Most loved for its strong upright form, large glossy dark green leaves, and brilliant bronze to deep purple autumn colour that makes it a striking feature or avenue tree.
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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Fraxinus pennsylvanica 'Urbanite' is a deciduous Green Ash selection with a dense, upright crown that broadens with age. The pinnate leaves are thick, glossy and dark green, turning bronze in autumn, and they hold on the tree later in the season than most ashes. Purple flowers appear briefly on bare wood in spring.
Selected for hard urban sites, it accepts full sun to partial shade, compacted soil, reflected heat from paving and short periods of poor drainage. It is frost hardy and survives heavy, frequent frost without damage, and established trees take moderate dry spells. Growth is 30 to 60 centimetres a year, and it defoliates through the colder months.
Grown to 15 to 20 metres tall and 10 to 15 metres wide, it belongs in parks, rural driveways, broad street reserves and open institutional grounds rather than small backyards. Contractors reach for it where the soil profile is poor and the tree still has to perform. Given room, it puts large scale shade over difficult ground.
About Urbanite Ash
Urbanite Ash is a cultivar of Fraxinus pennsylvanica, the Green Ash, bred specifically for tough urban conditions. It carries thicker, glossier foliage than the ordinary species, a dense upright crown and bronze autumn colour. It is a deciduous shade tree used where soils are compacted, conditions are harsh and a reliable large canopy is required.
Mature size is 15 to 20 metres tall with a spread of 10 to 15 metres, reached over several decades. This is a large tree and the width matters as much as the height when you site it. Keep it away from buildings, boundaries and overhead services, and give it enough soil volume to support a canopy of that scale.
Yes. It is frost hardy and survives heavy and frequent frost without damage, so it suits cold inland towns, the tablelands and southern districts where winters are severe. It is bare through the coldest part of the year, which means frost falls on dormant wood rather than soft growth. Late frost may nip early spring foliage without lasting harm.
Full sun produces the best form, the densest canopy and the strongest autumn bronze, and it is the position to plant into. The tree also grows in partial shade, though the crown opens up and colour is muted. It has no trouble with exposure, wind or the heat reflected off roads and carparks once the root system is established.
That is what it was selected for. It performs on compacted urban fill, clay and low fertility ground where many shade trees stall, and it tolerates short wet periods as well as moderate drought. Results are still better with decompaction, a generous planting hole and mulch, so prepare the site properly even though the tree is forgiving.
Yes. It defoliates through the colder months and stands bare until buds break in spring. Before dropping, the glossy foliage turns bronze and tends to hold on the tree later than other ashes, extending the autumn display. The bare winter canopy lets sun through to buildings and paving underneath, then shades them again over summer.
Water deeply and regularly for the first three summers and maintain a wide mulch ring clear of the trunk. Formative prune in late winter to establish a single leader and lift the lower limbs progressively for clearance. After that, maintenance is minimal: remove deadwood, check stakes and ties are not girdling, and clear leaf litter from drains in autumn.
| 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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Fraxinus pennsylvanica 'Urbanite' is a deciduous Green Ash selection with a dense, upright crown that broadens with age. The pinnate leaves are thick, glossy and dark green, turning bronze in autumn, and they hold on the tree later in the season than most ashes. Purple flowers appear briefly on bare wood in spring.
Selected for hard urban sites, it accepts full sun to partial shade, compacted soil, reflected heat from paving and short periods of poor drainage. It is frost hardy and survives heavy, frequent frost without damage, and established trees take moderate dry spells. Growth is 30 to 60 centimetres a year, and it defoliates through the colder months.
Grown to 15 to 20 metres tall and 10 to 15 metres wide, it belongs in parks, rural driveways, broad street reserves and open institutional grounds rather than small backyards. Contractors reach for it where the soil profile is poor and the tree still has to perform. Given room, it puts large scale shade over difficult ground.
About Urbanite Ash
Urbanite Ash is a cultivar of Fraxinus pennsylvanica, the Green Ash, bred specifically for tough urban conditions. It carries thicker, glossier foliage than the ordinary species, a dense upright crown and bronze autumn colour. It is a deciduous shade tree used where soils are compacted, conditions are harsh and a reliable large canopy is required.
Mature size is 15 to 20 metres tall with a spread of 10 to 15 metres, reached over several decades. This is a large tree and the width matters as much as the height when you site it. Keep it away from buildings, boundaries and overhead services, and give it enough soil volume to support a canopy of that scale.
Yes. It is frost hardy and survives heavy and frequent frost without damage, so it suits cold inland towns, the tablelands and southern districts where winters are severe. It is bare through the coldest part of the year, which means frost falls on dormant wood rather than soft growth. Late frost may nip early spring foliage without lasting harm.
Full sun produces the best form, the densest canopy and the strongest autumn bronze, and it is the position to plant into. The tree also grows in partial shade, though the crown opens up and colour is muted. It has no trouble with exposure, wind or the heat reflected off roads and carparks once the root system is established.
That is what it was selected for. It performs on compacted urban fill, clay and low fertility ground where many shade trees stall, and it tolerates short wet periods as well as moderate drought. Results are still better with decompaction, a generous planting hole and mulch, so prepare the site properly even though the tree is forgiving.
Yes. It defoliates through the colder months and stands bare until buds break in spring. Before dropping, the glossy foliage turns bronze and tends to hold on the tree later than other ashes, extending the autumn display. The bare winter canopy lets sun through to buildings and paving underneath, then shades them again over summer.
Water deeply and regularly for the first three summers and maintain a wide mulch ring clear of the trunk. Formative prune in late winter to establish a single leader and lift the lower limbs progressively for clearance. After that, maintenance is minimal: remove deadwood, check stakes and ties are not girdling, and clear leaf litter from drains in autumn.
Deciduous (Defoliates throughout colder months)
Fraxinus pennsylvanica 'Urbanite' is expected to grow 30cm to 60cm per year (moderate).
Fraxinus pennsylvanica 'Urbanite' works in an:
Fraxinus pennsylvanica 'Urbanite' is an Deciduous (Defoliates throughout colder months) Tree
Mature Height: 12m to 18m (approx.)
Mature Width: 10m to 15m
Fraxinus pennsylvanica 'Urbanite' is expected to grow 30cm to 60cm per year (moderate).
Fraxinus pennsylvanica 'Urbanite' is expected to grow 30cm to 60cm per year (moderate).
They are considered to have a:
Is Fraxinus pennsylvanica 'Urbanite' frost tolerant?
Fraxinus pennsylvanica 'Urbanite' is Frost Hardy – Survives heavy and frequent frost without damage.
Fraxinus pennsylvanica ‘Urbanite’ produces small, inconspicuous greenish flowers in spring. These subtle blooms form along the branchlets and contribute quietly to the tree’s seasonal cycle, with the main ornamental appeal coming from its robust summer canopy and rich autumn tones.
Does Fraxinus pennsylvanica 'Urbanite' flower?
Flowering Period:
Flower Type:
Flower Colour:
Not Applicable
No
Fraxinus pennsylvanica 'Urbanite' is Native to Native to North America, where Fraxinus pennsylvanica grows along river plains and moist forests. ‘Urbanite’ is a selected cultivar bred for toughness, form, and reliable autumn display.
Its winged samaras are a food source for seed-eating birds, while the broad canopy offers reliable shelter, nesting and perching opportunities for small birds. Its textured bark and leaf litter support insects and microfauna, adding to overall biodiversity in suburban and landscape plantings.
Fraxinus pennsylvanica 'Urbanite' will thrive best in:
Fraxinus pennsylvanica ‘Urbanite’ performs best in well-drained loam or sandy loam soils and tolerates slightly acidic to neutral conditions. It may struggle in compacted clay or waterlogged soils unless improved with organic matter to boost aeration and structure. Keep soil evenly moist during establishment, then provide deep, occasional watering as the tree matures to support strong structural growth, seasonal colour and long-term durability in urban environments.
Is Fraxinus pennsylvanica 'Urbanite' Drought tolerant?
As a young tree it requires regular watering, and once established ‘Urbanite’ develops moderate to good drought tolerance. Bred for toughness, it performs well in hot, dry and urban conditions, benefiting from deep, occasional watering during prolonged dry periods to maintain canopy health and vigour.
Approx. 1.8m – 2.4m
Approx. 1.8m – 3.5m
Approx. 3m – 4m
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.
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.
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.
Rhaphiolepis indica 'Oriental Pearl' is one of the best compact evergreen shrubs available for low hedges and borders. The glossy dark green foliage forms a naturally tidy rounded mound, and clusters of soft white to pale pink flowers appear from late winter into spring, followed by small dark berries.
Oriental Pearl grows to just 1-1.5 metres tall and wide, holding a neat uniform shape with minimal pruning. The compact form makes it ideal for low clipped hedges, narrow borders, mass plantings, and container planting, particularly where space is limited and a formal finish is wanted.
Oriental Pearl thrives across most Australian climates in full sun to part shade, tolerating heat, coastal exposure, salt spray, light frost, and a wide range of well-drained soils. It is both drought tolerant and salt tolerant once established, making it a reliable low-maintenance choice for coastal and low-water gardens.
About Rhaphiolepis indica 'Oriental Pearl'
Rhaphiolepis indica 'Oriental Pearl' grows to 1-1.5 metres tall and wide, forming a naturally compact dense mound.
Oriental Pearl has a moderate growth rate of 20-40cm per year once established.
Yes. Oriental Pearl is one of the best compact evergreen shrubs for low hedges, borders, and mass plantings, holding a tidy rounded form with minimal pruning.
Oriental Pearl produces clusters of soft white to pale pink flowers from late winter into spring, followed by small dark berries.
Yes. Oriental Pearl is both drought tolerant and salt tolerant once established, making it well suited to coastal gardens and low-water landscapes.
Plant 50-70cm apart for a continuous low hedge, or 80cm-1 metre for a softer informal border.
Oriental Pearl thrives across most Australian climates in full sun to part shade, tolerating heat, coastal exposure, and a wide range of well-drained soils.
Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Silver Sheen' carries small shimmering silver-green leaves on near-black stems, giving a light airy screen that moves in the wind rather than reading as a solid green wall. It is one of the most widely specified screening plants in Australian landscape design for exactly that reason.
'Silver Sheen' grows to 4 to 6 metres tall but only 1.5 to 2 metres wide at 30 to 60 centimetres per year, which makes it a genuine solution for narrow beds along fence lines and between buildings where height is needed but width is not available. Small cream flowers appear in spring and are lightly fragrant.
'Silver Sheen' grows in full sun to part shade and tolerates light to moderate frost once established, performing from subtropical Queensland through Sydney, Melbourne, Gippsland and Adelaide. It clips well, holds density under regular trimming, and is equally effective as a formal hedge or a loose screen.
About Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Silver Sheen'
'Silver Sheen' grows to 4 to 6 metres tall and only 1.5 to 2 metres wide, which makes it one of the best options for narrow screening where a tall hedge is needed in a shallow bed.
It grows at 30 to 60 centimetres per year once established, reaching a usable screening height within three to four years with regular water and feeding.
It naturally holds to 1.5 to 2 metres wide and can be trimmed to under a metre with regular clipping, which is why it is so often used in tight side-boundary positions.
Plant 1 to 1.5 metres apart for a dense informal screen, or 80 centimetres apart for a tighter formal hedge. Closer spacing fills in faster but needs more trimming.
'Silver Sheen' handles light to moderate frost once established. Young plants benefit from protection through their first winter in colder inland districts.
Yes. It performs in full sun through to part shade. In shadier positions growth is slightly more open, which suits a softer informal screen.
It performs from subtropical Queensland through Northern NSW, Sydney, the South Coast and tablelands, Melbourne and surrounds, the Western District, Gippsland and Adelaide.
Melaleuca nesophila, the Showy Honey Myrtle, is an evergreen Australian native shrub to small tree from the south coast of Western Australia. Fine grey green foliage sits on a dense rounded frame over papery bark, and mauve to pink pom pom flowers cover the outer growth through spring and summer.
Mature width is 2 to 4 metres, with height usually settling around 3 to 5 metres, and growth of 30 to 60 centimetres a year. It wants full sun and takes sand, limestone, gravel and moderately heavy soils. Salt wind, drought and light to moderate frost are all handled once the roots are down.
This is a screening and hedging plant first, used along boundaries, on coastal blocks and through council road reserves where conditions are hard and maintenance budgets are thin. Space it at 1 to 1.5 metres for an informal screen. It gives colour, density and habitat value from one low input plant.
About Showy Honey Myrtle
Melaleuca nesophila, or Showy Honey Myrtle, is an evergreen Australian native shrub to small tree from southern Western Australia. It has fine grey green foliage, a dense rounded habit and soft papery bark, and carries mauve to pink pom pom flowers through spring and summer that age to a soft grey.
It spreads 2 to 4 metres wide and generally reaches 3 to 5 metres tall in a garden, though regular trimming will hold it lower. Growth is moderate to fast at around 30 to 60 centimetres a year, so a screen planted from advanced stock closes over within three or four seasons.
For a dense informal screen, plant 1 to 1.5 metres apart. For a tighter formal hedge, bring that in to 80 centimetres. As a feature tree, allow 3 to 4 metres so the full canopy and form can develop, or 3 metres apart along an avenue for a uniform, soft textured line.
Yes, it is one of the better coastal Melaleucas. It tolerates salt laden wind, sandy and limestone soils, and exposed front line positions once established, which is why it is planted so widely along the southern coastline. In very exposed sites it will lean with the prevailing wind, and most people like the result.
The main flush runs through spring and into summer, roughly September to January. Flowers open mauve to purple pink in dense rounded heads across the outer foliage, then age to grey and stay on the plant. Bees and honeyeaters work it heavily while it is out, so expect plenty of activity.
It handles light to moderate frost once established, which covers most coastal and near coastal parts of southern Australia. Young plants are more vulnerable in their first winter, so plant in autumn or early spring and keep them out of low frost hollows. Hard, repeated inland frost will burn new growth.
Tip prune after flowering to keep it dense and stop the base going bare. It takes a hard cut back if it becomes leggy, though remove no more than about a third at a time. Water through the first summer, then it is largely self sufficient. Use a low phosphorus native fertiliser in spring on poor soils.
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.
Westringia fruticosa, Coastal Rosemary, is an Australian native evergreen shrub from the headlands and dunes of the east coast. It builds a dense rounded bush of fine grey green leaves held in whorls, with small white to pale lilac flowers. Despite the common name it is not the culinary herb.
Mature plants sit at 1.5 to 2 metres tall and 1.5 to 2 metres wide, growing 30 to 60 centimetres a year, and they clip smaller without complaint. Full sun to part shade and sharp drainage are the requirements. Salt wind, sandy soil, drought and light to moderate frost are all handled.
It is a standard on coastal projects, road verges, council garden beds and exposed banks that need erosion cover. Plant 1 to 1.5 metres apart for an informal screen, or 80 centimetres for a clipped hedge. A single plant fills a 40 to 50 centimetre pot on a courtyard or balcony.
About Coastal Rosemary
Westringia fruticosa is an Australian native evergreen shrub from the headlands and dunes of the east coast. It forms a dense rounded bush of fine grey green leaves held in whorls, with small white to pale lilac flowers. Despite the common name it is not culinary rosemary and is not used in cooking.
Mature plants reach 1.5 to 2 metres tall and 1.5 to 2 metres wide. It clips readily to smaller dimensions and is often maintained at around a metre as a hedge or a low mound. Growth is moderate, roughly 30 to 60 centimetres a year, so it holds a trimmed shape well.
It is one of the best shrubs available for exposed coastal work. It grows naturally on sea cliffs and copes with salt laden wind, sand and reflected heat. It is used constantly on beachfront reserves, dune stabilisation projects and seaside gardens where little else holds a tidy shape.
The main flush is spring and summer, roughly September through February, with scattered flowering at other times of the year in mild districts. The flowers are small, white to pale lilac and sit among the foliage rather than above it. Clipped hedges flower less than plants left to grow informally.
Space plants 80 centimetres apart for a tight formal hedge, or 1 to 1.5 metres apart for a dense informal screen. On banks and batters used for erosion cover, 1 metre in a staggered grid gives full ground coverage within about two growing seasons.
Yes. A pot 40 to 50 centimetres wide suits a single plant for a courtyard, entry or balcony. Use a free draining mix, because the roots will not tolerate sitting wet. Container plants need watering more often than those in the ground, plus a light trim to hold their shape.
Trim lightly two or three times a year, taking the soft new growth and avoiding cuts into bare old wood, which reshoots poorly. Water through the first summer, then only in extended dry spells. On most soils it needs no feeding at all, and it resents heavy watering and poor drainage.
Fraxinus pennsylvanica 'Cimmaron' is a selected form of Green Ash: deciduous, with a symmetrical, broadly upright crown built on a straight central leader. The glossy dark green pinnate leaves turn orange to brick red in autumn, deeper than the plain yellow of most green ash, and hold on the tree later into winter than most other ash. Small purple flowers open on bare stems in spring.
It grows in full sun to partial shade and tolerates a wide range of soils, including compacted ground and sites that stay wet for short periods. Frost is not a problem, and established trees handle moderate drought and urban pollution. Growth is moderate to fast at 40 to 60 centimetres a year, with the crown forming evenly.
Mature dimensions of 12 to 15 metres tall by 8 to 12 metres wide suit parks, wide street reserves, car park islands and large gardens. The even crown is why councils specify it, since a row matches up rather than growing into a mismatched line. For public space it is a low input tree that delivers real shade.
Also sold as: Cimmaron Ash, Cimmaron® Ash, Fraxinus pennsylvanica 'Cimmzam', and occasionally spelled Cimarron. 'Cimmzam' is the registered cultivar name and Cimmaron is the trade name, so the two refer to the same tree.
Which ash should you plant? Cimmaron is the one for a matched avenue or street row, because the symmetrical crown means a planted line grows up even. Claret Ash 'Raywoodii' is the choice when you want the deepest purple-burgundy autumn display. Golden Ash gives yellow autumn colour and bright yellow winter stems. 'Urbanite' is the other green ash selection, broader and more pyramidal than Cimmaron.
About Cimmaron Ash
Cimmaron Ash is a named cultivar of Fraxinus pennsylvanica, the North American Green Ash, chosen for its uniform symmetrical shape and its autumn colour. Where the ordinary species turns yellow, this selection colours orange to brick red. It is a deciduous shade tree used mainly in streets, car parks and public open space.
Yes. 'Cimmzam' is the registered cultivar name and Cimmaron is the trade name it is sold under, so Fraxinus pennsylvanica 'Cimmzam' and Cimmaron Ash are the same plant. You will also see it written Cimarron with a single m, which is a common misspelling rather than a different tree.
Autumn colour and crown shape. Cimmaron colours orange to brick red and holds a notably even, symmetrical crown, which is why it is specified for matched avenues and street rows. Claret Ash gives the deepest purple-burgundy autumn display and a broader crown. Golden Ash turns clear yellow and carries bright yellow stems through winter. All three are deciduous shade trees of a similar scale.
It reaches 12 to 15 metres tall with a canopy 8 to 12 metres wide at maturity. That takes several decades in most Australian conditions. It is a genuine shade tree, so it needs open ground and clear airspace, not a courtyard or a narrow verge under powerlines. Site it with the mature width in mind from the start.
Growth is moderate to fast, around 40 to 60 centimetres a year while the tree is establishing its framework, then slower as it matures. Regular deep watering and a good mulch ring through the first three summers make the biggest difference. On compacted or unimproved ground expect the lower end of that range until the roots spread.
An established tree handles moderate drought and the dry, reflected heat of paved surrounds, which is why it is a common street tree selection. It is not a dry country species though, and prolonged drought without any supplementary water shows up as early leaf drop. Young trees need consistent watering for the first two to three summers.
It is one of the standard choices for these situations. The symmetrical form means a planted row grows up matched, the trunk lifts to give vehicle and pedestrian clearance, and the tree tolerates compacted soil, pollution and reflected heat. Give each tree adequate soil volume and keep it well clear of underground services and building footings.
Colour comes on through April and May in most districts, later in warm coastal areas. The glossy green foliage moves through orange to a deep brick red and holds for a few weeks before dropping, staying on the tree later into winter than most other ash. Cool nights and a bright, dry autumn produce the strongest colour, while a mild humid autumn gives a shorter, softer display.
Water deeply through the first three summers, mulch widely and keep turf and weeds off the root zone while the tree establishes. Prune in late winter when the branch structure is exposed, removing crossing limbs and lifting the lower branches gradually to the clearance you want. Mature trees need little beyond deadwood removal and clearing the autumn leaf fall.
Fraxinus americana, known as White Ash, is a large deciduous tree with an upright trunk and a broad, spreading crown. The pinnate leaves are dark green above and pale beneath, colouring through purple, burgundy and gold in autumn. Clusters of small purple flowers open on bare wood in spring, ahead of the new foliage.
Give it full sun and a deep, free draining soil, with steady water through the first few summers. It is frost hardy and comes through heavy, frequent frost undamaged, which suits cool temperate and inland areas including Victoria, Tasmania, the tablelands and the ACT. Growth is moderate to fast at 80 to 120 centimetres a year.
At 15 to 20 metres tall and 10 to 15 metres wide, this is a tree for open ground: parks, reserves, rural driveways, school grounds and large gardens. It needs room to spread and clear space above for the crown to develop. Where that space exists it returns deep summer shade and a long autumn display for generations.
About White Ash
White Ash is the common name for Fraxinus americana, a deciduous shade tree from eastern North America. It carries pinnate leaves on a straight trunk and a wide, high branching canopy, and it is grown here mainly for its autumn colour, which runs through purple and burgundy to gold. It is a long lived tree rather than a quick fix.
Mature trees reach 15 to 20 metres tall with a canopy 10 to 15 metres wide. That size takes decades, and in average garden soil the tree often settles at the lower end of the range. Allow the full width when siting it, because a crown of that size cannot be pruned back to fit a small space later.
Growth is moderate to fast, around 80 to 120 centimetres a year through the establishment years on good soil with adequate water. It slows as the tree puts energy into trunk and crown structure. Poor drainage, competition from turf and dry summers all reduce that figure, so mulch and water well for the first three seasons.
Yes. White Ash is frost hardy and survives heavy and frequent frost without damage, which is why it performs well in the southern tablelands, alpine valleys and cold inland towns. Being deciduous, it is bare when the hardest frosts arrive, so the buds and wood carry the load rather than soft foliage. Late spring frost may burn new leaves briefly.
Autumn colour usually develops from April into June depending on how cool the district is. The leaves shift from dark green to purple and burgundy, often with gold and bronze in the same canopy, then fall over a few weeks. Cold nights and a dry autumn sharpen the colour; warm coastal autumns give a softer result.
The root system is vigorous and largely shallow, spreading well beyond the canopy line in search of water. Keep the tree a good distance from house footings, paving, retaining walls and sewer or stormwater lines, and avoid planting it in narrow garden beds. In open lawn, park or paddock situations the roots cause no trouble.
Water deeply through the first three summers and keep a mulch ring clear of the trunk. Prune in late winter while the tree is bare, removing crossing limbs and any competing leaders to build one strong central trunk. Once established it needs little beyond removing deadwood. Raking or mulching the autumn leaf fall is usually the main ongoing job.
Fraxinus angustifolia 'Raywoodii' turns a deep claret to burgundy-red in autumn, a colour no other commonly grown shade tree produces. The Claret Ash is an Australian selection, raised in South Australia, and it colours reliably across a far wider climate range than most autumn trees.
'Raywoodii' grows to 10 to 15 metres tall and 8 to 12 metres wide at 30 to 60 centimetres per year, holding a strong upright frame with fine narrow foliage that casts light dappled shade rather than dense cover. It is a long-standing standard for streetscapes, avenues and parkland.
'Raywoodii' is frost hardy, surviving heavy and frequent frost without damage, and tolerates drought, alkaline soils and compacted urban ground once established. It grows in full sun and needs no routine maintenance.
About Fraxinus angustifolia 'Raywoodii'
Fraxinus angustifolia 'Raywoodii' reaches 10 to 15 metres tall and 8 to 12 metres wide, forming an upright rounded canopy. It suits large gardens, streets, avenues and parkland.
Foliage turns deep claret to burgundy-red in autumn, a distinctive colour among shade trees. It holds well before dropping.
'Raywoodii' is an Australian selection, originally raised in South Australia, which is part of why it performs and colours so reliably across Australian conditions.
It grows at 30 to 60 centimetres per year, which is moderate to fast, and delivers useful canopy within five to seven years.
Yes. It survives heavy and frequent frost without damage and performs reliably in cold inland tablelands districts, where autumn colour is strongest.
Yes. Once established it handles drought, alkaline soils and compacted urban ground, which is why it is so widely used as a street tree.
Plant 8 to 10 metres apart for an avenue where canopies will meet, and keep trees clear of paving and services.
Fraxinus excelsior 'Aurea', the Golden Ash, is a deciduous tree with a rounded, spreading crown carried on smooth grey branches. New shoots and winter twigs are yellow, and the pinnate leaves open a soft lime gold before holding a clear yellow into autumn. Dark purple flower clusters appear on bare wood in spring.
It takes full sun to partial shade and grows in most soils, including heavy clay and the compacted ground common on urban sites, provided water does not sit around the roots. Cool temperate and cold districts suit it and it handles heavy frost. Growth is 30 to 60 centimetres a year, and the tree is bare through winter.
It reaches 12 to 15 metres tall and 8 to 10 metres wide, which makes it a canopy tree for parks, avenues, wide verges and larger gardens. The yellow foliage reads from a distance, so it holds a position at the end of a driveway or across a lawn. Beyond formative pruning in the early years, it asks for little.
About Golden Ash
Golden Ash is Fraxinus excelsior 'Aurea', a selected form of the European Common Ash grown for colour rather than size. The pinnate foliage carries a golden tone through the season and turns clear yellow in autumn, and the young twigs stay yellow through winter once the leaves drop. It makes a rounded, spreading canopy tree.
Allow for 12 to 15 metres in height and 8 to 10 metres in width at maturity. It is smaller and slower than the plain green Common Ash, but it is still a full sized canopy tree and should not be planted under powerlines or hard against a boundary. Give it clear ground and it will develop an even, rounded crown.
Full sun gives the strongest leaf colour and the densest crown, and it is the position to aim for. The tree also grows in partial shade, though the golden tone fades towards plain green and the habit becomes more open. Avoid deep shade under existing large trees, where growth is slow and the form draws up thin and uneven.
Yes. Golden Ash defoliates through the colder months, dropping its leaves after the autumn display and staying bare until buds break in spring. The yellow winter twigs and grey bark carry the tree visually through that period. The bare season is useful where you want winter sun into a house or a courtyard and shade over summer.
Yes, and comfortably so. It is a cold climate European species that handles heavy, frequent frost and cold winters without damage, which is why it is widely planted through Victoria, Tasmania, the ACT and the tablelands of New South Wales. It is more troubled by hot, dry inland summers than by cold, so water it through heatwaves.
It is used as a street and avenue tree where the reserve is wide and there is nothing overhead. The trunk lifts cleanly, the canopy is high branching once formative pruning is done, and it copes with compacted soil and urban conditions. Narrow verges, powerlines and close building setbacks rule it out, since the crown reaches 8 to 10 metres across.
Prune in late winter while the tree is dormant and the branch structure is visible. In the first few years select one strong leader and remove competing stems, then progressively lift the lower branches to the clearance you need. Mature trees only need deadwood and crossing limbs taken out. Water deeply through summer and mulch, keeping the mulch off the trunk.
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Fraxinus pennsylvanica 'Urbanite' is a deciduous Green Ash selection with a dense, upright crown that broadens with age. The pinnate leaves are thick, glossy and dark green, turning bronze in autumn, and they hold on the tree later in the season than most ashes. Purple flowers appear briefly on bare wood in spring.
Selected for hard urban sites, it accepts full sun to partial shade, compacted soil, reflected heat from paving and short periods of poor drainage. It is frost hardy and survives heavy, frequent frost without damage, and established trees take moderate dry spells. Growth is 30 to 60 centimetres a year, and it defoliates through the colder months.
Grown to 15 to 20 metres tall and 10 to 15 metres wide, it belongs in parks, rural driveways, broad street reserves and open institutional grounds rather than small backyards. Contractors reach for it where the soil profile is poor and the tree still has to perform. Given room, it puts large scale shade over difficult ground.
About Urbanite Ash
Urbanite Ash is a cultivar of Fraxinus pennsylvanica, the Green Ash, bred specifically for tough urban conditions. It carries thicker, glossier foliage than the ordinary species, a dense upright crown and bronze autumn colour. It is a deciduous shade tree used where soils are compacted, conditions are harsh and a reliable large canopy is required.
Mature size is 15 to 20 metres tall with a spread of 10 to 15 metres, reached over several decades. This is a large tree and the width matters as much as the height when you site it. Keep it away from buildings, boundaries and overhead services, and give it enough soil volume to support a canopy of that scale.
Yes. It is frost hardy and survives heavy and frequent frost without damage, so it suits cold inland towns, the tablelands and southern districts where winters are severe. It is bare through the coldest part of the year, which means frost falls on dormant wood rather than soft growth. Late frost may nip early spring foliage without lasting harm.
Full sun produces the best form, the densest canopy and the strongest autumn bronze, and it is the position to plant into. The tree also grows in partial shade, though the crown opens up and colour is muted. It has no trouble with exposure, wind or the heat reflected off roads and carparks once the root system is established.
That is what it was selected for. It performs on compacted urban fill, clay and low fertility ground where many shade trees stall, and it tolerates short wet periods as well as moderate drought. Results are still better with decompaction, a generous planting hole and mulch, so prepare the site properly even though the tree is forgiving.
Yes. It defoliates through the colder months and stands bare until buds break in spring. Before dropping, the glossy foliage turns bronze and tends to hold on the tree later than other ashes, extending the autumn display. The bare winter canopy lets sun through to buildings and paving underneath, then shades them again over summer.
Water deeply and regularly for the first three summers and maintain a wide mulch ring clear of the trunk. Formative prune in late winter to establish a single leader and lift the lower limbs progressively for clearance. After that, maintenance is minimal: remove deadwood, check stakes and ties are not girdling, and clear leaf litter from drains in autumn.
