Quercus canariensis – Algerian Oak / Mirbeck’s Oak
Quercus canariensis – Algerian Oak / Mirbeck’s Oak
Most loved for its broad, rounded crown and large, glossy green leaves that turn golden-brown in autumn, making it both stately and ornamental.
Regular price
$700.00
Sale price
$700.00
Regular price
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Pot size
Available batches
- Current height guide
- Please enquire
- Pot size
- 100L
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
- 15m to 25m
- Mature width
- 10m to 15m
Quercus canariensis, the Algerian Oak or Mirbeck's Oak, is a broad domed oak from Spain, Portugal and North Africa rather than the Canary Islands its name suggests. The large glossy leaves are dark green with soft scalloped teeth and pale undersides, and the grey bark thickens into deep ridges with age.
It is semi evergreen, holding most of its foliage through winter and shedding it just as new growth pushes in early spring. Full sun and free draining soil suit it, along with heat, wind and dry spells once established. Growth is moderate at 30 to 60 centimetres a year, and light to moderate frost is tolerated.
Size is the main consideration, since mature trees reach 15 to 25 metres tall and 10 to 15 metres wide. That makes it a park, campus, civic and large rural property tree, or a generously spaced avenue. Councils specify it where a long lived shade canopy has to survive hot dry summers.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Algerian Oak
What is Quercus canariensis?
The Algerian Oak, also called Mirbeck's Oak, is a large semi evergreen oak from Portugal, Spain, Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia, despite the name pointing at the Canary Islands. It has big glossy dark green leaves with soft rounded teeth, a wide domed crown and grey bark that roughens as the trunk gains girth.
Is the Algerian Oak evergreen or deciduous?
It sits between the two. In warm districts it holds a full canopy through winter and reads as evergreen, while in colder areas the old leaves brown off and drop in late winter, just before the new growth flushes. Either way the tree is rarely bare for more than a few weeks.
How big does it get?
Mature trees reach 15 to 25 metres tall and spread 10 to 15 metres, so this is a tree for open ground rather than a suburban courtyard. Full size takes several decades. Allow at least 8 to 10 metres of clearance from buildings, fences and overhead service lines when siting it.
How fast does it grow?
Moderate, roughly 30 to 60 centimetres a year, faster on deep soil with summer water and slower on shallow or compacted ground. Like most oaks it puts its early energy into roots, so height gain can look modest for the first few years before the tree lifts away.
Is it drought and frost tolerant?
Once established it handles heat, wind and extended dry periods well, which is why it is planted through the drier parts of southern Australia. It also tolerates light to moderate frost. Young trees are the exception and need regular deep watering through their first two or three summers.
Is it suitable for avenue or street planting?
Yes, where the space is genuinely there. Allow 3 metres between trunks for a close uniform avenue whose crowns will knit together, or 8 to 10 metres if you want each tree to carry its full canopy. Its heat tolerance and dense shade make it a common choice for civic and campus work.
How do I care for an Algerian Oak?
Plant into free draining ground, stake only if the site is windy, and water deeply every week or two through the first summers. Mulch widely and keep turf away from the trunk. Prune in winter to remove crossing limbs and lift the canopy while the branches are still small enough to cut cleanly.
Mature height & width
Mature height & width
- Mature height
- 15m to 25m
- Mature width
- 10m to 15m
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 Quercus canariensis
Quercus canariensis, the Algerian Oak or Mirbeck's Oak, is a broad domed oak from Spain, Portugal and North Africa rather than the Canary Islands its name suggests. The large glossy leaves are dark green with soft scalloped teeth and pale undersides, and the grey bark thickens into deep ridges with age.
It is semi evergreen, holding most of its foliage through winter and shedding it just as new growth pushes in early spring. Full sun and free draining soil suit it, along with heat, wind and dry spells once established. Growth is moderate at 30 to 60 centimetres a year, and light to moderate frost is tolerated.
Size is the main consideration, since mature trees reach 15 to 25 metres tall and 10 to 15 metres wide. That makes it a park, campus, civic and large rural property tree, or a generously spaced avenue. Councils specify it where a long lived shade canopy has to survive hot dry summers.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Algerian Oak
What is Quercus canariensis?
The Algerian Oak, also called Mirbeck's Oak, is a large semi evergreen oak from Portugal, Spain, Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia, despite the name pointing at the Canary Islands. It has big glossy dark green leaves with soft rounded teeth, a wide domed crown and grey bark that roughens as the trunk gains girth.
Is the Algerian Oak evergreen or deciduous?
It sits between the two. In warm districts it holds a full canopy through winter and reads as evergreen, while in colder areas the old leaves brown off and drop in late winter, just before the new growth flushes. Either way the tree is rarely bare for more than a few weeks.
How big does it get?
Mature trees reach 15 to 25 metres tall and spread 10 to 15 metres, so this is a tree for open ground rather than a suburban courtyard. Full size takes several decades. Allow at least 8 to 10 metres of clearance from buildings, fences and overhead service lines when siting it.
How fast does it grow?
Moderate, roughly 30 to 60 centimetres a year, faster on deep soil with summer water and slower on shallow or compacted ground. Like most oaks it puts its early energy into roots, so height gain can look modest for the first few years before the tree lifts away.
Is it drought and frost tolerant?
Once established it handles heat, wind and extended dry periods well, which is why it is planted through the drier parts of southern Australia. It also tolerates light to moderate frost. Young trees are the exception and need regular deep watering through their first two or three summers.
Is it suitable for avenue or street planting?
Yes, where the space is genuinely there. Allow 3 metres between trunks for a close uniform avenue whose crowns will knit together, or 8 to 10 metres if you want each tree to carry its full canopy. Its heat tolerance and dense shade make it a common choice for civic and campus work.
How do I care for an Algerian Oak?
Plant into free draining ground, stake only if the site is windy, and water deeply every week or two through the first summers. Mulch widely and keep turf away from the trunk. Prune in winter to remove crossing limbs and lift the canopy while the branches are still small enough to cut cleanly.
- Foliage
Semi Deciduous
- Position
- Form
- Use
- Mature height
- 15m to 25m
- Mature width
- 10m to 15m
Planting Information
Recommended Planting Spacing For Your Quercus canariensis – Algerian Oak / Mirbeck’s Oak
Quercus canariensis – Algerian Oak / Mirbeck’s Oak is expected to grow 30cm to 60cm per year (moderate).
Long Term Care For Your Quercus canariensis – Algerian Oak / Mirbeck’s Oak
Planting Your Quercus canariensis – Algerian Oak / Mirbeck’s Oak in Different Soil
Uses in my Garden
Uses in my Garden
Quercus canariensis – Algerian Oak / Mirbeck’s Oak works in an:
Is Quercus canariensis – Algerian Oak / Mirbeck’s Oak Evergreen or Deciduous?
Quercus canariensis – Algerian Oak / Mirbeck’s Oak is an Semi Deciduous Tree
Mature Height & Width
Mature Height: 15m to 25m
Mature Width: 10m to 15m
Quercus canariensis – Algerian Oak / Mirbeck’s Oak is expected to grow 30cm to 60cm per year (moderate).
Growth Rate of Quercus canariensis – Algerian Oak / Mirbeck’s Oak
Quercus canariensis – Algerian Oak / Mirbeck’s Oak is expected to grow 30cm to 60cm per year (moderate).
They are considered to have a:
Frost Tolerance & Ideal Climate to plant Quercus canariensis – Algerian Oak / Mirbeck’s Oak
Is Quercus canariensis – Algerian Oak / Mirbeck’s Oak frost tolerant?
Quercus canariensis – Algerian Oak / Mirbeck’s Oak is Frost Tolerant – Can handle light to moderate frost once established.
Does Quercus canariensis – Algerian Oak / Mirbeck’s Oak Flower?
Quercus canariensis produces small, inconspicuous catkins in spring. These blooms are not ornamental and are followed by classic oak acorns, which mature later in the season. The tree is grown primarily for its lush, broad leaves and impressive stature rather than its flowers.
Does Quercus canariensis – Algerian Oak / Mirbeck’s Oak flower?
Flowering Period:
Flower Type:
Flower Colour:
Not Applicable
Is Quercus canariensis – Algerian Oak / Mirbeck’s Oak an Australian Native Tree?
No
Quercus canariensis – Algerian Oak / Mirbeck’s Oak is Native to Southern Europe and North Africa, including Algeria, Morocco, Spain, and Portugal, where Quercus canariensis grows in woodlands and mountainous regions.
What is the Wildlife Value of Quercus canariensis – Algerian Oak / Mirbeck’s Oak ?
Its broad, spreading canopy provides excellent shelter and nesting opportunities for small birds, while the foliage supports a wide variety of beneficial insects that help sustain local food webs. The acorns offer a seasonal food source for wildlife, making Quercus canariensis a valuable biodiversity-supporting tree in parks, large gardens and woodland-style plantings.
How much Sunlight does Quercus canariensis – Algerian Oak / Mirbeck’s Oak need?
Quercus canariensis – Algerian Oak / Mirbeck’s Oak will thrive best in:
Preferred Soil?
Quercus canariensis performs best in well-drained loam or sandy loam soils with an acidic to neutral pH. It will also tolerate lighter sandy soils if enriched with organic matter to support moisture retention. Avoid heavy clay, compacted or waterlogged ground unless significantly improved, as poor drainage can restrict root health and reduce growth. Keep the soil evenly moist during establishment, then gradually reduce watering as the tree matures.
Is Quercus canariensis – Algerian Oak / Mirbeck’s Oak Drought Tolerant?
Is Quercus canariensis – Algerian Oak / Mirbeck’s Oak Drought tolerant?
As a young tree it requires regular deep watering to establish well. Once established, Algerian Oak develops moderate drought tolerance, performing reliably in warm, dry periods when grown in well-drained soil. However, it prefers soils with some consistent moisture, and occasional supplementary watering during extended heat helps maintain canopy density and vigour.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Compare sizes side by side
100L
Approx. 1.9m – 3.8m
Heights are approximate and vary between individual trees.
Quercus canariensis is loved for its broad, rounded crown and large, glossy green leaves that turn golden-brown in autumn, making it both stately and ornamental.
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 Quercus canariensis – Algerian Oak / Mirbeck’s Oak With:
Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)
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.
Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)
Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)
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.
Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)
Olea europaea 'Tolley's Upright' Low Fruiting Olive
Olea europaea 'Tolley's Upright' Low Fruiting Olive
Olea europaea 'Tolley's Upright', also known as the Tolley's Upright Olive, is an elegant evergreen olive cultivar known for its narrow, columnar form and silvery-green foliage. Growing up to 7 metres tall and 4 metres wide, it offers a striking vertical presence without the mess of fruit, making it ideal for low-maintenance landscapes.
Its moderate growth and excellent drought tolerance suit hedging, screening, street planting, and architectural garden designs. Thriving in full sun and well-drained soils, this olive tree withstands wind, coastal exposure, and poor soils. It responds well to pruning and shaping, perfect for formal hedges, topiary, pleaching, or as a sculptural focal point.
Tolley's Upright Olive is a resilient, versatile choice for modern and sustainable gardens requiring year-round structure and minimal upkeep.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Olea europaea 'Tolley's Upright' Low Fruiting Olive
How tall does Tolley's Upright Olive grow?
Tolley's Upright grows to around 7 metres tall and 4 metres wide with a striking narrow columnar form.
Does Tolley's Upright fruit?
Tolley's Upright is a low-fruiting cultivar producing only minimal fruit. This makes it ideal for landscaping and avoids the staining and mess of standard olive trees.
How fast does Tolley's Upright grow?
Moderate growth rate of 30-50cm per year, faster in well-drained warm conditions with full sun.
Is Tolley's Upright drought tolerant?
Yes. Tolley's Upright is highly drought tolerant once established and thrives in dry, exposed sites including coastal positions.
How far apart should I plant Tolley's Upright for a hedge or row?
Plant 1-1.5 metres apart for a tight formal hedge or columnar row. For individual feature spacing, plant 2-3 metres apart.
Can Tolley's Upright Olive grow in pots?
Yes. Tolley's Upright is excellent in large pots (minimum 60-80L) and is a popular choice for formal entrance planting and Mediterranean-style courtyards.
Is Tolley's Upright Olive frost tolerant?
Yes. Once established, Tolley's Upright handles frost well and copes with the cold winters of inland and elevated parts of southern Australia. Young trees are more vulnerable in their first winter, so mulch the root zone and avoid frost hollows where cold air settles. Drainage matters as much as temperature here, because cold wet soil does more damage than frost itself.
Olea europaea 'Tolley's Upright' Low Fruiting Olive
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
Buxus sempervirens English Box Topiary Balls
Buxus sempervirens English Box Topiary Balls
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Buxus sempervirens English Box Topiary Balls
What size are the English Box topiary balls when they arrive?
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.
How fast does Buxus sempervirens grow?
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.
What is the difference between English Box, Japanese Box, and Shaggy Box?
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.
Where does English Box grow best in Australia?
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.
How do I prune English Box topiary balls?
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.
Can English Box grow in pots?
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.
Is English Box susceptible to disease?
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.
Buxus sempervirens English Box Topiary Balls
Lagerstroemia indica 'Natchez' White Crepe Myrtle
Lagerstroemia indica 'Natchez' White Crepe Myrtle
Lagerstroemia indica 'Natchez', known as White Crepe Myrtle, is a fast-growing, drought-tolerant flowering tree admired for its profuse white blooms, lush dark green foliage, and striking exfoliating bark. Growing 6-8 metres tall and 3-4 metres wide, it makes a bold statement in avenue plantings, residential gardens, and public landscapes.
Blooming from early summer through autumn, Natchez Crepe Myrtle offers months of beautiful floral display while its glossy leaves turn vibrant red-orange in autumn, adding seasonal contrast. The cinnamon-brown peeling bark reveals smooth cream and tan patches, providing visual interest year-round.
Thriving in full sun, this resilient tree tolerates heat, urban pollution, and poor soils. Its low-maintenance nature makes it perfect for busy homeowners, landscapers, and councils seeking reliable, long-lasting beauty. It looks excellent in sunny spaces, resonating with those who want a stunning, easy-care tree that brightens any landscape.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Lagerstroemia indica 'Natchez' White Crepe Myrtle
How tall does Natchez Crepe Myrtle grow?
Natchez grows to 6-8 metres tall and 3-4 metres wide, making it one of the larger crepe myrtle cultivars.
How fast does Natchez grow?
Natchez is moderately fast-growing, adding 50-80cm per year in warm conditions with adequate water.
When does Natchez flower?
Natchez produces masses of pure white blooms from early summer through to autumn, typically December to April across most Australian climates.
Is Natchez drought tolerant?
Yes. Natchez is highly drought and heat tolerant once established, and thrives in full sun positions across most Australian climates.
How far apart should I plant Natchez for an avenue?
Plant 4-5 metres apart for a full canopy avenue, or 2-3 metres for a denser flowering screen.
Is Natchez deciduous?
Yes. Natchez is deciduous. Leaves turn vibrant red-orange in autumn and drop in winter, revealing its striking cinnamon-brown exfoliating bark.
How do I prune Natchez Crepe Myrtle?
Prune in late winter while the tree is bare, taking out crossing branches, thin twiggy growth and any suckers from the base. Avoid the hard topping often inflicted on crepe myrtles, which spoils the natural vase shape and hides the exfoliating bark. Light structural pruning is enough. Flowers form on new wood, so a tidy up before spring costs you nothing in summer.
Lagerstroemia indica 'Natchez' White Crepe Myrtle
Lagerstroemia indica 'Tuscarora' Dark Pink Crepe Myrtle
Lagerstroemia indica 'Tuscarora' Dark Pink Crepe Myrtle
Lagerstroemia indica 'Tuscarora' is a vibrant crepe myrtle producing masses of vivid coral to dark pink flower panicles from early summer through autumn. The long flowering season, glossy summer foliage, rich red-orange autumn colour, and smooth exfoliating bark give Tuscarora year-round visual interest.
Tuscarora grows to 5-7 metres tall and 3-4 metres wide with an upright multi-stemmed vase-shaped form. The size suits feature planting, flowering avenues, screening, and larger gardens, while the naturally tidy habit needs only light pruning in late winter to stay crisp.
Highly drought and heat tolerant once established, Tuscarora performs reliably across most Australian climates in full sun and well-drained soils. It tolerates urban conditions well and is widely used for street and avenue planting as well as garden feature use.
Tuscarora or Natchez? Both are larger crepe myrtle cultivars at 5-8m, suited to avenues and bigger gardens. Tuscarora flowers in vivid coral to dark pink. Natchez flowers in pure white. Choose by flower colour, as both share the same size, form, and hardiness.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Lagerstroemia indica 'Tuscarora' Dark Pink Crepe Myrtle
How tall does Tuscarora Crepe Myrtle grow?
Lagerstroemia 'Tuscarora' grows to 5-7 metres tall and 3-4 metres wide with an upright multi-stemmed vase-shaped form.
How fast does Tuscarora grow?
Tuscarora is fast-growing, adding 40-80cm per year in warm conditions with adequate water.
When does Tuscarora flower?
Tuscarora produces masses of vivid coral to dark pink flower panicles from early summer through autumn, typically December to April across most Australian climates.
Is Tuscarora deciduous?
Yes. Tuscarora is fully deciduous. Green summer foliage turns rich red and orange in autumn before dropping in winter, revealing smooth exfoliating bark.
Is Tuscarora drought tolerant?
Yes. Tuscarora is highly drought and heat tolerant once established and thrives in full sun across most Australian climates.
What is the difference between Tuscarora and Natchez?
Both are larger crepe myrtle cultivars at 5-8m. Tuscarora flowers in vivid coral-dark pink, while Natchez flowers in pure white. Choose by flower colour, as both suit avenues and larger gardens.
How far apart should I plant Tuscarora?
Plant 3-4 metres apart for a flowering avenue, or 2-3 metres for a denser flowering screen.
Lagerstroemia indica 'Tuscarora' Dark Pink Crepe Myrtle
Ficus microcarpa ‘Flash’ – Pleached Ficus
Ficus microcarpa ‘Flash’ – Pleached Ficus
Ficus microcarpa 'Flash' in pleached form is an evergreen fig trained to a clear straight stem with a flat rectangular canopy held above it. The leaves are small, glossy and deep green, knitting together into a solid panel that works like a hedge lifted into the air.
It grows best in full sun to part shade in well drained soil kept moist while it settles. Heat, wind and urban conditions do not trouble it, but frost does, so keep it to frost free or protected positions in warm temperate and subtropical zones. Growth runs 60 to 90 centimetres a year.
Pleached panels go along boundaries, driveways and pool fences to block an upper storey window or a neighbouring outlook while leaving the ground below open for garden beds or parking. Set at 2 to 2.5 metre centres they knit into a continuous screen. Few plants solve overlooking as neatly.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Pleached Ficus Flash
What is a pleached ficus?
Pleaching is a training method where a tree is grown on a single clear stem with its branches tied and trimmed to a flat frame overhead. Applied to Ficus microcarpa 'Flash', it produces an evergreen panel of small glossy leaves raised above head height, with open ground left underneath it.
How tall is it and how wide is the canopy?
As supplied and maintained, these trees generally stand around 2.5 to 3.5 metres overall, with a clear trunk to about 1.5 to 1.8 metres and a trained canopy panel roughly 1.2 to 1.8 metres wide. The panel can be grown taller and wider over time, or held at the delivered dimensions by trimming.
How fast does it grow?
It puts on 60 to 90 centimetres a year in warm conditions, which is moderate to fast for an evergreen screening tree. That vigour is what fills the pleached frame quickly after planting, and it is also the reason the form needs trimming two or three times through the growing season.
Is it frost tolerant?
No. Ficus microcarpa 'Flash' is frost sensitive and cold snaps burn the foliage, particularly on young or freshly planted trees. Keep it to frost free or protected positions in warm temperate, coastal and subtropical areas. In marginal districts a courtyard or a wall backed position gives enough shelter to work.
How far apart should pleached trees be planted for a screen?
Set them at roughly 2 to 2.5 metre centres so the canopy panels meet and knit into a continuous band within a season or two. Tighter spacing closes the gap faster but crowds the root zone. Line the trunks up carefully at planting, because any misalignment shows badly in a formal screen.
Does it have invasive roots?
Figs generally have vigorous roots, so keep pleached ficus at least 2 to 3 metres away from sewer lines, pool shells and slab edges, or run a root barrier along the boundary. In planter boxes the root run stays contained, though the trees then depend entirely on irrigation and regular feeding.
How do I maintain a pleached ficus?
Trim the face and top of the panel two or three times over the warmer months to keep the edges crisp, and rub off any shoots appearing on the clear trunk. Water deeply while it establishes, mulch the root zone and feed in spring. Check the ties on the frame so they do not cut in.
Ficus microcarpa ‘Flash’ – Pleached Ficus
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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
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