A Griselinia hedge makes for a real statement in a landscape. They afford lush, green foliage, a dense nature, and great aesthetics. Not only are they generally trouble free, but also easy to grow and very rewarding. Explore our plants and the expert advice articles which have been produced by experienced gardeners and nurseryman. These articles cover key questions about growing a Griselinia hedge successfully and choosing the right variety.
A Griselinia hedge can be kept to a height anywhere from 50 cm to 2.5 m tall. The shorter the hedge, the more frequently it will need to be trimmed to keep it contained, however. The Plant Company has provided details of how big each of Griselinia Varieties will grow with normal growing conditions. If you take the maximum height it grows to and deduct 10-15%, that will give you the maximum height you could achieve as a nice hedge.
The Plant Company recommends that if you are opting for a low hedge, choose a smaller leaved variety. The best options here are either Gecko Green or Canterbury.
Griselinia are the most popular hedge plants in NZ with Broadway Mint being the standout variety. The lush and dense, fresh green, glossy foliage is what makes Griselinia Broadway Mint so popular.
The popularity of Griselinia for hedging is not just the foliage but also because they are also fast growing. An attractive privacy screen can be created in just a few years. Once established, they require minimal watering and infrequent trimming. They can be kept at heights between 75 cm and 2 m tall, depending on the variety. Adding to that, they are NZ native plants that can tolerate wind, salt spray, and a wide range of soil conditions.
The key to an amazing Griselinia hedge is good drainage. They will fail or perform poorly if they are in prolonged wet conditions. If you can get the drainage right, they are pretty much bullet proof! If drainage is an issue, opt for a Corokia or Coprosma hedge.
When planting the hedge, space the Griselinia plants 40-50 cm apart. If you try and go any wider, you will struggle to fill out the bottom of the hedge properly. Also, at this spacing, the plants will push each other upwards, so you end up with a dense hedge faster. If you have purchased larger grade plants that are about 1 m tall and have been manicured so they are bushy already, the spacing can go to 1 m apart.
The Plant Company has several Griselinia Varieties and based on our experience the most popular are presented below in order of popularity:
Griselinia Broadway Mint. This variety features smaller, mint-green leaves that create a softer, more delicate feel compared to the classic Griselinia littoralis. It grows slightly slower and reaches a maximum height of around 3 metres, making it ideal for hedging to sizes ranging from 1-2 m tall.
Griselinia Ardmore Emerald. Ardmore Emerald features lush and glossy emerald-green leaves which add a touch of elegance and sophistication to any garden. It is perfect for hedges 1-2 m tall.
Griselinia littoralis. Griselinia littoralis features small, green leaves held densely. It grows to a maximum height of around 4 metres, making it ideal for hedging to sizes ranging from 1.5-3 m tall.
Griselinia littoralis 'Canterbury'. Canterbury boasts a finer texture among the various Griselinia varieties. The smaller smaller, deep green leaves are held on dark stems and create an elegant display. It is perfect for hedges 75 cm to 1.5 m tall.
Griselinia littoralis 'Whenuapai'. Whenuapai has dark green, oval-shaped leaves and a naturally more upright growth habit than the other Griselinia varieties. It's perfect for formal hedges and requires less frequent pruning to maintain its shape. It can reach up to 3 meters tall and 2.5 meters wide, and suits hedges 1-2 m tall.
Griselinia 'Gecko Green'. Gecko Green is a newer variety of Griselinia and ever increasing in popularity. It features glossy emerald-green leaves that adds a sense of lushness to any garden. It is perfect for hedges 75 cm to 1.5 m tall.
Griselinia lucida is often grown as an informal Griselinia hedge. That is, it is not trimmed in the same manner as a normal hedge, but more pruned to shape. This is because the large and glossy leaves can look untidy if cut in half which would occur with trimming. To trim Griselinia lucida, simply cut the stems off to achieve the shape you are wanting. A somewhat “formal” hedge can still be created in this manner if that is the desired outcome, but it will take more time than with other hedges.
With their combination of beautiful foliage, dense foliage, and ease of care, the Griselinia varieties are a fantastic choice for hedging.
Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.
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