Colourful Garden with Trees for Every Season

Five trees that deliver colour across all four seasons in Australian gardens.

Autumn ColourFeature TreeFlowering TreeGarden Design

A garden that performs across all four seasons takes a deliberate cast of trees. Each plant carries a specific season. Together, they deliver colour 12 months of the year.

Spring: Magnolia x soulangeana

Saucer Magnolia signals spring with masses of pink and white blooms before the foliage emerges.

Summer: Lagerstroemia 'Natchez' Crepe Myrtle

Natchez Crepe Myrtle carries clouds of white flowers through summer, with red autumn colour to follow.

Late Spring: Pyrus nivalis Snow Pear

White spring flowers and silver-grey summer foliage that holds interest until autumn.

Autumn: Acer palmatum Japanese Maple

The headline autumn show. Crimson and orange foliage that lights up small gardens.

Winter: Banksia integrifolia

Coast Banksia carries golden brushes through winter, feeding birds when little else flowers.

How to plan

Assign one tree per season then layer evergreens for structure. Bay or Magnolia Teddy Bear hedges hold the frame.

1. Magnolia x soulangeana (Saucer Magnolia)

Saucer Magnolia delivers spring saucer-shaped blooms before the foliage.

Type: Deciduous feature tree
Height: 4 to 6 m
Width: 3 to 5 m
Growth rate: Moderate
Foliage: Green deciduous
Flowers: Pink and white saucer-shaped early spring
Form: Multi-stem rounded
Conditions: Full sun to part shade
Maintenance: Low
Best for: Spring colour.

Why choose it

It signals the start of spring with its saucer blooms.

Perfect pair

Soulangeana feature with a Bay hedge.

Tips for planting

Plant in winter while dormant.

The spring herald.

Shop Magnolia x soulangeana

2. Lagerstroemia indica 'Natchez' (Natchez Crepe Myrtle)

Natchez provides white summer flowers followed by red autumn colour.

Type: Deciduous feature tree
Height: 6 to 8 m
Width: 4 to 5 m
Growth rate: Fast
Foliage: Green turning red autumn
Flowers: White panicles all summer
Form: Vase-shaped
Conditions: Full sun
Maintenance: Low
Best for: Summer colour.

Why choose it

Long summer flowering plus fiery autumn colour.

Perfect pair

Natchez feature with a Magnolia hedge.

Tips for planting

Plant in winter.

Summer to autumn colour bridge.

Shop Lagerstroemia indica 'Natchez'

3. Pyrus nivalis (Snow Pear)

Snow Pear delivers masses of white spring flowers and silver summer foliage.

Type: Deciduous feature tree
Height: 6 to 8 m
Width: 4 to 5 m
Growth rate: Moderate
Foliage: Silver-green turning gold autumn
Flowers: White spring
Form: Upright
Conditions: Full sun
Maintenance: Low
Best for: Spring flowers and silver summer foliage.

Why choose it

Combines spring bloom with year-round silver foliage interest.

Perfect pair

Snow Pear feature with a Bay hedge.

Tips for planting

Plant in winter.

Silver-leaved spring bloomer.

Shop Pyrus nivalis

4. Acer palmatum (Japanese Maple)

Japanese Maple provides crimson autumn drama.

Type: Deciduous feature tree
Height: 3 to 5 m
Width: 2 to 4 m
Growth rate: Slow to moderate
Foliage: Palmate green turning fiery red autumn
Form: Spreading
Conditions: Part shade
Maintenance: Low
Best for: Autumn colour.

Why choose it

It delivers the headline autumn show in courtyards and small gardens.

Perfect pair

Japanese Maple feature with a Bay hedge.

Tips for planting

Avoid hot afternoon sun.

Autumn drama in a small frame.

Shop Acer palmatum

5. Banksia integrifolia (Coast Banksia)

Coast Banksia provides winter flower colour with golden brushes.

Type: Evergreen native tree
Height: 6 to 10 m
Width: 3 to 5 m
Growth rate: Fast
Foliage: Silver-green
Flowers: Yellow brushes autumn-winter
Form: Upright open
Conditions: Full sun
Maintenance: Low
Best for: Winter colour and wildlife.

Why choose it

Few trees flower so heavily in winter.

Perfect pair

Banksia feature with a Westringia hedge.

Tips for planting

Avoid phosphorus-heavy fertiliser.

Winter native colour.

Shop Banksia integrifolia

Compare at a glance

Cultivar	Height	Width	Form	Foliage	Best if you…
Magnolia x soulangeana Saucer Magnolia	4 to 6 m	3 to 5 m	Multi-stem rounded	Green deciduous	Spring colour.
Lagerstroemia indica 'Natchez' Natchez Crepe Myrtle	6 to 8 m	4 to 5 m	Vase-shaped	Green turning red autumn	Summer colour.
Pyrus nivalis Snow Pear	6 to 8 m	4 to 5 m	Upright	Silver-green turning gold autumn	Spring flowers and silver summer foliage.
Acer palmatum Japanese Maple	3 to 5 m	2 to 4 m	Spreading	Palmate green turning fiery red autumn	Autumn colour.
Banksia integrifolia Coast Banksia	6 to 10 m	3 to 5 m	Upright open	Silver-green	Winter colour and wildlife.