You are on the right track with the ideas that (1) you want a hedge that is somewhat permeable to allow the break to baffle the wind and (2) you want two rows in the planting to better direct the wind up and WAY over. I suggest the windward, lower row could be: Cistus x skanbergii HYBRID ROCK ROSE Leptospermum scoparium NEW ZEALAND TEA TREE Westringia fruticosa COAST ROSEMARY And the leeward, taller row could be: Cupressus arizonica ARIZONA CYPRESS Lavatera assurgentiflora TREE MALLOW Leptospermum laevigatum AUSTRALIAN TEA TREE Melaleuca nesophila WESTERN TEA MYRTLE Melaleuca styphelioides BLACK TEA TREE Pittosporum crassifolium KARO Joe

OK, wattleblossom - your garden sounds absolutely spectacular, but there are several points I'd like to make: 1. 'Your mileage may vary' : many of the species you have successfully grown, be they from Oz or wherever, simply wont do well in large parts of Queensland/Northern NSW/NT. Thats commonsense, but its easy for new gardeners to get drawn into the images presented by the (south-dominated) gardening media. Its a tribute to you that you have found the plants that thrive in your area. 2. Both sets of plants will be as 'low maintenance' as you want them to be, and that comes down to your preferred presentation. For example, pruning is a must for many shrubs, but how many need to be topiarised ? We can create hedges with exotic conifers or a species such as Melaleuca, but how can we prevent dieback in the centre of our new hedge ? This is one area where an informal planting scheme wins hands down, at least IMO. 3. From your description, it seems that you have two clearly delineated areas, and plants belong in one or the other by courtesy of their origin. I accept that this works for you, but have to ask if we need to build such arbitrary boundaries. I've made the point several times that I believe many of our rainforest plants are good companion plants for Vireya Rhododendrons, Gardenias and similar glossy-leaved exotics, and mixing dry climate plants from similar latitudes is already a well-worn path. Proteas are a slightly different story, although my 'high NPK' experiment still hasnt killed my tropical grevilleas :) 4. I also struggle with the insect-attack issue : none of us likes to see their evil handiwork, but I've been very lucky to date. Grasshoppers and caterpillars currently seem to be be enjoying exotics and natives alike in my garden, but its also rewarding to watch a magpie flying off with one of the marauding bugs protruding from its beak. Its currently very dry in CQ, and I suspect that this has pushed the insects into our gardens in larger numbers - they werent a problem in Summer. None of this makes my opinions any more valid than the next persons, but I do think that tight integration between Australian and imported plants is the key for the future of our native plants in commercial horticulture (as opposed to conservation). It will be a sad day when city kids can only see native plants in a botanical garden or arboretum. You or I could build an incredible garden using only plants from Madagascar, but would we be willing to limit ourselves to that one (admittedly sensational ..) island ? Who knows - Bunnings might start shipping truckloads of Madagascan plants after our gradens make the glossies :)

Myporum voscosum and Acacia accinacea are particularly susceptible to this, although it is not a disease process rather a characteristic of the species. The only way to prevent it is regular pruning during the growing season and not allowing the plant to reach its mature size. Occassionally it is necessary to cut them back to their stumps and allow them to re-grow.

Hello Indus, I have a Wedding Bush (Ricinocarpus pinifolius) growing (Toowoomba district). I was taken aback by Agnes'statement that it was a WA native, because I first saw it in its full magnificent bloom on North Stradbroke Island some years ago. So I did a web search and the following statement comes from the SGAP article attached below: "Ricinocarpos is a genus of about 15 species, occurring in all States with one also found in New Caledonia." Mine has somewhat brittle branches that have on a couple of occasions been broken off by passers-by (I grow it just inside the front fence). I suspect that if grown as a hedge to resist a strong wind, it might suffer a little. The strong beautifully honey-scented flowers remind me of Tasmania's leatherwood honey. I was looking at it today and the buds are starting to form in spite of the drought. I also have Grevillea olivacei - as the name suggests, the foliage is olive-cloured - quite attractive, a strong vigorous grower that I have pruned a few times to keep it to the height I want. It forms a very good dense screen and has apricot-coloured flowers. I think it would probably be a better choice that the Wedding Bush for a hedge, and is also fast-growing. I also support Dee's recommendation for choosing one of the many varieties of Acmena smithii. I have a variety called "Hot Flush". A tree to consider is Lemon-scented Myrtle (Backhousia citriodora) a beautiful densely-foliaged tree that would be easily pruned into a hedge (I have thought of using it as a hedge but am too lazy to consider pruning it, so it would grow taller than what you want unpruned). Similar statements would apply as for the Backhousia for what used to be called Pittosporum rhombifolium (no longer a Pittosporum, but can't remember the new name) and any number of species of Bottle Brush (Callistemon). Have fun choosing. Cheers, Frank Here is a link that might be useful: Wedding Bush