Most loved for its large hand-shaped leaves and striking upright clusters of white spring flowers.
Approximate only. Minimum height important? Confirm with us.
Height guide & disclaimer
Height guide disclaimer: Height ranges are approximate only. As living products, plant heights naturally vary between individual plants, batches, and seasons. No guarantee is given that supplied plants will fall within the stated range. If minimum heights are required, you must confirm current batch heights with Evergreen Trees Direct prior to purchase. Variation in height is normal and is not grounds for return, refund, replacement, or compensation.
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Aesculus hippocastanum, the horse chestnut, is a large deciduous shade tree with a straight trunk and a broad rounded crown. Big palmate leaves of five to seven leaflets build a dense summer canopy. Upright candles of white flowers marked with yellow and pink stand above the foliage in spring, followed by spiny seed cases.
It needs deep, fertile, well drained soil and a cool climate with a proper winter. Full sun to part shade suits it and it is thoroughly frost hardy. Growth is moderate at 30 to 50 centimetres a year. Hot dry summers and humid subtropical conditions do not suit it, so keep water up while it is young.
At maturity it reaches 20 to 25 metres tall with a 12 to 15 metre spread, so allow 8 to 12 metres of clear space around it. Parks, large gardens, school grounds, civic planting and wide avenues are its natural home. Deep summer shade and winter sun through bare branches is the practical trade.
About Horse Chestnut
Aesculus hippocastanum is a large deciduous shade tree from the Balkans, long planted in parks and avenues across the cooler parts of the world. It has a straight trunk, a broad rounded crown and big palmate leaves. Upright candles of white flowers marked yellow and pink appear in spring, followed by spiny seed cases.
It reaches 20 to 25 metres tall with a spread of 12 to 15 metres at maturity, which puts it firmly in the large tree category. Growth is moderate at 30 to 50 centimetres a year, so it takes decades to get there. Allow 8 to 12 metres of clear space around each tree.
Deciduous. The leaves colour yellow to brown and fall through autumn, leaving a bold branch structure over winter and letting sunlight into the space below. New growth breaks early in spring with the flower candles close behind. Expect a substantial autumn leaf drop, which is worth planning for above paths, gutters and pools.
In spring, generally October and November in southern Australia, with timing shifting a few weeks by district. The flowers stand in upright panicles up to 20 centimetres tall, white with yellow and pink markings in the throat, and they are worked heavily by bees. Trees usually begin flowering at around ten years old.
It needs a cool climate with a real winter, so Tasmania, southern Victoria, the Adelaide Hills, Canberra and the New South Wales tablelands are the districts where it does well. Deep, fertile, well drained soil gives the best results. Hot dry inland areas and humid subtropical coasts bring leaf scorch and poor growth.
Yes. The glossy brown seeds, the leaves and the bark contain aesculin, which is toxic to people, dogs and horses if eaten. They are not the edible sweet chestnut sold for roasting. Children should be told the conkers are for play and not for eating, and fallen seed is worth raking up where dogs run.
Water deeply through the first few summers while the root system extends, and mulch a wide ring to keep the soil cool. It needs little pruning beyond removing crossing or damaged limbs in winter. Feed young trees in spring. Once established in a suitable climate it is long lived and largely undemanding.
| Pot / bag size | Width | Depth |
|---|---|---|
| 30cm Pot | 33cm | 30cm |
| 40cm/45L Pot | 44cm | 41.5cm |
| 50cm Pot / 70L Pot | 55cm | 41.8cm |
| 100L Bag | 50.6cm | 52.8cm |
| 150L Bag | 66cm | 55cm |
| 200L Bag | 71.5cm | 60.5cm |
| 300L Bag | 88cm | 63.8cm |
| 400L Bag | 99cm | 66cm |
| 500L Bag | 122cm | 66cm |
| 750L Bag | 134cm | 69cm |
| 1000L Bag | 146.3cm | 71.5cm |
| 2000L Bag | 176cm | 82.5cm |
General planting reference from our existing size guide. Actual containers can vary by supplier and batch; confirm exact dimensions if required.
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Aesculus hippocastanum, the horse chestnut, is a large deciduous shade tree with a straight trunk and a broad rounded crown. Big palmate leaves of five to seven leaflets build a dense summer canopy. Upright candles of white flowers marked with yellow and pink stand above the foliage in spring, followed by spiny seed cases.
It needs deep, fertile, well drained soil and a cool climate with a proper winter. Full sun to part shade suits it and it is thoroughly frost hardy. Growth is moderate at 30 to 50 centimetres a year. Hot dry summers and humid subtropical conditions do not suit it, so keep water up while it is young.
At maturity it reaches 20 to 25 metres tall with a 12 to 15 metre spread, so allow 8 to 12 metres of clear space around it. Parks, large gardens, school grounds, civic planting and wide avenues are its natural home. Deep summer shade and winter sun through bare branches is the practical trade.
About Horse Chestnut
Aesculus hippocastanum is a large deciduous shade tree from the Balkans, long planted in parks and avenues across the cooler parts of the world. It has a straight trunk, a broad rounded crown and big palmate leaves. Upright candles of white flowers marked yellow and pink appear in spring, followed by spiny seed cases.
It reaches 20 to 25 metres tall with a spread of 12 to 15 metres at maturity, which puts it firmly in the large tree category. Growth is moderate at 30 to 50 centimetres a year, so it takes decades to get there. Allow 8 to 12 metres of clear space around each tree.
Deciduous. The leaves colour yellow to brown and fall through autumn, leaving a bold branch structure over winter and letting sunlight into the space below. New growth breaks early in spring with the flower candles close behind. Expect a substantial autumn leaf drop, which is worth planning for above paths, gutters and pools.
In spring, generally October and November in southern Australia, with timing shifting a few weeks by district. The flowers stand in upright panicles up to 20 centimetres tall, white with yellow and pink markings in the throat, and they are worked heavily by bees. Trees usually begin flowering at around ten years old.
It needs a cool climate with a real winter, so Tasmania, southern Victoria, the Adelaide Hills, Canberra and the New South Wales tablelands are the districts where it does well. Deep, fertile, well drained soil gives the best results. Hot dry inland areas and humid subtropical coasts bring leaf scorch and poor growth.
Yes. The glossy brown seeds, the leaves and the bark contain aesculin, which is toxic to people, dogs and horses if eaten. They are not the edible sweet chestnut sold for roasting. Children should be told the conkers are for play and not for eating, and fallen seed is worth raking up where dogs run.
Water deeply through the first few summers while the root system extends, and mulch a wide ring to keep the soil cool. It needs little pruning beyond removing crossing or damaged limbs in winter. Feed young trees in spring. Once established in a suitable climate it is long lived and largely undemanding.
Deciduous (Defoliates throughout colder months)
Aesculus hippocastanum – Horse Chestnut is expected to grow 0.5m to 1m per year.
Aesculus hippocastanum – Horse Chestnut works in an:
Aesculus hippocastanum – Horse Chestnut is an Deciduous (Defoliates throughout colder months) Tree
Mature Height: 15m to 20m
Mature Width: 10m to 15m
Aesculus hippocastanum – Horse Chestnut is expected to grow 0.5m to 1m per year.
Aesculus hippocastanum – Horse Chestnut is expected to grow 0.5m to 1m per year.
They are considered to have a:
Is Aesculus hippocastanum – Horse Chestnut frost tolerant?
Aesculus hippocastanum – Horse Chestnut is Frost Tolerant – Can handle light to moderate frost once established.
Aesculus hippocastanum produces large, upright “candle-like” panicles of white flowers in late spring, each marked with splashes of yellow and pink. These showy blooms rise above the foliage, creating a striking seasonal display and offering abundant pollen and nectar for insects.
Does Aesculus hippocastanum – Horse Chestnut flower?
Flowering Period:
Flower Type:
Flower Colour:
White
No
Aesculus hippocastanum – Horse Chestnut is Native to Native to the Balkans region of southeastern Europe, particularly northern Greece, Albania, and Bulgaria; widely planted throughout Europe.
Its broad canopy offers excellent shade and habitat for small birds, while its large spring flower spikes provide abundant nectar and pollen for bees, hoverflies and other beneficial insects. The dense foliage also helps create a cool, sheltered micro-habitat that supports strong garden biodiversity.
Aesculus hippocastanum – Horse Chestnut will thrive best in:
Aesculus hippocastanum performs best in well-drained loam or sandy loam soils and tolerates slightly acidic to slightly alkaline conditions. It may struggle in heavy clay or poorly drained ground unless improved with organic matter to increase drainage and aeration. Keep soil evenly moist during establishment, then provide deep, occasional watering as it matures, particularly during hot or dry periods to support canopy health and strong flowering.
Is Aesculus hippocastanum – Horse Chestnut Drought tolerant?
As a young tree it requires regular watering, but once established Aesculus hippocastanum develops moderate drought tolerance. It performs best with consistent deep watering during extended dry periods to maintain leaf quality and reduce summer scorch.
Approx. 0.8m – 1.2m
Heights are approximate and vary between individual trees.
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Enriched Planting Mix is a certified organic blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent, bagged in 30L. It is built to be dug through existing garden soil at planting time rather than used on its own, and the gypsum is what sets it apart from a plain compost.
Gypsum helps break up heavy clay so water and roots can move through it, while the compost and manure return organic matter and nutrient to tired ground. The coarse bark holds structure and keeps air around the root zone, and the wetting agent keeps moisture in the soil longer after rain or watering.
Use it when planting trees, shrubs, roses, fruit trees and exotic garden plants, particularly into clay. Dig a hole twice the width of the pot and 7 centimetres deeper, then mix roughly one third planting mix through the excavated soil. Spread 7 centimetres of that improved soil in the base before setting the plant in.
About Enriched Planting Mix
It is a blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent. Each part has a job. The compost and manure supply organic matter and nutrient, the gypsum works on clay structure, the bark keeps air around the roots and the wetting agent holds moisture in the soil.
It suits exotic garden plants, including roses, ornamental and deciduous trees, fruit trees, shrubs and perennials, and it earns its keep most on heavy clay sites. It is a planting mix rather than a potting mix, so its job is improving soil at planting time. Phosphorus sensitive natives are the one clear exception.
No, not for the phosphorus sensitive ones. The composted animal manure in this blend lifts phosphorus well above what Proteaceae such as Banksia, Grevillea, Hakea and Protea will tolerate, and the result can be leaf burn, dieback and plant death. Use the Native Potting Mix for those species, or plant them into unimproved local soil.
Yes. It is a certified organic product with no chemical additives, which is why the manure and compost in it are fully composted rather than raw. That makes it sound around fruit trees and vegetable beds, and it means you are adding genuine organic matter to your soil rather than a synthetic conditioner.
Work on roughly one third planting mix to two thirds of the soil you dug out of the hole. For a shrub out of a 200 millimetre pot that is only a few litres. An advanced tree going into a large hole will take considerably more. Judge the quantity by the volume of the hole rather than the size of the plant.
It is not a potting mix and should not be used on its own in a container. The blend is designed to be diluted through garden soil, and used straight in a pot it holds too much water and settles badly. For containers, reach for a premium potting mix, or the native mix if you are potting natives.
Yes. Water the plant well several hours before you plant it, then water thoroughly again once the hole is backfilled and the soil firmed down. That first deep watering settles the improved soil around the root ball and drives out air pockets. Keep the water up over the first few months while the roots establish.
Enriched Planting Mix is a certified organic blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent, bagged in 30L. It is built to be dug through existing garden soil at planting time rather than used on its own, and the gypsum is what sets it apart from a plain compost.
Gypsum helps break up heavy clay so water and roots can move through it, while the compost and manure return organic matter and nutrient to tired ground. The coarse bark holds structure and keeps air around the root zone, and the wetting agent keeps moisture in the soil longer after rain or watering.
Use it when planting trees, shrubs, roses, fruit trees and exotic garden plants, particularly into clay. Dig a hole twice the width of the pot and 7 centimetres deeper, then mix roughly one third planting mix through the excavated soil. Spread 7 centimetres of that improved soil in the base before setting the plant in.
About Enriched Planting Mix
It is a blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent. Each part has a job. The compost and manure supply organic matter and nutrient, the gypsum works on clay structure, the bark keeps air around the roots and the wetting agent holds moisture in the soil.
It suits exotic garden plants, including roses, ornamental and deciduous trees, fruit trees, shrubs and perennials, and it earns its keep most on heavy clay sites. It is a planting mix rather than a potting mix, so its job is improving soil at planting time. Phosphorus sensitive natives are the one clear exception.
No, not for the phosphorus sensitive ones. The composted animal manure in this blend lifts phosphorus well above what Proteaceae such as Banksia, Grevillea, Hakea and Protea will tolerate, and the result can be leaf burn, dieback and plant death. Use the Native Potting Mix for those species, or plant them into unimproved local soil.
Yes. It is a certified organic product with no chemical additives, which is why the manure and compost in it are fully composted rather than raw. That makes it sound around fruit trees and vegetable beds, and it means you are adding genuine organic matter to your soil rather than a synthetic conditioner.
Work on roughly one third planting mix to two thirds of the soil you dug out of the hole. For a shrub out of a 200 millimetre pot that is only a few litres. An advanced tree going into a large hole will take considerably more. Judge the quantity by the volume of the hole rather than the size of the plant.
It is not a potting mix and should not be used on its own in a container. The blend is designed to be diluted through garden soil, and used straight in a pot it holds too much water and settles badly. For containers, reach for a premium potting mix, or the native mix if you are potting natives.
Yes. Water the plant well several hours before you plant it, then water thoroughly again once the hole is backfilled and the soil firmed down. That first deep watering settles the improved soil around the root ball and drives out air pockets. Keep the water up over the first few months while the roots establish.
Ligularia reniformis carries enormous glossy kidney-shaped leaves that give a shaded garden the bold tropical texture usually only available in full sun. The Tractor Seat Plant is grown for foliage first, with tall stems of bright yellow daisy flowers through summer as a bonus.
Ligularia reniformis forms a clump 0.6 to 1 metre tall and 1 to 1.5 metres wide, spreading slowly at 10 to 20 centimetres per year. That steady habit makes it reliable as a mass underplanting beneath established trees, an edging along a shaded path, or a single specimen in a large pot.
This is a full shade plant. It wants consistent moisture and protection from hot afternoon sun, which scorches the leaves, and it is frost sensitive, so in cold districts it needs a protected position. Given shade and water it is close to maintenance free.
About Ligularia reniformis
It forms a clump 0.6 to 1 metre tall and 1 to 1.5 metres wide. The individual leaves can reach 40 centimetres across, which is where the bold texture comes from.
The common name comes from the large round kidney-shaped leaves, which resemble the seat of an old tractor. The botanical name reniformis means kidney-shaped.
Yes. It performs best in full shade and will scorch in hot afternoon sun. It is one of the most useful foliage plants available for genuinely dark positions.
Tall stems of bright yellow daisy-like flowers rise well above the foliage through summer. The foliage remains the main feature for the rest of the year.
No. It is frost sensitive and may be damaged by frost. In cold districts plant it in a protected position, or grow it in a pot that can be moved under cover.
It wants consistently moist soil and does not tolerate drying out. Mulch well and water regularly through summer, particularly in pots and under established trees where roots compete.
Plant 0.8 to 1 metre apart for a continuous shaded groundcover mass. Closer spacing fills in faster but the clumps will crowd within a few seasons.
Buxus microphylla var. japonica, sold as Japanese Box, is a dense evergreen shrub clipped here into clean topiary balls. The small, rounded, mid green leaves sit tightly along short stems, so the surface holds a crisp edge after cutting. Growth is naturally compact, which is what allows the ball shape to hold between trims.
It grows in full sun to part shade and accepts most soils that drain, from sandy loam through to improved clay. Cool temperate, temperate and subtropical districts all suit it, and established plants handle light to moderate frost. Growth runs about 15 to 25 centimetres a year, slow enough that the shape stays where you put it.
Balls are used to edge beds and paths, mark an entry, sit either side of a doorway, or repeat down a courtyard to give a planting rhythm. They also underplant feature trees neatly. Because the form arrives already grown, a bed reads finished from the day it goes in rather than years later.
About Japanese Box Topiary Balls
It is Buxus microphylla var. japonica grown on and clipped into a sphere. The plant does the same job as any box shrub, evergreen, small leaved and tolerant of cutting, but it arrives already shaped. Ball diameters run from around 30 centimetres up to large advanced specimens, and the shape is then held with two trims a year.
The ball is held at whatever diameter it is clipped to, commonly 30 to 70 centimetres, with larger specimens available in bigger containers. In the ground, overall height sits close to the ball diameter. Left entirely unclipped the species would slowly reach roughly 1.5 to 2 metres tall and wide over many years.
About 15 to 25 centimetres a year, which is slow to moderate. That pace is an advantage in topiary because the outline drifts gradually rather than running away between cuts. Two trims a year, one in early spring and one in late summer, are usually enough to keep the surface tight and the profile even.
Full sun to part shade both work. Full sun gives the densest, tightest surface, which matters when the appeal of the plant is a clean clipped edge. In hot inland gardens some afternoon shade prevents leaf scorch and bronzing. Deep shade thins the growth out and the ball loses its crisp outline.
Yes. Established plants handle light to moderate frost without damage, which covers most temperate and cool temperate gardens including Canberra, Melbourne and the southern tablelands. Newly planted stock is more exposed, so water it well going into winter and mulch the root zone. Any frost burnt tips can simply be trimmed off in spring.
Yes, they are one of the better plants for a container. A pot 40 to 50 centimetres wide suits a single ball for a courtyard, entry or balcony. Use a quality potting mix, water once the top few centimetres dry out, and feed in spring and again in summer. Repot or refresh the mix every few years.
Trim twice a year with sharp shears, cutting lightly and often rather than hard. Feed in early spring with a slow release fertiliser and keep water up through summer. Mulch to about 50 millimetres, keeping it clear of the stem. Watch for box psyllid on soft new growth and treat early if the tips start to cup.
Rhaphiolepis indica 'Oriental Pearl' is one of the best compact evergreen shrubs available for low hedges and borders. The glossy dark green foliage forms a naturally tidy rounded mound, and clusters of soft white to pale pink flowers appear from late winter into spring, followed by small dark berries.
Oriental Pearl grows to just 1-1.5 metres tall and wide, holding a neat uniform shape with minimal pruning. The compact form makes it ideal for low clipped hedges, narrow borders, mass plantings, and container planting, particularly where space is limited and a formal finish is wanted.
Oriental Pearl thrives across most Australian climates in full sun to part shade, tolerating heat, coastal exposure, salt spray, light frost, and a wide range of well-drained soils. It is both drought tolerant and salt tolerant once established, making it a reliable low-maintenance choice for coastal and low-water gardens.
About Rhaphiolepis indica 'Oriental Pearl'
Rhaphiolepis indica 'Oriental Pearl' grows to 1-1.5 metres tall and wide, forming a naturally compact dense mound.
Oriental Pearl has a moderate growth rate of 20-40cm per year once established.
Yes. Oriental Pearl is one of the best compact evergreen shrubs for low hedges, borders, and mass plantings, holding a tidy rounded form with minimal pruning.
Oriental Pearl produces clusters of soft white to pale pink flowers from late winter into spring, followed by small dark berries.
Yes. Oriental Pearl is both drought tolerant and salt tolerant once established, making it well suited to coastal gardens and low-water landscapes.
Plant 50-70cm apart for a continuous low hedge, or 80cm-1 metre for a softer informal border.
Oriental Pearl thrives across most Australian climates in full sun to part shade, tolerating heat, coastal exposure, and a wide range of well-drained soils.
Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Silver Sheen' carries small shimmering silver-green leaves on near-black stems, giving a light airy screen that moves in the wind rather than reading as a solid green wall. It is one of the most widely specified screening plants in Australian landscape design for exactly that reason.
'Silver Sheen' grows to 4 to 6 metres tall but only 1.5 to 2 metres wide at 30 to 60 centimetres per year, which makes it a genuine solution for narrow beds along fence lines and between buildings where height is needed but width is not available. Small cream flowers appear in spring and are lightly fragrant.
'Silver Sheen' grows in full sun to part shade and tolerates light to moderate frost once established, performing from subtropical Queensland through Sydney, Melbourne, Gippsland and Adelaide. It clips well, holds density under regular trimming, and is equally effective as a formal hedge or a loose screen.
About Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Silver Sheen'
'Silver Sheen' grows to 4 to 6 metres tall and only 1.5 to 2 metres wide, which makes it one of the best options for narrow screening where a tall hedge is needed in a shallow bed.
It grows at 30 to 60 centimetres per year once established, reaching a usable screening height within three to four years with regular water and feeding.
It naturally holds to 1.5 to 2 metres wide and can be trimmed to under a metre with regular clipping, which is why it is so often used in tight side-boundary positions.
Plant 1 to 1.5 metres apart for a dense informal screen, or 80 centimetres apart for a tighter formal hedge. Closer spacing fills in faster but needs more trimming.
'Silver Sheen' handles light to moderate frost once established. Young plants benefit from protection through their first winter in colder inland districts.
Yes. It performs in full sun through to part shade. In shadier positions growth is slightly more open, which suits a softer informal screen.
It performs from subtropical Queensland through Northern NSW, Sydney, the South Coast and tablelands, Melbourne and surrounds, the Western District, Gippsland and Adelaide.
Melaleuca nesophila, the Showy Honey Myrtle, is an evergreen Australian native shrub to small tree from the south coast of Western Australia. Fine grey green foliage sits on a dense rounded frame over papery bark, and mauve to pink pom pom flowers cover the outer growth through spring and summer.
Mature width is 2 to 4 metres, with height usually settling around 3 to 5 metres, and growth of 30 to 60 centimetres a year. It wants full sun and takes sand, limestone, gravel and moderately heavy soils. Salt wind, drought and light to moderate frost are all handled once the roots are down.
This is a screening and hedging plant first, used along boundaries, on coastal blocks and through council road reserves where conditions are hard and maintenance budgets are thin. Space it at 1 to 1.5 metres for an informal screen. It gives colour, density and habitat value from one low input plant.
About Showy Honey Myrtle
Melaleuca nesophila, or Showy Honey Myrtle, is an evergreen Australian native shrub to small tree from southern Western Australia. It has fine grey green foliage, a dense rounded habit and soft papery bark, and carries mauve to pink pom pom flowers through spring and summer that age to a soft grey.
It spreads 2 to 4 metres wide and generally reaches 3 to 5 metres tall in a garden, though regular trimming will hold it lower. Growth is moderate to fast at around 30 to 60 centimetres a year, so a screen planted from advanced stock closes over within three or four seasons.
For a dense informal screen, plant 1 to 1.5 metres apart. For a tighter formal hedge, bring that in to 80 centimetres. As a feature tree, allow 3 to 4 metres so the full canopy and form can develop, or 3 metres apart along an avenue for a uniform, soft textured line.
Yes, it is one of the better coastal Melaleucas. It tolerates salt laden wind, sandy and limestone soils, and exposed front line positions once established, which is why it is planted so widely along the southern coastline. In very exposed sites it will lean with the prevailing wind, and most people like the result.
The main flush runs through spring and into summer, roughly September to January. Flowers open mauve to purple pink in dense rounded heads across the outer foliage, then age to grey and stay on the plant. Bees and honeyeaters work it heavily while it is out, so expect plenty of activity.
It handles light to moderate frost once established, which covers most coastal and near coastal parts of southern Australia. Young plants are more vulnerable in their first winter, so plant in autumn or early spring and keep them out of low frost hollows. Hard, repeated inland frost will burn new growth.
Tip prune after flowering to keep it dense and stop the base going bare. It takes a hard cut back if it becomes leggy, though remove no more than about a third at a time. Water through the first summer, then it is largely self sufficient. Use a low phosphorus native fertiliser in spring on poor soils.
Gardenia augusta 'Magnifica' is a compact evergreen flowering shrub valued for its large highly fragrant double white flowers and lush glossy dark green foliage. From late spring through summer it produces creamy-white blooms up to 10 cm across that perfume the surrounding garden, set against broad leathery leaves that hold their colour year-round.
It performs reliably in full sun to part shade with humus-rich, slightly acidic and free-draining soil. Mature plants reach 1.5 to 2 metres tall and 1 to 1.5 metres wide, forming a dense rounded habit that responds well to light pruning after flowering. Gardenia 'Magnifica' is frost tolerant once established and benefits from regular feeding and watering through the warmer months to support strong flowering.
As a fragrant evergreen flowering shrub for cottage, formal, Japanese-inspired and low-maintenance gardens, in courtyards, entrance plantings, informal hedges and decorative pots near pathways, Gardenia augusta 'Magnifica' brings outstanding perfume, glossy foliage and reliable summer flowering to gardens where its scent can be appreciated up close.
About Gardenia augusta 'Magnifica' Magnifica Gardenia
Gardenia 'Magnifica' flowers from late spring through summer, producing large creamy-white double blooms up to 10 cm across. The flowers are intensely fragrant and the display lasts for several months, with light repeat flowering possible into autumn in warm conditions.
Mature plants reach approximately 1.5 to 2 metres tall and 1 to 1.5 metres wide, forming a dense rounded habit. Growth is moderate at 20 to 40 cm per year, and the plant can be lightly pruned to maintain a more compact size or shaped into a formal flowering hedge.
Gardenia 'Magnifica' performs best in warm temperate to subtropical climates with full sun to part shade. It thrives across coastal NSW, Queensland, frost-free parts of Victoria and South Australia, and warm coastal areas. It prefers humus-rich slightly acidic soil and protection from harsh afternoon sun in hot inland areas.
Gardenia 'Magnifica' is frost tolerant once established and handles light to moderate frost without damage. Young plants benefit from protection in their first winter through frost-prone areas, and severe inland frost should be avoided. Mature plants in established positions hold their foliage and form through cooler months.
Yes. Gardenia 'Magnifica' is excellent in large decorative pots near entrances and courtyards where its perfume can be appreciated up close. Use a quality potting mix designed for acid-loving plants, water regularly through the warmer months, and feed with an acid-loving plant food in spring and summer.
Water regularly during the growing season to keep the soil evenly moist but never waterlogged. Feed with an acid-loving plant food in spring and again in mid-summer to support strong flowering. Prune lightly after flowering to maintain shape and encourage dense bushy growth, and mulch annually with an acidic mulch like pine bark.
Yellowing leaves on Gardenia 'Magnifica' usually indicate either iron deficiency in alkaline soil, overwatering, or seasonal cool weather. The most common cause is alkaline soil pH. Apply an iron chelate or soil acidifier, ensure drainage is excellent, and mulch with pine bark to maintain the acidic conditions Gardenias need to thrive.
Trachelospermum jasminoides 'Balls' is Star Jasmine grown and clipped into a dense evergreen sphere. The small glossy leaves sit tight on a woody framework, holding a clean rounded outline year round. White pinwheel flowers open in spring and carry a strong sweet scent right across a courtyard.
Ball specimens hold at about 1 to 1.5 metres tall and wide with light clipping. Full sun to part shade suits them, in any free draining soil. Growth is slow to moderate at 30 to 50 centimetres a year. They handle coastal exposure, light frost and dry spells once the roots are down.
Repeat them along a driveway, either side of an entry, or in pots on a terrace where a formal shape is wanted straight away. They read as structure in a planting scheme without the height of a hedge, and because the form is already trained, a new garden looks settled from the day it goes in.
About Star Jasmine Balls
They are Trachelospermum jasminoides, the common Star Jasmine, grown and clipped into a dense evergreen sphere on a woody framework. Instead of climbing, the plant is trained into a self supporting rounded shape. The foliage is small, glossy and dark green, and the plant carries scented white flowers through spring.
They hold at roughly 1 to 1.5 metres tall and 1 to 1.5 metres wide. Growth is slow to moderate at 30 to 50 centimetres a year, so a light clip once or twice a year keeps the ball tight at whatever size within that range suits the setting.
Full sun to part shade both work. Full sun gives the densest foliage and the heaviest flowering, while part shade produces slightly softer, more open growth and fewer flowers. Avoid deep shade, where the ball thins out and loses its outline. Morning sun with afternoon protection suits hot inland gardens.
Yes, and pots are one of the main uses. A container 50 to 60 centimetres wide with a quality free draining mix will hold a ball for years. Water more often than you would in the ground, especially in summer, and feed in spring and again in late summer. Refresh the mix every few years.
Yes, the foliage is held year round. The glossy dark green leaves take on a bronze tinge in cold weather and green up again in spring, but the plant never goes bare. That is what makes it useful as permanent structure in a scheme, particularly in winter once perennials have died back.
Flowering runs through spring, roughly September to November, and often carries into early summer in warmer districts. The white pinwheel flowers are small but produced in quantity, and the scent is strong on still evenings. Flowering is heaviest on plants in full sun that were not clipped hard just before bud set.
Clip lightly with hedging shears once after flowering and again in late summer if needed, taking only the new growth to keep the outline crisp. Water deeply in dry weather, mulch the base, and feed in early spring. The sap is milky and can irritate skin, so wear gloves when trimming.
Acer palmatum 'Osakazuki' is widely regarded as one of the finest autumn-colour Japanese Maples ever selected. Bright green summer foliage transitions to a brilliant scarlet-crimson in autumn that is rapid, intense, and often outshines every other Acer palmatum cultivar in the garden.
Osakazuki grows to 5-6 metres tall and 4-5 metres wide with a rounded upright canopy. The moderate size and well-structured habit suit residential gardens, courtyards, Japanese-style landscapes, large pots, and bonsai work, where the autumn display becomes a striking seasonal focal point.
Osakazuki performs best in cool to temperate regions including VIC, NSW Southern Highlands, ACT, Tasmania, and elevated parts of SA and WA. In warmer climates plant in part shade to protect the foliage from scorching, in well-drained soil with consistent moisture during dry spells.
Osakazuki or Atropurpureum? Both are upright Acer palmatum cultivars. Osakazuki has bright green summer foliage that transitions to famously brilliant scarlet in autumn. Atropurpureum holds deep burgundy-purple foliage through the whole growing season. Choose Osakazuki for explosive autumn impact, or Atropurpureum for continuous purple foliage.
About Acer palmatum 'Osakazuki' Japanese Maple
Osakazuki grows to 5-6 metres tall and 4-5 metres wide with a rounded upright canopy form.
Osakazuki has a moderate growth rate of 30-50cm per year once established.
Osakazuki is widely regarded as one of the finest autumn-colour Japanese maples, with foliage turning to brilliant scarlet-crimson that often outshines other Acer palmatum cultivars. It is considered a classic choice for autumn impact.
Bright green summer foliage transitions to vivid scarlet-crimson in autumn (May to June across southern Australia). The colour shift is rapid and intense, holding for several weeks before leaves drop.
Osakazuki performs best in cool to temperate regions including VIC, NSW Southern Highlands, ACT, Tasmania, and elevated parts of SA and WA. In warmer climates plant in part shade to protect the foliage from scorching.
Yes. Osakazuki is excellent in large pots (60L+) and is widely used as a courtyard, balcony or entrance feature.
Both are upright Japanese maples. Osakazuki has bright green summer foliage and famously brilliant scarlet autumn colour. Atropurpureum holds deep burgundy-purple foliage through the whole growing season. Choose Osakazuki for explosive autumn impact or Atropurpureum for continuous purple foliage.
Acer × freemanii 'Jeffersred', sold as Autumn Blaze, is a fast growing deciduous hybrid maple with a strong central leader, an upright oval crown and clean lobed foliage. Its reputation rests on autumn colour, when the whole canopy turns an even red orange, holding that colour for several weeks before leaf fall.
It wants full sun and deep soil with reliable moisture, and it grows well on clay provided drainage is adequate. Growth is fast at 1 to 1.5 metres a year while young. The tree is fully frost hardy and suits cool and temperate districts, though it needs summer water in hot inland positions.
This is a tree for avenues, streetscapes, large gardens, parks and civic open space, planted where reliable autumn colour and a uniform canopy shape matter. Nurseries and councils favour it because trees come true to form and colour up consistently even in warmer zones. Allow 8 to 10 metres between trees for full canopy.
About Autumn Blaze Maple
Autumn Blaze is a named cultivar of Acer × freemanii, a hybrid between the American Red Maple and Silver Maple. It combines the strong branch structure and brilliant autumn colour of Red Maple with the vigour and adaptability of Silver Maple. It is a deciduous shade and avenue tree, propagated vegetatively so every tree performs alike.
At maturity it reaches 12 to 20 metres tall and 9 to 12 metres wide, forming a broad upright oval crown. It is a large tree and needs to be sited accordingly, well clear of buildings, overhead services and small courtyards. Given room and good soil it reaches usable canopy size within about eight years.
Growth is fast, around 1 to 1.5 metres a year while the tree is young and well watered, which is why it is chosen for projects that need canopy quickly. Growth slows as the crown matures. The speed comes with softer wood than a slow grown maple, so early formative pruning is worth the effort.
It is deciduous. The tree drops its leaves through the colder months and leafs out again in spring, which lets winter sun through to buildings and paving beneath it. That seasonal cycle is part of its value in streetscapes and around houses, giving summer shade and winter light from the same tree.
Autumn colour comes through in autumn, generally April into May in southern Australia, with the timing shifting a few weeks depending on the district and the season. The turn is quick and remarkably even across the whole crown, moving from green to red orange. Cool nights ahead of leaf fall produce the strongest colour.
The root system is vigorous and largely shallow, inherited from its Silver Maple parent, so it should not be planted close to paving, drains or building footings. Given 3 to 4 metres of clearance from hard surfaces and a decent soil volume it causes no trouble. Deep, infrequent watering encourages roots down rather than out.
Water deeply through the first three summers, particularly in hot inland districts, and mulch widely to keep the root zone cool. Formative prune in the first few years to hold a single leader and remove narrow, tight forks before they become weak limbs. Stake young trees in exposed sites and remove ties after two seasons.
Liquidambar styraciflua, the Sweetgum, is one of the most spectacular autumn-colour trees available for Australian gardens. The glossy star-shaped foliage holds rich green through summer, then transitions to a brilliant blend of yellow, orange, red and deep burgundy in autumn, often holding colour for several weeks.
Sweetgum grows to 12-20 metres tall and 8-12 metres wide with an upright pyramidal form that broadens with age. The straight trunk, strong branching, and dependable colour make it an excellent shade tree and feature specimen for medium to large gardens, parks, and avenue plantings.
Sweetgum performs best in cool to temperate regions including VIC, NSW, ACT, Tasmania, and elevated parts of SA and WA, where cool autumns produce the strongest colour. It tolerates frost and moderate drought once established. Keep it clear of paving, as the spiky seed pods drop in autumn.
About Liquidambar styraciflua Sweetgum
Liquidambar styraciflua grows to 12-20 metres tall and 8-12 metres wide with an upright pyramidal form that broadens with age.
Sweetgum is moderately fast-growing, adding 60cm to 1 metre per year once established.
Glossy green star-shaped foliage transitions to a spectacular blend of yellow, orange, red and deep burgundy in autumn (April to June across southern Australia), often holding colour for several weeks.
Yes. Sweetgum is fully deciduous, dropping its colourful autumn foliage in winter to reveal a sculptural branching structure.
Sweetgum suits medium to large gardens, parks, and street planting due to its mature size. Allow room for the canopy and keep it clear of paving, as the spiky seed pods drop in autumn.
Sweetgum performs best in cool to temperate regions including VIC, NSW, ACT, Tasmania, and elevated parts of SA and WA, where cool autumns produce the strongest colour.
Plant 5-8 metres apart for a full canopy avenue, or 4 metres for a denser shade screen.
Ginkgo biloba, the Maidenhair Tree, is one of the oldest living tree species on earth, with fossil records dating back over 200 million years. The distinctive fan-shaped foliage, brilliant gold autumn colour, and exceptional pollution tolerance have made it a defining street tree in major cities worldwide and a much-loved feature tree in Australian gardens.
Ginkgo grows to 10-20 metres tall and 6-10 metres wide in landscape settings, with an upright pyramidal form when young that broadens with age. It is famously long-lived, with specimens recorded at over 1,000 years old, and is one of the most reliable trees available for cool to temperate regions, urban environments, and avenue planting.
Ginkgo thrives across most of Australia, performing best in cool to temperate regions but tolerating heat well. It is hardy across VIC, NSW, ACT, Tasmania, and parts of SA, WA, and southern QLD, and prefers full sun with well-drained soil. The trees offered are grafted male specimens, which avoid the unpleasant fleshy fruit produced by female trees.
About Ginkgo biloba
Ginkgo biloba grows to 10-20 metres tall and 6-10 metres wide in landscape settings, with an upright pyramidal form when young, broadening with age.
Ginkgo is slow to moderate growing, adding 20-40cm per year. It is a long-lived tree, with specimens recorded at over 1,000 years old.
Fan-shaped foliage shifts to brilliant golden-yellow in autumn (May to June across southern Australia). Ginkgo holds its colour briefly then drops its leaves over just a few days.
Ginkgos are either male or female. Female trees produce fleshy fruit with a strong unpleasant odour, so most cultivated Ginkgos sold are grafted male specimens for clean landscape use.
Yes. Ginkgo is one of the most pollution-tolerant trees available, which is why it is widely used as a street tree in major cities worldwide.
Ginkgo thrives across most of Australia, performing best in cool to temperate regions but tolerating heat well. It is hardy across VIC, NSW, ACT, Tasmania, and parts of SA, WA, and southern QLD.
Yes. Ginkgo is fully deciduous, dropping its golden autumn leaves rapidly before winter and developing new fan-shaped foliage in spring.
