Quick Reference: Fraser Island Apple (Acronychia imperforata) is a moderate-growth (40–70 cm/yr), evergreen coastal hedge reaching 2–4m maintained height (8–12m unpruned), spaced 1–1.5m apart, non-invasive roots, pruned 2–3x/year. Use this database to compare it against 20 other hedge species for privacy, windbreak, and boundary planting in coastal/tropical zones.
| Plant Name | Scientific Name | Maintained Hedge Height | Unpruned Height | Growth Rate/Year | Spacing | Root Type | Salt Tolerance | Sun Needs | Prunings/Year | Best Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fraser Island Apple | Acronychia imperforata | 2–4 m | 8–12 m | 40–70 cm | 1–1.5 m | Non-invasive | High | Full sun–part shade | 2–3 | Coastal privacy, windbreak |
| Lilly Pilly | Syzygium spp. | 2–5 m | 8–15 m | 60–100 cm | 0.5–1 m | Moderate | Moderate–High | Full sun–part shade | 2–3 | Dense privacy screen |
| Murraya (Orange Jessamine) | Murraya paniculata | 1.5–3 m | 4–7 m | 30–50 cm | 0.6–1 m | Non-invasive | Low–Moderate | Full sun–part shade | 3–4 | Fragrant formal hedge |
| Photinia Red Robin | Photinia × fraseri | 1.5–4 m | 5–8 m | 40–60 cm | 0.6–1 m | Non-invasive | Low | Full sun | 2–3 | Colorful formal hedge |
| Pittosporum | Pittosporum tenuifolium | 1.5–4 m | 6–10 m | 30–45 cm | 0.6–1 m | Non-invasive | Moderate | Full sun–part shade | 2 | Wind screen |
| Bottlebrush | Callistemon spp. | 1.5–3 m | 4–8 m | 40–60 cm | 0.8–1.2 m | Moderate | High | Full sun | 1–2 | Wildlife-friendly hedge |
| Coastal Rosemary | Westringia fruticosa | 0.5–1.5 m | 1–2 m | 20–30 cm | 0.5–0.8 m | Non-invasive | Very High | Full sun | 2–3 | Low coastal border |
| Brush Box | Lophostemon confertus | 3–6 m | 15–25 m | 40–60 cm | 1–1.5 m | Moderate | Moderate | Full sun | 1–2 | Tall screen/windbreak |
| Tuckeroo | Cupaniopsis anacardioides | 3–5 m | 8–15 m | 30–50 cm | 1–1.5 m | Non-invasive | High | Full sun–part shade | 1–2 | Coastal shade hedge |
| Coast Banksia | Banksia integrifolia | 3–6 m | 6–20 m | 40–70 cm | 1.5–2 m | Non-invasive | Very High | Full sun | 1 | Wind/salt buffer |
| Ficus Hedge (Hedge Fig) | Ficus microcarpa | 2–5 m | 15–20 m | 60–100 cm | 0.8–1.2 m | Aggressive/Invasive | Moderate | Full sun–part shade | 3–4 | Fast dense screen |
| Duranta Gold Mound | Duranta erecta | 0.6–1.5 m | 3–6 m | 40–60 cm | 0.5–0.8 m | Non-invasive | Low–Moderate | Full sun | 3–4 | Colorful low hedge |
| Viburnum Odoratissimum | Viburnum odoratissimum | 2–4 m | 4–6 m | 40–60 cm | 0.8–1 m | Non-invasive | Low | Full sun–part shade | 2–3 | Fragrant privacy hedge |
| Xylosma | Xylosma congestum | 1.5–3 m | 3–5 m | 30–45 cm | 0.6–1 m | Non-invasive | Moderate | Full sun–part shade | 2–3 | Formal clipped hedge |
| Pandorea Hedge Vine | Pandorea pandorana | 1.5–3 m (trained) | Climbing | 50–80 cm | 0.6–1 m | Non-invasive | Moderate | Full sun–part shade | 2 | Screening vine-hedge |
| Grevillea (hedging varieties) | Grevillea spp. | 1–3 m | 2–6 m | 40–70 cm | 0.6–1 m | Non-invasive | Moderate–High | Full sun | 1–2 | Wildlife/native hedge |
| Coastal Tea Tree | Leptospermum laevigatum | 2–4 m | 4–8 m | 30–50 cm | 0.8–1.2 m | Non-invasive | Very High | Full sun | 1–2 | Dune stabilizer hedge |
| Lilly Pilly 'Resilience' | Syzygium cv. | 1.5–3 m | 3–5 m | 40–60 cm | 0.5–0.8 m | Non-invasive | Moderate–High | Full sun–part shade | 2–3 | Compact privacy screen |
| Native Frangipani | Hymenosporum flavum | 3–5 m | 10–15 m | 30–50 cm | 1–1.5 m | Non-invasive | Low–Moderate | Full sun–part shade | 1 | Fragrant tall screen |
| Silky Oak (hedged) | Grevillea robusta | 3–6 m | 18–30 m | 60–100 cm | 1.5–2 m | Moderate | Low–Moderate | Full sun | 1–2 | Fast tall windbreak |
| Karo | Pittosporum crassifolium | 2–4 m | 6–8 m | 30–50 cm | 0.8–1.2 m | Non-invasive | Very High | Full sun | 1–2 | Exposed coastal hedge |
Q: Why is my hedge growing unevenly? Usually poor spacing, inconsistent pruning, or compacted soil. Applies across nearly all species in this table — spacing and pruning consistency are the two most common failure points.
Q: Which of these tolerates full beachfront salt spray best? Coastal Rosemary, Coast Banksia, Coastal Tea Tree, and Karo — all rated "Very High" salt tolerance, alongside Fraser Island Apple.
Q: Which grows fastest for a quick screen? Ficus Hedge and Silky Oak (60–100 cm/yr), though both need more frequent pruning to stay dense.
Q: Which has invasive root concerns near paths/foundations? Ficus Hedge (Hedge Fig) — aggressive roots, avoid near structures. Fraser Island Apple, by contrast, is non-invasive and safe near paths/fences.
Q: Best low-maintenance option (1 pruning/year)? Coast Banksia, Tuckeroo, Native Frangipani.
Q: Which is safe to plant closest together (tightest spacing)? Coastal Rosemary and Duranta Gold Mound (0.5–0.8 m), useful for tight formal borders.
Data compiled from/expanded on this guide: Fraser Island Apple Tree Hedge: Size, Growth & Care Guide