Plant Finder

The vibrant magenta flowers of this form of Brachyscome formosa make this a useful plant for many purposes. Great for containers, rockeries, under trees and, due to its suckering habit it is useful for stabilizing slopes and terraces. A light trim will encourage more flowers. Develops an open habit when planted in part shade all year round.

This unusual colour form of Brachyscome suits containers and rockeries. Blooms range from yellow to orange with stunning variations throughout the year. Trim regularly for best flower display and a compact habit, particularly in shaded spots where the plant can become straggly if left unpruned.

A lovely tidy shrub with fine glossy foliage and a semi-pendulous habit. Bright red/crimson flowers in spring/summer. This versatile small shrub can be used effectively in both formal and informal settings due to its neat frame and floriferous display. Remove old flowers for extra bushiness and another burst of flowers. Performs equally well in full sun or part shade, but may grow slightly taller in a sheltered position.

Leptospermum ‘Pageant’ is a low spreading shrub that has a spectacular display of bright pink/purple flowers in spring. Pageant grows to approximately 1 – 1.5m high by 1.5 – 2m across, and is useful for low informal hedging. Leptospermums provide nectar for birds, as well as dense growth for habitat.

Evergreen twining climber (3m) from northern NSW, Qld and South East Asia. Shiny dark green pinnate leaves. Clusters of large waxy soft pink flowers with a maroon centre in summer. White form available. Useful for covering a trellis, pergola or fence. Prefers a warm, partially shaded and protected position.

Deciduous medium sized tree with a conical habit when young maturing to a rounded crown (10m x 7m) from Asia. Rounded leaves turning bronze in autumn. White flowers in spring followed by yellowish green fruit. Useful as a feature or shade tree in a large garden. Prefers fertile moist soil. Performs well in clay soil and tolerates some compaction. Moderately invasive root system.

Deciduous upright tree from China. Matures to a conical shape (11m x 7m). Oval glossy dark green leaves turning dark red in autumn. Prolific white flowers in spring followed by small brown fruit. Useful as a feature or shade tree in a large garden. Tolerates clay soil. Moderately invasive root system. Good cultivars include P. calleryana ‘Aristocrat’, P. calleryana ‘Capital’ , P. calleryana ‘Chanticleer and P. calleryana ‘Bradfield’.

Erect and branching perennial (0.6m x 1m) from Mexico. Variable soft narrow leaves. Open trumpet shaped flowers arranged along an upright flower stem. Colour variable, often in white, pink and red colour range. Useful for colour in the perennial garden. Prefers fertile soil. Prune hard in late winter. Grows in partial shade, but flowers better in full sun.

Daphne ‘Perfume Princess’ is a new variety of daphne, with much larger leaves and blooms. In Canberra it also seems to flower earlier than the standard Daphne odora, so it’s a good way to extend the perfume in your garden over a longer period. Needs protection from afternoon sun. A reliable and hardy new cultivar.

Evergreen branching shrub (3m x 2m) from China and Japan. Glossy green elliptical leaves with red new growth from spring to autumn. Whitish flowers in terminal clusters. Useful as a clipped hedge or screen plant. Multiple varieties available. Clipping encourages red new growth. Wind and drought tolerant.

Evergreen creeping prostrate groundcover (0.1m x 1m) from coastal dunes of Qld, NSW & Vic. Succulent three angled leaves. Solitary and terminal bright pink flowers with pale yellow stamens. Useful for stabilising dry banks and low maintenance areas. Requires well drained soil. Drought tolerant.

A pretty groundcover from Western NSW with dark green foliage and masses of mauve or pink flowers throughout the year. Extremely dry-hardy but does produce extra growth and floral displays with water and applications of fertilizer. Requires open, free-draining soil for best results. Can be divided and moved to other parts of your garden. Develops an open habit in shady sites.

Evergreen dense bushy shrub (2.5m x 2m) from South America. Deep green leaves with white underside. Aromatic dark red flowers with white edged petals in summer followed by edible green, yellow fleshed fruits. Two plants growing nearby are necessary for hedge or fruit set. Useful for a screen, as an espalier for a sunny wall or as a feature for edible fruit. Prefers an alkaline soil.

A relatively open shrub with stunning soft pink flowers in late spring. Prune regularly for a compact medium shrub or remove lower branches to create a small evergreen tree. Great for attracting nectar feeding birds and insects. If in part shade, tip prune for bushiness.

Great spreading ground cover for flowering through the warmer months. Covered in pink flowers through spring, summer and autumn. Cut back in spring after the heavy frosts have finished.

Deciduous small tree (8m x 4m) from China. Green compound leaves turning bright red to orange in autumn. Small blue berries follow inconspicuous flowers. Useful for a small shade tree and for autumn colour.

Evergreen conical dense shrub ( 4m x 2m) from New Zealand. Thin green leaves with wavy edges. Insignificant purplish flowers. Useful for a screen, informal hedge or clipped formal hedge. Will require more pruning if in part shade. Needs well drained soil.

Tufted perennial grass with tall flowering stems (1.5m x 0.3m) from throughout Australia except NT. Fine grey green leaves. White plume flower head. Useful for a grassy understorey, border, amonst rocks or grouped with other grasses. Drought tolerant.

An outstanding little tree with vibrant lime green foliage and smooth slender salmon coloured trunks. Huge clusters of cream flowers in summer attract birds and butterflies. This is a very early flowering Eucalypt, often flowering in the second year of its life. Soft new growth may be burnt off by heavy frosts.

Prostrate form of Sticky Wattle. A graceful groundcover featuring dark green sticky pendulous foliage and golden balls of flowers in spring. Also useful to cascade over retaining walls. Will develop an open habit if planted in shady sites.