Plant Finder

Evergreen shrub or groundcover with a variable upright to prostrate form (0.2-0.8m x 1.5m) from SA, Vic and NSW. Small conifer-like dark green leaves. Minute white cup-shaped flowers aging to red in spring to summer, more flowers if planted in full sun. Useful for a specimen or massed as groundcover particularly for a bush or gravel garden. If using for groundcover, select the prostrate form. Requires well drained soil.

Another compact form of Banksia marginata, ‘Mini Marg’ is a small, rounded form with dense green foliage. Bright yellow flowers adorn the shrub for long periods throughout the year. Great for growing under trees and in dry spots. Develops a slightly more open habit when planted in part-shade.

Evergreen shrub (2m x 2m). Compact form of P. lasianthos from Qld, NSW, Vic and Tas. Lanceolate to ovate dark green leathery leaves on upright branches. Terminal sprays of white to pink-mauve funnel shaped flowers with spreading lobes in spring. Useful screen or tall understorey in a shady, moist garden. Protect from wind and mulch root zone.

Evergreen low spreading shrub or groundcover (0.3m x 0.8m) from NSW. Dark green elliptical leaves. White flowers with purple stripes in the throat. Useful groundcover or understorey for a shady dry position. Requires well drained soil. Most reliable of all Mint Bushes.

Evergreen erect cone shaped shrub (2.5m x 1.5m) from Qld and NSW. Aromatic variable lanceolate to elliptical leaves. Tapering sprays of purple flowers in spring. Useful for an understorey with open crowned trees, particularly in a bush garden. Needs good drainage and a moist position with some shelter. May be short lived – grafting increases life span. Wilts readily when dry and therefore provides an indicator of when to water the garden.

Evergreen erect cone shaped shrub (2.5m x 1.5m) from Qld and NSW. Aromatic variable lanceolate to elliptical leaves. Tapering sprays of purple flowers in spring. Useful for an understorey with open crowned trees, particularly in a bush garden. Needs good drainage and a moist position with some shelter. May be short lived – grafting increases life span. Wilts readily when dry and therefore provides an indicator of when to water the garden.

Deciduous upright shrub (1.5-2m x 1.5m) with a rounded crown from North America, East Asia and Europe. Oval leaves on slender stems. Terminal clusters of fragrant white flowers in spring. Useful as a background plant where its floral display can be seen and its woody base hidden, or close to paths for its fragrance. Many forms available. Prefers alkaline moist loam. Sensitive to drought and wind.

A grass-like clumping plant that looks fantastic with very little effort and also brings a rare true blue flower into your colour scheme in the garden. A member of the Iris family, the starry blue flowers only last a day each but are produced in profusion during spring and early summer, so the plant is rarely out of flower during that time. It is a really tough plant that will benefit from a once a year clean up after flowering with the removal of old flower stems. Prefers semi shade, but will tolerate full sun. Mulch to keep the soil moist and to deter weed growth.

A beautiful local shrub, highly variable depending on where it’s planted. In the sun it can grow up to 2m, yet in the shade it will remain about 1m tall. Flowers in all sun-shade conditions, becoming covered in scented yellow pea flowers in spring. This is a lovely drought hardy shrub that thrives in the Canberra climate.

A lovely slender small tree with decorative smooth trunks and fine narrow foliage. Creamy white flowers in small clusters in late spring make this tree a favourite of butterflies and other insects. This small tree looks fantastic in groups of 5 or 6 planted closely together, as the slender trunks are very attractive, particularly after bark has shed.

A small pretty local tree with weeping green foliage and red edible fruits. Has a similar look in the garden to a small Casuarina, but it has brighter green foliage. Great feature, hardy to our climatic conditions. Semi-parasitic, which means it requires energy from the roots of a nearby plant to grow successfully. Performs well in sun or shade.

Evergreen rounded dense shrub (2m x 2m) from NSW. Narrow grey leaves in whorls. Flowers white to pale lavender in leaf axils throughout the year. Useful for a windbreak, screen, understorey or clipped hedge. Best in sun, but will also look great in the shade providing pruning is done to keep a compact shape. Drought tolerant.

Erect open shrub (1m x 1m) from NSW and Vic. Elliptical leaves in whorls of four. Bluish mauve flowers in spring. Useful feature or grouped for its attractive foliage and delicate flowers. Needs well drained soil.

Evergreen erect open shrub (1.5m x 1.5m). Hybrid of W. fruticosa from NSW and W.eremicola from NSW, Qld, and SA. Grey-green narrow lance shaped leaves in whorls. Blue-mauve flowers with browny orange spots in spring. Useful as a low screen, understorey, clipped hedge or colour contrast with green shrubs. Prune to maintain vigour and form. Drought tolerant.

Evergreen vigorous twining climber or groundcover (3m x 3m depending on support) from eastern Australia including ACT. Stiff dark green oblong to cordate leaves. Violet blue pea shaped flowers in late winter to spring. Useful for a groundcover or fence cover. Can be short lived. Provide support if required and prune to keep within bounds. Prefers a well drained position in either full sun or part shade. Tends to lose its density in full shade. Some forms are more frost tolerant than others. Drought tolerant. A range of cultivars available.

Locally occurring plant, with greyish foliage and purple flowers. An interesting addition to a bush-style native garden. Very hardy and adaptable to a range of soils and conditions. Can be slightly straggly in heavy shade, but will still flower well.

Flowering bulb perennial (0.4m x 0.3m) from South Africa. Strap-like leaves emerge after flowering in spring and dye off in summer. Terminal clusters of rose pink, white and red spider-like flowers with wavy edges in autumn. Useful for its colour in autumn, mass planted in clumps or containers. Prefers well drained soil in a protected position, either in full sun or part shade. Too much shade will limit flowering. Requires adequate moisture in the growing season. Avoid watering in dormancy and disturbing clumps until overcrowded. Plant in summer when bulbs are dormant.

This wonderful species can be a bushy shrub if tip pruned, or a small tree with a deep, gnarled trunk if lower branches are removed. Stunning silvery leaves with clean, yellow/green flowers from winter through to autumn. Great for attracting birds, and works well as a bird nesting site due to its habit. Can be pruned to form a neat hedge or screen. Tends to lean towards light if planted in shade.

A small Correa ideal for borders in the sun or part shade. Stunning orange flowers on and off through the year, but especially in winter.

A white flowering compact daisy for use in rockeries, borders, mixed beds and as a container plant. Great for attracting butterflies to your garden. Will brighten up areas uder trees but can adopt an open habit if in shade all year-round. Trim old flowers lightly for another flush of flowers, and cut back hard in spring for new, vigorous growth and a compact shape.