Bursaria spinosa

Name: Bursaria spinosa
Brand: Evergreen Trees Direct
Price: 300.00 AUD
Availability: InStock

$300.00

Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

994 in stock

Size: 40cm/45L

40cm/45L 30cm/33cm 25cm

Current Stock Height Guides

25cm: Enquire within for height guide information.
30cm: Enquire within for height guide information.
40cm/45L: Enquire within for height guide information.

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We supply advanced trees to landscapers, developers, architects, and councils Australia-wide. Trade clients receive fast quotes, expert advice, and access to premium stock with reliable freight.

About Bursaria spinosa

Bursaria spinosa, commonly known as Australian Blackthorn or Sweet Bursaria, is a hardy native shrub or small tree with dense, thorny branches ideal for natural hedging and habitat planting. Masses of fragrant white flowers bloom from late spring through summer, drawing in pollinators and butterflies, including the Eltham Copper butterfly.

Its fine, green foliage and upright, irregular form create both visual interest and protective structure. Looks excellent when planted as a low-maintenance wildlife hedge or used to frame native gardens with a naturalistic, textured edge.

Key Information to Know

Evergreen / Deciduous

Bursaria spinosa is an Evergreen (foliage year round) Tree

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 2m - 10m Approximately

Mature Width: 4m – 6m

Bursaria spinosa is expected to grow Approx. 30 – 50 cm per year.

Frost Tolerance

Is Bursaria spinosa frost tolerant?

Bursaria spinosa is Frost Tolerant – Can handle light to moderate frost once established.

Flowering Information

Bursaria spinosa produces masses of small, star-shaped white flowers from summer through early autumn. These fragrant blooms cluster along the branch tips, creating a delicate yet generous seasonal display that brightens the warm months.

Native Information

Is Bursaria spinosa an Australian Native? No

Bursaria spinosa is Native to Widespread across Australia, from Queensland through New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and Tasmania, where it grows in open forests, woodlands, and grasslands.

Wildlife Value

Its nectar-rich flowers attract native bees, hoverflies, butterflies and other pollinators, while the dense, prickly branching provides excellent nesting habitat for small birds. It is especially valued as a host plant for several native butterfly species, contributing strongly to biodiversity.

Sunlight Information

Bursaria spinosa will thrive best in:

Full Sun

Preffered Soil

Bursaria spinosa performs best in well-drained sandy or loam soils and tolerates slightly acidic to slightly alkaline conditions. It can manage poorer soils but may struggle in heavy clay or waterlogged sites unless improved with organic matter to enhance drainage. Keep soil evenly moist during establishment, then reduce watering as the tree matures and develops its characteristic high drought resilience.

Botanical Information

Common Name: Sweet Bursaria / Blackthorn

Genus: Bursaria

Botanical Species: spinosa

Family: Pittosporaceae

Botanical Name: Bursaria spinosa

Landscape Uses

Screening or Privacy
Rural Property Planting
Revegetation or Regeneration

Bursaria spinosa works in an:

Australian Native Garden – celebrates local plants with natural character.
Wildlife Garden – planting to attract birds, bees, and pollinators.
Low-maintenance Garden – resilient choices for easy care and year-round appeal.

Planting, Spacing & Care

How to Plant Bursaria spinosa

Location Choice: Opt for a well-drained location, either in full sun or partial shade.
Soil Prep: It's adaptable but prefers slightly acidic to neutral, well-draining soils.
Hole Dimensions: Approximately double the root ball's width.
Planting: Position the plant in the hole, ensuring it's straight, and fill with soil, pressing down gently.
Watering: Water generously post-planting and during the initial growth phase.

Hedging & Screening: 1 m – 1.5 m – Dense foliage makes it suitable for native hedging

Feature Tree: 2 m – 3 m – Small form allows it to work as a feature in native gardens

Avenue Planting Trees: Not typically used

Caring for Bursaria spinosa

Watering: Regular watering is recommended during dry periods.
Mulching: A layer of organic mulch around the base assists in moisture retention.
Pruning: Occasional pruning to maintain the desired shape or remove dead branches.

Optimizing Soil for Hardy, Resilient Growth

Ideal Drainage: Bursaria spinosa thrives best in well-drained soil.

Well-Draining Soil: This is excellent for supporting its growth in a variety of conditions.

If you have the following soil, here are some tips for you:

Sandy Soil: Ideal for its natural drainage. Enhance with organic matter to improve nutrient availability and support robust growth.
Clay Soil: Can be made suitable with proper amendments. Improve with coarse sand and organic compost to enhance drainage and aeration.
Loamy Soil: A great choice; ensure it is not overly rich to prevent excessive growth at the expense of form.
Peaty Soil: Rich in organics; ensure adequate drainage by incorporating gravel or sand to prevent waterlogging.

Bursaria spinosa is expected to grow Approx. 30 – 50 cm per year.

Medium Growth Rate

Root Ball Dimensions (Width × Depth) For Planting

Use this as a reference when digging your planting hole. We recommend digging at least 10% wider than the dimensions below to encourage strong root development.

30cm Pot: 33cm (W) × 30cm (D)
40cm/45L Pot: 44cm (W) × 41.5cm (D)
50cm Pot / 70L Pot: 55cm (W) × 41.8cm (D)
100L Bag: 50.6cm (W) × 52.8cm (D)
150L Bag: 66cm (W) × 55cm (D)
200L Bag: 71.5cm (W) × 60.5cm (D)
300L Bag: 88cm (W) × 63.8cm (D)
400L Bag: 99cm (W) × 66cm (D)
500L Bag: 122cm (W) × 66cm (D)
750L Bag: 134cm (W) × 69cm (D)
1000L Bag: 146.3cm (W) × 71.5cm (D)
2000L Bag: 176cm (W) × 82.5cm (D)

Ideal Conditions

Inland QLD (Darling Downs, Central QLD)
Northern NSW (Byron, Coffs, Armidale)
Sydney & Central Coast
South Coast NSW (Illawarra to Bega)
Inland NSW / Tablelands (Orange, Bathurst, Canberra)
Melbourne & Surrounds (Metro, Bayside, Geelong, Bellarine, Mornington)
Western District & Central VIC (Ballarat, Bendigo, Hamilton)
Gippsland (Latrobe Valley, East Gippsland)
Adelaide Metro & Coastal
Adelaide Hills & Barossa

Thrives in

Full Sun

Frost Tolerance

Frost Tolerant – Can handle light to moderate frost once established.

Drought Tolerance

As a young tree it benefits from regular watering, but once established Bursaria spinosa develops excellent drought tolerance. It thrives in dry, low-maintenance gardens and maintains its dense, bushy form with minimal supplementary watering.

Flowering Information

Does Bursaria spinosa flower?

Yes - Flowers

Flowering Period:

Summer

Flower Type:

Fragrant

Flower Colour:

White

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What attracts butterflies to Bursaria spinosa? The sweetly fragrant flowers of the Sweet Bursaria are known to attract a variety of butterflies.
Is it suitable for coastal gardens? Yes, the Australian Blackthorn is tolerant of coastal conditions, making it ideal for seaside gardens.
Can it thrive in shaded areas? While it prefers full sun, it can also grow in partial shade.