Melia azedarach 'Lilac Lady' - Evergreen Trees Direct

Melia azedarach 'Lilac Lady'

$250.00

Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

Size: 40cm/45L

40cm/45L 100L

Current Stock Height Guides

40cm/45L: Enquire within for height guide information.
100L: Enquire within for height guide information.

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 mustconfirm 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.

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 8m to 12m (approx.)

Mature Width: 4m to 6m

Melia azedarach 'Lilac Lady' is expected to grow 30cm to 60cm per year (approx.).

Root Ball Dimensions

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

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

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Contact

Have a question or a list to send through to us?

Email: sales@evergreentrees.com.au

Phone: (03) 7042 3318

About Your New Melia azedarach 'Lilac Lady'

Melia azedarach 'Lilac Lady' is a selected form of the White Cedar, chosen for a more compact and upright frame than the straight species. The fern like divided foliage casts light shade and turns yellow before dropping. Scented lilac flowers cover the canopy in spring, followed by small round fruit.

It reaches 6 to 8 metres tall and 4 to 6 metres wide, adding about 30 to 60 centimetres a year. Full sun to part shade suits it, along with most well drained soils. Frost and drought are both handled once established, and it takes reflected heat off paving and walls in hot inland towns.

The narrower frame makes it a better fit than the species for suburban blocks, nature strips and courtyards, and for avenue rows at 3 metres. Because the canopy is deciduous, winter sun still reaches the house and garden beneath it, which is worth planning around on a north facing site.

Frequently Asked Questions

About 'Lilac Lady' Chinaberry

What is Melia azedarach 'Lilac Lady'?

'Lilac Lady' is a selected cultivar of White Cedar, chosen for a tighter upright to rounded frame and a heavy display of scented lilac flowers in spring. It carries the same fern like divided foliage and yellow autumn colour as the species, but stays smaller, which suits it to suburban and street planting.

How big does 'Lilac Lady' grow?

It reaches 6 to 8 metres tall and 4 to 6 metres wide, noticeably more contained than the straight species. That size sits well on a standard suburban block or a nature strip without overwhelming it. Space trees 3 to 4 metres apart as features, or 3 metres apart for an even avenue.

How fast does it grow?

It puts on roughly 30 to 60 centimetres a year in reasonable soil with water through the establishment period. From an advanced 100 litre tree you can expect useful shade within three or four summers. Growth is quickest while young, then slows as the canopy broadens and the trunk thickens up.

When does it flower?

Flowering is in spring, mainly October and November. Sprays of small lilac flowers open with the new foliage and carry a light, sweet scent that is noticeable from some distance on a warm day. Small round fruit follows through summer, ripening yellow and holding on the bare branches over winter.

Is it frost and drought tolerant?

Yes to both once established. It handles frost across inland and tableland districts, and being deciduous it is dormant through the coldest part of the year anyway. Established trees cope with long dry spells and reflected heat from paving, which is why it does well in hot inland towns and western suburbs.

Is it suitable for street planting and smaller gardens?

It is one of the better options in this size class. The 6 to 8 metre height and 4 to 6 metre spread fit a nature strip or a modest backyard, and the high, open canopy leaves room to walk and park underneath. The fruit drops, so keep it away from pool surrounds and pedestrian paving.

How do I prune and care for 'Lilac Lady'?

Prune in late winter while the tree is bare, lifting the lower limbs to the clearance you need and thinning any crossing branches. Water deeply through the first two summers, then only in extended dry spells. Sweep up fallen fruit where children or dogs are about, since it is toxic if eaten.

Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Enriched Planting Mix

What is Enriched Planting Mix made from?

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.

What plants is it suitable for?

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.

Is it safe for natives?

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.

Is it certified organic?

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.

How much do I need?

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.

Can I use it in pots?

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.

Does it need to be watered in?

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.

View full details

Type: Garden Supplies

Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

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Uses in my Garden

Feature Tree
Avenue Planting
Shade Tree
Council or Civic Landscapes
Street Tree

Melia azedarach 'Lilac Lady' works in an:

Australian Native Garden – celebrates local plants with natural character.
Modern Garden – sleek, minimal, and design-led planting.
Coastal Garden – relaxed, seaside feel with hardy, textural plants.
Low-maintenance Garden – resilient choices for easy care and year-round appeal.

Is Melia azedarach 'Lilac Lady' Evergreen or Deciduous?

Melia azedarach 'Lilac Lady' is an Deciduous (Defoliates throughout colder months) Tree

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 8m to 12m (approx.)

Mature Width: 4m to 6m

Melia azedarach 'Lilac Lady' is expected to grow 30cm to 60cm per year (approx.).

Growth Rate of Melia azedarach 'Lilac Lady'

Melia azedarach 'Lilac Lady' is expected to grow 30cm to 60cm per year (approx.).

They are considered to have a:

Medium Growth Rate

Frost Tolerance & Ideal Climate to plant Melia azedarach 'Lilac Lady'

Is Melia azedarach 'Lilac Lady' frost tolerant?

Melia azedarach 'Lilac Lady' is Frost Hardy – Survives heavy and frequent frost without damage.

Does Melia azedarach 'Lilac Lady' Flower?

Melia azedarach ‘Lilac Lady’ produces abundant clusters of soft lilac-purple, star-shaped flowers from late spring into early summer. The lightly fragrant blooms form in open sprays throughout the canopy, creating a graceful, airy and highly ornamental seasonal display.

Does Melia azedarach 'Lilac Lady' flower?

Yes - Flowers

Flowering Period:

Spring

Flower Type:

Clustered

Flower Colour:

Purple

Is Melia azedarach 'Lilac Lady' an Australian Native Tree?

Yes

Melia azedarach 'Lilac Lady' is Native to Native to Asia and northern Australia, where Melia azedarach grows in warm temperate and subtropical regions. ‘Lilac Lady’ is a selected ornamental form bred for its profuse flowering and elegant habit.

What is the Wildlife Value of Melia azedarach 'Lilac Lady' ?

Its nectar-rich flowers attract bees, butterflies and a range of early-summer pollinators, while the fine, lacy foliage provides shade, shelter and perching habitat for small birds. The golden berries that follow are eaten by certain bird species, supporting wildlife and contributing to biodiversity through autumn and winter.

How much Sunlight does Melia azedarach 'Lilac Lady' need?

Melia azedarach 'Lilac Lady' will thrive best in:

Full Sun

Preferred Soil?

Melia azedarach ‘Lilac Lady’ performs best in well-drained loam or sandy soils and tolerates slightly acidic to slightly alkaline conditions. It adapts well to poorer and drier soils but may struggle in heavy, waterlogged clay unless improved with coarse material and organic matter to increase drainage and aeration. Keep soil evenly moist during establishment, then transition to deep, occasional watering as the tree matures to support drought resilience, healthy canopy development and reliable seasonal flowering.

Is Melia azedarach 'Lilac Lady' Drought Tolerant?

Is Melia azedarach 'Lilac Lady' Drought tolerant?

As a young tree it requires regular watering, but once established ‘Lilac Lady’ develops excellent drought tolerance. Hardy and fast-growing, it performs strongly in hot, dry, inland and coastal locations and maintains a full, ferny canopy with only occasional deep watering during extended dry periods.

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How To Plant Your Melia azedarach 'Lilac Lady'

Site: Choose a well-drained position in full sun to part shade with room for the canopy to develop.

Soil preparation: Enrich the planting area with quality compost and aged manure for a strong establishment phase.

Hole: Dig twice as wide as the root ball and the same depth.

Planting: Position level with the surrounding soil, backfill gently, firm in, then water deeply to settle the roots.

Recommended Planting Spacing For Your Melia azedarach 'Lilac Lady'

Feature tree: 3 to 4 metres apart to allow the full canopy and form to develop.

Avenue planting: 3 metres apart for a uniform soft-textured avenue.

Melia azedarach 'Lilac Lady' is expected to grow 30cm to 60cm per year (approx.).

Medium Growth Rate

Long Term Care For Your Melia azedarach 'Lilac Lady'

Watering: Water deeply twice weekly through the first 12 months. Once established, reduce to once weekly in dry periods. Mulch helps maintain consistent moisture.

Mulching: Apply a 5 to 7 centimetre layer of organic mulch over the root zone, keeping it 5 centimetres clear of the trunk.

Pruning: Minimal pruning required. Light tip prune in late winter to maintain shape, and remove lower branches as the tree grows to develop a clean feature trunk.

Fertilising: Apply a slow-release native blend in early spring and again in autumn. Avoid high-phosphorus formulations as a precaution.

Pest and disease: Hardy against most pests and diseases. Occasional scale or caterpillar inspection in warm humid conditions is all that's needed.

Planting Your Melia azedarach 'Lilac Lady' in Different Soil

Melia azedarach performs best in well-drained sandy loam or loam with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. Adaptable to a wide range of soils when drainage is improved with organic matter.

Sandy soil: Free-draining and ideal. Mulch well to maintain consistent moisture.

Clay soil: Improve drainage with gypsum and organic compost before planting.

Loam: The preferred soil for steady root development and consistent growth.

pH: Slightly acidic to neutral preferred. Mulch with composted leaf litter to maintain levels naturally.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently asked questions

Is 'Lilac Lady' suitable for small gardens? Yes, its moderate size makes it suitable for most garden sizes.
Can it tolerate urban conditions? Yes, it's known for its tolerance to urban conditions.
Does it attract wildlife? Yes, birds are attracted to its fruits.