The Fastest-Growing Hedges for Auckland

'Fast-growing' is the most over-used label in the plant industry. In Auckland's warm humid climate, a genuinely fast hedge will give you a usable privacy screen in 18 months to 3 years, depending on species, spacing and starting size. Anything faster than that is marketing.

• Ficus Tuffi — the fastest. 60–100 cm of growth per year once established. Tall, glossy, dense. Best for big privacy walls. Needs shelter for the first season.
• Griselinia littoralis — 40–60 cm per year. The best balance of speed, toughness and look. Our most-planted hedge.
• Pittosporum 'Silver Sheen' / 'James Stirling' — 40–50 cm per year. Dense, formal, beautiful as a screen.
• Lilly Pilly (Syzygium) — 40–60 cm per year in warm Auckland gardens. Soft bronze new growth.
• Laurel — 40–60 cm per year. Big leaves, traditional look, very dense at maturity.

• Ficus tuffi (1.5 L starter, 80 cm apart): Usable screen in 18 months. Full coverage 2.5 years.
• Griselinia (3 L grade, 60 cm apart): Usable screen in 2 years. Full coverage 3 years.
• Pittosporum (3 L grade, 60 cm apart): Usable screen in 2 years. Full coverage 3 years.
• Laurel (3 L grade, 70 cm apart): Usable screen in 2.5–3 years.

Starting from larger grade plants (PB12 / PB18) accelerates this by 6–12 months, at a higher up-front cost. We can advise on what makes sense for your budget and timeframe.