Plant Finder

Evergreen compact shrub (2.5m x 3.0m) from Wee Jasper NSW. Rare and endangered plant. Sometimes pungent oblong leaves with a wrinkled surface. Terminal clusters of cream to green spider flowers in spring and summer. Useful low screen, feature, or in groups. Bird attracting. Drought tolerant.

Evergreen rounded shrub (variable 0.4m to 1.5m x 1.5m) from ACT, NSW & Vic. Hairy narrow oblong leaves. Flowers red or pink with white tones in clusters on ends of branches in winter and spring. Useful for mass planting and understorey for bush gardens. Bird attracting. Prefers well drained soil. Drought tolerant.

Evergreen prostrate groundcover (0.2m x 3m) from Blue Mountains NSW. Natural hybrid between G. acanthifolia and G. laurifolia. Deeply divided oak-like leaves with red new growth in winter. Dark red toothbrush-like flowers in winter and spring. Useful as a groundcover and for spilling over embankment walls. Prefers a cool temperate climate. Moderately drought tolerant. Additional irrigation above natural rainfall may be required if growing conditions do not replicate the plant’s natural occurrence.

Evergreen dense shrub or sometimes small tree (variable 3-6m x 3m) from Qld, NSW and Vic. Glossy narrow leaves. Silver-grey buds open to white flowers at the base of each leaf in spring. Useful as a fast growing screen, for mixed shrubbery, understorey for taller trees or background for lower plants. Thrives in full sun, of part shade.

Evergreen fast growing tall bushy shrub or small tree (5m x 3m) from Qld and NSW. Long elliptic dark green leaves with pink-red new growth. Clusters of cream flowers in spring followed by woody fruit. Useful for a screen or background plant. Hardy. Can be short lived. Drought tolerant. In full sun this species develops a compact habit. In part shade it grows taller and has a slightly more open habit.

Evergreen rounded shrub (1.5m x 2m). Hybrid between R. indica and R. umbellate from China and Japan. Glossy leathery broad-oblong leaves toothed on the outer edge. Erect clusters of fragrant deep pink flowers in spring and summer followed by dark blue berries. Useful for a specimen, mass planted, clipped or informal border or hedge. Drought tolerant.

Heaven Scent’ is a dense bushy form of Osmanthus that will produce masses of tubular white and sweetly fragrant flowers in spring. Plants are hardy and easy to grow with full sun or shade, but avoid a hot westerly position. The small dark foliage makes it ideal for hedging. Very low maintenance, and hardy in Canberra conditions.

Evergreen small compact shrub (0.3m x 0.3m). Hybrid from New Zealand. Minute crowded green leaves. Insignificant flowers. Useful low border or massed in a rock garden. Prefers a sunny site with well drained soil.

Evergreen small compacted rounded shrub (0.4m x 0.4m) from New Zealand. Mid-green leaves. Pink flowers fading to pale pink in early summer. Useful for a feature, mass planting or as a border in perennial gardens. Prune after flowering to maintain compact form. In shade, foliage and flowers will be sparse so regular tip pruning is required for a bushier habit.

A fast-growing tree, the timber of which is used for furniture making. It is widespread in eastern Australia from central coastal Queensland to southern Victoria, with outlying populations on the Atherton Tableland in northern Queensland and Tasmania’s King Island. It has sickle-shaped phyllodes up to 20 cm long, and perfumed cream-coloured flowers. A naturally slender species, and very upright in all situations. Can grow taller to reach light when planted in part shade.

‘Hills Jubilee’ is an attractive small grevillea that flowers profusely with pink and white flowers. Grows to approximately 1 – 1.5m high and 1m across. It flowers from spring to autumn and will attract nectar-feeding birds to the garden.

Spreading perennial or annual (0.2-0.4m x 0.2-0.6m) from ACT and eastern states of Australia. Slender grey leaves. Single heads of paper daisy flowers with a yellow disc centre and white or yellow bracts. Useful in groups for colour display. Suitable for containers. Needs well drained soil. Drought tolerant.

A compact and dense wattle, growing to just over a metre high and wide. It flowers in spring with pale lemon ball shaped flowers. An easy care plant, which is drought tolerant. Useful for hedging, mass planting and containers. Likes a well drained spot. In part shade, tip prune to develop a compact shape.

A fast growing screening shrub tolerant of most soil types, including clay soil common in Canberra. Soft green fine foliage, and mauve tiny bottle brushes in the summer make this a great choice for quick screening, especially along fence lines. Very low maintenance, just a prune after flowering to encourage bushy growth. Will adopt a slightly taller and open habit if in shaded sites.

This compact little Bottlebrush is a riot of colour when in flower. Hot pink brushes cover the plant in spring and autumn. Can be used for formal or informal hedging, as a container plant or as a small shrub in mixed garden beds. Remove old flowers to encourage another flowering period and a bushy habit. An excellent addition to any garden whether planted in full sun or part shade.

Flowering bulb perennial (0.2m x 0.1m) from the Mediterranean region. Deep green strap-like leaves forming clumps. Single spikes of fragrant waxy flowers in shades of red, blue, white, orange, pink, violet or yellow. Useful for colour display, planted in groups, drifts or containers. Plant bulbs in autumn at two to three times their own depth. Prefers full sun to light shade in fertile well drained soil. Bulbs can be lifted and divided in late summer.

Semi-deciduous bushy shrub (1.5-2m x 1.5-2m) from China. Oval glossy leaves with serrate margins. Large domed heads of pink, white or blue flowers in summer. Useful for mass planting and summer colour in a shady location. Prefers fertile soil in light to full shade. Prune back flower heads to just above last season’s growth. Sensitive to salinity.

Long lived dense upright rhizomatous perennial (0.7m x 0.3m) of uncertain parentage. Grey green strap-like leaves. Fragrant flowers consist of three upright petals and three hanging petals in many colours in late spring. Flowers on terminal and lateral branches. Useful planted in clumps for colour; in the perennial garden, raised beds or containers. Requires good drainage. Tolerates dry rocky soil. Plant rhizomes only slightly below soil surface. Drought tolerant once established.

Evergreen upright dense rhizomatous perennial (0.3m x 0.3m) from Greece, Turkey and North Africa. Clump forming narrow dark green leaves. Lavender blue flowers on short stems in winter. Useful planted in clumps for colour; in the perennial garden or mixed with annuals. Divide overcrowded clumps in autumn. Prefers well drained, acidic soil. Protect from wind. Drought tolerant. Flowers are frost sensitive. May flower later in season when planted in shady position.

Correa ‘Isabell’ is a spreading shrub that will grow to approximately 75cm high x 1.5 metres across. It has grey/green leaves that contrast beautifully with the soft pink flowers. Flowers during autumn and winter. ‘Isabell’ is frost hardy and drought tolerant once established. Regularly pruning the tips will encourage bushy new growth, particularly if planted in a shady spot.