Plant Finder

A common hedging plant, Rosemary is also useful as a plant for clipping into shapes and forms. With many different varieties, the best choices for topiary are small-leaved, upright forms of Rosemary. It can also be grown over a frame to develop a particular desired shape or form. Rosemary requires alkaline soil and an occasional lime dusting to cope with warm humid climates.

This is a vigorous South American climber. It produces fresh green leaves and white flowers in summer, autumn, and winter. Potato Vine tends to be short lived in warm climates being vulnerable to root nematodes; microscopic, worm-like parasites.

An annual, sometimes perennial plant growing up to 1m in height, the Golden Everlasting is found across much of Australia. It produces yellow, papery heads of flowers up to 3cm across during summer. There are many different varieties available. This plant is a food source and shelter spot for butterflies.

Common Sage is an upright, shrubby perennial growing from 0.5 to 1m in height. Originating from North Africa and the Mediterranean it has grey-green leaves that are useful in the kitchen and produces clusters of pink-white flowers during spring. A number of different leaf and flower colour varieties are available. This plant dislikes humidity and can be grown as an annual in the dry season in the tropics and with a lime dusting in the sub tropics.

This evergreen conifer from Norfolk Island is a very large distinctive tree; well-suited to coastal boulevardes and is moderately drought tolerant.

These spectacular climbing shrubs have glorious flower displays with a range of colours and dark green foliage. Originating from Brazil, they are surprisingly very drought tolerant but cannot withstand repeated frosts and require well-drained soils.

This is a distinctive feature tree with a rounded bottle-shaped trunk and neat rounded foliage. Originating in inland Queensland and NSW it will grow slowly further south. The name rupestre means 'amongst rocks' and gives a clue to its need for good drainage.

This is a small feature tree from the Canary Islands with umbrella-shaped foliage and heavily branches. It is an unusual and tough, slow growing plant. It is not frost tolerant so must be sheltered in southern states but will tolerate extreme dryness and has great character. Will grow in Victoria in sheltered conditions. The name refers to the 'dragons blood' color of the sap.

Originating in Queensland rainforests, this fig can be potted or used as a small street tree although not near drains. At maturity it is a large evergreen tree with a rounded crown and a neat form; it can also be multi-trunked and buttressed.

Not drought tolerant at all this is a waterside plant that may be suitable for a wet greywater area. Amazing form includes leaves up to 2m across. Leaves must be removed over Winter. Used as part of the water feature for the Melbourne Flower Show 2011

Irises are quite poisonous. Yet, they are very drought tolerant. Bearded Iris’ have attractive flat, sword-like foliage and graceful elegant flowers produced en-masse in summer. Quickly develops think clumps up to 70cm wide in 3-4 years. They dislike strong winds and frosts, sunshine and good drainage is the most important thing for the plants to produce good flowers.

Vigorous fragrant white flowering shrub from Madeira. Abundant flowers in loose fragrant panicles in late summer. Needs annual pruning.

The Chinese Jasmine is a vigorous climber native to China. It is a common Jasmine type with pink flower buds in early spring and white fragrant flowers through to Autumn.

A small woody shrub with rough pimply-textured bark. Its alternately arranged leaves are narrowly oval or elongated and have finely toothed margins. Its bright yellow flowers (2-3 cm across) have five petals, five sepals and numerous stamens. The sepals are initially green, but they turn bright red as the fruit develop. The small fruit (5-8 mm long) turn from green to black as they mature. It is a drought tolerant bush, and a serious environmental weed.

The cut-leaved evening primrose grows erect or prostrate. Leaves are alternate, simple, pinnately cleft into rounded lobes, or sometimes merely wavy-edged or toothed. The small, pale yellow flowers are borne singly in the axils. They have 4 pinkish sepals, united at the base to form a tube. Highly drought tolerant plant.

Great climber. Growing in most soils that are moist and well-drained (acidic soils are also suitable) it prefers full sun or part-shade. Adequate sunlight is required for good flowering and as a rainforest climber it will grow to reach for sunlight. Pandorea jasminoides tolerates a range of humidity conditions and due to growing well in inner urban areas it is assumed to be smog-tolerant.

An excellent landscape choice for all four seasons, the White Dogwood is a favorite in many yards and gardens. White “flowers” show their beauty in spring, foliage turns a vibrant red-purple in fall and glossy red fruits attract winter songbirds for the enjoyment of all. This tree is a great option to plant near utility lines, next to larger buildings or near patios. It also offers nice contrast when planted along with Pink or Red Dogwoods with larger evergreens in the background.

This stem, twining climber is found in all states of Australia. It is vigorous with white or orange flowers in August. Like the main character in the Pandora fable this plant has the ability to get out of hand.

This is an excellent long-lived ground-cover to 1.5m. It has a small leaf and requires some maintenance to keep form. It produces grey-green foliage in the dry parts of all states. This plant is fire retardant.

A small feature or infill tree, particularly below a large tree canopy. Glossy green leaves and bright red berries in fire resistant, frequently used in Brisbane much larger. This plant is not drought resistant. An evergreen tree with a dense, rounded crown of weeping, glossy, dark green foliage. Produces showy sprays of white, fluffy flowers in spring. Prefers moist, well drained soil in a sunny to partly shaded position, and tolerates frost when established. Prune after flowering to maintain compact growth.