Which Griselinia do you need?
- SALE
New Zealand Privet HedgeGriselinia littoralisGreen Griselinia at 60–90cm, planted 4 per metre, is the best-value way to a dense, salt-tolerant hedge.EvergreenMedium 20-40cm per yearPot Grown - Variegated New Zealand Privet HedgeGriselinia littoralis 'Variegata'Variegated Griselinia has cream-edged leaves. It is smaller and less hardy, so give it a sunny, sheltered spot.Colourful FoliageMedium 20-40cm per yearPot Grown
Griselinia or Oleaster?
| Compare | Griselinia | Oleaster |
|---|---|---|
| Leaves | Glossy, bright apple-green | Leathery grey-green, silver underneath |
| Look | Smooth and neat | Dense and slightly informal |
| Growth | 20–40cm a year | 30–60cm a year |
| Coastal and wind | Excellent | Excellent |
| Cold inland sites | Can suffer in very cold, exposed spots | Fully hardy |
| Best for | Seaside and milder gardens | Exposed coastal and inland boundaries |
Gwynne's Grower's Tip
By the sea there are few better hedges than Griselinia: the salt wind that browns Laurel barely marks it, and it stays a lovely fresh green all winter. Inland, I'm more careful. On a cold, exposed site I'd point you to Oleaster or Laurel instead.
If you're in a colder area, plant in spring rather than late autumn so the roots settle before their first winter. And don't be tempted to buy only the biggest plants for a windy spot: 60–90cm plants root in faster and soon catch up.
Griselinia buying questions
01How many Griselinia plants do I need per metre?
It depends on size: 4 per metre for 40–90cm plants, 3 per metre for 90–120cm and 2 per metre for 120–150cm, in a single row. Variegated Griselinia at 20–40cm goes in at 5 per metre.
02Will Griselinia grow in shade?
It grows best in a bright, sunny position and copes with light shade, but in heavier shade it grows more slowly and less densely. For a shady boundary, see our hedging for shady positions.
03Is Griselinia hardy?
Green Griselinia is hardy in most of the UK and thrives in coastal and milder areas. In very cold, exposed inland gardens it can be scorched by hard frosts and cold winds, so choose a sheltered spot or a fully hardy alternative such as Oleaster. The variegated form is less hardy than the green.
Growing Advice for Griselinia Hedge Plants
What is Griselinia littoralis?
Griselinia littoralis, also known as New Zealand Privet or New Zealand Broadleaf, is an evergreen shrub native to New Zealand. Its soft, oval, apple-green leaves are similar in shape to Common Privet but glossier, giving a smooth, fresh-looking hedge all year round.
It is best known as a coastal hedge. The thick leaves tolerate salt spray and strong wind, so it is often planted as the first line of shelter in seaside gardens. It grows in most well-drained soils, in full sun or light shade, but dislikes waterlogged ground.
Griselinia typically grows 20–40cm a year once established. Left untrimmed it can reach 4–5 metres, but as a hedge it is usually kept at 1.5–3 metres with one or two light trims a year. Its dense growth makes a good privacy screen and helps soften noise and wind from a road.
For a splash of colour, there is also a Variegated New Zealand Privet hedge with cream-edged leaves. It is smaller and less hardy than the green form, so it is best in a sunny, sheltered spot.
All our Griselinia is sold pot grown, so it can be planted at any time of year when the ground is not frozen or waterlogged.