Ficus microcarpa hillii 'Flash'- Hill's Fig

Ficus microcarpa hillii 'Flash' - a versatile, fast-growing Australian Native fig renowned for its exceptional foliage and incredible adaptability. With its distinctive multi-shaded green foliage and dense, lush growth habit, the Flash is the ultimate solution for creating professional-grade screening and is a top variety for pleaching or clear trunking.

* PLEASE NOTE the photo shown in the image is an example only of what can be done with this variety (removing the lower branches to create a clear trunk).  Plants will come with foliage to the bottom.  

If you are after already clear trunked trees please contact us to ask for pricing! 

Growth Size: 10m h x 3m w - (easily kept trimmed to 2-3m h x 1.5m - 2)

Spacing: Plant these every 80cm apart for a faster forming hedge or further apart for a slower forming hedge.

Positioning: Full sun to part shade

Temperament: Handles windy spots, not frost tolerant

Growth Rate: Fast

Caution: Ficus are known to have invasive root system however pleaching them and regular pruning can be known to keep the roots under control and also keeping them watered so they are not wandering further for water.

Perfect for: Screening, Hedging, Topiary, Pleaching, Clear Trunking, No flowers or berries, Hedges wonderfully in pots

Key Features:
The Flash showcases super-attractive foliage consisting of different shades of green — from light new growth to deep emerald tones — creating visual depth and interest throughout the year.

The naturally dense, thick growth habit makes it perfect for clipping into tight formal hedges, shaping into topiary specimens, pleaching and clear trunking or leaving untrimmed as a tall up to 10-metre screening tree.

Unlike many screening plants, the Flash produces no flowers or berries, keeping your screen clean.

The fast-growing habit means you'll achieve results quickly, while the naturally dense foliage provides excellent coverage and privacy.

Remarkable Adaptability:
The Flash handles diverse growing conditions exceptionally well — thriving in full sun to part shade, adapting to various soil types, windy positions and handling root disturbance. This remarkable adaptability makes it suitable for challenging garden sites where other screening plants struggle. It's a highly resilient, trouble-free solution for almost any condition.

Size & Growth & Spacing:
Mature height reaches 10 metres with a spread of 3 metres, though it's easily kept trimmed to 2-3 metres high by 1.5-2 metres wide.

The fast-growing habit means you'll establish screens and hedges rapidly.

For optimal hedge formation, space plants approximately 80cm apart for faster-forming screens, or further apart for slower, more informal development.

Growing Requirements:

Prefers full sun to part shade positioning and adapts well to most soil types.

Exceptionally hardy and low-maintenance once established.

Responds beautifully to pruning and shaping for formal applications.

Can handle challenging conditions including root disturbance, windy positions & coastal planting.

Caution:
There is one main downfall and that is that 'Ficus' are known for vigorous and invasive root systems. 

However Pleaching Flash and regular pruning can be performed and keeping your plants watered so the roots are not wandering too far looking for water.  

If you are concerned Ficus Flash do wonderfully in pots.

Perfect Uses:

> Formal and informal hedges

> Tall & fast screening

> Topiary 

> pleaching projects or clear trunking

> The no-berry characteristic makes it perfect for clean, manicured landscapes.

Why Choose Flash?

The combination of fast growth, exceptional foliage appeal, incredible versatility, remarkable adaptability, low-maintenance characteristics, and multiple design applications make the Flash the go-to choice for discerning gardeners and landscapers seeking reliable, professional-grade screening and hedging solutions.

Height Approximates in Pots for this Variety:

200mm - 60-80cm tall

300mm - 1m tall

400mm - 1.4m tall

75L - 1.8m tall

100L - 2m+tall