Grown for its dark textured bark, a direct contrast to the white bark of standard Silver Birch, paired with fine weeping branches and clear yellow autumn foliage.
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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Betula pendula 'Nigra' is a deciduous birch grown for its bark. Where standard Silver Birch is bright white, 'Nigra' develops dark, textured bark that becomes the main feature once the leaves drop. The name refers to the bark, not the foliage.
It reaches 10 to 15 metres tall and 4 to 6 metres wide, with fine weeping branches and a light open canopy. Green diamond-shaped leaves turn clear yellow through autumn. Planted in clusters the dark trunks read as a grove. Spaced 5 to 8 metres apart they suit an avenue.
Best in cool to temperate regions: Victoria, Tasmania, the ACT, the NSW Southern Highlands and Tablelands, and elevated parts of South Australia and Western Australia. Full sun to part shade in well-drained, slightly acidic soil. Frost hardy, and holds up well to inland wind.
Two things worth knowing before you plant. The roots are shallow and spreading, so keep it at least 3 metres clear of paving, pipes and pools. And it prefers consistent moisture rather than coping alone through a dry summer, so water deeply through extended dry spells.
About Betula pendula 'Nigra' Black Birch
Green, turning clear yellow in autumn. The name 'Nigra' refers to the dark bark, not the leaves. If you are after purple foliage, the cultivar you want is Betula pendula 'Purpurea', which is a different tree.
The bark. Silver Birch is bright white; 'Nigra' develops dark, textured bark. Habit, leaf and autumn colour are much the same, so the choice comes down to whether you want white or dark trunks in the planting.
Around 10 to 15 metres tall and 4 to 6 metres wide in Australian conditions. The canopy stays relatively narrow and light, which is why it works in avenues and groves without dominating a garden.
Around 30 to 60 cm per year in suitable cool to temperate conditions. That is a moderate rate, quicker in good soil with consistent water, slower in poor or dry ground.
Cool to temperate regions: Victoria, Tasmania, the ACT, the NSW Southern Highlands and Tablelands, and elevated parts of South Australia and Western Australia. It will not perform in subtropical or tropical areas, and struggles in hot dry inland positions.
Birch roots are shallow and spreading rather than deep and aggressive. Plant at least 3 metres from paving, pipes, pools and foundations and you will avoid most issues. Avoid planting directly over a service trench.
Birch pollen is a known spring hay fever trigger, released from the catkins over a few weeks in early spring. If someone in the household is sensitive to tree pollen it is worth planting away from bedroom windows and outdoor living areas, or choosing a different feature tree. We are happy to suggest alternatives.
Five to 8 metres apart for an open avenue. Around 2 metres for a dense grove or multi-stem clump effect, where the dark trunks are the point.
| 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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Enter the length of your boundary, then choose how closely you want to plant.
Enter your boundary length to see how many trees you need.
Measure only the boundary you intend to plant—exclude gates and gaps. Spacing is centre to centre. Quantities are rounded up for one row, allowing roughly half the spacing at each end. Site conditions and pruning affect the final hedge.
Betula pendula 'Nigra' is a deciduous birch grown for its bark. Where standard Silver Birch is bright white, 'Nigra' develops dark, textured bark that becomes the main feature once the leaves drop. The name refers to the bark, not the foliage.
It reaches 10 to 15 metres tall and 4 to 6 metres wide, with fine weeping branches and a light open canopy. Green diamond-shaped leaves turn clear yellow through autumn. Planted in clusters the dark trunks read as a grove. Spaced 5 to 8 metres apart they suit an avenue.
Best in cool to temperate regions: Victoria, Tasmania, the ACT, the NSW Southern Highlands and Tablelands, and elevated parts of South Australia and Western Australia. Full sun to part shade in well-drained, slightly acidic soil. Frost hardy, and holds up well to inland wind.
Two things worth knowing before you plant. The roots are shallow and spreading, so keep it at least 3 metres clear of paving, pipes and pools. And it prefers consistent moisture rather than coping alone through a dry summer, so water deeply through extended dry spells.
About Betula pendula 'Nigra' Black Birch
Green, turning clear yellow in autumn. The name 'Nigra' refers to the dark bark, not the leaves. If you are after purple foliage, the cultivar you want is Betula pendula 'Purpurea', which is a different tree.
The bark. Silver Birch is bright white; 'Nigra' develops dark, textured bark. Habit, leaf and autumn colour are much the same, so the choice comes down to whether you want white or dark trunks in the planting.
Around 10 to 15 metres tall and 4 to 6 metres wide in Australian conditions. The canopy stays relatively narrow and light, which is why it works in avenues and groves without dominating a garden.
Around 30 to 60 cm per year in suitable cool to temperate conditions. That is a moderate rate, quicker in good soil with consistent water, slower in poor or dry ground.
Cool to temperate regions: Victoria, Tasmania, the ACT, the NSW Southern Highlands and Tablelands, and elevated parts of South Australia and Western Australia. It will not perform in subtropical or tropical areas, and struggles in hot dry inland positions.
Birch roots are shallow and spreading rather than deep and aggressive. Plant at least 3 metres from paving, pipes, pools and foundations and you will avoid most issues. Avoid planting directly over a service trench.
Birch pollen is a known spring hay fever trigger, released from the catkins over a few weeks in early spring. If someone in the household is sensitive to tree pollen it is worth planting away from bedroom windows and outdoor living areas, or choosing a different feature tree. We are happy to suggest alternatives.
Five to 8 metres apart for an open avenue. Around 2 metres for a dense grove or multi-stem clump effect, where the dark trunks are the point.
Deciduous (Defoliates throughout colder months)
Betula pendula 'Nigra' Black Birch is expected to grow 30cm to 60cm per year (approx.).
Betula pendula 'Nigra' Black Birch works in an:
Betula pendula 'Nigra' Black Birch is an Deciduous (Defoliates throughout colder months) Tree
Mature Height: 10m to 15m (approx.)
Mature Width: 4m to 6m
Betula pendula 'Nigra' Black Birch is expected to grow 30cm to 60cm per year (approx.).
Betula pendula 'Nigra' Black Birch is expected to grow 30cm to 60cm per year (approx.).
They are considered to have a:
Is Betula pendula 'Nigra' Black Birch frost tolerant?
Betula pendula 'Nigra' Black Birch is Frost Hardy – Survives heavy and frequent frost without damage.
Betula pendula ‘Nigra’ produces slender yellow-brown catkins in early spring before the new leaves emerge. Though modest, these early-season flowers provide a valuable pollen source for native bees and beneficial insects as the tree begins its growth cycle.
Does Betula pendula 'Nigra' Black Birch flower?
Flowering Period:
Flower Type:
Flower Colour:
Not Applicable
No
Betula pendula 'Nigra' Black Birch is Native to A cultivar of the European Silver Birch (Betula pendula), native to Europe and parts of Asia, selected for its ornamental bark.
Its fine, lightly spreading canopy provides shelter for small birds, while its catkins support early-season pollinators such as native bees and hoverflies. The bark and branch structure also encourage insect diversity, contributing to a healthy, biodiverse garden ecosystem.
Betula pendula 'Nigra' Black Birch will thrive best in:
Betula pendula ‘Nigra’ performs best in well-drained loam or sandy loam soils and prefers slightly acidic to neutral conditions. It may struggle in heavy clay or overly wet soils unless improved with organic matter to enhance aeration and drainage. Keep soil evenly moist during establishment, then transition to deep, occasional watering as the tree matures, particularly during hot or dry spells, to maintain canopy health and bark quality.
Is Betula pendula 'Nigra' Black Birch Drought tolerant?
Betula pendula 'Nigra' is shallow-rooted and prefers consistent soil moisture. It is not a drought-tolerant tree. Water deeply twice weekly through the first 12 months, then deeply and less often once established, with extra attention through hot dry spells. Mulching over the root zone makes a noticeable difference to leaf quality through summer.
Green, turning clear yellow in autumn. The name 'Nigra' refers to the dark bark, not the leaves. If you are after purple foliage, the cultivar you want is Betula pendula 'Purpurea', which is a different tree.
The bark. Silver Birch is bright white; 'Nigra' develops dark, textured bark. Habit, leaf and autumn colour are much the same, so the choice comes down to whether you want white or dark trunks in the planting.
Around 10 to 15 metres tall and 4 to 6 metres wide in Australian conditions. The canopy stays relatively narrow and light, which is why it works in avenues and groves without dominating a garden.
Around 30 to 60 cm per year in suitable cool to temperate conditions. That is a moderate rate, quicker in good soil with consistent water, slower in poor or dry ground.
Cool to temperate regions: Victoria, Tasmania, the ACT, the NSW Southern Highlands and Tablelands, and elevated parts of South Australia and Western Australia. It will not perform in subtropical or tropical areas, and struggles in hot dry inland positions.
Birch roots are shallow and spreading rather than deep and aggressive. Plant at least 3 metres from paving, pipes, pools and foundations and you will avoid most issues. Avoid planting directly over a service trench.
Birch pollen is a known spring hay fever trigger, released from the catkins over a few weeks in early spring. If someone in the household is sensitive to tree pollen it is worth planting away from bedroom windows and outdoor living areas, or choosing a different feature tree. We are happy to suggest alternatives.
Five to 8 metres apart for an open avenue. Around 2 metres for a dense grove or multi-stem clump effect, where the dark trunks are the point.
Enquire for current heights
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Enquire for current heights
Enquire for current heights
Enquire for current heights
Enquire for current heights
Enquire for current heights
Enquire for current heights
Heights are approximate and vary between individual trees.
We take pride in supplying A+ grade advanced trees. When stock at our farm is not yet ready, we work with our trusted trade suppliers to source the best available trees for your garden.
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.
Grevillea x 'Moonlight' carries very large creamy-white toothbrush flower spikes almost continuously through the year, each one up to 20 centimetres long and heavily worked by honeyeaters. Few native shrubs flower this hard for this long.
'Moonlight' grows to 4 to 6 metres tall but only around 2 metres wide at 20 to 40 centimetres per year, giving a tall narrow frame clothed in fine silver-green divided foliage. That upright habit suits narrow garden beds, screening along a fence line, or a single feature in a large pot.
This Australian native grows in full sun to part shade, tolerates light to moderate frost once established, and is highly drought tolerant. It needs free-draining soil and low-phosphorus feeding, and rewards a light prune after each main flowering flush with denser growth.
About Grevillea 'Moonlight'
'Moonlight' grows to 4 to 6 metres tall and only around 2 metres wide, giving an unusually tall narrow form for a grevillea. It suits narrow beds and screening positions.
'Moonlight' flowers close to year round, with the heaviest flushes in spring and autumn. The large creamy-white toothbrush spikes can reach 20 centimetres long.
Yes. The nectar-rich flowers are a magnet for honeyeaters and other nectar-feeding birds, and the dense fine foliage provides shelter for smaller species.
It grows at a moderate 20 to 40 centimetres per year, reaching a usable screening height within four to five years in a warm free-draining position.
It requires free-draining soil and will not tolerate waterlogging. Use only low-phosphorus native fertiliser, as grevilleas and other Proteaceae are damaged by high-phosphorus formulations.
Yes. Once established it is highly drought tolerant and needs only occasional deep watering through extended dry spells.
Yes. A light prune after each main flowering flush keeps the plant dense and prevents it becoming leggy at the base. Avoid cutting back hard into bare old wood.
Pittosporum tobira 'Miss Muffet' forms a naturally tidy dome of glossy dark green foliage without ever needing to be clipped into shape, and carries clusters of intensely fragrant creamy-white flowers through spring. It is the low structural plant that does the work of a clipped hedge with none of the trimming.
'Miss Muffet' grows to just 0.5 to 1 metre tall and around 1.5 metres wide at 20 to 40 centimetres per year, holding density right to ground level. That compact scale suits low borders along paths and driveways, underplanting beneath feature trees, and mass planting in courtyards and civic beds.
'Miss Muffet' grows in full sun to part shade, tolerates light to moderate frost once established, and copes with coastal exposure and extended dry. It performs well in pots, and maintenance is limited to removing the occasional wayward shoot.
About Pittosporum tobira 'Miss Muffet'
'Miss Muffet' grows to 0.5 to 1 metre tall and around 1.5 metres wide, forming a naturally rounded dome. It is a true dwarf and will not need cutting back to stay low.
No. It holds a tidy rounded shape naturally. An occasional trim to remove a wayward shoot is all that is required, which is its main advantage over clipped alternatives.
Clusters of creamy-white flowers appear through spring and are strongly fragrant, with a scent often compared to orange blossom.
Yes. Plant 0.8 to 1 metre apart for a continuous low evergreen border. Because it is naturally dense and low, it forms a hedge line without formal clipping.
Yes. It performs in full sun through to part shade, which makes it useful for underplanting beneath established canopy trees where light is limited.
Yes. Pittosporum tobira tolerates salt-laden wind and sandy soils well, and 'Miss Muffet' is widely used in coastal courtyard and foreshore plantings.
Yes. Its compact rounded habit makes it an excellent pot plant for entries, balconies and courtyards. Use a free-draining mix and water regularly through summer.
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.
Buxus sempervirens English Box Topiary Balls are pre-clipped formal evergreen specimens, available in three mature sizes and ready to place. The tight, fine, dark green foliage holds a precise rounded form year-round and gives the classic formal topiary look that no other Buxus replicates. As one of our most consistently strong-selling products, our English Box topiary balls are well-shaped, well-rooted, and arrive in proportion to the pot size.
English Box performs best in cool to temperate climates and is slow growing at around 15 to 25 cm per year in good conditions, which is exactly why it holds sharp formal shapes so well. It thrives in full sun to part shade with well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral loamy soil, and is frost hardy, drought tolerant once established, and excellent in containers. Two light clips per year, in spring and again in late summer, keep the ball form crisp.
Use them flanking entrances, lining formal pathways, anchoring symmetrical garden beds, defining parterre and knot gardens, and in pairs in classic urns and decorative pots at front doors. Buxus sempervirens is the original topiary plant and remains the benchmark for traditional and contemporary formal design, with a level of finesse and density that fast-growing alternatives cannot replicate.
About Buxus sempervirens English Box Topiary Balls
Our English Box topiary balls arrive pre-clipped and ready to place at the size you order. The 30cm/33cm pots have ball diameters of approximately 30 to 45 cm, the 40cm/45L pots have ball diameters of 40 to 55 cm, and the 50cm/75L pots have ball diameters of 50 to 70 cm. They are well-rooted and in proportion to the pot.
English Box is slow-growing, adding approximately 15 to 25 cm per year once established in good conditions. This slow growth rate is one of the reasons it holds sharp formal shapes so well, and why mature pre-clipped specimens command a premium over seedling-grown stock.
English Box (Buxus sempervirens) has the smallest, finest leaves and the tightest formal texture, ideal for traditional parterres and clipped balls. Japanese Box (Buxus microphylla japonica) has slightly larger leaves, grows faster, and handles heat better. Shaggy Box (Buxus bodinieri) has soft, rounded leaves, much better blight resistance, and is the best choice for humid subtropical climates where English Box can struggle.
English Box performs best in cool to temperate regions including Victoria, the ACT, the NSW Southern Highlands and Central Tablelands, Tasmania, and the elevated parts of South Australia and Western Australia. In humid coastal or hot subtropical regions, consider Buxus bodinieri Shaggy Box or Japanese Box instead for better long-term performance.
Lightly clip in spring and again in late summer or early autumn to maintain the ball shape. Avoid pruning in the heat of summer or during frost periods. Use sharp shears for the cleanest formal finish, and step back regularly to check the symmetry of the form.
Yes. English Box is the classic potted topiary plant and pre-clipped balls look particularly striking in pairs at entrances and on terraces. Use a minimum 30L pot for the 30cm/33cm size and scale up from there, with a quality potting mix and a slow-release fertiliser applied twice yearly.
English Box can be affected by box blight, particularly in humid conditions where foliage stays wet. To reduce risk, ensure good air circulation around each plant, avoid overhead watering, and prune to maintain airflow through the canopy. In high-humidity regions, Buxus bodinieri Shaggy Box is a more disease-resistant alternative.
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.
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.
Betula pendula 'Alba' is the classic Silver Birch, admired for its brilliant white peeling bark, light airy canopy, and elegant drooping branches that bring year-round structure and softness to the garden.
Silver Birch 'Alba' grows to 15-20 metres tall and 5-6 metres wide with a slender upright form. Fine green leaves turn golden-yellow in autumn before dropping to reveal the striking white bark. It looks especially effective planted in loose clusters, as an avenue, or as a seasonal contrast against darker evergreen foliage.
Silver Birch tolerates urban conditions and a range of soils, performing best in cool to temperate regions including VIC, Tasmania, the ACT, the NSW Southern Highlands, and elevated parts of WA and SA. It prefers full sun to part shade with moist, well-drained soil.
About Betula pendula 'Alba' Silver Birch
Betula pendula 'Alba' grows to 15-20 metres tall and 5-6 metres wide with a slender upright form and gracefully pendulous branches.
Silver Birch 'Alba' has a moderate growth rate of 50-80cm per year in cool to temperate climates.
Silver Birch 'Alba' performs best in cool to temperate regions including VIC, Tasmania, the ACT, the NSW Southern Highlands, and elevated parts of WA and SA. It struggles in hot tropical climates.
Yes. Silver Birch is fully deciduous. Foliage turns golden-yellow in autumn before dropping in winter, revealing the striking white bark that gives the tree its name.
Both are white-bark cultivars of Betula pendula. 'Alba' is the classic species form, growing taller (15-20m) with a more open habit. 'Moss White' is a selected cultivar with even brighter white bark and a slightly more compact form. Both are excellent feature trees.
Plant 3-5 metres apart depending on canopy spread. For dense feature groves or clumped plantings, 2 metres also works well to create a multi-stem effect.
Silver birches have moderate root systems. Plant at least 3 metres from buildings, paving and pools to avoid issues.
Betula pendula 'Nigra' is a deciduous birch grown for its bark. Where standard Silver Birch is bright white, 'Nigra' develops dark, textured bark that becomes the main feature once the leaves drop. The name refers to the bark, not the foliage.
It reaches 10 to 15 metres tall and 4 to 6 metres wide, with fine weeping branches and a light open canopy. Green diamond-shaped leaves turn clear yellow through autumn. Planted in clusters the dark trunks read as a grove. Spaced 5 to 8 metres apart they suit an avenue.
Best in cool to temperate regions: Victoria, Tasmania, the ACT, the NSW Southern Highlands and Tablelands, and elevated parts of South Australia and Western Australia. Full sun to part shade in well-drained, slightly acidic soil. Frost hardy, and holds up well to inland wind.
Two things worth knowing before you plant. The roots are shallow and spreading, so keep it at least 3 metres clear of paving, pipes and pools. And it prefers consistent moisture rather than coping alone through a dry summer, so water deeply through extended dry spells.
About Betula pendula 'Nigra' Black Birch
Green, turning clear yellow in autumn. The name 'Nigra' refers to the dark bark, not the leaves. If you are after purple foliage, the cultivar you want is Betula pendula 'Purpurea', which is a different tree.
The bark. Silver Birch is bright white; 'Nigra' develops dark, textured bark. Habit, leaf and autumn colour are much the same, so the choice comes down to whether you want white or dark trunks in the planting.
Around 10 to 15 metres tall and 4 to 6 metres wide in Australian conditions. The canopy stays relatively narrow and light, which is why it works in avenues and groves without dominating a garden.
Around 30 to 60 cm per year in suitable cool to temperate conditions. That is a moderate rate, quicker in good soil with consistent water, slower in poor or dry ground.
Cool to temperate regions: Victoria, Tasmania, the ACT, the NSW Southern Highlands and Tablelands, and elevated parts of South Australia and Western Australia. It will not perform in subtropical or tropical areas, and struggles in hot dry inland positions.
Birch roots are shallow and spreading rather than deep and aggressive. Plant at least 3 metres from paving, pipes, pools and foundations and you will avoid most issues. Avoid planting directly over a service trench.
Birch pollen is a known spring hay fever trigger, released from the catkins over a few weeks in early spring. If someone in the household is sensitive to tree pollen it is worth planting away from bedroom windows and outdoor living areas, or choosing a different feature tree. We are happy to suggest alternatives.
Five to 8 metres apart for an open avenue. Around 2 metres for a dense grove or multi-stem clump effect, where the dark trunks are the point.
Acer palmatum dissectum 'Seiryu' is the only commonly grown upright laceleaf Japanese Maple. Where most dissectum cultivars cascade downward, Seiryu grows upward on a sculptural vase-shaped frame, carrying finely dissected green foliage that turns vivid orange, red and gold in autumn.
Seiryu grows slowly to 3-4 metres tall and 2-3 metres wide. The upright compact form makes it unusually versatile for a laceleaf maple, suiting courtyards, layered garden borders, Japanese-style designs, and large feature pots where height is wanted without sacrificing the delicacy of dissected foliage.
Seiryu 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 delicate dissected foliage from scorching, in well-drained soil with consistent moisture during dry spells.
Seiryu or Inaba Shidare? Both are dissectum (laceleaf) Japanese Maples with finely cut foliage. Seiryu is the only commonly grown upright laceleaf, with green spring foliage turning vivid red and gold in autumn. Inaba Shidare has a cascading weeping habit with burgundy-red foliage that intensifies in autumn. Choose Seiryu for upright height, or Inaba Shidare for cascading colour.
About Acer palmatum dissectum 'Seiryu' Upright Laceleaf Japanese Maple
Seiryu grows to 3-4 metres tall and 2-3 metres wide with an upright vase-shaped form, unusual for a laceleaf maple.
Seiryu is slow-growing, adding 15-25cm per year once established.
Seiryu is the only commonly grown upright laceleaf Japanese maple. Most dissectum cultivars (like Inaba Shidare) cascade downward, but Seiryu grows upright with finely dissected green foliage and a sculptural vase-shaped form.
Bright green spring and summer foliage transitions to vivid orange, red, and gold in autumn (May to June across southern Australia).
Seiryu 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 delicate dissected foliage.
Yes. Seiryu is excellent in large pots (60L+) thanks to its upright compact form, making it a popular courtyard, balcony, and feature pot specimen.
Both are dissectum (laceleaf) Japanese maples. Seiryu is upright with green spring foliage turning red and gold in autumn, while Inaba Shidare has a cascading weeping habit with burgundy-red foliage year-round. Choose Seiryu for upright height or Inaba Shidare for cascading colour.
Acer palmatum 'Atropurpureum' is the classic burgundy Japanese Maple, with finely lobed purple-red foliage that holds rich colour through the entire growing season. Leaves emerge deep burgundy in spring, deepen through summer, and shift to vivid crimson in autumn, giving more sustained colour impact than green-leaved cultivars that only colour in autumn.
Atropurpureum grows to 4-6 metres tall and 3-4 metres wide with a rounded canopy form. The compact size and elegant branching habit suit residential gardens, courtyards, Japanese-style landscapes, and large pots, and the deep foliage colour contrasts beautifully against green hedges, pale walls, and architectural stonework.
Atropurpureum 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 foliage from scorching, in well-drained soil with consistent moisture during dry spells.
Atropurpureum or Osakazuki? Both are upright Acer palmatum cultivars. Atropurpureum holds deep burgundy-purple foliage through the whole growing season. Osakazuki has bright green summer foliage that transitions to famously brilliant scarlet in autumn. Choose Atropurpureum for continuous purple foliage, or Osakazuki for explosive autumn impact.
About Acer palmatum 'Atropurpureum' Japanese Maple
Atropurpureum grows to 4-6 metres tall and 3-4 metres wide with a rounded canopy form.
Atropurpureum has a moderate growth rate of 30-50cm per year once established.
Atropurpureum produces deep burgundy to purple-red foliage in spring, holding rich colour through summer, then deepening to vivid crimson in autumn before leaves drop. Its summer colour holds better than many other red-leaf maples.
Atropurpureum 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 foliage from scorching.
Yes. Atropurpureum is excellent in large pots (60L+) and is widely used as a courtyard, balcony, or entrance feature.
Standard Acer palmatum produces green spring foliage with red-orange autumn colour. Atropurpureum offers rich burgundy-purple foliage through the growing season, making it the choice for continuous colour rather than just autumn impact.
Yes. Atropurpureum is fully deciduous. It drops its crimson autumn foliage in winter and produces new burgundy spring leaves.
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Betula pendula 'Nigra' is a deciduous birch grown for its bark. Where standard Silver Birch is bright white, 'Nigra' develops dark, textured bark that becomes the main feature once the leaves drop. The name refers to the bark, not the foliage.
It reaches 10 to 15 metres tall and 4 to 6 metres wide, with fine weeping branches and a light open canopy. Green diamond-shaped leaves turn clear yellow through autumn. Planted in clusters the dark trunks read as a grove. Spaced 5 to 8 metres apart they suit an avenue.
Best in cool to temperate regions: Victoria, Tasmania, the ACT, the NSW Southern Highlands and Tablelands, and elevated parts of South Australia and Western Australia. Full sun to part shade in well-drained, slightly acidic soil. Frost hardy, and holds up well to inland wind.
Two things worth knowing before you plant. The roots are shallow and spreading, so keep it at least 3 metres clear of paving, pipes and pools. And it prefers consistent moisture rather than coping alone through a dry summer, so water deeply through extended dry spells.
About Betula pendula 'Nigra' Black Birch
Green, turning clear yellow in autumn. The name 'Nigra' refers to the dark bark, not the leaves. If you are after purple foliage, the cultivar you want is Betula pendula 'Purpurea', which is a different tree.
The bark. Silver Birch is bright white; 'Nigra' develops dark, textured bark. Habit, leaf and autumn colour are much the same, so the choice comes down to whether you want white or dark trunks in the planting.
Around 10 to 15 metres tall and 4 to 6 metres wide in Australian conditions. The canopy stays relatively narrow and light, which is why it works in avenues and groves without dominating a garden.
Around 30 to 60 cm per year in suitable cool to temperate conditions. That is a moderate rate, quicker in good soil with consistent water, slower in poor or dry ground.
Cool to temperate regions: Victoria, Tasmania, the ACT, the NSW Southern Highlands and Tablelands, and elevated parts of South Australia and Western Australia. It will not perform in subtropical or tropical areas, and struggles in hot dry inland positions.
Birch roots are shallow and spreading rather than deep and aggressive. Plant at least 3 metres from paving, pipes, pools and foundations and you will avoid most issues. Avoid planting directly over a service trench.
Birch pollen is a known spring hay fever trigger, released from the catkins over a few weeks in early spring. If someone in the household is sensitive to tree pollen it is worth planting away from bedroom windows and outdoor living areas, or choosing a different feature tree. We are happy to suggest alternatives.
Five to 8 metres apart for an open avenue. Around 2 metres for a dense grove or multi-stem clump effect, where the dark trunks are the point.
