Expert Privacy Hedge Planting & Maintenance in Sydney
✓ Coastal-hardy species
✓ Strata & residential
✓ 5.0★ from 51+ reviews
Block out overlooking neighbours, hide a tired fence, and turn your backyard back into somewhere you actually want to sit. We supply, plant, and maintain fast-growing privacy screens built for Sydney conditions — and we keep them looking that way.
Your backyard shouldn’t feel like a fishbowl
Sydney blocks keep getting tighter. The neighbour’s double-storey extension went up last year, and now their upstairs window looks straight down onto your outdoor table. The townhouses behind you have a balcony that catches every word. The old paling fence is grey, leaning, and does nothing above waist height.
So the deck you paid good money for sits empty, because sitting on it feels like being watched. That’s not a small thing. Privacy is the difference between a backyard you use and a backyard you look at through the window.
A well-chosen, well-planted privacy hedge fixes it — properly, and for good. Not a row of struggling sticks that die in the first Sydney summer, but a dense, living green wall that grows thicker every year and asks very little of you in return. That’s what we do.
What we actually do — supply, plant, and keep it that way
A privacy hedge isn’t a product you buy once. It’s a living structure that needs the right start and ongoing care to stay dense and even. Most failed hedges we’re called to replace went wrong at planting — wrong species for the soil, planted too far apart, or left to fend for themselves through their first summer. Here’s how we get it right and keep it right.
Hedge Selection & Planting
We start with the site, not the plant. Sandy coastal soil, salt-laden wind, a shady south-facing boundary, or a spot sitting right over a stormwater line all demand different choices. We source advanced-stage plants — from established tubestock through to semi-mature specimens where you want screening fast — and match the species to your exact conditions.
Planting includes proper soil preparation, organic compost to give roots the best possible start, and — critically — the right spacing and setback so your hedge won’t lift a retaining wall, crack a path, or interfere with pipework as it matures. That last part is where most DIY jobs quietly go wrong.
Precision Trimming & Shaping
A dense, wall-like hedge doesn’t happen on its own — it’s built through structural pruning, especially in the first two years. Cut correctly, a young hedge thickens from the base up. Left alone or cut badly, it goes leggy and gappy, and you end up seeing straight through it exactly where you wanted a screen.
We run regular maintenance schedules — anywhere from weekly to monthly depending on the species and season — keeping boundaries squared, tidy, and within local council height guidelines. You get a clean, even screen without ever having to drag a ladder out yourself.
Pest, Disease & Irrigation Care
A privacy hedge is an investment worth protecting. Lilly Pilly psyllids, aphids, scale, and summer dieback can all turn a lush green screen patchy and brown if they’re not caught early. We monitor for problems on every visit and treat them before they spread.
Where it makes sense, we set up dedicated drip irrigation along the hedge line — the single biggest factor in fast, even growth and year-round density, especially through Sydney’s dry summer stretches. A hedge on proper irrigation grows visibly faster and greener than one relying on hand-watering and hope.
Why Regular Gutter Cleaning is Essential in Sydney:
Which hedge is right for your Sydney garden?
There’s no single “best” privacy hedge — the right choice depends on your soil, aspect, exposure, and how formal you want it to look. These are the four species we recommend and install most often, and roughly where each one shines.
Lilly Pilly (Syzygium)
The go-to for fast, dense screening. Grows quickly, responds beautifully to trimming, and forms a thick green wall. Modern psyllid-resistant varieties have largely solved the old pimple-leaf problem. Our top pick when you want a screen up and working as soon as possible.
Viburnum Odoratissimum
The ultimate broad-leaf blocker. Large, glossy leaves create genuinely solid screening with very little see-through, even between plants. Hardy, low-fuss, and excellent for blocking a two-storey overlook where you need real density fast.
Murraya Paniculata
Perfect for a formal, crisp boundary — and it rewards you with clusters of fragrant white flowers through the warmer months. Clips into clean lines and holds its shape well. A favourite for front boundaries and anywhere you want the screen to look deliberate and elegant.
Westringia (Coastal Rosemary)
The specialist for salt-heavy, wind-exposed coastal sites where other hedges struggle and burn. If you’re near the water in the Eastern Suburbs with a hard, exposed boundary, this is often the plant that actually survives and thrives where others fail.
That’s exactly what the free on-site consultation is for. We look at your soil, your aspect, your exposure, and how much maintenance you want to sign up for — then recommend the species that’ll actually work on your site, not just the one that sounds good. Getting this choice right is the single biggest factor in whether your hedge thrives or struggles.
For Strata Committees & Property Managers
Overgrown boundary hedges are one of the most common triggers for neighbour disputes and one of the more overlooked safety hazards on a strata property. We handle the whole job — the heavy lifting, the high-ladder work, and the green waste removal — with full WHS compliance and documentation for your records.
Why Sydney homeowners choose Garden Managers
Frequently Asked Questions
How fast will my privacy hedge grow in Sydney?
It depends on the species and, most importantly, on watering. With the right species and a proper drip irrigation setup, most fast-growing privacy hedges in Sydney put on roughly 60 to 90cm of growth per year once established. Lilly Pilly and Viburnum are among the quickest.
Starting with more advanced-stage plants rather than small tubestock gives you a usable screen much sooner — often within the first year or two rather than waiting three or four. It’s one of the main things we discuss at the consultation: how fast you need the screen versus the budget for larger plants.
Do I need council approval to plant a boundary hedge in Sydney?
In most cases, planting a hedge along your boundary does not require council approval — hedges and screening plants generally sit outside the permit requirements that apply to built fences. However, you do need to be mindful of your neighbour’s right to reasonable sunlight, and some councils have local guidelines about maintaining boundary vegetation.
It’s also worth knowing that under NSW law, a hedge that severely obstructs a neighbour’s sunlight or view can become the subject of a Land and Environment Court application. We factor all of this into species selection and placement so your screen gives you privacy without creating a future dispute.
What is the best hedge for a coastal Sydney garden?
For salt-exposed, windy coastal sites in the Eastern Suburbs, Westringia (Coastal Rosemary) is often the standout — it’s genuinely built for those conditions and survives where softer species burn and struggle. Certain Lilly Pilly varieties also cope well with coastal exposure once established.
The key with coastal gardens is matching the plant to the specific level of exposure. A protected coastal courtyard has very different requirements to an exposed boundary catching the full sea breeze, which is why we always assess the site before recommending a species.
Can you maintain a hedge I already have, rather than planting a new one?
Absolutely. A large part of what we do is ongoing hedge maintenance — regular trimming and shaping, pest and disease treatment, and getting neglected or overgrown hedges back into shape. If your hedge has gone leggy, gappy, or overgrown, we can often restore it with structural pruning over a season or two rather than replacing it.
Ready to reclaim your backyard privacy?
Book a free on-site consultation and we’ll talk through plant selection, spacing, growth timeframes, and ongoing maintenance — with a clear quote and no pressure.
Looking for general garden shaping or fruit tree care? Visit our garden maintenance page. Considering bamboo instead? Read our running vs clumping bamboo guide first.
