Plant Finder

Evergreen bushy shrub (3m x 2m) from Chile. Shiny oval deep green leaves. Tubular deep red flowers in groups of about 30. Useful as a fast-growing screen or hedge. Dwarf forms available. Prune after flowering to maintain shape and remove woody growth. Drought tolerant.

Spreading, hardy, sun-loving groundcover. Masses of purple fan flowers through the warmer months. Prune after the risk of heavy frosts has passed.

Evergreen dense upright shrub with limited branching (1.5m x 1m) from Japan. Female form of A. japonica. Large leathery leaves heavily spotted with yellow. Small purple flowers requiring pollinator to produce berries. Useful understorey for a shaded garden. Prefers well drained soil. Prune to maintain shape.

Deciduous woody stemmed tendril climber (7m) from west Asia. Three or five lobed leaves turning red in autumn. Does not fruit. Useful for covering trellises and fences and brilliant autumn colour. Drought tolerant.

Evergreen slow growing stout perennial with a grassy clump and dark, sometimes branched trunk (1-3m) from ACT, NSW, Vic, SA and Tas. Green grass-like radiating leaves arising in a tuft. Tall spear-like flower up to 4m high. Useful as a feature and in groups for its interesting form and foliage texture. Sensitive to root disturbance. Drought tolerant.

Evergreen spreading shrub (1.5m x 2m). Hybrid between G. juniperina from NSW and G. alpina x G. obtusifolia. Shiny green pungent leaves with dense silky hairs on underside. Loose flower heads of yellow flowers with contrasting pink styles. Useful as a feature for its striking flowers, screen, mixed shubbery or background for smaller shrubs. Flowers well in sun or shade. Bird attracting. Drought tolerant. Prune to maintain form.

Evergreen low growing and vigorously spreading groundcover (0.2m x 3m). Hybrid between G. laurifolia from NSW & G. willissii from Vic. Variable and deeply divided olive green leaves with bronze purple new growth. Purple-red toothbrush shaped flowers held above the foliage in summer. Useful groundcover for large areas particularly for banks and spilling over walls, in sun or shade. Mulch well to keep weeds suppressed. Drought tolerant.

Evergreen low growing compact shrub (0.3m x 0.6m). Hybrid of E. carnea and E. erigena both from Europe. Stiff glossy mid green needle-like leaves on slender branches. Urn shaped lilac pink flowers. Useful mass planted in drifts or foreground of taller shrubs. Requires well drained soil in full sun. Drought tolerant. Prune after flowering to maintain compact growth.

Evergreen erect shrub with many sub-species and separate male and female plants (2.5m x 1.5m) from ACT, Qld, NSW and Vic. Variable sticky shiny linear to oblanceolate leaves. Insignificant flowers. Female plants followed by red capsule fruit in summer. Useful screen or fill-in shrub particularly for a bush garden or difficult site. Tip prune to maintain form. Drought tolerant.

Evergreen compact shrub ( 0.8m x 0.8m). New Zealand cultivar of L.stoechas from the Mediterranean. Aromatic silver grey linear leaves. Purple flowers on erect terminal whorled spikes from spring to late autumn. Useful for a low hedge, edging and borders, cut flowers, mass planting, pot and contrast amongst mixed shrubbery. Prefers a sunny well-drained position. Prune back after flowering. Drought tolerant.

Semi-evergreen upright bushy shrub with square upright stems (1.2m x 1m) from the Mediterranean region. Aromatic silver grey linear leaves. Fragrant purple flowers on erect terminal whorled spikes. Useful for a low hedge, edging and borders, cut flowers, mass planting and contrast amongst mixed shrubbery. Prefers a sunny and well-drained position. Sensitive to over watering. Prune back one third after flowering. Drought tolerant.

Evergreen compact tree (7m x 5m) from China. Dark green shiny and leathery leaves. Fragrant white flowers arranged in clusters followed by orange fruit in autumn and winter. Useful for its fruit and as an ornamental. Varieties include ‘Valencia’ and ‘Washington Naval’. Allow fruit to ripen on the tree. Prefers light well drained soil in a protected position. Mulch under the canopy. Apply high nitrogen fertiliser in early summer. Drought sensitive.

A low, compact shrub with bright orange flowers from autumn to spring. Great for low screening or as a pot specimen. A wonderful addition to any garden for bright colour in the cooler months. Foliage stays more compact in full sun.

Evergreen narrow upright coniferous tree (2m-3m x 0.4m). Seedling variation of C. sempervirens var.stricta. Soft feathery leaves with outer leaves golden yellow. Oval cones. Useful for formal effect and vertical accent or screen for narrow spaces. Suitable as container plant. Needs a sunny open position. Can be susceptible to borer attack.

Evergreen narrow columnar tree with pendulous new growth (7-10m x 2m) from gully slopes Qld, NSW, Vic, Tas & SA. Bluish green short fine leaves crowded on the stem turning bronze in winter. Globular cones in clusters. Useful for a narrow screen or accent for its vertical form and formal appearance. Bird attracting for food and nesting. Prefers well-drained soil. Additional irrigation above natural rainfall may be required if growing conditions do not replicate the plant’s natural occurrence.

Deciduous to semi-deciduous hybrid shrubs or scrambling climbers (mostly 1m x 1m depending on variety) with thorny stems. 5-7 oval leaflets. Flowers in many variable colours and forms from single, semi-double, double and fully double. Popular component of traditional gardens particularly in formal or cottage garden settings. Most species frost tolerant. Moderately drought tolerant.

Evergreen tufted spreading perennial sedge (0.8m x 0.6m) from all states of Australia including ACT, New Zealand, New Caledonia and Papua New Guinea. Narrow shiny and tough leaves, finely raspy on the edges. Brown flowerheads spiralling on a triangular-sectioned stem. Useful for poorly drained damp areas and shallow ponds in the sun or in part shade. Tends to lose some of its appeal in full shade. Tolerates roots submerged in water.

Deciduous broadly columnar graceful tree with silver white bark (8-15m x 4- 6m) from Europe and Asia Minor. Oval to heart shaped leaves turning yellow in autumn on slender drooping stems. Yellow green catkins in spring. Useful as a specimen or in groups. Many grafted forms available. Prefers friable well drained soil.

Evergreen tufted stemless groundcover (0.1m x 0.3m) spreading by stolons from eastern Australia (including ACT) and Malaysia. Kidney-shaped leaves with irregularly serrate margins. White flowers with a mauve centre on fine erect stems. Useful group planted as a groundcover between stepping stones or other non trafficked areas. Prefers a protected position in semi-shade. Tolerates light mowing. Very sensitive to soil salinity. Drought tolerant in a favourable growing environment.

Wallaby grass is a tough locally occurring grass, providing a food source for local birds such as the Crimson Rosella. May be useful as a lawn substitute.