Dream of a tranquil escape in your own backyard? Hedging trees are the key to transforming your outdoor space into a private sanctuary. Not only do they add layers of lush greenery, but they can also significantly boost your home's curb appeal.

Landscaping upgrades, particularly those that elevate your property from "good" to "excellent," can make a lasting impression on potential buyers. Beyond aesthetics, hedging trees offer a wealth of functional benefits. They create a visual barrier for privacy, buffer unwanted noise, enhance the eco-friendliness of your home, and elevate the overall beauty of your outdoor haven.

To help you curate the perfect selection of hedging trees for your urban oasis, we spoke to the team at Evergreen Trees Direct. They shared thier expert recommendations for homeowners looking to achieve a stunning and functional garden design.

Benefits of planting Hedging Trees in your home:

Add privacy: Privacy is essential for any homeowner, and hedging trees are an excellent way to achieve it. Tall, dense hedges create a visual barrier that blocks out unwanted noise and prying eyes, allowing you to enjoy your outdoor space in peace.

Buffer out unwanted noise: If you live near a busy road or have noisy neighbours, hedging trees can help buffer the noise. The dense foliage of these trees acts as a sound barrier, reducing noise levels and creating a more peaceful environment. We have mentioned some of our top recommendations below. 

Improve the eco-friendliness of your home: As more people become environmentally conscious, having an eco-friendly home is becoming increasingly important. Hedging trees are an excellent way to improve the eco-friendliness of your home by providing shade, reducing the need for air conditioning, and improving air quality.

Add greenery to your garden: Hedging trees add greenery to your garden, creating a lush, beautiful space perfect for relaxing and entertaining. These trees provide shade and create a private oasis, making your outdoor space feel like a retreat.

Hedging trees can improve privacy, curb appeal, noise and much more.

Hedging tree recommendations from Evergreen Trees Direct for Inner City Gardens:

Bay Trees (Bay Laurel): Bay trees are Mediterranean plants that are reliable hedging trees. They have aromatic, very dark leaves that make them a popular choice for homeowners. Bay trees do well in dry, hot summers, and some benefits of Bay trees include:

• Hardy
• Ideal for creating a formal hedge
• Can be planted near a pool
• Can tolerate hot and dry summers
• Used as a Culinary herb
• Drought Tolerant
• Tolerates full shade
• Frost tolerant 
• An Evergreen Tree meaning it retains its leaves year-round

Ficus Hillii Flash: Ficus Hillii Flash is a popular hedging tree in Melbourne due to its versatility and low maintenance requirements. It responds well to pruning and can be clipped into a perfect squared-up hedge, making it ideal for those who want a formal hedge. Some benefits of Ficus Hillii Flash include:

• Can be pruned to maintain its desired height and shape
• Fast-growing
• Extremely Hardy
• Can be pleached
• An Evergreen Tree meaning it retains its leaves year-round

Waterhousea Floribunda: Waterhousea Floribunda is a versatile hedging tree that is typically used to create a less formal hedge. This tree has glossy green and grow red-tinged leaves at the beginning of each growing season which then turn green and then dark green in the summer months. This makes them seasonally interesting. Some benefits of Waterhousea Floribunda include:

• Can be planted near a pool
• Fast-growing
• Hardy
• Attracts birds
• It is a native Australian making it highly suitable for use in landscaping
• An Evergreen Tree meaning it retains its leaves year-round
• Does not require excessive trimming/maintenance

Magnolias: Magnolias are great for creating a unique and beautiful hedge. They have attractive, glossy leaves and produce large fragrant white flowers. Magnolias require low to moderate maintenance. Magnolias also provide a great wind barrier and privacy screen. Some benefits of Magnolias include:

• Large, showy white flowers
• Glossy, evergreen leaves that stay on the tree all year round
• Can be grown as a formal or informal hedge
• Can be pruned to maintain desired shape and size
• Attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies
• Fast Growing
• Low Maintenance
• An Evergreen Tree meaning it retains its leaves year-round
• Variety recommendation: Magnolia Little Gem or Magnolia Teddy Bear

Magnolia are a favourite in Melbourne gardens.

Acmena smithii 'Lilly Pilly': Acmena smithii, also known as Lilly Pilly, is a versatile evergreen tree that can be used as a hedge or screen plant due to its dense foliage. It is a popular choice for landscaping projects as it responds well to pruning, making it easy to maintain. Acmena smithii is also drought-tolerant and can thrive in a variety of soil types and climates. Some benefits of Acmena smithii include:

• Fast-growing
• Hardy
• Attracts birds
• Can be planted near a pool
• An Evergreen Tree meaning it retains its leaves year-round
• Perfect for narrower driveways

Cupressus Leylandii 'Better Green': Cupressus leylandii 'Better Green' is a fast-growing evergreen tree that is ideal for formal hedges or windbreaks. It boasts dense and dark green foliage and is more disease-resistant than Leighton Green. With its ability to tolerate both cold and warm temperatures, this tree is an excellent choice for a low-maintenance landscaping solution. Its rapid growth makes it an attractive option for those who want quick results. Some benefits of Cupressus Leylandii 'Better Green' include:

• Fast-growing
• Hardy
• Ideal for creating a formal hedge
• Can be planted near a pool
• More resistant to the canker disease compared to Leighton Green varieties

Ornamental Pear: Another great option for hedging trees is the Ornamental Pear, specifically the Chanticleer or Capital pear varieties. These deciduous trees are one of our favourites for Melbourne gardens, with better branch structures and a narrower form that makes them ideal for inner-city hedges. The Ornamental Pear develops a deep crimson colour in autumn and has many benefits, such as:

• Pest and disease-free
• Seasonal features – autumn colour and white flowers in spring.
• Excellent tolerances
• Can be pruned to maintain its desired shape
• Can be pleached
• They are perfect for avenue planting

Hedging trees offer a transformative addition to your outdoor space, adding layers of lush greenery and fostering a sense of privacy. Their dense foliage acts as a natural sound barrier, reducing noise pollution and creating a tranquil haven. Furthermore, these eco-warriors provide shade, lower energy bills, and improve air quality.

With a variety of fast-growing, evergreen options like Bay Laurel, Ficus Hillii Flash, Waterhousea Floribunda, Magnolias, and Acmena Smithii, you can find the perfect trees to suit your design vision. These versatile choices respond well to pruning, allowing you to maintain their desired height and shape for a tailored look.