Plant Finder

Small slender perennial (0.3m x 0.3m) from all states of Australia, including ACT. Few linear to narrow slender leaves mostly towards the base of wiry branching stems. Deep blue bell flowers on long slender stems in spring and summer. Useful for mass display in a rock or gravel garden or grouped for groundcover or understorey. Prefers well drained, mulched soil in full to dappled sun. Dies back after flowering.

Evergreen shrub with pendulous branches (2m x 1.5m). Cultivar from Qld of unknown parentage. Soft grey green leaves with weeping silvery new growth. Pale pink bottlebrush flowers with gold tips turning white in summer and autumn. Useful for a feature, screen or hedge. Bird attracting. Prune to maintain shape. Drought tolerant.

Evergreen pendulous shrub (1.8m x 1.5m). Narrow glossy leaves with bronze new growth. Cultivar of C.subulatus x C. citrinus ‘Luscious’. Useful specimen, or grouped for a feature, screen or hedge. Bird attracting. Moderately drought tolerant. Frost tolerant. Flowers best in full sun, but still lovely in a partly shaded position.

Evergreen small spreading tree with pendulous habit (5m x 5m). Probably cultivar of C. viminalis selected in Qld. Narrow olive green leaves. Young leaves and stems covered with long silky hairs. Bright red to dark crimson brush-like flowers mostly in spring and autumn. Useful for a feature, small shade tree, tall hedge or windbreak. Bird and insect attracting. Tolerates periodic water-logging and salinity. Moderately drought tolerant. May defoliate in prolonged dry periods.

Evergreen fast growing rounded shrub or small bushy tree (4m x 3.5m). Selected seedling in Perth from unknown parentage. Lanceolate leaves on slightly pendulous branchlets. Multiple heads of crimson flower spikes in spring. Useful as a feature or screen. Bird attracting. Adaptable to a wide range of growing conditions. Frost sensitive when young. Drought tolerant.

Evergreen upright shrub with slender spreading branches (3m x 2m) from ACT, NSW, Vic and Tas. Elliptical tapered leaves with silky new growth. Creamy yellow or lilac bottlebrush flowers in spring and summer. Useful as a specimen or screen plant. Bird attracting. Prune to maintain form. Wind and drought tolerant.

Evergreen small compact shrub (0.8m x 0.8m). Cultivar from Australia. Blue-green narrow elliptical leaves. Dark red bottlebrush flowers throughout most of the seasons. Useful for a feature, mass planted, low screen or informal hedge. Bird attracting. Prone to attack by webbing caterpillar. Drought tolerant.

Evergreen dense shrub (2m x 2m). Selected seedling of C. ‘Reeves Pink’ from Australia. Narrow elliptical leaves with pink tip new growth covered with silky hairs. Clusters of mauve-pink brush-like flowers in spring and summer. Useful as a feature, screen or informal hedge. Bird attracting. Tolerates damp soils.

Evergreen pendulous shrub (3m x 2m) from ACT, NSW, Vic, SA and Tas. Linear grey green leaves. Cream sometimes pale pink bottlebrush flowers in late spring to summer. Useful as a specimen or screen plant. Bird attracting. Tolerant of poorly drained soils. Prune to maintain form.

Evergreen rounded compact shrub (2m x 2m). Cultivar of C. citrinus from Qld; NSW and Vic. Broad dull green leaves with pinkish slightly hairy new growth. Spikes of brilliant bottlebrush red flowers for an extended period from spring. Useful as a hedge; specimen or part of mixed shrubbery. Bird attracting. Tolerant of poorly drained soil.

Evergreen compact slightly pendulous shrub (1.2m x 2m) from NSW and Vic. Narrow linear leaves. Crimson red bottlebrush flowers in spring and summer. Useful feature or mass planted for its showy flowers particularly in a damp area. Bird attracting. Prune to maintain form, especially if planted in a shady spot. Will flower better in full sun, but will still perform in some shade.

Evergreen small tree with flattish spreading crown and weeping habit (6m x 5m) from Qld and north-eastern NSW. Light green stiff lanceolate leaves with soft new growth on pendulous branches. Rich red brush-like flowers appear profusely in spring and summer. Useful as a small shade tree, tall hedge or windbreak. Bird and insect attracting. Tolerates wind, periodic water-logging and salinity.

Open, fast growing shrub producing golden ball flowers in spring. Occurs in Qld, NSW, ACT, Vic in dry sclerophyll forest, woodland and heath, often on rocky outcrops or slopes. Prune lightly after flowering to encourage bushy growth. Wattles are great for establishing new gardens and quick screening. If planted in a shady site this species develops an open habit with slightly larger leaves.

Evergreen erect vigorous shrub (1.2m x 1.2m) from China. Small glossy green oval leaves. Fragrant small cream flowers in spring followed by purple fruit. Useful as a fast growing hedge or low screen. Prefers well drained soil in full sun, partial shade or full shade.

A hardy little mounding groundcover with fine green foliage and masses of bright purple daisy flowers for long periods throughout the year. A light prune of old flowers will produce another flower display. Will grow happily under trees or in full sun. Create a new flush of growth by cutting the whole plant back hard in late winter.

This compact form of Banksia marginata is tough and attractive, with striking dark green foliage with silver tones underneath. Fresh vibrant yellow flowers are produced in summer/autumn. This form repsonds well to pruning, either for hedging, screening or as a pot specimen. Grows equally well in part shade but sunny sites will allow a naturally compact habit.

A handsome tall tree local to the Canberra region and used commonly as a street and landscape tree. Its smooth milky white trunk and fine foliage make it a standout tree for large areas. Hugely adaptable, hardy and fast-growing, this tree provides shelter for shady understorey plants and homes for wildlife. As it is a large, vigorous tree it is not suitable for small gardens, but makes a stunning large shade tree for open spaces, gardens and parks.

Evergreen mat-forming perennial groundcover (0.3 x 1m) with creeping stolons from the United Kingdom. Rounded spoon shaped green leaves with a purple underside. Erect short spikes of mauve-blue flowers in whorls in spring and summer. Useful as a groundcover or border in shady locations. Prefers a moist position in partial to full shade. Many cultivars available. Can be susceptible to fungal disease in high humidity. Divide every few years to reduce crowding and fungal occurrence. Drought sensitive.

A dwarf selection of Banksia ericifolia, this compact shrub produces masses of large orange/red flower spikes in autumn and winter. Works well as a hardy but spectacular pot specimen. Great for attracting nectar-feeding birds. Grows slightly bushier with more flowers in a sunny site.

An attractive tall shrub with striking burgundy coloured growth. It has an abundance of large white flowers during summer. Grows to approximately 3m high by 1.5m across. An invaluable large shrub for the Canberra region, for its hardiness to harsh conditions, and its usefulness for screening and hedging. Great alternative to a Pittosporum hedge, as its also fast-growing, but requires much less pruning to keep it looking fabulous.