Plant Finder

The Blueberry Ash is a small tree or large shrub that occurs naturally in eastern Australian forests and adjacent communities. When mature it has a rounded shape with dark green, glossy leaves. It produces fragrant white pendulous flowers during spring and early summer. Suitable for a range of sites, except those with severe frosts, it responds well to pruning and can also provide a useful hedge or screen.

Avocados can grow up to 12m in height but are generally managed through pruning to around 4 or 5m. Best in warmer climates with some summer rainfall, trees are frost-tender until established and need good drainage to thrive. A number of varieties are available and at least two different trees are needed to ensure fruit is produced. The variety 'Hass' has a thicker skin and will fruit as far south as Melbourne. 'Shepard' will do well in tropical zones.

Growing up to 5m in height, Wigandia is often a large shrub rather than a small tree. It produces large coarse leathery leaves and terminal heads of mauve-blue flowers during spring and summer. Pruning of unwanted basal suckers is the main maintenance task.

Originating from the Mediterranean region, this can grow into a palm with a single trunk up to 6m tall. More often, especially in drier locations, it produces a multi-stemmed habit up to 3 m with its distinctive ‘fan-like’ leaves the main feature. Very tolerant of dry conditions once established.

This broad foliaged perennial grows up to 6m tall. From the distinctive long leaves rise a dropping cluster of inedible banana-like fruits. It grows best in warmer climates with some summer rainfall.

This can be used as either a feature or high profile bedding plant. This species originates from southern China. It grows up to 5m tall and has distinctive floppy ends to the segments of each leaf. Initially slow growing it will develop a stout trunk with age. Best in warmer climates with some summer rainfall.

Not unlike a Banana, this large perennial can grow to 6m in height. Initially slow-growing, it eventually produces a slight ‘trunk’, clasped with the bases of the long, sword-like foliage. It is suitable for cooler climates and is reasonably drought tolerant once established. The roots are potentially invasive and this plant should not be planted near houses or pipes. This is an underrated and very useful plant.

A native shrub from coastal regions of New South Wales and Queensland, this shrub grows around 3 to 4 m in height. It has lobed leaves and produces large pink flowers, 150mm across, in summer. Slightly frost tender until established, it is best used in only partially shaded areas and can be managed by pruning after flowering.

The Japanese Aralia forms a branching shrub up to 3m in height. It has distinctive large, glossy, palm-like leaves and is suitable for very shaded locations. The deeper the shade the deeper green the leaves become. It produces branching heads of white flowers in autumn and is a good indoor plant.

The Kangaroo Vine originates from eastern Australian rainforests and climbs by means of clinging tendrils. The bright green leaves can form a dense screen and are followed by bright copper-coloured new growth in spring. It can be very vigorous but is easily maintained by pruning.

A popular climber and ground cover; this evergreen plant from East Asia has glossy green leaves and very fragrant white flowers that form in spring or summer. Best used in a part-shaded location; once established it is moderately drought tolerant.

This bedding plant is a Bromelliad, producing a clump of narrow, deep-green leaves up to 50cm long. The spikes of blue-green flowers are held on pink stems, providing dramatic colour contrasts. Useful for very dry and shaded locations, it will take some time to produce a dense ground cover.

A tufting and spreading perennial with dark green, strap-like leaves, the Paroo Lily is found across a range of habitats in eastern Australia. Because of this natural variation there are many different forms available for sale, growing from 40cm to 100cm in height. Used for ground cover in shade and full sun locations, its features include attractive blue, star-like flowers and mauve, glossy berries. It should be known that the berries are poisonous.

Salvias are excellent low water use plants, especially those from drier climates. Germander Sage is native to Mexico and produces sky blue flowers from spring to autumn. It grows up to 60cm in height and has a spreading habit once established. It will flower two or three times from spring to late autumn if pruned back.

A tree from coastal northern New South Wales and southern Queensland, this erect tree can grow up from 12 m to 16 m in height. It has dark green foliage and tiny round cones. It is slow growing this tree and best used in a sunny, well-drained garden location.

The dark green, upright spires of the Pencil Cypress are a common sight in Formal Gardens across the Mediterranean. Growing up to 20m in height, it thrives in hot and dry garden locations.

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.

The Common Box is one of the most useful low hedges for the low water use landscape. With deep dark green leaves it clips well and as it is slow growing generally needing around 2 cuts per year to manage its form. Many different varieties are available.

Butchers Broom is a tough, suckering shrub growing up to 1 m in height, originating from southern Europe. It is excellent as a ‘barrier’ hedge in dry shade due to its spiny green leaves and woody stems. Whilst not requiring clipping to maintain its form it does require pruning of suckers to stop invasion of nearby planted areas. Some suggestion of weed potential due to its hardiness and attractive berries.

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.