Opuntia ‘Burbank Spineless’ – Burbank Spineless Prickly Pear
Opuntia ‘Burbank Spineless’ – Burbank Spineless Prickly Pear
Spineless blue-green cactus pads create bold architectural impact with exceptional drought tolerance.
Regular price
$330.00
Sale price
$330.00
Regular price
Tax included.
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Pot size
Available batches
- Current height guide
- Please enquire
- Pot size
- 30cm/33cm
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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About this tree
About this tree
- Mature height
- 2m to 5m
- Mature width
- 2m to 5m
Opuntia 'Burbank Spineless' brings strong desert-style structure to a garden without the heavy spines of traditional prickly pear. Its broad, smooth blue-green pads build a sculptural branching form that works as a feature plant, while its exceptional drought tolerance makes it one of the easiest architectural cacti to grow.
It performs best in full sun and sharply drained soils, adapting well to sandy, rocky and dry low-fertility conditions. Suited to arid, inland, Mediterranean and coastal climates, Opuntia 'Burbank Spineless' establishes quickly and develops outstanding drought tolerance once mature, asking very little in the way of watering or maintenance.
For xeriscaping, dry-climate gardens, cactus gardens and contemporary low-water planting designs, Opuntia 'Burbank Spineless' delivers bold form and reliable performance. It is a popular choice for rural landscapes and modern low-maintenance gardens where structure matters and water is limited.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Opuntia 'Burbank Spineless' Prickly Pear
Is Opuntia 'Burbank Spineless' actually spineless?
Opuntia 'Burbank Spineless' was selected for its smooth pads and lacks the large spines of traditional prickly pear. It can still carry fine hair-like glochids, so light gloves are sensible when handling or pruning it.
How big does Opuntia 'Burbank Spineless' grow?
Opuntia 'Burbank Spineless' typically reaches around 2 to 5 metres in both height and width at maturity, building a broad sculptural form. Its eventual size depends on climate, soil and how much room it is given to spread.
Where should I plant Opuntia 'Burbank Spineless'?
Opuntia 'Burbank Spineless' grows best in full sun with sharply drained sandy or loam soil. It suits arid, inland, Mediterranean and coastal gardens, and is well placed in xeriscapes, cactus gardens and dry feature beds.
How much watering does Opuntia 'Burbank Spineless' need?
While establishing, Opuntia 'Burbank Spineless' benefits from occasional watering to support healthy root development. Once established it is highly drought-tolerant and performs reliably through prolonged hot, dry conditions with minimal supplementary water.
Does Opuntia 'Burbank Spineless' tolerate frost?
Opuntia 'Burbank Spineless' is frost tolerant and can handle light to moderate frost once established, which makes it suitable for inland tableland gardens as well as warmer coastal and Mediterranean climates.
Does Opuntia 'Burbank Spineless' flower?
Yes. Opuntia 'Burbank Spineless' produces yellow flowers through spring and summer, held along the edges of the pads, adding a seasonal display to its bold sculptural form.
Can Opuntia 'Burbank Spineless' be grown in a pot?
Opuntia 'Burbank Spineless' grows well in containers with a free-draining cactus or succulent mix. Allow the soil to dry thoroughly between watering, particularly through cooler periods, as excess moisture can lead to root rot.
Mature height & width
Mature height & width
- Mature height
- 2m to 5m
- Mature width
- 2m to 5m
Pot sizes & dimensions
Pot sizes & dimensions
| 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.
Delivery & pickup
Delivery & pickup
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About Opuntia ‘Burbank Spineless’
Opuntia 'Burbank Spineless' brings strong desert-style structure to a garden without the heavy spines of traditional prickly pear. Its broad, smooth blue-green pads build a sculptural branching form that works as a feature plant, while its exceptional drought tolerance makes it one of the easiest architectural cacti to grow.
It performs best in full sun and sharply drained soils, adapting well to sandy, rocky and dry low-fertility conditions. Suited to arid, inland, Mediterranean and coastal climates, Opuntia 'Burbank Spineless' establishes quickly and develops outstanding drought tolerance once mature, asking very little in the way of watering or maintenance.
For xeriscaping, dry-climate gardens, cactus gardens and contemporary low-water planting designs, Opuntia 'Burbank Spineless' delivers bold form and reliable performance. It is a popular choice for rural landscapes and modern low-maintenance gardens where structure matters and water is limited.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Opuntia 'Burbank Spineless' Prickly Pear
Is Opuntia 'Burbank Spineless' actually spineless?
Opuntia 'Burbank Spineless' was selected for its smooth pads and lacks the large spines of traditional prickly pear. It can still carry fine hair-like glochids, so light gloves are sensible when handling or pruning it.
How big does Opuntia 'Burbank Spineless' grow?
Opuntia 'Burbank Spineless' typically reaches around 2 to 5 metres in both height and width at maturity, building a broad sculptural form. Its eventual size depends on climate, soil and how much room it is given to spread.
Where should I plant Opuntia 'Burbank Spineless'?
Opuntia 'Burbank Spineless' grows best in full sun with sharply drained sandy or loam soil. It suits arid, inland, Mediterranean and coastal gardens, and is well placed in xeriscapes, cactus gardens and dry feature beds.
How much watering does Opuntia 'Burbank Spineless' need?
While establishing, Opuntia 'Burbank Spineless' benefits from occasional watering to support healthy root development. Once established it is highly drought-tolerant and performs reliably through prolonged hot, dry conditions with minimal supplementary water.
Does Opuntia 'Burbank Spineless' tolerate frost?
Opuntia 'Burbank Spineless' is frost tolerant and can handle light to moderate frost once established, which makes it suitable for inland tableland gardens as well as warmer coastal and Mediterranean climates.
Does Opuntia 'Burbank Spineless' flower?
Yes. Opuntia 'Burbank Spineless' produces yellow flowers through spring and summer, held along the edges of the pads, adding a seasonal display to its bold sculptural form.
Can Opuntia 'Burbank Spineless' be grown in a pot?
Opuntia 'Burbank Spineless' grows well in containers with a free-draining cactus or succulent mix. Allow the soil to dry thoroughly between watering, particularly through cooler periods, as excess moisture can lead to root rot.
- Foliage
Evergreen (foliage year round)
- Position
- Form
- Use
- Mature height
- 2m to 5m
- Mature width
- 2m to 5m
Planting Information
Recommended Planting Spacing For Your Opuntia ‘Burbank Spineless’ – Burbank Spineless Prickly Pear
Opuntia ‘Burbank Spineless’ – Burbank Spineless Prickly Pear is expected to grow 30cm to 80cm per year under suitable conditions.
Long Term Care For Your Opuntia ‘Burbank Spineless’ – Burbank Spineless Prickly Pear
Planting Your Opuntia ‘Burbank Spineless’ – Burbank Spineless Prickly Pear in Different Soil
Uses in my Garden
Uses in my Garden
Opuntia ‘Burbank Spineless’ – Burbank Spineless Prickly Pear works in an:
Is Opuntia ‘Burbank Spineless’ – Burbank Spineless Prickly Pear Evergreen or Deciduous?
Opuntia ‘Burbank Spineless’ – Burbank Spineless Prickly Pear is an Evergreen (foliage year round) Tree
Mature Height & Width
Mature Height: 2m to 5m
Mature Width: 2m to 5m
Opuntia ‘Burbank Spineless’ – Burbank Spineless Prickly Pear is expected to grow 30cm to 80cm per year under suitable conditions.
Growth Rate of Opuntia ‘Burbank Spineless’ – Burbank Spineless Prickly Pear
Opuntia ‘Burbank Spineless’ – Burbank Spineless Prickly Pear is expected to grow 30cm to 80cm per year under suitable conditions.
They are considered to have a:
Frost Tolerance & Ideal Climate to plant Opuntia ‘Burbank Spineless’ – Burbank Spineless Prickly Pear
Is Opuntia ‘Burbank Spineless’ – Burbank Spineless Prickly Pear frost tolerant?
Opuntia ‘Burbank Spineless’ – Burbank Spineless Prickly Pear is Frost Tolerant – Can handle light to moderate frost once established.
Does Opuntia ‘Burbank Spineless’ – Burbank Spineless Prickly Pear Flower?
Opuntia ‘Burbank Spineless’ produces large yellow to orange flowers during spring and summer, often followed by colourful edible fruit on mature plants. The blooms create strong seasonal contrast against the broad blue-green spineless pads, adding ornamental and productive value to the landscape.
Does Opuntia ‘Burbank Spineless’ – Burbank Spineless Prickly Pear flower?
Flowering Period:
Flower Type:
Flower Colour:
Yellow
Is Opuntia ‘Burbank Spineless’ – Burbank Spineless Prickly Pear an Australian Native Tree?
No
Opuntia ‘Burbank Spineless’ – Burbank Spineless Prickly Pear is Native to Derived from prickly pear cactus selections originating from the Americas and developed for spineless ornamental and agricultural use.
What is the Wildlife Value of Opuntia ‘Burbank Spineless’ – Burbank Spineless Prickly Pear ?
Its seasonal flowers attract bees and other beneficial pollinators throughout the flowering period, supporting biodiversity within waterwise and arid-style landscapes. The dense paddle-like growth also provides light shelter for beneficial insects and small wildlife.
How much Sunlight does Opuntia ‘Burbank Spineless’ – Burbank Spineless Prickly Pear need?
Opuntia ‘Burbank Spineless’ – Burbank Spineless Prickly Pear will thrive best in:
Preferred Soil?
Opuntia ‘Burbank Spineless’ performs best in free-draining sandy or loam soils with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH. It will also tolerate poorer soils provided drainage remains excellent. Avoid heavy clay or persistently wet conditions, as excess moisture can reduce root health and lead to rot. Allow the soil to dry thoroughly between watering, particularly during cooler periods and container cultivation.
Is Opuntia ‘Burbank Spineless’ – Burbank Spineless Prickly Pear Drought Tolerant?
Is Opuntia ‘Burbank Spineless’ – Burbank Spineless Prickly Pear Drought tolerant?
As a young plant it benefits from occasional watering to establish healthy root development, particularly during extended dry weather. Once established, ‘Burbank Spineless’ shows exceptional drought tolerance and performs reliably through prolonged hot and dry conditions with minimal supplementary watering.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Opuntia 'Burbank Spineless' actually spineless?
Opuntia 'Burbank Spineless' was selected for its smooth pads and lacks the large spines of traditional prickly pear. It can still carry fine hair-like glochids, so light gloves are sensible when handling or pruning it.
How big does Opuntia 'Burbank Spineless' grow?
Opuntia 'Burbank Spineless' typically reaches around 2 to 5 metres in both height and width at maturity, building a broad sculptural form. Its eventual size depends on climate, soil and how much room it is given to spread.
Where should I plant Opuntia 'Burbank Spineless'?
Opuntia 'Burbank Spineless' grows best in full sun with sharply drained sandy or loam soil. It suits arid, inland, Mediterranean and coastal gardens, and is well placed in xeriscapes, cactus gardens and dry feature beds.
How much watering does Opuntia 'Burbank Spineless' need?
While establishing, Opuntia 'Burbank Spineless' benefits from occasional watering to support healthy root development. Once established it is highly drought-tolerant and performs reliably through prolonged hot, dry conditions with minimal supplementary water.
Does Opuntia 'Burbank Spineless' tolerate frost?
Opuntia 'Burbank Spineless' is frost tolerant and can handle light to moderate frost once established, which makes it suitable for inland tableland gardens as well as warmer coastal and Mediterranean climates.
Does Opuntia 'Burbank Spineless' flower?
Yes. Opuntia 'Burbank Spineless' produces yellow flowers through spring and summer, held along the edges of the pads, adding a seasonal display to its bold sculptural form.
Can Opuntia 'Burbank Spineless' be grown in a pot?
Opuntia 'Burbank Spineless' grows well in containers with a free-draining cactus or succulent mix. Allow the soil to dry thoroughly between watering, particularly through cooler periods, as excess moisture can lead to root rot.
What soil does Opuntia 'Burbank Spineless' prefer?
Opuntia 'Burbank Spineless' performs best in free-draining sandy or loam soils with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH. It tolerates poorer soils provided drainage stays excellent, but heavy clay and persistently wet ground should be avoided.
Compare sizes side by side
30cm/33cm
Approx. 0.5m – 0.6m
40cm/45L
Enquire for current heights
Heights are approximate and vary between individual trees.
Opuntia ‘Burbank Spineless’ is loved for its Spineless blue-green cactus pads create bold architectural impact with exceptional drought tolerance.
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.
Plant Your Opuntia ‘Burbank Spineless’ – Burbank Spineless Prickly Pear With:
Cupressus sempervirens 'Glauca' Pencil Pine
Cupressus sempervirens 'Glauca', commonly known as Pencil Pine, is a tall, narrow evergreen tree famed for its iconic columnar shape and Mediterranean elegance. Growing 8-12 metres tall and just 1-1.5 metres wide, it offers striking vertical definition and year-round structure with a minimal footprint, perfect for formal landscapes.
Ideal for framing driveways, entrances, garden borders, or creating structured rows, Pencil Pine thrives in full sun, tolerates drought once established, and adapts well to various soil types. Its dense, fine blue-green foliage creates clean lines and a symmetrical form that bring sophistication to any outdoor space.
Low-maintenance and resilient, it adds height and a settled formality without crowding the garden, which is why it stays a standard choice for Mediterranean and classical designs.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Cupressus sempervirens 'Glauca' Pencil Pine
How tall does Pencil Pine grow?
Pencil Pine grows to 8-12 metres tall but only 1-1.5 metres wide, giving it a striking narrow columnar form.
How fast does Pencil Pine grow?
Pencil Pine has a moderate growth rate of 30-60cm per year in well-drained conditions with full sun.
Where does Pencil Pine grow best in Australia?
Pencil Pine thrives across most Australian climates and is particularly suited to Mediterranean conditions including SA, VIC, southern NSW, and parts of WA.
Is Pencil Pine drought tolerant?
Yes. Pencil Pine is highly drought tolerant once established and performs well in dry, exposed, and coastal sites.
How far apart should I plant Pencil Pine for a row or hedge?
Plant 80cm-1.2 metres apart for a tight columnar row or hedge, or 2-3 metres for individual feature spacing.
Can Pencil Pine grow in pots?
Yes. Pencil Pine grows well in large pots (60L+) and is a classic choice for framing entrances and formal courtyard planting.
Is Pencil Pine frost tolerant?
Yes. Pencil Pine handles frost well and grows happily in the cold inland and highland districts of Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia, including sites with regular winter frosts. Young trees appreciate a little shelter through their first winter or two while the roots establish. After that the fine blue-green foliage holds its colour through cold weather without burning.
Cupressus sempervirens 'Glauca' Pencil Pine
Cupressus sempervirens 'Glauca' Pencil Pine
Cupressus sempervirens 'Glauca', commonly known as Pencil Pine, is a tall, narrow evergreen tree famed for its iconic columnar shape and Mediterranean elegance. Growing 8-12 metres tall and just 1-1.5 metres wide, it offers striking vertical definition and year-round structure with a minimal footprint, perfect for formal landscapes.
Ideal for framing driveways, entrances, garden borders, or creating structured rows, Pencil Pine thrives in full sun, tolerates drought once established, and adapts well to various soil types. Its dense, fine blue-green foliage creates clean lines and a symmetrical form that bring sophistication to any outdoor space.
Low-maintenance and resilient, it adds height and a settled formality without crowding the garden, which is why it stays a standard choice for Mediterranean and classical designs.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Cupressus sempervirens 'Glauca' Pencil Pine
How tall does Pencil Pine grow?
Pencil Pine grows to 8-12 metres tall but only 1-1.5 metres wide, giving it a striking narrow columnar form.
How fast does Pencil Pine grow?
Pencil Pine has a moderate growth rate of 30-60cm per year in well-drained conditions with full sun.
Where does Pencil Pine grow best in Australia?
Pencil Pine thrives across most Australian climates and is particularly suited to Mediterranean conditions including SA, VIC, southern NSW, and parts of WA.
Is Pencil Pine drought tolerant?
Yes. Pencil Pine is highly drought tolerant once established and performs well in dry, exposed, and coastal sites.
How far apart should I plant Pencil Pine for a row or hedge?
Plant 80cm-1.2 metres apart for a tight columnar row or hedge, or 2-3 metres for individual feature spacing.
Can Pencil Pine grow in pots?
Yes. Pencil Pine grows well in large pots (60L+) and is a classic choice for framing entrances and formal courtyard planting.
Is Pencil Pine frost tolerant?
Yes. Pencil Pine handles frost well and grows happily in the cold inland and highland districts of Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia, including sites with regular winter frosts. Young trees appreciate a little shelter through their first winter or two while the roots establish. After that the fine blue-green foliage holds its colour through cold weather without burning.
Cupressus sempervirens 'Glauca' Pencil Pine
Juniperus chinensis 'Spartan'
Juniperus chinensis 'Spartan'
Juniperus chinensis 'Spartan', sold as Spartan Juniper, is an evergreen conifer with a naturally columnar, upright habit. The fine scale-like foliage is a deep rich green and holds that colour through every season. It forms a dense, narrow column without training, which is what makes it such a dependable vertical element.
Grow it in full sun in free-draining soil. It suits temperate, Mediterranean, cool inland and coastal gardens, and handles light to moderate frost once established. Growth runs 30 to 50 centimetres a year, and mature plants reach 4 to 6 metres tall and 1 to 2 metres wide. Drought tolerance is good after the first two summers.
Landscapers use it as a screen along boundaries, as a formal avenue, and as a pair framing a doorway or gate. The narrow footprint means it screens a fence line without stealing garden bed depth. Planted at close spacing it makes a hedge that needs almost no clipping to stay tidy.
After a clipped shape instead? This listing is the natural columnar form, for hedging, screening, avenues and feature planting. For pre-trained standards, double balls and triple balls ready to place, see Juniperus chinensis 'Spartan' - Topiary Forms.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Spartan Juniper
What is Spartan Juniper?
Spartan Juniper is the cultivar Juniperus chinensis 'Spartan', an evergreen conifer grown for its dense columnar shape and deep green scale-like foliage. It holds a narrow upright outline on its own, so it reads as a clean vertical without shaping. It is not an Australian native, though it has been grown here for decades in gardens and commercial landscapes.
How big does Spartan Juniper grow?
Mature height is 4 to 6 metres with a width of 1 to 2 metres. It keeps the same narrow column at every stage, so a young plant gives a fair picture of the adult shape. In a container, or anywhere the roots are restricted, it will sit at the lower end of that range.
How fast does it grow?
Expect roughly 30 to 50 centimetres of height a year in good conditions, which is moderate to fast for a conifer. Growth is quickest through spring and autumn and slows in the heat of midsummer. Regular water and a free-draining soil in the first two years make the biggest difference to the rate.
Does it need sun or shade?
Full sun gives the best result. Six hours or more of direct light a day keeps the foliage dense right to the base and holds the colour deep green. In part shade the plant survives but opens up and thins on the shaded side, which spoils the even column that makes it useful.
How far apart should I plant it for a hedge or screen?
Plant at 1 to 1.5 metres apart for a dense informal screen, or 80 centimetres apart for a tighter formal hedge. For a feature or specimen give it 3 to 4 metres so the form develops fully, and space avenue plantings at 3 metres for an even rhythm along a drive.
Is it frost tolerant?
Yes. It handles light to moderate frost once established, which covers most of the cooler inland and tablelands areas where it is planted. Young plants in their first winter benefit from shelter in a hard frost pocket. Frost damage, when it happens, shows as browning on the outer foliage rather than the loss of the plant.
How do I care for Spartan Juniper?
Water deeply once or twice a week through the first two summers, then only in extended dry spells. Feed with a slow release fertiliser in early spring. Keep mulch clear of the trunk to avoid collar rot. Light trimming in spring or autumn tidies the outline, but avoid cutting into old bare wood because junipers do not reshoot from it.
Juniperus chinensis 'Spartan'
Schinus molle Peppercorn Tree
Schinus molle Peppercorn Tree
Schinus molle, the Peppercorn Tree, is one of the most drought-hardy shade trees available, instantly recognised by its broad arching canopy of fine feathery grey-green foliage and its hanging clusters of pink-red berries.
Peppercorn Tree grows to 8-12 metres tall and 8-10 metres wide with a wide weeping canopy that creates a striking sculptural presence and generous shade. The broad architectural form makes it a classic choice for rural driveways, paddocks, windbreaks, and large open landscapes. Delicate white flowers appear in late spring, followed by the decorative pink-red berries.
Peppercorn Tree is highly drought tolerant and low maintenance, thriving in poor and sandy soils under full sun. It performs reliably in Mediterranean and semi-arid climates across SA, VIC, NSW, WA and inland QLD, and tolerates frost once established.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Schinus molle Peppercorn Tree
How tall does Peppercorn Tree grow?
Schinus molle grows to 8-12 metres tall and 8-10 metres wide with a broad weeping canopy.
How fast does Peppercorn Tree grow?
Peppercorn Tree is fast-growing, adding 60cm to 1 metre per year once established.
Is Peppercorn Tree drought tolerant?
Yes. Schinus molle is one of the most drought-tolerant feature trees available, performing well in dry inland conditions, paddocks, and Mediterranean climates.
Does Peppercorn Tree produce pink berries?
Yes. Peppercorn Tree produces hanging clusters of small pink-red berries through summer and autumn. The berries are decorative but not the true edible black peppercorn, which comes from Piper nigrum.
Is Peppercorn Tree evergreen?
Yes. Schinus molle is evergreen, holding its fine pendulous foliage year-round.
Is Peppercorn Tree suitable for paddocks and rural properties?
Yes. Peppercorn Tree is one of the most popular rural shade trees in Australia thanks to its drought tolerance, broad weeping canopy, and ability to thrive in poor soils with minimal water.
Where does Peppercorn Tree grow best in Australia?
Peppercorn Tree thrives across most of Australia, particularly in SA, VIC, NSW, WA, and inland QLD. It tolerates frost, drought, and a wide range of soils once established.
Schinus molle Peppercorn Tree
Olea europaea 'Manzanillo' - Olive
Olea europaea 'Manzanillo' - Olive
Olea europaea 'Manzanillo' is the classic Spanish table olive, a medium evergreen tree with a dense rounded canopy of silver-green foliage and a spreading branch habit. Fragrant creamy white flowers open in spring, followed by plump fruit suited to both curing and pressing. The open centre form is part of its appeal.
It wants full sun and drainage, and takes coastal exposure, urban conditions and poorer soils in its stride. Growth runs 30 to 60 centimetres a year to 4 to 6 metres tall and 3 to 4 metres wide. Highly drought tolerant once established, it needs an annual prune and little else.
Manzanillo works in productive gardens and small groves, as a clipped hedge at 80 centimetres to 1.5 metre spacing, in containers, or as a single feature. Its open crown lets light and air through the canopy, which supports fruit set. For anyone wanting fruit as well as form, it is where most Australian growers start.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Manzanillo Olive
What is a Manzanillo olive?
'Manzanillo' is a Spanish cultivar of Olea europaea and the best known table olive in the world. The fruit is round, meaty and easy to cure, and it also presses into good oil, so it is genuinely dual purpose. The tree is medium sized with a dense, spreading, silver-green canopy.
How big does the Manzanillo olive grow?
Expect 4 to 6 metres tall and 3 to 4 metres wide at maturity, with a spreading rounded shape. Most growers hold it near 3 metres with annual pruning so the fruit can be picked without a ladder. Allow the full width if you want the tree to develop its natural spreading form.
How far apart should I plant it for a hedge?
For a dense informal screen, plant 1 to 1.5 metres apart. For a tighter formal hedge, bring the spacing in to 80 centimetres. Measure centre to centre and keep the line straight, since olives clipped as a hedge show every gap. Hedged olives crop lightly, so set spacing by whether you want screening or fruit.
Does it need a pollinator?
'Manzanillo' is partly self-fertile, so a single tree will set some fruit. Yields improve substantially with a second variety flowering at the same time nearby, since pollen moves on the wind. One tree gives a modest home crop; in a grove, plant a pollinator such as 'Correggiola' through the rows.
When are the olives ready to pick?
Green table olives are picked in autumn, around March and April, before the skin colours. Black olives are left on the tree until late autumn or early winter, roughly May and June. Fruit for oil is picked when about half the crop has turned. All olives need curing in brine or salt before eating.
Where does it grow best in Australia?
It grows across most of southern Australia, doing best in Mediterranean and warm temperate climates with dry summers, including South Australia, Victoria, inland New South Wales and the south west of Western Australia. It also performs in coastal and urban gardens. Humid subtropical areas are harder, since wet summers encourage fungal problems.
How do I care for a Manzanillo olive tree?
Prune annually in late winter, thinning the centre so light reaches the inner wood, and keeping the height where you can reach it. Feed in early spring, water through flowering and fruit fill, then ease off. Remove suckers from the base. Watch for olive lace bug and scale, and treat early if either appears.
Olea europaea 'Manzanillo' - Olive
Laurus nobilis 'Miles Choice' Bay Tree
Laurus nobilis 'Miles Choice' Bay Tree
Laurus nobilis 'Miles Choice' is considered an improved form of the traditional bay tree, selected for its more compact, upright growth. This variety is known for producing denser, tidier hedging with less effort, which is why it has become one of our best-selling choices for structured residential and commercial landscapes.
Its dark green, glossy, aromatic foliage creates a strong, uniform backdrop that instantly elevates surrounding plantings and holds its shape beautifully year-round. It is ideal for clipped formal hedges, privacy screening, and pleached rows, responding exceptionally well to pruning and maintaining a clean, polished finish with regular trimming.
'Miles Choice' performs reliably in full sun to part shade and tolerates a wide range of conditions, including coastal and windy sites once established. The foliage is also edible, making it both a practical and ornamental option.
Low-maintenance, resilient, and highly refined, it is a go-to hedging tree for projects where structure, longevity, and a premium finish matter.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Laurus nobilis 'Miles Choice' Bay Tree
How tall does Miles Choice Bay Tree grow?
Miles Choice grows to 4-6 metres tall and is most commonly maintained as a 2-4 metre clipped hedge. Its compact upright form holds a tighter shape than standard Laurus nobilis.
How fast does Miles Choice grow?
Miles Choice has a moderate growth rate of 30-50cm per year once established.
Is Miles Choice the same as standard bay tree?
Miles Choice is an improved cultivar of Laurus nobilis with a tighter, more compact habit. The foliage is still fully edible and aromatic, but the plant produces denser, tidier hedges with less pruning than the standard form.
Are Miles Choice leaves edible?
Yes. Like the standard bay tree, Miles Choice leaves are fully edible and can be used in cooking. Pick fresh leaves as needed for stocks, soups, slow-cooked dishes, and marinades.
How far apart should I plant Miles Choice for a hedge?
Plant 60-80cm apart for a dense formal hedge, or 1 metre apart for a more relaxed screen.
Can Miles Choice grow in pots?
Yes. Miles Choice performs well in large pots (60L+) and is a popular choice for formal entrances, courtyards, and balcony screening.
How do I prune Miles Choice Bay Tree?
Trim two to three times through the warmer months, taking a little each time rather than one hard cut. Use sharp secateurs on individual stems so the large leaves are not sliced in half and left browning on the face of the hedge. Miles Choice reshoots readily from older wood, so an overgrown plant can be brought back into shape over a season or two.
Laurus nobilis 'Miles Choice' Bay Tree
Araucaria heterophylla - Norfolk Island Pine
Araucaria heterophylla - Norfolk Island Pine
Araucaria heterophylla holds perfectly symmetrical tiers of horizontal branches around a dead-straight central trunk, giving an architectural precision that no other large tree in Australia matches. It is the tree that defines the skyline of Australian coastal towns.
The Norfolk Island Pine is a very large tree, reaching 50 to 65 metres tall and 15 to 20 metres wide over its lifetime at 40 to 70 centimetres per year. It needs genuine space and is best suited to foreshores, parkland, civic landscapes and large properties rather than suburban gardens.
This species is exceptionally tolerant of salt spray, sand and constant onshore wind, which is why it is planted along exposed foreshores where little else survives. It grows in full sun to part shade, tolerates light to moderate frost once established, and needs no ongoing maintenance.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Araucaria heterophylla
How big does Araucaria heterophylla grow?
The Norfolk Island Pine reaches 50 to 65 metres tall and 15 to 20 metres wide at full maturity. It is a very large tree and needs to be sited with that eventual size in mind.
Is the Norfolk Island Pine salt tolerant?
Yes. It is among the most salt and wind tolerant large trees available, which is why it is used along exposed foreshores and beachfront reserves throughout Australia.
How fast does Araucaria heterophylla grow?
It grows at 40 to 70 centimetres per year, which is moderate for a tree of its eventual size. Growth is steady and the symmetrical form develops from a young age.
Is the Norfolk Island Pine suitable for a suburban garden?
Generally no. Its mature size demands parkland scale. On a standard suburban block it will outgrow the space and overwhelm the garden within a few decades.
Can Norfolk Island Pine be grown in a pot?
Young plants are commonly grown in pots and hold their symmetrical form well for several years, but they eventually need to be planted out or replaced as they outgrow container culture.
Is Araucaria heterophylla frost tolerant?
It handles light to moderate frost once established, though it performs best in frost-free coastal conditions. Young plants should be protected in cold inland districts.
How far apart should I plant Norfolk Island Pines?
For an avenue or foreshore row, plant 8 to 10 metres apart. As individual feature trees allow a minimum of 15 metres clear of buildings and services.
Araucaria heterophylla - Norfolk Island Pine
Trachelospermum jasminoides Balls – Star Jasmine Balls
Trachelospermum jasminoides Balls – Star Jasmine Balls
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Star Jasmine Balls
What are 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.
How big do Star Jasmine Balls grow?
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.
Do Star Jasmine Balls need sun or shade?
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.
Can Star Jasmine Balls be grown in pots?
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.
Are Star Jasmine Balls evergreen?
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.
When do Star Jasmine Balls flower?
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.
How do I prune and care for Star Jasmine Balls?
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.
Trachelospermum jasminoides Balls – Star Jasmine Balls
Westringia fruticosa – Coastal Rosemary
Westringia fruticosa – Coastal Rosemary
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Coastal Rosemary
What is 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.
How big does Coastal Rosemary grow?
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.
Is Coastal Rosemary suitable for coastal positions?
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.
When does Coastal Rosemary flower?
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.
How far apart should I plant Coastal Rosemary for a hedge?
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.
Can Coastal Rosemary grow in pots?
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.
How do I prune and care for Coastal Rosemary?
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.
Westringia fruticosa – Coastal Rosemary
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