Plant Finder

Related to the snow gum this previously rare eucalypt is now prized for its attractive leaves and bark and its massive globes of white flowers. This plant is a food source and nesting site for birds.

This attractive Paperbark is tolerant of both wet and dry conditions and has bright green weeping foliage and creamy cylindrical flower spikes. The tree is native to northern Australia but it will grow on most parts of the mainland and is a successful street tree in Brisbane. Generally about 10m high and 5-8m wide, the leaves are a source of tea-tree oil with a broad range of therapeutic benefits. This plant is a food source and nesting site for birds.

Semi arid and arid area common shrub up to 5m high. It has needle like leaves up to 8cm long and wattle like white to yellow flowers attracting honey eaters. An excellent native barrier plant.

One of the most popular and reliable gardening plants, beans will grow in a range of climate zones and conditions. Varieties include green, french and runner beans. Beans enjoy fertile soil with good drainage. In temperate climates plant from November to February.

A popular cool weather vegetable the quite attractive flower heads are usually eaten although the stems and leaves are also edible. This photo shows the second harvest of florets. Brassicas are heavy feeders needing high nutrition and regular watering. In temperate zones plant in July to September for harvesting up to December.

Edible leafy foliage in a range of colors and forms make this a salad staple. Lettuce is grown quickly with regular watering and fertile soil. Snails and slugs need to be fended off with regular inspections and night-time raids. In temperate zones lettuce will grow in any season but does best in Autumn and Spring.

Firm edible stalks make a good soup as well as salad ingredient. Celery has high nutrition and watering requirements. In temperate zones plant in February/March or September/October.

A soft, fine leafed herb with a distinctive smell and taste popular in Asian cooking. Leaves, stems, roots and seedpods are all edible. Coriander prefers cool to warm conditions and will bolt to seed in warm weather so in temperate zones plant in early Spring and late Summer. A regular supply will require repeat plantings although it can self seed.

Corn on the cob is a perennial family favourite and really fresh corn has a unique sweet flavour. Corn is a fast growing hungry plant up to 2m high but will usually provide small fruit even if conditions are not ideal. In temperate zones plant in Spring for a late summer harvest.

This refreshing plant requires plentiful moisture and is best pot grown as it can take over and once established will keep returning. Mint grows in various flavours, makes a wonderful addition to salads, drinks and tea. It grows all year round, is a heavy feeder and a delight in the garden.

Curly parsely is for looking at, flat parsely has the flavour. A staple of Italian tomato pasta sauces and the only decent sort of scrambled eggs you can never have too much parsely, and in a good straw mulch after a few rainy days it self seeds!

A great plant for children they are hardy and eye catching. Leaves and flowers are also edible, although the leaves are a little spicy for children.

A fine sturdy vegetable kind to inexperienced gardeners it is also a source of iron. Plant Spring to Autumn this plant provides structure to garden beds and a plentiful harvest for the kitchen. Silverbeet is quite a heavy feeder so lots of compost and regular watering.

Snow Peas are a spring garden delight, sweet and edible straight off the plant they don't require shelling or preparation and make an attractive children's treat. In temperate zones plant in winter and spring on tripod or lattice in the garden in rich compost with regular watering

Another english garden staple it is worth noting some strains are much less bitter than others, and baby spinach leaves are mild enough to eat uncooked in salads. This is a valuable cool season vegetable in temperate climes, planted in Autumn, Winter and early Spring.

Another garden delight, especially for children. This one repays daily checking and fruit can be eaten straight off the plant. In temperate zones plant runners in autumn and spring, mulch generously with straw and harvest from summer into late autumn. Fortunately runners will bear fruit for two years before needing to be replaced.

Queen of the summer fruit, tomatoes need warm, sheltered conditions, rich soil, good drainage. Tomatos are susceptible to slow growth in cool conditions, nematode and wilt. Its worth it for the first home grown tomato of summer on fresh bread with a little salt, basil and rocket. Plant in Spring and Summer in temperate zones.

A robust herb, improved by dry conditions and poor soil. The flavor complements meat dishes, particularly lamb.

Cabbage makes a surprisingly delicious cooking ingredient but the visual impact of these magnificent leaves in the winter vegetable garden should also not be underestimated. These plants are heavy feeders and do best in cool climates.

A true kitchen garden plant. Garlic is easy to grow from cloves and this has the advantage of allowing you to pick a variety you like the taste of. Russian garlic is large but very mild and is a spectacular addition to the vegetable garden. Garlic can be confusing to grow because you harvest them after the plant has died off. The simple rule of thumb is to plant them on the shortest day of the year and harvest them on the longest day of the year.