Agree with big. (She's bigger than me). No really, don't plant anything until you improve that clay with clay breaker, soil and compost.

Thanks to you both! I should clarify. The soil is ok. I did add compost and as it turns out the old trees did a wonderful job in keeping the soil that part of the garden better. Underlaying is of course the clay.....but I don't think it's the issue of the orange jasmine not growing. I think its the lack of water (the hose does not reach down that way) in the summer and full sun.

How thick is the compost, and was it well rotted?

Im thinking a longer hose, and roses.

It's an old gardeners tale that roses like clay. I have clay under my soil in the old established part of the garden along the front boundary, the roses do fine. I keep the water up to their feet in Summer though, but really, what many don't know is that they're really hardy. Just have to keep any new planted plants watered unless it's raining.

I also have the upturned soft drink bottles of water on the hollow cone spikes. Can get those at $2 shops, Kmart, etc. push into the ground next to each plant. Use a stick first.

Hebe and golden diosma can grow quite large and are fairly tolerant of some nasty conditions regarding moisture, wind and salt. Very easy to hedge, but you have to train them young - they don't take well to being cut into the dry wood. Diosma has a wonderful scent, flowers nicely and has a wonderful foliage colour. Would have to see about clay though...

I agree with crjchristinejames, more specifically bottle brush. I had them as a border across a 50 metre wide block, all types and colours, some grouped a bit others individual and they looked beautiful. They don't have to be in a straight line they still create psychological fence. Ours thrived on neglect and they always looked amazing, sandy WA soil not clay however. Visiting birds and happy chat from passers by, young and old, remarking on the different flower shapes were the bonuses.

Years ago I planted a hedge of native bushes in a hot dry climate and sandy soil. It got so big that I eventually had to pay someone to maintain it for me.

My brother in Sydney has Murraya hedges which cost him a lot of money to keep looking lovely.

I live in the tropics and wouldn't go past crotons for a colourful, very low maintenance, hardy hedge.

So, it all depends on where you live and how much work you want to do. Keep in mind that plants which grow quickly, will always grow quickly and create more work. Sometimes it's wiser to use slow growing hedge plants and have less maintenance in years to come.

@bendyl... I think you have the right idea with a privacy screen of lovely bushes, rather than a clipped hedge. Very nice.

Thank you Houzzers for all your help and insight. We live in Melbourn's East.

I love Diosima and they grow well in my garden. I was ready to go and get some planted when I read the comment about maintenance. I see our neighbour out there with scissors hedging his and just cannot see myself doing that - I had to rethink the idea. I don't mind Plumbago and love Bottlebrushes. ( was not aware of the upright species so I will look into it) have some here and they look lovely and make me smile with all the birds coming to visit.

I just love the comments and suggestions. Thank you all!

If it is a front boundary, be aware that a tall hedge can make you more vulnerable to burglars if neighbours and passers by can't see your house.

I am in Gippsland and have found Viburnum tinus and Sasanqua camellias to grow well in our clay soils. They also grow reasonably fast, are ideal for hedging and have pretty flowers.

domesticangel I agree especially about the sasanqua camellias, I adore them and have had many varieties and especially like Jennifer Susan for the abundant flowers and beautiful perfume.

I agree with domesticangel, our viburnum tinus hedge is growing so well in country NSW where we are clay based and have droughts and frosts to contend with!. (Where as our viburnum odoratissimum hedge is really sensitive and I've lost half of what I originally planted!). The Camellia Sasanqua are great plants and do really well in harsher conditions. So many lovely plant suggestions above. Good luck with your decision!!

grannyhant14 Can't stop laughing. Wow good thing you passed that observation on!

grannyant14 - that's definitely good to know!! Fortunately ours is out of the way, so hopefully it won't be a problem (crossing fingers and trying to laugh, not cry!!) Enjoy your laugh bellacatandme!! :-)

grannyhant14 I am going to sniff our specimen out the back. Interesting.