life, we have had them flowering in 140mm pots. The foliage is a deep glossy green while the new growth is light, bright and glossy. I have grown it in full sun and semi shade in some quite harsh areas and they have thrived. The luminous flowers make tis a standout plant and the fact that it does not seem to suffer from soot as other plants of this family do is a bonus.

Metrosideros Little Dugald

Camellia Sasanqua

Camellia sasanqua are one of the hardiest and most colourful screen plants available. They are drought tolerant and are fast growing once they reach about 1m. I would recommend that the new flush of growth is lightly pruned so that the plant creates a dense habit and has more flowers. Each flower only lasts one day but there are so many flowers that the shrub is only enhanced by the carpet of petals. They like an acid well drained soil and will grow happily in sun or shade. I would recommend a spacing of 600mm to create a dense screen quickly.

Pure Silk

A Hardy shrub grows in full sun or semi shade. Semi Formal double white flowers fading to pink edges.

Alison Spragg

Suitable to full sun or semi-shaded position growing in an upright direction producing Rose pink semi-double flowers.

Setsugekka

Will grow in full sun or semi shade with large single white flowers with fluted petals.

Sparkling Burgundy

Vigorous upright growing evergreen shrub preferring well lit position with rose pink flowers.

Jennifer Susan

Fast, upright growth. Excellent as specimen or for hedge.
Flowering mid-March to mid-June producing flesh pink flowers.

Screening Plants

Phyllanthus cuscutiflorus

Radermachera Summerscent TM

Murraya paniculata "Smart Choice"

Murraya Min a Min PBR

Photinia glabra rubens

Metrosideros Little Dugald

Camellia Sasanqua

Viburnum tinus

Tibouchina Jazzie

Viburnum tinus is a large shrub that has been used in South easy queensland for decades. It has deep green stiff foliage that is useful for hedges and is kept to the ground. In late wainter the plant produces masess of flower heads consisting of rich red buds followed by pure white flowers. Viburnum tinus loves well drained soil in full sun but it will tolerate bright shade, it is quite fast growing and is well matched with Gardenia, Camellias, Murraya and other formal style plants.

Tibouchina Jazzie is an evergreen shrub growing to approx 1 to 1.5m in height producing deep purple flowers with a white centre. Flowering mainly in Autum but can spot flower through the rest of the year. Jazzie likes well drained soil growing in full sun which can be used in a informal hedge.