Plant Finder

Evergreen rounded hybrid shrub with arching branches (2m x 1.5m) from two Chinese species. Glossy dark green leaves. Bell shaped white flowers tinged with pink followed by persistent coppery brown sepals. Useful as a screen, clipped hedge or contrast in shrubbery. Prefers a protected position, therefore part shade is preferred, but full sun is tolerated. Remove old woody stems.

A strong spreading small fern which can develop a good cover in moist, shady areas. Ground-hugging and neat, it has merit as a slope stabilizer, a pleasant container plant, and a ground cover under a canopy. Extra water is appreciated in summer when it is growing actively.

Aussie Box Westringia can be pruned into a box hedge or left in its natural ball shape whilst staying compact and tidy. Produces mauve flowers throughout spring/summer and has a dense growth habit. Great alternative to exotic box plants as it has faster establishment time and requires less water and needs less pruning than other Westringias.

Evergreen open spreading or erect plant (1.5m x 2m) from all states of Australia including ACT. Pinnate blue green leaves open spaced on the stem. Sprays of purple pea flowers in summer. Useful as a hardy shrub for low maintenance areas or massed to cascade over a slope. Prune regularly for a more compact form. Frost and drought tolerant.

Evergreen upright bamboo-like perennial grass (1.5m x 0.8m) from NSW, Qld & Lord Howe Island. Soft deep green leaves on slender bamboo-like stems. Panicles of feathery pale green flower spikelets persistant from winter through to summer. Useful vertical accent or in groups amongst native grass beds or shrubs. Moderately frost tolerant. Drought tolerant.

Evergreen large bushy shrub (3m x 2m) from Qld, NSW, NT, Vic and New Caledonia. Dark green narrow-oblong leaves. White tea-tree-like flowers in summer. Useful as a screen, specimen or background plant. FDwarf form B. virgata ‘La Petite’ available. Prune after flowering to maintain form.

Evergreen pendulous shrub (1.5-2m x 1.5-2m) from Qld, NSW and Vic. Narrow needle-like leaves with a pointed apex. Small white flowers in the leaf axils in summer. Useful as a feature or mass planted in wet locations and around water features. Prune to maintain form, otherwise it will develop an open habit if in a shady spot.

Evergreen tree (8m x 4m) from Qld, Vic & NSW coastal areas. Leathery wedge shaped to oblong leaves, dark green above, grey below. Erect cone-like spikes of lime green to yellow flowers. Useful as a screen or shade tree. Bird attracting. Flowers better when planted in a sunny north-facing aspect, but still a great small tree when planted in part shade.

Evergreen low spreading shrub (0.5m x 1m). Dwarf form of B. marginata from ACT, NSW, Vic, Tas and SA. Narrow oblong leaves blunt at the tip with white velvety texture below. Yellow cylindrical flower spikes from summer to autumn. Useful feature or planted in groups or pot plant. Attracts honeyeater birds. Prefers well drained sandy soil. Frost and drought tolerant.

Evergreen compact almost prostrate shrub (0.45m x 0.6m). Selected dwarf form of B. spinulosa from NSW, QLD and VIC. Narrow green leaves with lime green new growth. Large upright cylindrical bronze flower heads. Useful for mass planting, containers, feature, rockery and bush gardens in a protected position. Bird attracting. Prefers well drained friable soil, neutral to acid pH.

Evergreen rounded compact shrub (3m x 3m) from Qld, NSW & Vic. Linear to oblong variably toothed leaves with a notched apex. Orange yellow cylindrical spike flowers in autumn and winter. Useful for mass planting and as a feature shrub. Bird attracting.

Evergreen dense bushy shrub (4m x 3m) from NSW. Bright green linear leaves crowded on the stem. Cylindrical bottlebrush-like orange flowers in winter and spring. Useful screen or feature. Bird attracting. Needs well drained soil but tolerates poor soil fertility.

Evergreen variable shrub (4-6m x 3m) from ACT, NSW, Vic, Tas and SA. Narrow oblong leaves blunt at the tip with white velvety texture below. Yellow cylindrical flower spikes from summer to autumn. Useful as a screen or feature plant. Attracts honeyeater birds. Dwarf forms available. Prefers well-drained sandy soil.

This is a highly adaptable small tree or bushy shrub, attractive and useful for small gardens and narrow areas. Fine dark green foliage with white/cream flowers appearing in spring. A very frost hardy little tree, and withstands dry conditions in summer.

A hardy, adaptable small tree tolerant of most conditions. Fine slender foliage with deeply furrrowed dark bark. Makes a good shelter tree when planted in a group. Relatively insignificant flowers but fruit is woody and cylindrical with ornamental value. If planted in shade this forms a sparse, upright habit with open branches.

Tetrathca, of Black-eyed Susan, is a group of small hardy shrubs, with lovely pinkish-mauve flowers in late winter and spring. Tetratheca thymifolia is probably the most familiar, and the easiest to find in garden centres. Requires no maintenance and flowers equally well in shade.

This is a hardy shade tree that produces masses of pale yellow flowers in clusters from late winter to early spring adding great colour in the winter months. Useful to protect the western side of the house from the hot afternoon sun. Plant away from the house, due to probable mature size of the tree. When planted in full sun this species can become a bushy, branching shrub. In shade will develop a tree shape with a dense canopy.

This selection of Hardenbergia grows as a self supporting small shrub, or as a climber. In late winter/early spring it is covered in masses of lilac coloured flowers. Bliss is a hardy shrub that can be planted in most soils and locations. If you are using as a climber, prune when young to encourage bushier growth.

Evergreen tuft forming fine textured perennial grass (0.3m x 0.2m) from Europe. Radiating clump of blue green to silvery white soft needle-like leaves. Fine panicles of spikelets in summer turning into buff brown seed heads. Useful for a border, edging, specimen in groups or mass planting. Plant densely for solid cover. Prune foliage back one third in spring. Needs well drained soil. Drought tolerant when in partial shade.

The most distinctive feature of ‘Blue Ridge’ is its powder blue leaves. It can be planted in all climate zones and is tolerant of sandy through to heavy self-mulching clay soil types. It will survive temperatures down to -10 degrees Celsius. Plant close together for impact in the garden, or as a border in a hot spot. Lomandra are an important food source for seed-eating birds, which makes them a great addition to a bird attracting garden.