Most loved for its fine, aromatic peppermint-scented foliage and smooth white bark.
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.
Couldn't load pickup availability
Eucalyptus pulchella, the white peppermint, is a slender Tasmanian gum with fine, glossy green leaves that smell strongly of peppermint when crushed. Smooth white to pale grey bark sheds in ribbons down the trunk, and clusters of small white flowers open through summer above an airy, finely textured crown.
Plant it in full sun in almost any well drained soil. Growth is fast, around 50 centimetres to 1 metre a year, and established trees handle dry summers along with light to moderate frost. It suits temperate and cool temperate districts across Tasmania, Victoria, the southern tablelands and the Adelaide Hills.
The narrow, upright habit makes it useful where height is wanted without a heavy canopy, so avenues, shelterbelts, civic plantings and larger residential blocks all suit it. It also carries revegetation work well. Plant 3 metres apart for an avenue, or 3 to 4 metres as specimens. The fine crown casts light shade, so planting beneath it still grows.
About White Peppermint
White peppermint is a Tasmanian eucalypt with a slender upright trunk, smooth white to pale grey bark that sheds in ribbons, and fine glossy leaves that release a strong peppermint scent when crushed. Small white flowers open in summer. It is evergreen, fast growing and hardy once it has a season or two behind it.
Mature trees generally reach 10 to 20 metres with a spread of 4 to 8 metres, depending on soil depth and rainfall. The crown stays fine and open rather than heavy, so the tree reads as tall and light. On shallow or dry sites it settles at the lower end of that range.
Fast, at around 50 centimetres to 1 metre a year while young. The quickest growth comes on deep, well drained soil in full sun with water through the first two summers. Because it moves quickly, formative pruning in the first few years is worth doing to set a single straight leader.
Evergreen. It holds foliage year round and does not drop its leaves seasonally, though like all eucalypts it sheds bark ribbons and some older leaves through the warmer months. That makes it useful where year round shelter or screening is needed rather than seasonal cover, particularly on exposed rural boundaries.
Through summer, roughly December to February, with clusters of small white flowers held across the crown. The flowers are nectar rich and draw honeyeaters, native bees and other insects, so it earns its place in habitat and revegetation planting. Flowering is heavier on mature trees in an open, sunny position.
Established trees handle extended dry periods without irrigation, which suits inland and rain shadow sites. Frost tolerance covers light to moderate frost once the tree has settled in, and young stock planted in a cold hollow benefits from protection for its first winter. Sharp drainage improves both drought and cold performance.
Water weekly through the first two summers, then rely on rainfall. Mulch well and keep grass off the root zone while the tree establishes. Prune in late winter to remove competing leaders and to lift the crown for clearance. Avoid high phosphorus fertiliser; a light native feed in spring is enough.
| 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.
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.
Based on the items currently in your cart.
Final delivery cost is confirmed at checkout using your full address.
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.
Eucalyptus pulchella, the white peppermint, is a slender Tasmanian gum with fine, glossy green leaves that smell strongly of peppermint when crushed. Smooth white to pale grey bark sheds in ribbons down the trunk, and clusters of small white flowers open through summer above an airy, finely textured crown.
Plant it in full sun in almost any well drained soil. Growth is fast, around 50 centimetres to 1 metre a year, and established trees handle dry summers along with light to moderate frost. It suits temperate and cool temperate districts across Tasmania, Victoria, the southern tablelands and the Adelaide Hills.
The narrow, upright habit makes it useful where height is wanted without a heavy canopy, so avenues, shelterbelts, civic plantings and larger residential blocks all suit it. It also carries revegetation work well. Plant 3 metres apart for an avenue, or 3 to 4 metres as specimens. The fine crown casts light shade, so planting beneath it still grows.
About White Peppermint
White peppermint is a Tasmanian eucalypt with a slender upright trunk, smooth white to pale grey bark that sheds in ribbons, and fine glossy leaves that release a strong peppermint scent when crushed. Small white flowers open in summer. It is evergreen, fast growing and hardy once it has a season or two behind it.
Mature trees generally reach 10 to 20 metres with a spread of 4 to 8 metres, depending on soil depth and rainfall. The crown stays fine and open rather than heavy, so the tree reads as tall and light. On shallow or dry sites it settles at the lower end of that range.
Fast, at around 50 centimetres to 1 metre a year while young. The quickest growth comes on deep, well drained soil in full sun with water through the first two summers. Because it moves quickly, formative pruning in the first few years is worth doing to set a single straight leader.
Evergreen. It holds foliage year round and does not drop its leaves seasonally, though like all eucalypts it sheds bark ribbons and some older leaves through the warmer months. That makes it useful where year round shelter or screening is needed rather than seasonal cover, particularly on exposed rural boundaries.
Through summer, roughly December to February, with clusters of small white flowers held across the crown. The flowers are nectar rich and draw honeyeaters, native bees and other insects, so it earns its place in habitat and revegetation planting. Flowering is heavier on mature trees in an open, sunny position.
Established trees handle extended dry periods without irrigation, which suits inland and rain shadow sites. Frost tolerance covers light to moderate frost once the tree has settled in, and young stock planted in a cold hollow benefits from protection for its first winter. Sharp drainage improves both drought and cold performance.
Water weekly through the first two summers, then rely on rainfall. Mulch well and keep grass off the root zone while the tree establishes. Prune in late winter to remove competing leaders and to lift the crown for clearance. Avoid high phosphorus fertiliser; a light native feed in spring is enough.
Evergreen (foliage year round)
Eucalyptus pulchella – White Peppermint is expected to grow 0.5m to 1m per year (fast in good conditions).
Eucalyptus pulchella – White Peppermint works in an:
Eucalyptus pulchella – White Peppermint is an Evergreen (foliage year round) Tree
Mature Height: 10m to 20m
Mature Width: 6m to 12m
Eucalyptus pulchella – White Peppermint is expected to grow 0.5m to 1m per year (fast in good conditions).
Eucalyptus pulchella – White Peppermint is expected to grow 0.5m to 1m per year (fast in good conditions).
They are considered to have a:
Is Eucalyptus pulchella – White Peppermint frost tolerant?
Eucalyptus pulchella – White Peppermint is Frost Tolerant – Can handle light to moderate frost once established.
Eucalyptus pulchella produces clusters of small creamy-white fluffy flowers from late spring into summer. These soft blooms sit along the fine, pendulous branchlets and create a subtle seasonal display that pairs beautifully with its slender, peppermint-scented foliage.
Does Eucalyptus pulchella – White Peppermint flower?
Flowering Period:
Flower Type:
Flower Colour:
White
Yes
Eucalyptus pulchella – White Peppermint is Native to Native to Tasmania, occurring mainly in the southeast of the state in dry open forests and woodlands.
Its nectar-rich flowers attract honeyeaters, native bees, butterflies and beneficial insects. The fine, weeping foliage provides shelter and foraging habitat for small birds, while the fibrous bark supports insects and microfauna that help build a biodiverse cool-climate native garden.
Eucalyptus pulchella – White Peppermint will thrive best in:
Eucalyptus pulchella performs best in well-drained sandy or loam soils and tolerates slightly acidic to slightly alkaline conditions. It may struggle in heavy clay or poorly drained areas unless improved with organic matter and coarse material to enhance aeration. Keep soil evenly moist during establishment, then transition to deep, occasional watering as the tree matures to support its excellent drought resilience, healthy canopy development and fine peppermint-scented foliage.
Is Eucalyptus pulchella – White Peppermint Drought tolerant?
As a young tree it requires regular watering, but once established Eucalyptus pulchella develops excellent drought tolerance. Naturally adapted to dry, rocky Tasmanian woodlands, it thrives in hot, dry and exposed locations with minimal supplementary watering.
Approx. 0.6m – 2.2m
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.
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.
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.
Acacia baileyana 'Purpurea' flushes striking purple new foliage over fine silver-grey mature growth, then covers itself in masses of golden ball flowers through late winter and early spring. The purple and gold combination is unmatched among Australian natives.
'Purpurea' grows to 4 to 6 metres tall and 3 to 5 metres wide at 1 to 2 metres per year, which makes it one of the fastest ways to establish a feature tree or soften a boundary. The weeping fine-textured canopy works as a specimen, a driveway border or an informal screen.
This Australian native grows in full sun and tolerates light to moderate frost once established, along with drought and poor soils. Like most fast wattles it is relatively short-lived at 15 to 20 years, so it is best used where quick impact matters more than longevity.
About Acacia baileyana 'Purpurea'
'Purpurea' grows to 4 to 6 metres tall and 3 to 5 metres wide, forming a spreading weeping canopy. It is a small to medium feature tree suited to most suburban gardens.
New growth emerges deep purple before hardening to fine silver-grey. Flushes occur through the growing season, so the purple and silver contrast is present for much of the year.
Masses of golden-yellow ball flowers appear through late winter and early spring, contrasting strongly with the purple new foliage.
Very fast, at 1 to 2 metres per year. It will deliver a usable feature tree or screen within two to three years of planting.
Like most fast-growing wattles it is relatively short-lived, typically 15 to 20 years. Plan for replacement, or use it as a quick screen while slower long-term trees establish.
It handles light to moderate frost once established. Protect young plants through their first winter in colder inland districts.
Plant 2 to 3 metres apart for an informal screen, or 3 to 4 metres apart as individual feature trees so the weeping canopy can develop fully.
Callistemon viminalis 'Slim' holds a naturally narrow upright habit just 1 to 1.5 metres wide, which makes it one of the few flowering natives that will screen a boundary in a bed too shallow for a conventional hedge. Vivid red bottlebrush flowers cover it in spring and again in autumn.
'Slim' grows to 2.5 to 3 metres tall at 20 to 40 centimetres per year, filling in densely from ground level without needing to be clipped into shape. It works as a narrow privacy screen, a driveway border, a civic mass planting, or an understorey layer beneath taller canopy trees.
This Australian native grows in full sun, tolerates light to moderate frost once established, and copes with poor soils and extended dry. The flowers are a strong nectar source for honeyeaters and native bees, and maintenance is limited to a light trim after flowering.
About Callistemon viminalis 'Slim'
'Slim' grows to 2.5 to 3 metres tall and only 1 to 1.5 metres wide. That narrow footprint is its defining feature and the reason it is chosen for tight spaces.
Plant 80 centimetres to 1 metre apart for a continuous dense screen. Because the plant is naturally narrow, closer spacing works without the crowding that affects wider bottlebrushes.
'Slim' flowers in spring and again in autumn, carrying vivid red bottlebrush flowers. The two distinct flushes give a longer display than single-season flowering natives.
No. 'Slim' holds its narrow upright form naturally. A light trim after flowering keeps it dense and tidy, but it does not need clipping to maintain its shape.
Yes. The nectar-rich red flowers are worked heavily by honeyeaters and native bees through both flowering flushes.
Yes. Its compact narrow habit suits large pots on balconies, courtyards and terraces where a tall narrow evergreen is wanted. Use a quality potting mix and water regularly through summer.
It handles light to moderate frost once established. Protect young plants through their first winter in colder inland districts.
Leptospermum obovatum 'Starry Night', commonly known as the Starry Night Tea Tree, is a compact evergreen Australian native shrub valued for its distinctive deep burgundy-purple foliage and masses of small white star-shaped flowers through spring. The fine dark foliage holds its colour year-round and provides outstanding contrast against the bright white spring flowering, making it one of the most striking small Australian native shrubs available.
It performs reliably in full sun with well-drained soil and adapts to a wide range of Australian climates from subtropical Queensland through to cooler temperate regions. Mature plants reach approximately 1.5 to 2.5 metres tall and 1 to 2 metres wide, forming a dense compact shrub that responds well to light pruning. Once established it is highly drought tolerant, frost hardy and copes with coastal exposure, making it an exceptionally low-maintenance native feature.
As a striking dark-foliage Australian native for modern, native, coastal, wildlife and low-maintenance gardens, in informal hedges, feature plantings, mixed shrub borders and as a colour contrast against green or silver foliage, Leptospermum 'Starry Night' brings year-round burgundy foliage, brilliant white spring flowering, native bird and pollinator attraction and reliable hardiness in a compact, design-friendly form.
About Leptospermum 'Starry Night' Tea Tree
Mature plants reach approximately 1.5 to 2.5 metres tall and 1 to 2 metres wide, forming a dense compact rounded shrub. Growth is moderate to fast at 30 to 50 cm per year in suitable conditions, and the plant can be pruned to maintain a smaller size or shaped into an informal hedge at 1 to 1.5 metres.
'Starry Night' produces masses of small white star-shaped flowers from late spring through early summer, typically October to December. The flowers are intensely produced across the whole plant and create a brilliant contrast against the burgundy foliage. Flowering attracts bees, hoverflies and other native pollinators.
'Starry Night' performs reliably across most Australian climates from subtropical Queensland through to cooler temperate Victoria and Tasmania. It grows particularly well in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, the NSW tablelands and coastal positions, and prefers full sun with well-drained sandy or loam soil. It tolerates a wide range of soils provided drainage is adequate.
Yes. Once established, 'Starry Night' is highly drought tolerant and copes with extended dry periods on minimal supplementary watering. It is also frost hardy and handles heavy and frequent frost without damage, making it suitable for inland tablelands as well as coastal positions. The dark foliage colour actually deepens in cooler weather.
Yes. 'Starry Night' responds well to pruning and is widely used as an informal hedge or screen at 1 to 1.5 metres spacing. Trim lightly after flowering to maintain density and shape. For a more compact formal look, prune two to three times through the warmer months. Avoid heavy pruning into old wood as Leptospermums generally do not regenerate well from bare stems.
Yes. The masses of small white flowers are nectar-rich and attract bees, hoverflies, butterflies and a wide range of native pollinating insects through spring and early summer. The dense evergreen canopy also provides shelter and foraging habitat for small native birds, making 'Starry Night' a valuable addition to wildlife-friendly gardens.
Water deeply through the first growing season, then reduce watering and supplement only during extended dry periods. Apply a slow-release native fertiliser low in phosphorus in early spring. Light tip pruning after flowering maintains a dense compact shape and encourages dense branching. Avoid heavy pruning into old wood, as Leptospermums generally do not respond well to it.
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.
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.
Eucalyptus leucoxylon 'Rosea' carries masses of soft pink blossom from autumn through winter and into spring, timed for the months when nectar is scarcest and honeyeaters need it most. Smooth pale bark shedding to cream and grey gives the trunk year-round presence.
'Rosea' grows to 15 to 25 metres tall and 6 to 10 metres wide at 0.8 to 1.2 metres per year, forming an open canopy that casts light dappled shade rather than dense cover. That combination suits avenues, parkland, rural driveways and large gardens where understorey planting needs to survive beneath.
This Australian native grows in full sun and tolerates light to moderate frost once established, along with drought, alkaline soils and coastal exposure. It is one of the most widely planted ornamental eucalypts in southern Australia and needs no ongoing maintenance.
About Eucalyptus leucoxylon 'Rosea'
'Rosea' reaches 15 to 25 metres tall and 6 to 10 metres wide. It is a full-sized tree suited to acreage, parkland and larger gardens. For a smaller block choose 'Euky Dwarf' instead.
Flowering runs from autumn through winter and into spring, with masses of soft pink blossom. Winter flowering makes it a valuable nectar source when little else is in bloom.
Yes. The pink blossom is worked heavily by honeyeaters, lorikeets and native bees through the cooler months, and the open canopy provides nesting habitat.
It grows at 0.8 to 1.2 metres per year once established, which is fast, so it delivers canopy and flowering within a few years of planting.
Yes. Eucalyptus leucoxylon is native to southern Australia and 'Rosea' is a pink-flowering selection widely used in street and parkland planting.
It is highly adaptable, tolerating alkaline soils, clay, drought and coastal exposure. Free drainage gives the best growth but it copes with a wide range of conditions.
Plant 8 to 10 metres apart for an avenue, and keep it at least 10 metres from buildings, paving and underground services given its eventual size.
Eucalyptus leucoxylon 'Euky Dwarf' is the eucalypt that fits a suburban block. It carries masses of pink to red blossom through winter, when honeyeaters need it most, on a tree that tops out at 6 metres rather than the 20 or more of the straight species.
'Euky Dwarf' grows to 4 to 6 metres tall and 3 to 5 metres wide at 0.5 to 1 metre per year, holding a neat rounded canopy on a smooth pale trunk. That compact scale makes it viable as a street tree under powerlines, a courtyard feature, or an avenue on a narrow verge where a full-sized gum would never work.
This Australian native grows in full sun and tolerates light to moderate frost once established, along with drought, poor soils and coastal exposure. It is one of the few eucalypts genuinely suited to large pots, and needs no routine pruning.
About Eucalyptus leucoxylon 'Euky Dwarf'
'Euky Dwarf' grows to 4 to 6 metres tall and 3 to 5 metres wide. It is a selected compact form of Eucalyptus leucoxylon, which normally reaches well over 15 metres.
Flowering runs through winter, with pink to red blossom carried heavily across the canopy. Winter flowering makes it a valuable nectar source when little else is in bloom.
Yes. Its mature height of 4 to 6 metres makes it one of the standard council choices for planting beneath powerlines, where taller eucalypts cannot be used.
It grows at 0.5 to 1 metre per year once established, reaching close to mature height within six to eight years.
Yes. The winter blossom is worked heavily by honeyeaters, lorikeets and native bees, and the canopy provides shelter for smaller birds.
Yes. It is one of the few eucalypts that performs in a large pot, provided drainage is free and it sits in full sun. Expect a smaller ultimate size in a container.
It handles light to moderate frost once established. Protect young trees through their first winter in colder inland districts.
Eucalyptus caesia 'Silver Princess' is one of Australia's most iconic flowering gums. The graceful weeping form, silver-blue foliage, and large pendulous pink-to-red flowers with golden anthers create a striking sculptural display through winter and spring, while the curling minni ritchi bark adds quiet structural interest year-round.
Silver Princess grows to 6-8 metres tall and 4-6 metres wide with a softly weeping habit, making it a compact and dramatic feature tree for residential gardens, courtyards, and feature lawn plantings. The large nectar-rich flowers are a major food source for honeyeaters, lorikeets, and native bees through the cooler months.
Silver Princess is highly drought tolerant once established and originates from semi-arid Western Australia. It performs best in low-rainfall climates with sharp drainage, especially WA, SA, inland VIC, and inland NSW, and dislikes heavy clay or wet humid coastal conditions. Plant in full sun on free-draining soil for the best results.
About Eucalyptus caesia 'Silver Princess'
Silver Princess grows to 6-8 metres tall and 4-6 metres wide with a graceful weeping habit.
Silver Princess is fast-growing, adding 60cm to 1 metre per year once established in well-drained soil.
Silver Princess produces large pendulous pink to red flowers with golden anthers in winter through spring, typically June to October across Australia.
Yes. Eucalyptus caesia is highly drought tolerant once established and originates from semi-arid WA. It needs sharp drainage and dislikes heavy clay or wet soils.
Yes. Silver Princess is endemic to the wheatbelt region of Western Australia, where it grows naturally on granite outcrops.
Silver Princess performs best in low-rainfall climates with well-drained soils, especially WA, SA, inland VIC, and inland NSW. It struggles in humid coastal conditions and heavy soils.
Yes. The large pink-red flowers are a major nectar source for honeyeaters, lorikeets, and native bees through the winter months.
Corymbia citriodora 'Scentuous' is a dwarf form of the iconic Lemon Scented Gum, delivering the signature citrus fragrance of the species in a compact 5-7 metre form. The aromatic pale green foliage releases a strong, clean lemon scent when crushed or brushed against, and the airy white flower clusters in late summer attract bees, butterflies, and honeyeaters.
Scentuous reaches just 5-7 metres tall and 3-4 metres wide, compared to 25-35 metres for standard Corymbia citriodora, making it the only Lemon Scented Gum suited to suburban gardens, courtyards, patios, and small streetscapes. The compact size keeps the fragrance close to where it is enjoyed, and the smooth pale trunk adds quiet structural interest year-round.
Highly drought and heat tolerant once established, Scentuous performs reliably across NSW, QLD, VIC, SA and WA in full sun with well-drained soils. It is low maintenance, tolerates light frost once established, and is widely planted as a feature tree where the standard species would simply outgrow the space.
Scentuous or standard Lemon Scented Gum? Scentuous is a compact dwarf form reaching just 5-7m, suited to suburban gardens, small landscapes, and patio planting. The standard Corymbia citriodora grows 25-35m with a tall slender trunk and is better suited to acreage, parks, and large feature plantings. Both share the famous lemon fragrance.
About Corymbia citriodora 'Scentuous' Dwarf Lemon Scented Gum
Scentuous is a dwarf cultivar reaching 5-7 metres tall and 3-4 metres wide, compared to 25-35m for the standard Corymbia citriodora.
Scentuous is fast-growing, adding 60cm to 1 metre per year once established.
The leaves release a strong, pleasant lemon citrus fragrance when crushed or brushed against, thanks to high concentrations of citronellal in the foliage.
Scentuous is a compact dwarf form reaching 5-7m, suited to suburban gardens and small landscapes. Standard Corymbia citriodora grows 25-35m and is better suited to acreage, parks, and large feature plantings.
Yes. Scentuous inherits the strong drought tolerance of Corymbia citriodora and performs well across most Australian climates once established.
Yes. The white flowers produced through summer attract native bees, butterflies, honeyeaters, and lorikeets. The aromatic foliage is also believed to deter mosquitoes.
Scentuous thrives across NSW, QLD, VIC, SA and WA. It tolerates light frost once established and prefers full sun with well-drained soils.
