Looking for garden design inspiration that suits your home and lifestyle?
At Twining Valley Nurseries, we’ve grown your hedge for you — beautifully formed, ready to plant, and crafted to bring structure, greenery, and maturity to outdoor spaces from day one.
From coastal retreats to country gardens and modern courtyards, New Zealand homeowners and designers are embracing a wide mix of styles — each with its own character, colour, and flow.
Whatever your setting, the right hedge completes the picture — adding instant depth, definition, and privacy.
Here are some of New Zealand’s most-loved garden styles — and the Living Walls™ instant hedges that help bring each one beautifully to life.
Relaxed, wind-tolerant, and effortlessly New Zealand.
Open, breezy, and resilient, coastal gardens celebrate simplicity and texture. You’ll often find a mix of sand-hardy natives and silvery, salt-tolerant foliage — think Griselinia, Corokia, Pittosporum, and coastal grasses. Muted greens, greys, and whites pair beautifully with driftwood tones and gravel paths.
Hedges such as Griselinia littoralis ‘Broadway Mint’ or Pittosporum crassifolium ‘Green Lustre’ create lush, salt-tolerant boundaries that thrive in wind and sun. For finer texture, Corokia ‘Clover’ (PVR) or ‘Geenty’s Green’ bring a coastal-native feel that looks right at home beside pōhutukawa or flax.
Hedges that thrive in similar conditions: Corokia 'Frosted Chocolate', Ficus tuffi, Griselinia 'Ardmore Emerald’ (pictured), Ilex Largo, Olea Europaea ‘El Greco’ (Olive), Pittosporum 'Irish Luck, Pittosporum ralphii 'Stephens Island'
Bold lines, architectural structure, and evergreen form.
Modern gardens rely on crisp lines and living architecture — polished concrete, smooth decking, and sculptural planting. The palette is restrained, favouring shape and contrast over colour.
For crisp, sculptural hedging, Ficus tuffi offers sleek, dense greenery (best in frost-free sites). Ilex ‘Black Shadow’ (pictured) makes a strong, dark-green backdrop for bold foliage plants, while Fairy Magnolia® Cream adds a softer, more organic texture that catches the light.
Also suited to this style: Buxus 'Green Gem', Buxus japonica, Euonymus ‘Emerald Gem’, Corokia 'Clover' (PVR), Corokia x virgata 'Frosted Chocolate', Corokia x virgata 'Geenty's Green', Laurus nobilis 'Pride of Provence' PVR, Ligustrum rotundifolium, Ilex Largo, Michelia figo, Podocarpus totara 'Ardmore Green', Podocarpus totara ‘Matapouri Blue’
Compact, refined, and full of texture.
In compact spaces, design relies on texture, balance, and evergreen structure. Polished concrete, timber decking, and sculptural pots define the palette — a few well-chosen species doing a lot of work.
Euonymus ‘Emerald Gem’ forms a neat low hedge for planters, while Camellia sasanqua ‘Yuletide’ brings winter colour. For instant green screening in tight spaces, Ficus tuffi (pictured) delivers lush foliage and a relaxed, tropical feel without overwhelming smaller areas.
Other hedges worth considering: Buxus 'Green Gem', Buxus 'Green Gem', Citrus 'Tahitian Lime', Camellia sasanqua 'Paradise Pearl', Ilex Largo, Laurus nobilis 'Pride of Provence', Laurus nobilis ‘Verdi', Ligustrum rotundifolium, Osmanthus
Timeless symmetry and year-round structure.
Elegant and ordered, formal gardens rely on repetition, clipped lines, and evergreen strength. Box hedges frame paths and parterres, often paired with topiary or classical statuary.
For low borders and sharp definition, Buxus ‘Green Gem’ (pictured) or Buxus japonica are timeless. For taller structure, Ilex ‘Hendersonii’ or Laurus nobilis ‘Verdi’ can be clipped into strong lines or grown as pleached screens to frame courtyards and garden rooms. Their evergreen sheen holds form all year.
Other Living Walls™ choices for this garden style: Euonymus ‘Emerald Gem’, Ficus tuffi, Ilex Largo, Laurus nobilis 'Pride of Provence', Ligustrum rotundifolium, Osmanthus, Podocarpus totara 'Ardmore Green', Podocarpus totara ‘Matapouri Blue’
Romantic abundance anchored by evergreen charm.
Cottage gardens layer fragrance and colour in joyful profusion — roses, lavender, foxgloves, delphiniums, and hydrangeas spilling over winding paths.
To give all that softness definition, Camellia sasanqua ‘Setsugekka’ or ‘Paradise Pearl’ (pictured)(pictured) make perfect evergreen frames. Their delicate blooms blend beautifully among pastel borders, while Michelia figo (Port Wine Magnolia) adds subtle fragrance near paths and seating areas.
Other hedges that bring this style to life: Corokia x virgata 'Frosted Chocolate', Corokia x virgata 'Geenty's Green', Euonymus ‘Emerald Gem’, Pittosporum crassifolium ‘Green Lustre’, Pittosporum 'Irish Luck', Podocarpus totara ‘Matapouri Blue’
Expansive, relaxed, and connected to the land.
Spacious and welcoming, country gardens blend lawns, flowering borders, fruit trees, and long gravel drives. Rustic materials like timber, brick, and stone keep the look timeless.
With room to grow and plenty of light, country gardens are wonderfully versatile — almost every Living Walls™ hedge will thrive here. The choice comes down to the look you love, whether that’s native texture, classic formality, or Mediterranean charm.
For reliable boundary planting that still feels natural, Corokia x virgata 'Geenty's Green'(pictured) and Pittosporum ralphii ‘Stephens Island’ are excellent choices. For richer colour and seasonal interest, Photinia 'Red Robin' adds striking red new growth through spring and autumn, giving long drives or open boundaries a vibrant lift. Around entrances or garden rooms, Laurus nobilis ‘Pride of Provence’ provides a green backbone that ties spaces together.
With so much space and light, nearly all Living Walls™ hedges will flourish here — just be sure to allow good drainage, steady moisture, and shelter from hard frost where needed.
Elegant formality softened by flowering borders.
Balanced and timeless, English gardens pair clipped evergreens with flowering perennials — roses, foxgloves, and catmint framed by strong green lines.
Buxus japonica or ‘Green Gem’ create perfect low Living Edges for parterres and path borders. For upright framework and symmetry, Camellia sasanqua 'Paradise Venessa' or 'Paradise Pearl' add graceful greenery and soft seasonal colour. For extra height, Podocarpus totara 'Ardmore Green' (pictured) adds a quintessential yew feel.
Other hedges that complement this look: Camellia sasanqua 'Setsugekka', Camellia sasanqua 'Yuletide', Euonymus ‘Emerald Gem’, Griselinia littoralis 'Ardmore Emerald’, Ilex 'Black Shadow', Ilex ‘Hendersonii’, Ilex Largo, Laurus nobilis 'Pride of Provence' PVR, Laurus nobilis ‘Verdi', Podocarpus totara ‘Matapouri Blue’
Sun-loving simplicity and relaxed texture.
Think warm stone, gravel underfoot, and the scent of herbs in the air. Mediterranean gardens thrive on sunlight and texture — lavender, rosemary, olive, bay, and citrus defining the palette.
Pleached Olea europaea ‘El Greco’ (pictured) instantly evokes that relaxed Southern European feel, while Laurus nobilis ‘Verdi’ and Photinia ‘Red Robin’ bring dense greenery or flushes of red new growth. Citrus ‘Tahitian Lime’ works beautifully as a mid-height hedge near entertaining areas, offering both fragrance and fruit.
Other Living Walls™ choices for this garden style: Buxus 'Green Gem', Buxus japonica, Camellia sasanqua 'Yuletide', Corokia 'Frosted Chocolate', Corokia 'Geenty's Green', Euonymus ‘Emerald Gem’, Laurus nobilis 'Pride of Provence', Osmanthus, Podocarpus totara 'Ardmore Green', Podocarpus totara ‘Matapouri Blue’
Lush layering, bold foliage, and vibrant texture.
Subtropical gardens mix broad leaves, colour, and drama — bananas, canna lilies, palms, and bromeliads surrounded by glossy green form.
Ficus tuffi is a star here, delivering vibrant form and thriving in warmth and humidity. Fairy Magnolia® Cream and Griselinia littoralis 'Broadway Mint' (pictured) also work beautifully to form evergreen walls around courtyards and pools.
Other hedges that bring this style to life: Citrus 'Tahitian Lime', Griselinia 'Ardmore Emerald’, Griselinia 'Canterbury', Ilex ‘Hendersonii’, Michelia figo
Practical beauty, designed for harvest and delight.
The charm of an edible garden lies in its order and abundance — herbs, citrus, and seasonal produce within reach. Structure keeps it tidy and easy to navigate.
Compact hedges such as Buxus ‘Green Gem’ or Euonymus ‘Emerald Gem’ define beds and paths, while Citrus ‘Tahitian Lime’ (pictured) or Laurus nobilis ‘Pride of Provence’ combine ornamental value with edible usefulness.
Also suited to this style: Buxus japonica, Griselinia littoralis 'Canterbury', Laurus nobilis ‘Verdi'
Serene, layered planting beneath gentle light.
For gardens with morning sun or filtered light, a woodland-style approach feels calm and natural. Under trees, combine ferns, hostas, hellebores, and hydrangeas with hedging for definition.
Hedges like Camellia sasanqua ‘Setsugekka’ or ‘Paradise Pearl’ perform well in partial shade, adding evergreen foliage and seasonal bloom. Michelia figo (pictured) thrives in semi-shade, bringing glossy leaves and subtle scent.
Tip: Even partial shade-tolerant hedges need some direct sun — aim for three or more hours daily for healthy, dense growth. Avoid planting too close to large tree roots, which compete for moisture and nutrients; raised beds or planters help hedges establish more easily.
Hedges that tolerate similar conditions: Buxus japonica, Ficus tuffi, Griselinia littoralis 'Ardmore Emerald’, Ilex 'Black Shadow', Ilex ‘Hendersonii’, Ilex Largo, Laurus nobilis ‘Verdi', Osmanthus
Grounded in texture, resilience, and place.
Native gardens celebrate texture and balance with the land. You’ll often see flax, cabbage trees, mānuka, and grasses arranged to echo natural landscapes.
Griselinia littoralis ‘Ardmore Emerald’ and Pittosporum crassifolium ‘Green Lustre’ bring solid framework and presence, while Corokia x virgata ‘Frosted Chocolate’ (pictured) and ‘Geenty’s Green’ provide finer texture and sculptural rhythm. For taller screening, Podocarpus tōtara ‘Ardmore Green’ or ‘Matapouri Blue’ offer a strong native framework that blends beautifully with flaxes and pongas.
Other natives in the Living Walls™ range: Corokia 'Clover' (PVR), Griselinia 'Broadway Mint', Griselinia 'Canterbury', Olearia paniculata, Pittosporum 'Irish Luck', Pittosporum 'Stephens Island'
Tranquil spaces defined by balance and proportion.
Tranquil and restrained, Japanese-inspired gardens celebrate texture, proportion, and stillness — gravel, stone, moss, and evergreen form.
Camellia sasanqua ‘Setsugekka’ creates calm, evergreen screening. For clipped formality, Ilex Largo (pictured) or Podocarpus tōtara ‘Matapouri Blue’ offer quiet order and balance.
Other hedges that complement this lookI Buxus japonica, Camellia sasanqua 'Paradise Pearl', Camellia sasanqua 'Paradise Venessa', Corokia 'Clover' (PVR), Euonymus ‘Emerald Gem’, Osmanthus, Podocarpus totara 'Ardmore Green'
Natural beauty that thrives with minimal effort.
Sustainable gardens celebrate balance — between beauty and practicality, structure and softness, time invested and time enjoyed. They’re designed to thrive naturally in their setting, with planting choices that suit local conditions and minimise ongoing effort.
While Living Walls™ hedges are grown for strength and resilience, they do need a little attention to thrive — regular watering while establishing, and light feeding and trimming two or three times a year. In the right conditions, this becomes a simple, satisfying rhythm rather than a chore — and your hedge will reward you with lasting health and beauty.
Even in water-wise or low-input landscapes, good planting and steady establishment care make all the difference. Once settled, your hedge becomes one of the most dependable, enduring elements in your garden — quietly defining space, softening architecture, and bringing year-round greenery with minimal fuss.
Even in an easy-care garden, thoughtful structure makes all the difference. Pleached hedges bring height, privacy, and timeless form — adding architectural balance without adding complexity.
Living architecture for privacy and style.
For structure, height, and instant sophistication, pleached hedges are unbeatable — ideal above fences or along walkways for a formal, elegant effect.
Our pleached Ficus tuffi remains the most popular for its lush foliage and fast growth, while Laurus nobilis ‘Verdi’, Camellia sasanqua ‘Paradise Venessa’, and Olea europaea ‘El Greco’ offer timeless alternatives for courtyards, driveways, or property boundaries.
Of course, there are no strict rules in garden design. The best gardens are personal — shaped by the plants you love, the space you have, and how you like to live in it.
From timeless formality to natural freedom, every garden tells a story — and the right hedge helps shape it.
Whether you choose a Living Walls™ hedge or a pleached screen, the effect is transformative — creating privacy, rhythm, and a sense of maturity from day one.
Caring for these living structures becomes part of the creative process — a simple rhythm that keeps the garden balanced and beautiful. Each trim and feed refines its lines, strengthens its structure, and deepens the connection between people and the spaces they shape.
A Living Walls™ hedge doesn’t just complete a garden — it anchors it, adding living texture, soft movement, and enduring presence from the moment it’s planted.
Ready to bring your garden style to life? Explore the possibilities in our Living Walls™ instant hedge collection
We’ve grown your hedge for you.
