Ficus Hillii Flash: The Perfect Solution for a Green Hedge

Ficus Hillii ‘Flash’  is a fast-growing, evergreen tree widely used in landscaping for its dense foliage, upright habit, and versatility. With rich emerald-green leaves and lighter-toned new growth, it creates an instant sense of privacy and structure in the garden. It's ideal for formal hedging, topiary features, and large-scale screening projects.

Key Facts at a Glance

• Uses: Hedging, screening, topiary, formal gardens

• Mature Height: 9–15 metres (can be maintained lower with regular pruning)

• Mature Width: 3–5 metres

• Growth Rate: Moderate to fast (30–90cm/year depending on conditions)

• Form: Upright, dense, and compact branching habit

• Foliage: Glossy, deep green leaves with fresh, light green new growth

• Evergreen: Yes – maintains foliage year-round

• Pruning: Responds well to pruning; shape and height are easily controlled

• Position: Full sun to part shade

• Soil: Prefers well-drained soils; tolerates a wide range of conditions

• Maintenance: Low to moderate

Why Choose Ficus Hillii ‘Flash’ ?

Ficus Hillii ‘Flash’  is favoured for its:

• Dense screening ability – creates immediate privacy and green walls

• Fast growth – reaches functional height quickly when well cared for

• Glossy foliage – dark green with fresh, vibrant tips for visual interest

• Tidy form – upright, manageable, and well-suited to clipping

It can be clipped into a clean hedge, shaped into topiary balls or standards, or grown as a specimen tree. Its upright nature and tolerance to pruning make it especially useful in tight or structured spaces.

Growing & Maintenance

• Watering: Keep well-watered during establishment; drought-tolerant once mature

• Pruning: Light pruning every few months to maintain size and density

• Soil & pH: Adapts to sandy or clay soils with a pH of 6.0–7.5

• Sunlight: Performs best in full sun but tolerates part shade

• Climate: Suitable for temperate and subtropical regions

Note: While hardy, avoid planting in areas prone to waterlogging. Root control may be required in confined spaces.

Design Applications

• Privacy hedge along boundaries or between neighbours

• Instant screening for unsightly views

• Formal garden frames and clipped shapes

• Topiary or standard tree forms for entrances or courtyard plantings

• Sound and wind buffer in suburban environments

Leaf + Growth Characteristics

• Oval-shaped leaves, 10–15cm long

• Glossy, slightly waxy texture

• Evergreen and frost-tolerant in mild climates

• New foliage emerges bright green, maturing to deep emerald

• Branches are upright with moderate natural spacing

Summary

If you're looking for a tree that offers rapid growth, year-round foliage, and excellent shaping ability, Ficus Hillii ‘Flash’ is one of the most reliable choices for Australian gardens. It suits both residential and commercial spaces and is an excellent solution for creating instant green structure.