Hip High Murraya

Hip High Murraya (Murraya paniculata 'Hip High') is the compact mock orange, bred to hold a neat hedge at about 1m tall and 1m wide without constant shearing. It has the same glossy leaves and the same white, orange blossom scented flowers as the full size plant, on a frame that suits a front path. Planted 50cm apart it closes into a dense low hedge within two seasons.

Why you'll love it

• Hedge height without the ladder. About 1m by 1m naturally, so a low hedge needs two light trims a year.
• Fragrance where you walk past. Flowers open in flushes after warm rain between spring and autumn, and the scent carries.
• Dense right to the base. Fine leaves and low branching mean no thin patch along the bottom.
• Tough once settled. Drought tolerant, heat tolerant and comfortable in humidity, so an established run is not a watering commitment.
• Birds work the berries. Small red berries follow the flowers and bring birds in.

Where it works best

Low hedges, borders and edging. Plant 50cm apart centre to centre, twenty plants for a ten metre run. Stretch to 70cm for a softer informal edge.

Mass planting and small gardens. At this size it repeats through a courtyard or a narrow front garden without crowding it.

Pots and containers. A pot 400mm or wider suits one plant, and container growing holds it slightly under 1m.

Growing Hip High Murraya in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun gives the heaviest flowering and the densest growth, though it accepts a few hours of shade. This suits tropical, subtropical and warm temperate gardens. It takes light frost only, so in cold winter districts such as the tablelands, Canberra and inland Victoria, grow it in a pot that can be shifted under cover.

Soil. Free draining soil is the one real requirement. Dig compost through heavy clay or plant on a raised mound. Mulch 75mm deep, kept clear of the stems.

Water and feed. Deep soak twice a week through the first summer, then taper off. A complete slow release fertiliser in early spring and midsummer keeps the leaves dark.

Pruning. Tip prune after each flowering flush to build density. It shoots from old wood, so a hedge that has drifted too tall can be cut back hard in late winter.

What to expect when it arrives

This murraya is grown in nine sizes. Tube stock is the sensible choice for a long border: young single stemmed plants that catch larger stock within two seasons. The 140mm, 200mm and 250mm packs suit repeat planting, the 300mm and 400mm pots arrive around knee height, and the 500mm, 45L and 100L sizes give close to a finished hedge on day one. Several sizes run on backorder, so check the size selector for lead times.

Plants are trimmed and packed to travel upright, so a little leaf drop is normal. Water them the day they land, then plant. New growth usually starts within three to four weeks in warm weather. Delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Advanced and large stock is freighted at cost, and every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Murraya care guide: hedging, pruning and varieties
• Compare the best hedging plants
• Standard mock orange, for hedges to 3m

Common questions

How far apart should I plant it for a low hedge?

Fifty centimetres apart, centre to centre, which is twenty plants for a ten metre run. Closer spacing does not close the hedge any faster.

How is it different from standard murraya?

Same species and the same scent, on a much smaller frame. The standard form reaches about 3m and needs shearing to stay low, while this one settles near 1m on its own.

Is it safe around cats and dogs?

The berries are toxic to pets if eaten, so it is not the plant for a dog that grazes garden beds. Clipping after each flush removes most of the fruit before it ripens.