Space constraints are a common frustration for many gardeners who need to screen.
A narrow side passage, a tight boundary between properties, or a slender courtyard garden often becomes an area that needs screening, so the right plants to work in these spaces is a must!
Pencil pines, columnar conifers & other narrow growers are specifically suited to these situations because they grow tall without spreading too wide, delivering impressive height in minimal footprint.
Planting multiple specimens in a row to create a continuous screening barrier will create a uniform and consistent look.
In this guide, we explore the best narrow-growing screening plants that combine architectural beauty with functional privacy, helping you maximize your garden's potential while creating the screen you've always dreamt of!
Key Considerations for Narrow Beds
Essential Success Factors
- Root Space: Ensure adequate soil depth and width for healthy root development. Narrow beds need quality soil preparation - no congested clay or compacted ground.
- Sunlight: Most screening plants will require full sun position with at least 6+ hours of direct sunlight daily.
- Drainage: Ensure you have well draining soil. Poor drainage is the primary killer of conifers as they do not like 'wet feet'.
- Spacing: Even in narrow beds, provide appropriate spacing between multiple plantings.
- Stake Support: Young specimens may need staking in windy locations to support and develop the strong narrow form.
- Maintenance Access: Plan for occasional pruning and maintenance, however some varieties are maintenance free! Ensure you can safely access the plants if needed.
Narrow-growing plants don't just solve space problems - they add architectural elegance to your garden design. The strong vertical lines create visual interest and sophistication that broader plants simply cannot achieve.
Evergreen Options - These will hold onto their foliage year round
CUPRESSUS SEMPERVIRENS 'GLAUCA' - PENCIL PINE CONIFER
> The best variety for tight & compact growth habit
> Tall grower reaching heights of 10m+ tall and staying narrow, up to 1m w
> No maintenance - No pruning required
Best for: Formal & contemporary gardens, courtyard features, architectural statements | Height: 10m + | Width: Up to 1m
CUPRESSUS SEMPERVIRENS 'NITSCHKES NEEDLES' - PENCIL PINE CONIFER
> If time is not on your side, choose these as they are a faster grower than the Glauca Pencil Pine
> Heights to around 5-6m tall by up to 1m wide
> No maintenance - no pruning required
Best for: Formal & contemporary gardens, courtyard features, architectural statements | Height: 5-6m tall | Width: Up to 1m
Shop Nitschkes Needles Pencil Pines
SYZYGIUM AUSTRALE 'STRAIGHT & NARROW' - LILLY PILLY
> Perfect for hedging & screening
> Fast Growing
> Australian Native
> Some light pruning may be required but this variety holds it form tighter than other lilly pilly varieties
Best for: Hedging in any style of garden | Height: 5-8m | Width: 1-1.5m
JUNIPERUS 'SPARTAN' - CONIFER
> Stays in a conical shape - it's shorter and fatter than a pencil pine
> No maintenance
> Hardy, frost & drought tolerant
Best for: Formal & Contemporary gardens | Height: 4-6m | Width: 1m
BAMBUSA TEXTILLIS GRACILIS - BAMBOO
> Extremely fast grower, can be fully grown in up to 24mths
> Tall growing to around 5-7m tall by 1m width
Best for: Very fast screening | Height: 5-7m | Width: 1m
CALLISTEMON VIMINALIS 'SLIM' TM
> Great as a medium sized hedge
> Upright growth habit that stays fairly neat
> Australian Native
> Bird attracting
> Frost, heat & drought tolerant once established
Best for: Australian Native Gardens | Height: 3m | Width: 1m
BANKSIA INTEGRIFOLIA 'SENTINEL' TM
> Flowering screening shrub
> Australian Native
> Bird attracting
> Frost & drought tolerant
> No maintenance - leave in it's natural form
Best for: Australian Native Gardens | Height: 3m | Width: 1m
Deciduous Options - These will screen in the warmer months and lose their foliage in winter
PYRUS CALLERYANA 'CAPITAL' - ORNAMENTAL PEAR TREE
> Screening Tree
> Tall, narrow & upright growth
> Frost hardy
Best for: Larger properties | Height: 8-10m | Width: 3m
GINKGO BILOPA 'LEMONLIME SPIRE'
> Lemonline Spire is the dwarf Ginkgo variety
> Add some colour with golden shades in autumn
> Lemonline Spire does not have smelly fruit, unlike the larger growing variety
Best for: Any residential gardens looking for golden colour | Height: 5m | Width: 1m
QUERCUS PALUSTRIS 'GREEN PILLAR' ®
> Australian Native
> Food source for wildlife
> Column like structure for tall screening
Best for: Very tall screening + deciduous benefits | Height: up to 14m | Width: 1-3m
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