Ozbreed press release for HMAA– for winter release 2026
For Immediate Release
Shrubs and hedges for narrow spaces
Planting in a narrow space doesn’t always restrict every single species a gardener can use. Ozbreed has noticed a need for narrow space plants and has responded by offering a number of cultivars bred specifically to fit into a tighter footprint, allowing species to be used that would normally be too large.
In general, Syzygium australe requires at least a couple of metres’ worth of footprint, even if a gardener stays on top of pruning it. Syzygium australe ‘SAN01’ PBR Trade Name Straight and Narrow™, on the other hand, can easily be maintained at a width of a metre, with screening maintained well over 3m in height if required. Because it’s a rainforest edge type tree, it can tolerate both full sun to moderately heavy shade, making it ideal for those tricky positions that receive variable sunlight throughout the day or throughout the year. Very few Australian trees or shrubs are quite so suited to narrow courtyard screening as Straight and Narrow™ Syzygium.
If a garden receives plenty of sunlight, there are more options available. Callistemon viminalis ‘CV01’ PBR Trade Name Slim™ is a remarkably narrow bottlebrush that is suitable for positions that experience periodic wet feet and/or periodic drought.
Residential developments are notorious for having heavy clay subsoil with little to no topsoil, inadequate drainage, and will even sometimes have slope in the yard to a low point that inevitably gets boggy whenever it rains. Having an extremely tough performing screen that’s suitable for both ends of the moisture spectrum gives gardeners a better chance for long-term success.
Fine foliage has been said to help make small spaces appear larger. Melaleuca armillaris ‘MELA01’ PBR Trade Name Space Saver™ and Westringia hybrid ‘WES01’ PBR Trade Name Naringa™ are both tall, narrow screening plants with fine foliage that gardeners can choose to contrast against a coarse foliage plant for visual layering.
In terms of coarse, lush green foliage, it’s hard to go past Viburnum. Ozbreed has released three cultivars to choose from. Viburnum odoratissimum ‘VOT1’ PBR Intended Trade Name Thin Fence™ is the most narrow of the three, and the best option for extremely tight spaces. Viburnum odoratissimum ‘VOQ1’ PBR Intended Trade Name Quick Fence™ is a bit denser, and the best option for a fast and relatively dense visual screen for privacy. Lastly, Viburnum odoratissimum ‘VOC1’ PBR Trade Name Dense Fence™ is the densest of the three, and best for larger spaces. Dense Fence™ Viburnum could be the best option of the three in shade, as each of them will become a bit more sparse, and the denser growth habit will help offset that.
Sometimes, height and screening are not desirable, such as along front picket fences where a taller habit only means more pruning. Gardenia augusta ‘GAR01’ PBR Intended Trade Name Lean Green™ is the perfect option for these cases. It features lush coarse green foliage, white fragrant flowers through much of the warmer months, and it only wants to grow to around 1.5m tall at maturity without pruning.
One of the most over-specified hedging plants for small gardens is Murraya paniculata. It does everything a designer wants it to: it stays lush all year, it’s pretty hard to kill, and it makes a really good hedge. But M. paniculata wants to become a giant shrubby tree really fast and will quickly get out of control when a tenant or homeowner forgets to prune after a growth spurt.
Ozbreed has recognised this and provided two new options. Murraya paniculata ‘MUR01’ PBR Intended Trade Name Lush & Thin™ has a naturally narrow growth habit, meaning that it’s another option that grows upward more than outward. While it does still grow rather quickly, it grows in a way that gives fast screening without overtaking pathways and driveways quite so quickly. It is easily maintained inside a footprint of 1m x 1m, and a height up to 3m. On the other hand, Murraya paniculata ‘MP01’ PBR Trade Name Sweet Privacy™ has less of that upright habit, but it grows more slowly. While common forms may need 6 or more cuts per year to stay in shape, Sweet Privacy™ Murraya only needs 2-3 to keep the same manicured appearance.
About Ozbreed
Ozbreed is Australia’s leading plant breeder that focuses on high performing plants for functional Australian landscapes. We test our plants by putting them through extreme trials at our farm in Richmond, NSW. During testing, our plants receive just about everything the Australian climate can throw at us, including heat, frost, humidity, drought, flooding and all sorts of pests and diseases. Only the most impressive plants are selected and worthy of becoming part of the Ozbreed collection. Add an Ozbreed plant to your collection today!
For media interviews and high-res images contact Dan Fuller at horticulture@ozbreed.com.au
View all of Ozbreed’s newly-released plants here: https://www.ozbreed.com.au/new-plants/
