Small space screens
By Daniel Fuller
Modern landscapes are becoming increasingly smaller, particularly in urban areas with blocks being subdivided for smaller yards, townhouses and apartments. This creates a demand for plants that can provide screening in smaller spaces while still providing maximum impact. Ozbreed has recognised this need and responded by breeding several plants fit for purpose, including thin hedges and climbers.
One of the types of plants we have been focusing on are fastigiate shrubs, which have a tighter branching fork leading to more upward growth than outward. This habit means these plants are easier to maintain in tight spaces like picket fences, courtyard screening, and along driveways.
Callistemon viminalis ‘CV01’ PBR Trade Name Slim™ is one of Ozbreed’s most popular Australian shrubs. This variety flowers abundantly and tolerates some of the poorest heavy soils found in new developments.
Syzygium australe ‘SAN01’ PBR Trade Name Straight and Narrow™ is perfect for shady spots that only receive a couple of hours of direct sunlight each day. It is highly resistant to psyllid pests.
Melaleuca armillaris ‘MELA01’ PBR Trade Name Space Saver™ facilitates the classic Australian bush or coastal aesthetic while maintaining a small footprint. I have noticed specifiers are especially keen on this new variety.
Westringia hybrid ‘WES01’ PBR Trade Name Naringa™ is an unusually tall and thin coastal rosemary that can be trained as thin as 60 cm. It is ideal for formal European style gardens using Australian plants.
Viburnum odoratissimum ‘VOT1’ PBR Intended Trade Name Thin Fence™ is a highly saleable hedge or screen that lives up to its name. Tolerates moderate shade and is easy to keep off pathways and driveways.
Photinia x fraseri ‘NP01’ PBR Trade Name Thin Red™ provides intense, red new foliage colour, while supporting pollinators and fruit-eating Australian birds. It is a great example of how exotic plants can assist backyard ecology.
Another option for screening in tight spaces is to train climbers on screens.
Hibbertia scandens ‘HBS02’ PBR Intended Trade Name Straightup™ is a variety bred for upright trailing stems that do not ramble along the ground, nor do they self-cling to walls and cause damage. Bright yellow flowers appear all year, supporting buzz-pollinating bees.
Hardenbergia violacea ‘HB1’ PBR Trade Name Meema™ is another Australian climber, this time with more of a rambling habit. This plant is useful when it is desirable for naturalistic trailing stems to soften pathway edges and retaining walls.
Pandorea jasminoides ‘PJ01’ PBR Trade Name Ozbreed Flat White® is the most rambling of Ozbreed’s Australian climbers. Unlike the common species form, it will cascade down retaining walls and cover ground just as easily as it climbs structures.
As specifiers design for increasingly smaller spaces, nursery businesses need to supply their demand. Keep an eye out for a few new plants that will be released in the coming months; a murraya, a gardenia and a banksia.
Daniel Fuller
Ozbreed
M: 0426 169 708
E: horticulture@ozbreed.com.au
W: ozbreed.com.au