{"product_id":"ficus-hillii-emerald","title":"Ficus hillii ‘Emerald’","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePrice includes everything:\u003c\/strong\u003e the plant, free delivery and professional installation by our planting team. One price, whole job done.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFicus hillii ‘Emerald’\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHill’s fig, \u003cem\u003eFicus microcarpa\u003c\/em\u003e var. \u003cem\u003ehillii\u003c\/em\u003e, is the Australian fig long used for tall clipped hedges in Queensland, and ‘Emerald’ is a form of it sold for that job, with small, glossy, deep green leaves. Set in a row it closes into one solid green face within a few seasons and keeps its leaf low on the stems under regular trimming. The roots are the trade off: they are vigorous and water seeking, and the plant belongs in open ground well clear of drains, pool shells, paving and footings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003eWhy Ficus hillii ‘Emerald’\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAustralian Fig\u003c\/strong\u003e: A selection of a fig native to Queensland and northern Australia, so the heat, humidity and summer storms of the east coast suit it.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGlossy Leaf\u003c\/strong\u003e: Small, waxy leaves give a clipped hedge a polished, uniform finish.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTall Hedge Height\u003c\/strong\u003e: It holds a dense clipped face at 2.5 to 3m, a height at which many broadleaf hedges thin out.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOnshore Wind\u003c\/strong\u003e: Salt spray and steady sea breezes leave the leaf clean, so it holds its colour on exposed frontages.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRoots and Seedlings\u003c\/strong\u003e: Its invasive roots will lift paving and find pipe joints, so allow generous clearance or install a root barrier along the planting line, and because birds spread its small figs, pull any seedlings that appear in gutters, walls or nearby trees while they are small.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003eIdeal Applications\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSecond Storey Privacy\u003c\/strong\u003e: Run along a boundary and maintained at 3 to 5m, it screens the upstairs windows and decks that a fence cannot reach.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRaised and Columnar Forms\u003c\/strong\u003e: Trained as slim columns or as a hedge on clear stems, it gives a crisp line above lower planting.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCoastal Property Screening\u003c\/strong\u003e: A dependable evergreen hedge for exposed seaside blocks where softer screens burn.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRural Windbreak\u003c\/strong\u003e: A double, staggered row slows the wind across an open acreage block and shelters the house garden behind it.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003eSpecimen \u0026amp; Installation\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpacing (screening\/hedge):\u003c\/strong\u003e 1 to 1.5m for a continuous hedge\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpacing (feature\/avenue):\u003c\/strong\u003e 3 to 4m for individually clipped forms\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBest Planting Season:\u003c\/strong\u003e Spring to early autumn; winter plantings sit idle until the weather warms\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil \u0026amp; Drainage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Anything from beach sand to heavy loam that does not lie wet; poor ground is no obstacle\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEstablishment Care:\u003c\/strong\u003e Soak the root ball twice weekly over the first summer, easing back once new growth is steady. Tip prune early to force low branching, then trim at least twice a year to keep it at hedge scale, and check soft new growth in warm weather for leaf-rolling thrips. The cut stems bleed a milky sap that irritates skin and is harmful to cats and dogs that chew the clippings, so wear gloves when trimming and clear the prunings away.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003ePlant Details\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 3 to 5m as a maintained screen, held at 1.5 to 3m as a hedge; unclipped, a large spreading tree beyond 10m\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWidth:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1 to 2m as a trimmed hedge; far wider if left unclipped\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fast in warm weather\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Evergreen\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLight:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun to part shade\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNative to:\u003c\/strong\u003e Selection of Hill’s fig, native to Queensland and northern Australia\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlower Colour:\u003c\/strong\u003e Insignificant\n\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nursery Direct","offers":[{"title":"45L","offer_id":60207438037278,"sku":"ND-1850-45L","price":860.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1000\/2536\/8862\/files\/ficus-hillii-emerald.jpg?v=1791513080","url":"https:\/\/nurserydirect.com.au\/products\/ficus-hillii-emerald","provider":"Nursery Direct","version":"1.0","type":"link"}