Australian Native Screening Plants: 53 Natural Winners for Breezy Backyard Privacy

Australian native screening plants
Chamelaucium uncinatum (Geraldton Wax).

Overview

Not every screen needs to be clipped into a box. While formal hedges have their place, they often bring a rigid feel to the garden and require constant maintenance. For many modern landscapes, especially those inspired by native flora, a natural approach can work better.

Informal screens have a lot going for them. They allow plants to grow into their natural forms, resulting in a relaxed, organic look. They add texture, colour, and seasonal interest, providing authentic and unforced structure.

Many plants are wildlife-friendly, drought-tolerant, low-maintenance, and easy to grow, ideal for those who want impact without the fuss.

In this article, we’ve gathered 53 standout choices ideal for informal screening. These Australian native screening plants offer a refreshing alternative to traditional hedging, combining privacy with natural movement and soft texture, forming a deeper connection to the surrounding landscape.

honey eater and greviilea

53 Australian native screening plants

Acacia cognata (Bower Wattle)

Acacia cognata and its cultivars are among the most popular Australian native screening plants, due to their aesthetic appeal, fast growth, hardiness, and low maintenance.

The dense, fine, weeping foliage creates an effective, soft visual barrier. Small, spherical, pale yellow flowers emerge en masse from late winter to spring, adding a delicate touch and attracting pollinators.

Acacia cognata
Acacia cognata.

1. Acacia cognata ‘Lime Magik’

Acacia cognata ‘Lime Magik’ is one of the most commonly grown Australian native screening plants. Highly valued for its vibrant presence, the plant features fine, lime-green foliage that instantly lifts outdoor spaces, creating a fresh, eye-catching contrast.

The striking foliage cascades gracefully along pendulous branches, giving the plant a soft, airy, and elegant presence. Reaching 4 – 5 metres tall and 3 – 4 metres wide at maturity, ‘Lime Magik’ forms a refined yet substantial screen, adding both structure and gentle movement to garden spaces.

Acacia cognata 'Lime Magik'
Acacia cognata ‘Lime Magik’.

2. Acacia cognata ‘Copper Tips’

‘Copper Tips’ is another beautiful cultivar of Acacia cognata. This plant is quite similar to ‘Lime Magik’, including the mature size, growth habit, dense and graceful foliage, and abundant blooms.

The most distinctive feature is its vibrant flushes of copper or bronze in its new growth that contrast beautifully with dark green or olive green mature leaves, adding seasonal interest in addition to its blooms.

3. Acacia cognata ‘Burgundy Cascade’

Acacia cognata ‘Burgundy Cascade’ is another excellent cultivar. The plant forms a smaller, dense shrub that can reach 3 – 4 metres high and 2 – 3 metres wide.

‘Burgundy Cascade’ features magnificent green foliage with a prominent burgundy to reddish-purple edge or tinge, especially on younger foliage or new growth, adding year-round interest.

4. Acacia cognata ‘Emerald Curl’

Acacia cognata ‘Emerald Curl’ has perhaps the most unique foliage among Australian native screening plants. Unlike the straight leaves of its relatives, ‘Emerald Curl’ presents fine, sickle-shaped foliage, adding an intriguing twist to screening.

‘Emerald Curl’ can reach 3 – 5 meters in height and 2 – 4 metres in width, maintaining an upright structure with gracefully pendulous branches that cascade softly, creating a refined and elegant presence in the landscape.

5. Acacia cognata ‘Green Screen’

If you seek high performance in Australian native screening plants, do not miss Acacia cognata ‘Green Screen’. As its name suggests, ‘Green Screen’ is designed to provide effective, lush screening.

The plant develops into a large, bushy shrub with a mature height of 3 – 5 metres and a width of 2 – 3 metres. The dense, pendulous branches and narrow, refined, bright green foliage contribute to its outstanding screening capability.

6. Acacia cognata ‘Green Spire’

The primary distinction of ‘Green Spire’ from ‘Green Screen’ and other cultivars lies in its narrower and more columnar, pointy growth habit, reaching about 3 – 4 metres in height and 1 – 2.5 metres in width.

Its weeping form and vertical growth habit make it highly popular for public landscapes, especially when the ultimate plant width is of concern.

Callistemon viminalis (Weeping Bottlebrush)

One of the most highly regarded Australian native screening plants is Callistemon viminalis (Weeping Bottlebrush). The species is celebrated for its graceful, pendulous form and vibrant floral displays. It is remarkably hardy and adaptable, thriving in a wide range of conditions.

Weeping Bottlebrush excels as a screening plant due to its dense, year-round foliage and rapid growth rate. When planted in rows, its weeping branches interlock to form an effective visual barrier, offering privacy and reducing wind.

7. Callistemon viminalis ‘Hannah Ray’

Callistemon viminalis ‘Hannah Ray’ is a highly popular cultivar, with an elegant weeping form and the ability to produce profuse, vibrant flowers. This screening plant often develops as a tall shrub, reaching approximately 4 – 5 metres in height and 2 – 3 metres in width.

Its long, arching branches are densely covered with narrow, greyish-green foliage, often with attractive pinkish new growth. A standout feature is the prolific display of large, vivid crimson-red bottlebrush flowers, which are highly attractive to nectar-feeding birds.

Callistemon viminalis 'Hannah Ray'
Callistemon viminalis ‘Hannah Ray’. Source

8. Callistemon viminalis ‘Dawson River Weeper’

Compared to ‘Hannah Ray’, ‘Dawson River Weeper’ is cultivated to emphasise the long, pendulous branches. This cultivar is known for its highly vigorous weeping form with very dense, cascading foliage.

With a mature height of 4 – 5 metres and a width of 3 – 5 metres, ‘Dawson River Weeper’ tends to spread wide, with mid-green foliage and bright-green new growth. Like ‘Hannah Ray’, ‘Dawson River Weeper’ also sports magnificent blooms.

Callistemon viminalis 'Dawson River Weeper'
Callistemon viminalis ‘Dawson River Weeper’.

9. Callistemon viminalis ‘Prolific’

Callistemon viminalis ‘Prolific’ triumphs for its dazzling floral display among Australian native screening plants. It boasts striking clusters of scarlet bottlebrush-like flowers. True to its name, it blooms profusely in spring and less so at other times.

‘Prolific’ typically grows as a medium to large shrub, reaching approximately 4 – 6 meters in height and 2 – 4 meters in width, forming a dense, graceful screen with its fine, weeping branches. Its narrow, bright to mid-green foliage provides a year-round lush backdrop.

Leptospermum scoparium (Manuka)

Leptospermum scoparium, along with its many cultivars, ranks among the most effective Australian native screening plants thanks to its fine, compact foliage, naturally dense habit, and outstanding hardiness. Its ability to form a tight, upright screen with minimal intervention makes it a dependable choice for informal boundaries and layered planting schemes.

Beyond its practical screening role, Leptospermum scoparium brings strong ornamental value with spectacular five-petaled, single or double blooms in various shades and colours. These flowers appear through warmer months, attracting nectar-feeding birds and beneficial insects, adding movement and ecological richness to the garden.

The unique blooming attribute of Leptospermum scoparium and cultivars truly sets it apart from many other Australian native screening plants.

Leptospermum scoparium
Leptospermum scoparium. Source

10. Leptospermum scoparium ‘Red Damask’

Leptospermum scoparium ‘Red Damask’ brings both structure and striking colour to informal screens. Typically reaching 2 – 3 metres tall and 1 – 2 metres wide, it is well suited to smaller garden spaces, with an upright form, deep green foliage, and naturally compact habit.

In the blooming season, a profusion of deep, vibrant crimson, rose-like double-petaled flowers emerges, providing an impressive, intense splash of colour against the dark green foliage.

Leptospermum 'Red Demask'
Leptospermum ‘Red Demask’.

11. Leptospermum scoparium ‘Ballerina’

Leptospermum scoparium ‘Ballerina’ is highly valued for its compact form and delicate, showy flowers. This cultivar grows as a bushy shrub, reaching a height of 1.5 – 2.5 metres and a similar width, making it an excellent choice for a medium-height, informal screen.

‘Ballerina’ features striking double-petaled blossoms resembling the ballerina’s skirt (hence the name), delicately ruffled, with shades of white, pink, and plum-red, offering a soft, intricate touch.

12. Leptospermum scoparium ‘Burgundy Queen’

Leptospermum scoparium ‘Burgundy Queen’ is a bold and richly coloured shrub, reaching approximately 3 – 4 metres in height and 2 – 3 metres in width. The fine, dark green foliage is flushed with rich burgundy or maroon, providing year-round colour.

The plant features a profusion of double, deep burgundy-red to magenta flowers from winter to spring. These intensely coloured, button-like blooms create a stunning spectacle, drawing in birds, bees, and other pollinators.

Leptospermum scoparium 'Burgundy Queen' flowers
Leptospermum scoparium ‘Burgundy Queen’. Source

Leptospermum polygalifolium (Yellow Tea Tree)

Leptospermum polygalifolium, commonly known as Yellow Tea Tree or Tantoon, is a hardy, versatile species widely valued for its dense growth, fine spear-shaped foliage, and ability to thrive in a range of conditions, making it a reliable choice for naturalistic screens and informal hedging.

Many of its cultivars bring subtle variations in foliage colour, flower abundance, and growth habit. They are fantastic Australian native screening plants, allowing for tailored use to meet different landscaping needs and styles.

Leptospermum polygalifolium
Leptospermum polygalifolium. Source

13. Leptospermum polygalifolium ‘Copper Glow’

Leptospermum polygalifolium ‘Copper Glow’ is highly prized for its distinctive coppery bronze new growth, which contrasts beautifully with its mature dark green leaves. With arching branches, its foliage takes on a semi-weeping form that softens the plant’s outline, adding movement and texture.

In spring, it produces a flush of white five-petaled flowers that attract native birds and other pollinators, adding seasonal interest. Typically growing to 2 – 3 metres tall and 2 – 2.5 metres wide, the plant retains its striking natural form with little pruning.

Leptospermum polygalifolium 'Copper Glow'
Leptospermum polygalifolium ‘Copper Glow’.

14. Leptospermum polygalifolium ‘Cardwell’

Leptospermum polygalifolium ‘Cardwell’ (syn. Leptospermum flavescens ‘Cardwell’) is a dense shrub 2 – 3 metres high and wide. It features a more pronounced weeping habit than ‘Copper Glow’, making it ideal for graceful, informal hedging.

In addition to its compact, weeping form, ‘Cardwell’ is renowned for its bloom abundance. The plant is clothed in profuse, small, white flowers from late winter through spring, giving it a delightful, snowy appearance. A pink variety exists.

Leptospermum polygalifolium 'Cardwell'
Leptospermum ‘Cardwell’. Source

15. Leptospermum polygalifolium ‘Pacific Beauty’

The ‘Pacific Beauty’ cultivar is also known as Leptospermum polygalifolium subsp. tropicum (syn. Leptospermum flavescens). This variety is highly popular due to its striking form and smaller size (1 – 2 metres in height and width), perfect for versatile landscape use.

This native tea tree features arching branches and cascading foliage. White flowers emerge profusely from the eye-catching pink buds in late winter and spring, creating a dazzling display along its weeping stems.

Chamelaucium uncinatum (Geraldton Wax)

Chamelaucium uncinatum, commonly known as Geraldton Wax, and many of its cultivars are popular Australian native screening plants due to their floral beauty, unique form, and dense growth. Original Geraldton Wax grows to 2 – 3 metres in height and width.

The most celebrated feature is its brilliant display of waxy, five-petalled, white, pink, red, or purple flowers, which are highly popular in the cut flower industry.

The soft, fine, narrow foliage is deep green and carries a strong, aromatic scent, especially when crushed, adding a sensory element to the garden. The light, airy texture is great for informal screening.

Chamelaucium uncinatum
Chamelaucium uncinatum. Source

16. Chamelaucium uncinatum ‘Purple Pride’

‘Purple Pride’ is a fast-growing cultivar with abundant bright purple flowers and red-brown centres. It grows as an upright, rounded shrub, 2 – 3 metres tall and wide.

17. Chamelaucium uncinatum ‘My Sweet Sixteen’

‘My Sweet Sixteen’ forms a rounded shrub, reaching about 2 metres tall and 1.5 metres wide. Its blossoms emerge profusely in white, maturing into red, creating a stunning tricolour display of white, pink and red.

Its unique multi-coloured blooms offer dynamic visual interest rarely found in other Australian native screening plants.

Chamelaucium uncinatum 'My Sweet sixteen'
Chamelaucium uncinatum ‘My Sweet sixteen’.

18. Chamelaucium uncinatum ‘Alba’

Chamelaucium uncinatum ‘Alba’ also forms an upright, rounded shrub, attaining 2 metres in height and width. This plant produces an abundance of stunning white, waxy flowers with pale yellow-green centres.

Grevillea hybrids

Many Grevillea hybrids rank among the best Australian native screening plants, due to dense growth, rapid establishment, and year-round visual interest. Their hardiness and adaptability make them suitable for a wide range of Australian climates, from coastal regions to inland gardens.

What truly sets them apart are their striking foliage and prolific blooms. The foliage varies widely in form, size, and texture, adding depth and contrast to planting schemes. Their vibrant, long-lasting flowers appear over extended periods and are highly attractive to nectar-feeding birds and insects, enhancing the garden’s ecological value.

Screening grevilleas often benefit from pruning after mass flowering to maintain a dense, attractive form. Here, we include more compact hybrids, commonly used as Australian native screening plants.

Grevillea hybrid

19. Grevillea ‘Moonlight’

Thought to be a cross between Grevillea banksii and Grevillea whiteana, Grevillea ‘Moonlight’ is a fast-growing, hardy shrub with attractive, fern-like, dark green foliage, attaining 3 – 4 metres in height and 2 – 3 metres in width.

The plant is known for its long blooming season, featuring large, creamy-white, elegant flower spikes up to 15 – 20 cm long. With a naturally dense growth habit, ‘Moonlight’ has been one of the most popular Australian native screening plants.

Grevillea 'Moonlight'
Grevillea ‘Moonlight’.

20. Grevillea ‘Majestic’

Grevillea ‘Majestic’ is another fast-growing and hardy shrub, growing 5 metres high and 3 metres wide. The plant is believed to derive from the seedling of Grevillea ‘Misty Pink’, which is in turn a cross between Grevillea banksii and Grevillea sessilis.

The large, rose-pink flowers with cream stamens are a standout feature, delivering a vibrant splash of colour that lasts through much of the year. The dense, dark green foliage offers a rich contrast to the vibrant flowers while adding depth and texture to the garden.

Grevillea 'Majestic'
Grevillea ‘Majestic’.

21. Grevillea ‘Coconut Ice’

Crevillea ‘Coconut Ice’ is a hybrid between Grevillea bipinnatifida and Grevillea banksii. The plant is known for its dense, compact habit and eye-catching pink-orange, pink-cream, or orange-cream blooms almost year-round.

‘Coconut Ice’ foliage is finely dissected, deep green, and visually striking. Though slightly stiff and prickly, this texture makes it especially valuable as a nesting habitat for small birds. Reaching 2 metres or more in height and width, it forms a dense, rounded shrub that offers excellent screening.

Grevillea 'Coconut ice'
Grevillea ‘Coconut ice’.

22. Grevillea ‘Dorothy Gordon’

Grevillea ‘Dorothy Gordon’ is a cross between Grevillea sessilis and Grevillea paradoxa. This native shrub is renowned for its large, two-toned flowers with stunning pink, mauve, and burgundy hues.

The plant also features distinctive bronze new growth that contrasts beautifully with its fern-like, grey-green or bright green mature leaves. It forms an attractive, dense screen, reaching about 3 metres tall and 2 metres wide.

Grevillea 'Dorothy Gordon'
Grevillea ‘Dorothy Gordon’. Source

23. Grevillea ‘Robyn Gordon’

Like Grevillea ‘Coconut Ice’, ‘Robyn Gordon’ is also a cross between Grevillea bipinnatifida and Grevillea banksii. The plant is prized for vibrant peach-red flower spikes and attractive, lush, green, fern-like foliage.

This hardy shrub naturally adopts a rounded form, with a compact growth habit, reaching 1.5 – 2 metres in height and width, making it ideal for smaller gardens with limited space. This variety is highly similar to Grevillea ‘Molly’.

Grevillea 'Robyn Gordon'
Grevillea ‘Robyn Gordon’. Source

24. Grevillea ‘Superb’

Grevillea ‘Superb’ is another hybrid of Grevillea bipinnatifida and Grevillea banksii. This popular hybrid forms a dense, compact shrub that grows 2 metres tall and wide. Its foliage is attractive, deeply lobed, dark green, with a silvery underside, providing a lush, consistent backdrop throughout the year.

Due to the same parentage, it resembles ‘Robyn Gordon’ in overall form. Its blossoms are a striking combination of vibrant coral pink, orange, and yellow.

Grevillea 'Superb'
Grevillea ‘Superb’. Source

25. Grevillea ‘Ned Kelly’

Grevillea ‘Ned Kelly’ (syn. Grevillea ‘Mason’s Hybrid’) is yet another hybrid of Grevillea bipinnatifida and Grevillea banksii. Being close relatives, it is very similar to ‘Robyn Gordon’ and ‘Superb’ in form, reaching about 2 metres in height and width.

Its foliage is deep green, finely divided leaves with a soft, feathery texture. Its blossoms are distinctively orange-red, with pink tones.

Grevillea 'Ned Kelly'
Grevillea ‘Ned Kelly’. Source

26. Grevillea ‘Ivanhoe’

Grevillea ‘Ivanhoe’, a hybrid of Grevillea longifolia and Grevillea caleyi, is a fast-growing, robust shrub that earns its place among the most effective Australian native screening plants. It is large, dense, spreading, and typically reaches 3 – 4 metres in height and width.

Its linear and toothed foliage offers a relaxed, soft, fern-like texture. The plant is flushed with copper-brown new growth, adding seasonal interest. Renowned for its prolific blooming, the plant produces intriguing, one-sided, toothbrush-like flowers in red or purply colours.

Grevillea 'Ivanhoe'
Grevillea ‘Ivanhoe’. Source

27. Grevillea ‘Firesprite’

Grevillea ‘Fireprite’ is a popular hybrid of Grevillea venusta and Grevillea longistyla. It is a fast-growing shrub featuring brilliant, bright red or deep orange, flame-like flowers and attractive, deeply lobed, soft, dark green foliage.

Typically reaching 3 – 4 metres tall and wide, it adopts a dense, bushy habit, making it ideal for creating screens, offering both privacy and visual appeal.

Grevillea 'Firesprite'
Grevillea ‘Firesprite’. Source

28. Grevillea ‘Canberra Gem’

Grevillea ‘Canberra Gem’ is a cross between Grevillea juniperina and Grevillea romarinifolia. It is a vigorous shrub that typically reaches 3 – 4 metres in height and width, forming a reliable, bushy screen with year-round foliage cover and long seasonal flowering.

The dark green, needle-like leaves are a distinctive feature, adding a textural element to the garden. The rosy-pink or red, spider-like flowers are a showstopper, contrasting brilliantly with the foliage.

Grevillea 'Canberra Gem'
Grevillea ‘Canberra Gem’. Source

29. Grevillea ‘Misty Pink’

Grevillea ‘Misty Pink’ originates from crossing Grevillea banksii with Grevillea sessilis. It is known for large, showy pink and cream flowers. This fast-growing shrub can reach 3 metres tall and wide for quick establishment and impact in the garden.

This vigorous plant develops deeply divided, finely lobed, dark green leaves that contribute to the plant’s dense and bushy form. This plant is highly responsive to pruning.

Grevillea 'Misty Pink'
Grevillea ‘Misty Pink’. Source

30. Grevillea ‘Honey Gem’

If you are looking for a larger and taller shrub, Grevillea ‘Honey Gem’ will not disappoint. The plant grows quickly to 4 – 5 metres high and 2 – 3 metres wide. It features large, finely lobed, dark green foliage, giving a lacy appearance.

As a cross between Grevillea banksii and Grevillea pteridifolia, this native shrub is known for prolific and long-lasting production of striking, large, golden-orange flower spikes. It is one of the most widely grown Australian native screening plants.

Grevillea 'Honey Gem'
Grevillea ‘Honey Gem’. Source

31. Grevillea ‘Sylvia’

Grevillea ‘Sylvia’ is another fast-growing shrub, reaching 3 – 4 metres tall and wide. The plant develops ferny, dark green or grey-green foliage and bronze new growth. It can be pruned hard for shape and density.

The plant is also known for its prolific, stunning, rosy-pink flowers that appear year-round. The flowers can be as large as 15 cm long and 9 cm wide, forming a visual delight in the garden.

Grevillea 'Sylvia'
Grevillea ‘Sylvia’.

32. Grevillea ‘Winpara Gem’

The last Grevillea hybrid in our list is ‘Winpara Gem’. Thought to be a cross between Grevillea thelemanniana and Grevillea argyrophylla or Grevillea olivacea, ‘it ‘Winpara Gem’ is one of the most attractive small Australian native screening plants.

It grows approximately 2 metres tall and 3 metres wide, with dense, fine, grey-green foliage and an upright, spreading habit. Its standout feature is the brilliant display of prolific, spider-like, scarlet-red flowers.

Grevillea 'Winpara Gem'
Grevillea ‘Winpara Gem’. Source

Banksia ericifolia (Heath-leaved Banksia)

Banksia ericifolia is a hardy, adaptable plant with a dense, bushy growth habit and fine, needle-like foliage, providing excellent coverage. It can reach a height of 2 – 7 metres, depending on the growing conditions.

The most notable feature is its oversized, cylindrical flower spikes, ranging from yellow to reddish orange, and can be up to 30 cm long.

Banksia ericifolia is known for its adaptability to a range of conditions, including coastal salt exposure, frost, poor soils, and drought, making it suitable for a wide range of locations. Its manageable size and shape make it ideal for both smaller and larger gardens.

Banksia ericifolia (Heath-leaved Banksia) shrub
Banksia ericifolia (Heath-leaved Banksia). Source

33. Banksia ericifolia ‘Little Eric’

Banksia ericifolia ‘Little Eric’ is a medium-sized shrub that naturally adopts a highly compact, rounded form, with a height up to 2 metres and a 1.5 metre spread, well suited for smaller gardens and lower screens.

Its flower spikes are large, bright yellow or orange with maroon styles, creating a striking visual display from autumn to winter.

Banksia ericifolia 'Little Eric'
Banksia ericifolia ‘Little Eric’.

34. Banksia ericifolia ‘Bronzed Aussie’

‘Bronzed Aussie’ is similar to ‘Little Eric’ in size, but more open in form. The flower spikes are honey-coloured with bright red styles, often with interesting bud clusters at the base.

35. Banksia ericifolia ‘Giant Candles’

‘Giant Candles’ is a cross between Banksia ericifolia and Banksia spinulosa. It is one of the most common Australian native screening plants. People love it because it often becomes a stout tree of 4 metres in height, with attractive, top-heavy, dense foliage.

A striking feature is its massive flower spikes, often vibrant orange and can measure up to 40 cm long, creating a dramatic show in the garden.

Banksia 'Giant Candles'
Banksia ‘Giant Candles’.

Other native screening plants

36. Acacia covenyi (Blue Bush)

Acacia convenyi catches immediate attention with its striking blue-green foliage. Typically reaching 4 – 6 metres tall and 2 – 4 metres wide at maturity, it forms a beautiful screen when kept as a large, multi-stemmed shrub.

The foliage’s silvery blue hue is a rare and eye-catching feature in the native landscapes. An abundance of golden-yellow, spherical flowers appears from late winter to spring, creating a visual spectacle.

37. Acacia lineata (Streaked Wattle)

Naturally thriving in inland eastern Australia, Acacia lineata is one of the toughest Australian native screening plants. The plant is known for its small, linear, dark green foliage. Typically growing to around 2 metres tall and wide, it adopts a dense, bushy habit with a tidy appearance.

The plant also produces spectacular, bright-yellow flowers seasonally. Its understated beauty, low maintenance needs, and adaptability make it a useful choice for those who look to add texture and seasonal colour to tough, water-wise planting schemes.

Acacia lineata
Acacia lineata. Source

38. Acacia vestita (Hairy Wattle)

Acacia vestita is another popular choice for screening due to its graceful weeping habit and attractive, grey-green, velvety foliage. The plant forms a medium to large shrub, reaching approximately 3 metres in height and width.

This shrub naturally develops a dense, bushy habit that offers reliable coverage for screening. Its softly weeping branches lend a relaxed, graceful look, while seasonal bursts of bright yellow flowers enhance its beauty and support local pollinators.

Acacia vestita
Acacia vestita. Source

39. Acacia fimbriata ‘Crimson Blush’

A naturally round, compact shape is uncommon among Australian native screening plants, making Acacia fimbriata ‘Crimson Blush’ a standout choice. From a young age, it develops a striking, rounded form that can be maintained into maturity, offering excellent visual appeal.

Attaining 2 – 3 metres in height and width, it is well-suited for regular informal screens. Another defining feature is its striking crimson-tipped new growth that contrasts beautifully with the lime green or deep green mature foliage. The bonus is its profuse, lemon-yellow, fluffy flowers when in bloom.

40. Chamelaucium floriferum ‘Pinnacle Pink’

Chamelaucium floriferum ‘Pinnacle Pink’ is a medium-sized, rounded shrub with distinctive upright foliage spikes and a dense, bushy form, reaching about 2 metres tall and 1.5 metres wide. Its leaves are narrow, needle-like, and carry a sweet scent.

The plant is distinguished by its prolific, pink, waxy flowers that emerge from striking red buds in spring. Its flowers are often used in the cut flower industry. As such, it is one of the most popular Australian native screening plants.

41. Leptospermum morrisonii ‘Burgundy’

Leptospermum morrisonii ‘Burgundy’ is one of the favourite Australian native screening plants due to its fast growth and aesthetic appeal.

Its dense, vibrant, burgundy foliage contrasts beautifully with the profusion of white flowers in spring, making it a standout plant in any garden. Growing about 3 metres tall and 2 metres wide, this adaptable shrub is perfect for quickly establishing effective screens.

Leptospermum morrisonii 'Burgundy'
Leptospermum morrisonii ‘Burgundy’.

42. Leptospermum obovatum ‘Starry Night’

If you are seeking dark foliage for contrast among Australian native screening plants, look no further! Leptospermum obovatum ‘Starry Night’ offers striking, weeping, deep purple or black foliage.

With a rounded and dense growth habit, it reaches a height of 2 – 2.5 metres and a width of 1.5 – 2 metres, perfect for smaller gardens. The plant is covered in white, star-shaped flowers in late spring and summer, creating a striking display.

Leptospermum obovatum (River Tea Tree)
Leptospermum obovatum. Source

43. Banksia marginata ‘Mini Marg’

As a dwarf cultivar of Banksia marginata, ‘Mini Marg’ typically grows to 2 metres high and wide. It is dense and compact, with dark green foliage featuring a silver-grey underside and bronze or reddish-brown new growth.

As one of the most popular Australian native screening plants, ‘Mini Marg’ is hardy, highly adaptable, and low maintenance. A stunning display of prolific bright yellow flower spikes occurs from late summer to early winter.

Banksia marginata 'Mini Marg'
Banksia marginata ‘Mini Marg’. Source

44. Banksia ashbyi ‘Dwarf’

Banksia ashbyi is one of the most attractive Australian native screening plants. The plant is known for striking, deeply serrated, linear leaves and vibrant orange flower cones. It is a large shrub reaching a height of 8 metres.

The ‘Dwarf’ is the naturally occurring variety that grows only 2 metres tall and wide. It forms a dense and rounded bush, providing a fantastic backdrop in the garden. Occasional light pruning further enhances its shape and compactness.

Banksia ashbyi
Banksia ashbyi. Source

45. Banksia integrifolia ‘Coastal Beacons’

‘Coastal Beacons’ is the cultivar of Banksia integrifolia (Coast Banksia), a species renowned for its hardiness and adaptability. The plant features attractive, thick, leathery, glossy green foliage with a silvery underside.

With its naturally dense growth habit, it typically reaches 2 to 4 metres tall and wide, offering excellent screening with a striking texture. Another significant feature is its brilliant, cylindrical, lemon-yellow flower spikes, which create a phenomenal display from late autumn through spring.

Bankisa integrifolia
Bankisa integrifolia. Source

46. Callistemon ‘Pink Champagne’

Believed to be a cultivar of Callistemon citrinus, ‘Pink Champagne’ is a standout Australian native screening plant, valued for both its attractive form and floral display. Naturally compact and bushy, it is well-suited for creating effective privacy screens.

Reaching a mature height of 2 – 3 metres and a width of 1 – 2 metres, ‘Pink Champagne’ can be left to develop its natural form or pruned to encourage denser growth. Its striking pink bottlebrush flowers emerge in spring and autumn, adding vibrant seasonal interest.

47. Callistemon citrinus ‘Kings Park Special’

Callistemon citrinus ‘Kings Park Special’ is one of the most popular Australian native screening plants because of its hardiness, adaptability, dense foliage, and eye-catching, bright red, bottlebrush flowers.

This variety naturally develops an upright, rounded form, reaching up to 4 metres in height and width, making it ideal for effective, neat screening with minimal pruning. However, it can be trimmed to maintain a more defined shape.

Callistemon citrinus 'Kings Park Special'
Callistemon citrinus ‘Kings Park Special’.

48. Kunzea ambigua (Tick Bush)

With an appearance similar to weeping Leptospermum varieties, Kunzea ambigua (Tick Bush) is among medium-sized Australian native screening plants with a dense, compact habit, growing 2 – 4 metres tall and wide.

Its foliage is small, linear, mid to dark green, and aromatic. The flowers are small, white, spherical, fluffy and honey-scented. They are borne abundantly in large clusters during spring, attracting bees and other pollinators. Kunzea ambigua ‘Pink’ features stunning pink blooms.

Kunzea ambigua
Kunzea ambigua. Source

49. Kunzea baxteri ‘Solomon’s Pink’

Kunzea baxteri ‘Solomons Pink’ is a beautiful, low-maintenance Australian native shrub with a mature size of around 2 metres high and 1 metre wide. It features pink, bottlebrush-like flowers that emerge in winter, and dense, attractive midgreen foliage with a silvery hue.

Its dense growth habit makes it highly effective for providing privacy. While it naturally forms an attractive screen, it can also be pruned for a neat, formal appearance, offering a more structured look.

Kunzea baxteri screen
Kunzea baxteri screen.

50. Eremophila ‘Big Poly’

Eremophila ‘Big Poly’ is a cross between Eremophila bignoniiflora and Eremophila polyclada. While popular eremophilas are often unsuitable for tall screening due to restricted height and growth habit, there are a few exceptions. ‘Big Poly’ is one of them.

It is a fantastic, dense, spreading shrub, reaching 2 – 4 metres tall and wide. The plant is fast-growing and highly adaptable, featuring long, narrow, strappy, deep green leaves and prolific, bell-shaped, white to pale mauve flowers with lilac-spotted throats.

Eremophila 'Big Poly'
Eremophila ‘Big Poly’. Source

51. Eremophila ‘Meringur Midnight’

A hybrid of Eremophila bignoniiflora and Eremophila viscida, ‘Meringur Midnight’ also forms a medium to large shrub highly suitable for screening. This hybrid grows to about 3 – 4 metres high and 2 – 3 metres wide.

The plant has a beautiful form, featuring linear, bright green foliage with a weeping habit. It features spectacular, large, purple flowers, which emerge from winter through spring.

52. Eremophila ‘Big John’

‘Big John’ is a large, shrubby form of Eremophila mackinlayi (commonly known as Desert Pride), reaching 3 – 4 metres in height and width. This grafted cultivar is highly distinctive from other naturally occurring, smaller subspecies of Eremophila mackinlayi.

‘Big John’ features stunning silvery-grey, hairy foliage and prolific, vibrant, tubular purple flowers that offer year-round interest. This hardy plant benefits from pruning to enhance its density.

Eremophila 'Big John'
Eremophila ‘Big John’. Source

53. Eremophila ‘Meringur Ray’

Eremophila ‘Maringur Ray’ originates from the cross between Eremophila bignoniiflora and Eremophila purpurascens. With a size similar to Eremophila ‘Meringur Midnight’, this plant forms an upright, dense shrub, highly suitable for screening, especially when pruned.

‘Meringur Ray’ also features long, narrow, green leaves. The highlight of this cultivar is its profuse, bright pink-purple flowers from late autumn to spring.

Final Words

A well-chosen screen can offer more than just privacy – it can enrich your garden with movement, seasonal colour, and vibrant life.

The Australian native screening plants featured in this collection, from the soft forms of Acacia cognata to the flowering brilliance of Grevillea and Callistemon, show how native species can beautifully balance form and function.

Whether you’re drawn to the fine textures of Leptospermum, the bold structure of Banksia, or the resilience of Eremophila, each brings something special and presents best when allowed to grow in its natural form.

KC Sheng is the lead author of arid sage. He is an enthusiast for Australian native plants with a keen interest in the varieties that thrive in dry and arid conditions.
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