Want more than just privacy from a hedge? With the right plants, you can create a living sanctuary for Canberra’s birds. Native shrubs not only provide a screen, they also deliver food, shelter, and spectacular spring flowers — all while coping with our frosty winters and hot summers.
Why Choose Native Shrubs?
Australian natives are adapted to local conditions. Once established, many are hardy and low-maintenance. More importantly, they support biodiversity: nectar for honeyeaters, seeds for parrots, and dense cover for wrens and finches.
Top Picks for Hedging
- Callistemon (Bottlebrush): Frost-hardy once established, 2–4m tall. Striking red flowers in spring that birds love.
Bottlebrush
- Westringia (Native Rosemary): Very frost-hardy, compact and reliable at 1–2m. Small mauve flowers most of the year.
- Correa (Native Fuchsia): Frost-hardy, 1–2m tall. Soft tubular flowers in red and green, great for small birds.
- Grevillea ‘Robyn Gordon’ or ‘Superb’: Can be frost-tender when young, but flower almost year-round. Grow in a sheltered spot; 1.5–2m tall.
- Hakea laurina (Pincushion Hakea): Needs protection from heavy frost when young. Produces striking pink-red spring flowers; 3–5m tall.
Planting Tips
- Space shrubs according to their mature width for a dense hedge.
- Mulch well to conserve soil moisture and protect roots.
- Lightly prune after flowering to encourage compact, bird-friendly growth.
- Mix hardy species with a few tender ones in sheltered positions for variety and staggered flowering.
A Hedge That Gives Back
A native hedge doesn’t just look good — it creates food and protection for Canberra’s birdlife, while handling local conditions.