Syzygium paniculatum, or Lily Pily, is top of my list for native formal hedging plants. It grows very well in the tropics and subtropics, and there are many cultivars in cultivation. Have a look at your local nursery for species suitable to your area. The birds love them! They have even been known to provide habitats in which small mammals and marsupials will live - bonus!

Good luck!

It wouldn't grow too tall? I suppose anything can be trimmed to size...

Hi Lynne,

There are different varieties growing to different heights, so choose one that suits you. Like you said, you can easily trim them to the height you want them at!

Good luck with your choices!

Rhagodia spinescens is good. It's a saltbush, with blue-green leaves. I keep mine clipped to about knee-height. It might naturally grow to twice the height if it gets a bit of water, which mine doesn't. The whole thing is fast-growing and easy to propagate - stems root down where they touch the ground. Little ruby-red berries in autumn. Needs full sun for at least half the day.
Trish G.

Where would I find something like the Rhagodia? Is there a specialised nursery in the Brisbane area that would stock it?

Rhagodia won't get above 40cm, if you want a taller hedge, don't go for Rhagodia.

It is a brillian plant, though. Looks great as an underplanting beneath Eucs.

I have seen Rhagodia spinescens grow to about shoulder high but more typically it grows to about thigh high.

That plant originates from arid areas such as tha Mallee region of Victoria. So I am not certain how well it will do in sub-tropical QLD.

Rhagodia parabolica will grow to about 2m high

So that comment about Rhagodia being to small is not really accurate.

So it might not grow in Queensland? I had heard of this plant before but could not confirm if it would survive up here or not so I hadn't considered it further. If anyone can give me more definite information on this that would be great!

It's found in all states, albeit in dryer areas.

About the only thing that R. spinescens isn't tolerant of is poorly drained sites. It's known in ornamental horticulture as being a good plant in coastal areas due to its tolerance of salt pray, so perhaps it's worth a try. Considering how dry it's been in Brisbane of late, I don't see why you couldn't grow it successfully.
It's also very tolerant of compaction.

Like I said, the only thing I'm aware of in terms of how finicky this plant is would be poor drainage.

I'd give it a go, Lynne.

Try
http://www.bushlandflora.com.au/plants_Native/wholesale_nursery_m/wholesale_nursery.php
this might be a little helpful

I'm growing it in Toowoomba, Lynne.
Unfortunately my source was a business that has now closed. Have you tried Neilsen's and Fairhill Nurseries? There are probably other sources too. You'd need to get busy with a phone book. Failing that, I would think you could get it through SGAP in Brisbane, as surely there would some members who grow it.
Good luck with it. Trish

Thanks for that, Trish! Toowoomba is a little cooler than Brisbane, though, but I think I will give it go. I'll get one to start and see if it takes, and if so, I'll plant some more. Will do the lilly pillies too.

Lynne.

Not great bird attractors but how about the ever reliable Westringias, there are small forms of fruticosa and brevifolia that need little water and trim easily, another is Philotheca myoporoides if conditions are shady

I had thought of those, but I really did want something bird attracting.

Lynne.