Tipuana tipu – Pride of Bolivia / Rosewood Tree
Tipuana tipu – Pride of Bolivia / Rosewood Tree
Most loved for its masses of golden-yellow pea-shaped flowers in summer, broad spreading canopy, and fast growth that make it a superb shade and feature tree for warm climates.
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$620.00
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$620.00
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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.
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About this tree
About this tree
Tipuana tipu, the Pride of Bolivia or Rosewood Tree, is a fast growing tree with a broad, umbrella shaped canopy carried on a short trunk. The foliage is pinnate and light green, fine enough to filter light rather than block it. Yellow to apricot pea flowers cover the crown in spring and early summer.
It is briefly deciduous, dropping its leaves in late winter and reshooting quickly. Give it full sun and free draining soil, as it is not fussy about fertility. Warm temperate and subtropical districts suit it best, from Sydney and Perth north to Brisbane. Young trees are frost sensitive and need a sheltered spot. Drought tolerance is good once established.
Mature trees reach about 10 to 15 metres tall with a 10 to 12 metre spread, so plan for the width first. It earns its keep as shade over lawns, car parks and civic plazas, and as street planting in frost free suburbs. Roots are vigorous, so keep it well clear of pipes, paving and boundaries.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Tipuana tipu
What is Tipuana tipu?
Tipuana tipu is a fast growing South American tree known here as the Pride of Bolivia or Rosewood Tree. It carries a broad umbrella of fine pinnate foliage on a short trunk and covers itself in yellow to apricot pea flowers in spring and early summer. It is planted mainly for quick, generous shade.
How big does Tipuana tipu grow?
In Australian conditions it commonly reaches 10 to 15 metres tall with a spread of 10 to 12 metres, and the canopy is often as wide as the tree is high. The spread is the number to plan around. Give it at least 8 metres of clear space from buildings, fences and paving.
How fast does Tipuana tipu grow?
Growth is fast, around 50 centimetres to 1 metre a year in warm districts with reasonable soil. Trees put on canopy quickly in the first five years, which is much of the appeal on projects that need shade early. Formative pruning in the first few seasons is worth doing while the limbs are still small.
Is Tipuana tipu frost tolerant?
No. It is frost sensitive, and young trees are damaged by even light frost, so plant it in frost free or protected positions. It is sometimes described as taking light frost, but in practice the new growth burns and stems die back. Coastal and subtropical gardens from Sydney and Perth northwards are the reliable range.
Is it evergreen or deciduous?
It is briefly deciduous. In cooler districts the tree drops its leaves in late winter and stands bare for a few weeks before flushing again, while in warm subtropical gardens it may hold most of its foliage year round. Either way the short winter gap lets sun through at the time of year you want it.
Does Tipuana tipu have invasive roots?
The root system is vigorous and shallow, and it will lift paving and find drains if planted too close. Keep it 6 to 8 metres clear of slabs, pipes and boundary fences. It also seeds readily in warm districts, so avoid planting near bushland or watercourses and pull seedlings as they appear.
How do I care for Tipuana tipu?
Water regularly through the first two summers, after which it largely looks after itself. Prune in late winter to lift the canopy and remove narrow forks, since heavy horizontal limbs can tear in storms. Mulch the root zone and keep turf off it. Little feeding is needed, as this legume fixes its own nitrogen.
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Planting, roots & care
Planting, roots & care
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We supply advanced trees to landscapers, developers, architects, and councils Australia-wide. Trade clients receive fast quotes, expert advice, and access to premium stock with reliable freight.
About Tipuana tipu
Tipuana tipu, the Pride of Bolivia or Rosewood Tree, is a fast growing tree with a broad, umbrella shaped canopy carried on a short trunk. The foliage is pinnate and light green, fine enough to filter light rather than block it. Yellow to apricot pea flowers cover the crown in spring and early summer.
It is briefly deciduous, dropping its leaves in late winter and reshooting quickly. Give it full sun and free draining soil, as it is not fussy about fertility. Warm temperate and subtropical districts suit it best, from Sydney and Perth north to Brisbane. Young trees are frost sensitive and need a sheltered spot. Drought tolerance is good once established.
Mature trees reach about 10 to 15 metres tall with a 10 to 12 metre spread, so plan for the width first. It earns its keep as shade over lawns, car parks and civic plazas, and as street planting in frost free suburbs. Roots are vigorous, so keep it well clear of pipes, paving and boundaries.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Tipuana tipu
What is Tipuana tipu?
Tipuana tipu is a fast growing South American tree known here as the Pride of Bolivia or Rosewood Tree. It carries a broad umbrella of fine pinnate foliage on a short trunk and covers itself in yellow to apricot pea flowers in spring and early summer. It is planted mainly for quick, generous shade.
How big does Tipuana tipu grow?
In Australian conditions it commonly reaches 10 to 15 metres tall with a spread of 10 to 12 metres, and the canopy is often as wide as the tree is high. The spread is the number to plan around. Give it at least 8 metres of clear space from buildings, fences and paving.
How fast does Tipuana tipu grow?
Growth is fast, around 50 centimetres to 1 metre a year in warm districts with reasonable soil. Trees put on canopy quickly in the first five years, which is much of the appeal on projects that need shade early. Formative pruning in the first few seasons is worth doing while the limbs are still small.
Is Tipuana tipu frost tolerant?
No. It is frost sensitive, and young trees are damaged by even light frost, so plant it in frost free or protected positions. It is sometimes described as taking light frost, but in practice the new growth burns and stems die back. Coastal and subtropical gardens from Sydney and Perth northwards are the reliable range.
Is it evergreen or deciduous?
It is briefly deciduous. In cooler districts the tree drops its leaves in late winter and stands bare for a few weeks before flushing again, while in warm subtropical gardens it may hold most of its foliage year round. Either way the short winter gap lets sun through at the time of year you want it.
Does Tipuana tipu have invasive roots?
The root system is vigorous and shallow, and it will lift paving and find drains if planted too close. Keep it 6 to 8 metres clear of slabs, pipes and boundary fences. It also seeds readily in warm districts, so avoid planting near bushland or watercourses and pull seedlings as they appear.
How do I care for Tipuana tipu?
Water regularly through the first two summers, after which it largely looks after itself. Prune in late winter to lift the canopy and remove narrow forks, since heavy horizontal limbs can tear in storms. Mulch the root zone and keep turf off it. Little feeding is needed, as this legume fixes its own nitrogen.
- Foliage
Deciduous (Defoliates throughout colder months)
- Position
- Form
- Use
Planting Information
Recommended Planting Spacing For Your Tipuana tipu – Pride of Bolivia / Rosewood Tree
Tipuana tipu – Pride of Bolivia / Rosewood Tree is expected to grow 50cm to 100cm per year (fast).
Long Term Care For Your Tipuana tipu – Pride of Bolivia / Rosewood Tree
Planting Your Tipuana tipu – Pride of Bolivia / Rosewood Tree in Different Soil
Uses in my Garden
Uses in my Garden
Tipuana tipu – Pride of Bolivia / Rosewood Tree works in an:
Is Tipuana tipu – Pride of Bolivia / Rosewood Tree Evergreen or Deciduous?
Tipuana tipu – Pride of Bolivia / Rosewood Tree is an Deciduous (Defoliates throughout colder months) Tree
Mature Height & Width
Mature Height: 10m to 15m
Mature Width: 10m to 12m
Tipuana tipu – Pride of Bolivia / Rosewood Tree is expected to grow 50cm to 100cm per year (fast).
Growth Rate of Tipuana tipu – Pride of Bolivia / Rosewood Tree
Tipuana tipu – Pride of Bolivia / Rosewood Tree is expected to grow 50cm to 100cm per year (fast).
They are considered to have a:
Frost Tolerance & Ideal Climate to plant Tipuana tipu – Pride of Bolivia / Rosewood Tree
Is Tipuana tipu – Pride of Bolivia / Rosewood Tree frost tolerant?
Tipuana tipu – Pride of Bolivia / Rosewood Tree is Frost Sensitive – May suffer damage from frost, best in frost-free or protected spots.
Does Tipuana tipu – Pride of Bolivia / Rosewood Tree Flower?
Tipuana tipu produces masses of bright golden-yellow, pea-shaped flowers in late spring to early summer. These blooms create a striking seasonal display across the canopy, followed by distinctive winged seed pods that add further ornamental interest.
Does Tipuana tipu – Pride of Bolivia / Rosewood Tree flower?
Flowering Period:
Flower Type:
Flower Colour:
Yellow
Is Tipuana tipu – Pride of Bolivia / Rosewood Tree an Australian Native Tree?
No
Tipuana tipu – Pride of Bolivia / Rosewood Tree is Native to Native to South America, particularly Bolivia and southern Brazil, where it grows naturally in subtropical and semi-arid regions. Widely planted worldwide as an ornamental and shade tree.
What is the Wildlife Value of Tipuana tipu – Pride of Bolivia / Rosewood Tree ?
Its pea-like yellow flowers attract bees and beneficial insects, while the broad, spreading canopy provides shade and shelter for small birds. The tree’s leafy structure and seasonal flowering make it a useful habitat plant, supporting biodiversity in larger gardens and open landscapes.
How much Sunlight does Tipuana tipu – Pride of Bolivia / Rosewood Tree need?
Tipuana tipu – Pride of Bolivia / Rosewood Tree will thrive best in:
Preferred Soil?
Tipuana tipu performs best in well-drained sandy or loam soils with a neutral pH. It will also tolerate poorer sandy soils if improved with organic matter to enhance moisture retention. Avoid heavy clay, compacted or waterlogged conditions unless significantly improved, as poor drainage can lead to root stress and reduced growth. Keep the soil evenly moist during establishment, then gradually reduce watering as the tree matures and develops its natural drought resilience.
Is Tipuana tipu – Pride of Bolivia / Rosewood Tree Drought Tolerant?
Is Tipuana tipu – Pride of Bolivia / Rosewood Tree Drought tolerant?
As a young tree it benefits from regular deep watering to establish properly. Once established, Tipuana tipu develops excellent drought tolerance and thrives in hot, dry conditions when planted in well-drained soil. It maintains strong vigour and canopy density with minimal supplementary watering, even during extended heat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
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Photographs are not to scale. Heights are approximate and vary between individual trees.
Tipuana tipu is loved for its masses of golden-yellow pea-shaped flowers in summer, broad spreading canopy, and fast growth that make it a superb shade and feature tree for warm climates.
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 Tipuana tipu – Pride of Bolivia / Rosewood Tree 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)
Buxus japonica Japanese Box Topiary Balls
Buxus japonica Japanese Box Topiary Balls
Buxus microphylla var. japonica, sold as Japanese Box, is a dense evergreen shrub clipped here into clean topiary balls. The small, rounded, mid green leaves sit tightly along short stems, so the surface holds a crisp edge after cutting. Growth is naturally compact, which is what allows the ball shape to hold between trims.
It grows in full sun to part shade and accepts most soils that drain, from sandy loam through to improved clay. Cool temperate, temperate and subtropical districts all suit it, and established plants handle light to moderate frost. Growth runs about 15 to 25 centimetres a year, slow enough that the shape stays where you put it.
Balls are used to edge beds and paths, mark an entry, sit either side of a doorway, or repeat down a courtyard to give a planting rhythm. They also underplant feature trees neatly. Because the form arrives already grown, a bed reads finished from the day it goes in rather than years later.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Japanese Box Topiary Balls
What is a Japanese Box topiary ball?
It is Buxus microphylla var. japonica grown on and clipped into a sphere. The plant does the same job as any box shrub, evergreen, small leaved and tolerant of cutting, but it arrives already shaped. Ball diameters run from around 30 centimetres up to large advanced specimens, and the shape is then held with two trims a year.
How big do Japanese Box topiary balls get?
The ball is held at whatever diameter it is clipped to, commonly 30 to 70 centimetres, with larger specimens available in bigger containers. In the ground, overall height sits close to the ball diameter. Left entirely unclipped the species would slowly reach roughly 1.5 to 2 metres tall and wide over many years.
How fast does Japanese Box grow?
About 15 to 25 centimetres a year, which is slow to moderate. That pace is an advantage in topiary because the outline drifts gradually rather than running away between cuts. Two trims a year, one in early spring and one in late summer, are usually enough to keep the surface tight and the profile even.
Does it need sun or shade?
Full sun to part shade both work. Full sun gives the densest, tightest surface, which matters when the appeal of the plant is a clean clipped edge. In hot inland gardens some afternoon shade prevents leaf scorch and bronzing. Deep shade thins the growth out and the ball loses its crisp outline.
Is Japanese Box frost tolerant?
Yes. Established plants handle light to moderate frost without damage, which covers most temperate and cool temperate gardens including Canberra, Melbourne and the southern tablelands. Newly planted stock is more exposed, so water it well going into winter and mulch the root zone. Any frost burnt tips can simply be trimmed off in spring.
Can Japanese Box topiary balls grow in pots?
Yes, they are one of the better plants for a container. A pot 40 to 50 centimetres wide suits a single ball for a courtyard, entry or balcony. Use a quality potting mix, water once the top few centimetres dry out, and feed in spring and again in summer. Repot or refresh the mix every few years.
How do I care for Japanese Box topiary balls?
Trim twice a year with sharp shears, cutting lightly and often rather than hard. Feed in early spring with a slow release fertiliser and keep water up through summer. Mulch to about 50 millimetres, keeping it clear of the stem. Watch for box psyllid on soft new growth and treat early if the tips start to cup.
Buxus japonica Japanese Box Topiary Balls
Rhaphiolepis indica 'Oriental Pearl'
Rhaphiolepis indica 'Oriental Pearl'
Rhaphiolepis indica 'Oriental Pearl' is one of the best compact evergreen shrubs available for low hedges and borders. The glossy dark green foliage forms a naturally tidy rounded mound, and clusters of soft white to pale pink flowers appear from late winter into spring, followed by small dark berries.
Oriental Pearl grows to just 1-1.5 metres tall and wide, holding a neat uniform shape with minimal pruning. The compact form makes it ideal for low clipped hedges, narrow borders, mass plantings, and container planting, particularly where space is limited and a formal finish is wanted.
Oriental Pearl thrives across most Australian climates in full sun to part shade, tolerating heat, coastal exposure, salt spray, light frost, and a wide range of well-drained soils. It is both drought tolerant and salt tolerant once established, making it a reliable low-maintenance choice for coastal and low-water gardens.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Rhaphiolepis indica 'Oriental Pearl'
How tall does Oriental Pearl Rhaphiolepis grow?
Rhaphiolepis indica 'Oriental Pearl' grows to 1-1.5 metres tall and wide, forming a naturally compact dense mound.
How fast does Oriental Pearl grow?
Oriental Pearl has a moderate growth rate of 20-40cm per year once established.
Is Oriental Pearl good for low hedges?
Yes. Oriental Pearl is one of the best compact evergreen shrubs for low hedges, borders, and mass plantings, holding a tidy rounded form with minimal pruning.
When does Oriental Pearl flower?
Oriental Pearl produces clusters of soft white to pale pink flowers from late winter into spring, followed by small dark berries.
Is Oriental Pearl drought and salt tolerant?
Yes. Oriental Pearl is both drought tolerant and salt tolerant once established, making it well suited to coastal gardens and low-water landscapes.
How far apart should I plant Oriental Pearl for a low hedge?
Plant 50-70cm apart for a continuous low hedge, or 80cm-1 metre for a softer informal border.
Where does Oriental Pearl grow best in Australia?
Oriental Pearl thrives across most Australian climates in full sun to part shade, tolerating heat, coastal exposure, and a wide range of well-drained soils.
Rhaphiolepis indica 'Oriental Pearl'
Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Silver Sheen'
Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Silver Sheen'
Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Silver Sheen' carries small shimmering silver-green leaves on near-black stems, giving a light airy screen that moves in the wind rather than reading as a solid green wall. It is one of the most widely specified screening plants in Australian landscape design for exactly that reason.
'Silver Sheen' grows to 4 to 6 metres tall but only 1.5 to 2 metres wide at 30 to 60 centimetres per year, which makes it a genuine solution for narrow beds along fence lines and between buildings where height is needed but width is not available. Small cream flowers appear in spring and are lightly fragrant.
'Silver Sheen' grows in full sun to part shade and tolerates light to moderate frost once established, performing from subtropical Queensland through Sydney, Melbourne, Gippsland and Adelaide. It clips well, holds density under regular trimming, and is equally effective as a formal hedge or a loose screen.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Silver Sheen'
How tall does Pittosporum 'Silver Sheen' grow?
'Silver Sheen' grows to 4 to 6 metres tall and only 1.5 to 2 metres wide, which makes it one of the best options for narrow screening where a tall hedge is needed in a shallow bed.
How fast does 'Silver Sheen' grow?
It grows at 30 to 60 centimetres per year once established, reaching a usable screening height within three to four years with regular water and feeding.
How narrow can I keep 'Silver Sheen'?
It naturally holds to 1.5 to 2 metres wide and can be trimmed to under a metre with regular clipping, which is why it is so often used in tight side-boundary positions.
How far apart should I plant 'Silver Sheen' for a hedge?
Plant 1 to 1.5 metres apart for a dense informal screen, or 80 centimetres apart for a tighter formal hedge. Closer spacing fills in faster but needs more trimming.
Is 'Silver Sheen' frost tolerant?
'Silver Sheen' handles light to moderate frost once established. Young plants benefit from protection through their first winter in colder inland districts.
Does 'Silver Sheen' grow in shade?
Yes. It performs in full sun through to part shade. In shadier positions growth is slightly more open, which suits a softer informal screen.
Where does 'Silver Sheen' grow best in Australia?
It performs from subtropical Queensland through Northern NSW, Sydney, the South Coast and tablelands, Melbourne and surrounds, the Western District, Gippsland and Adelaide.
Pittosporum tenuifolium 'Silver Sheen'
Melaleuca nesophila
Melaleuca nesophila
Melaleuca nesophila, the Showy Honey Myrtle, is an evergreen Australian native shrub to small tree from the south coast of Western Australia. Fine grey green foliage sits on a dense rounded frame over papery bark, and mauve to pink pom pom flowers cover the outer growth through spring and summer.
Mature width is 2 to 4 metres, with height usually settling around 3 to 5 metres, and growth of 30 to 60 centimetres a year. It wants full sun and takes sand, limestone, gravel and moderately heavy soils. Salt wind, drought and light to moderate frost are all handled once the roots are down.
This is a screening and hedging plant first, used along boundaries, on coastal blocks and through council road reserves where conditions are hard and maintenance budgets are thin. Space it at 1 to 1.5 metres for an informal screen. It gives colour, density and habitat value from one low input plant.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Showy Honey Myrtle
What is Melaleuca nesophila?
Melaleuca nesophila, or Showy Honey Myrtle, is an evergreen Australian native shrub to small tree from southern Western Australia. It has fine grey green foliage, a dense rounded habit and soft papery bark, and carries mauve to pink pom pom flowers through spring and summer that age to a soft grey.
How big does Showy Honey Myrtle grow?
It spreads 2 to 4 metres wide and generally reaches 3 to 5 metres tall in a garden, though regular trimming will hold it lower. Growth is moderate to fast at around 30 to 60 centimetres a year, so a screen planted from advanced stock closes over within three or four seasons.
How far apart should I plant it for a hedge or screen?
For a dense informal screen, plant 1 to 1.5 metres apart. For a tighter formal hedge, bring that in to 80 centimetres. As a feature tree, allow 3 to 4 metres so the full canopy and form can develop, or 3 metres apart along an avenue for a uniform, soft textured line.
Is it suitable for coastal positions?
Yes, it is one of the better coastal Melaleucas. It tolerates salt laden wind, sandy and limestone soils, and exposed front line positions once established, which is why it is planted so widely along the southern coastline. In very exposed sites it will lean with the prevailing wind, and most people like the result.
When does it flower?
The main flush runs through spring and into summer, roughly September to January. Flowers open mauve to purple pink in dense rounded heads across the outer foliage, then age to grey and stay on the plant. Bees and honeyeaters work it heavily while it is out, so expect plenty of activity.
Is it frost tolerant?
It handles light to moderate frost once established, which covers most coastal and near coastal parts of southern Australia. Young plants are more vulnerable in their first winter, so plant in autumn or early spring and keep them out of low frost hollows. Hard, repeated inland frost will burn new growth.
How do I prune and care for Showy Honey Myrtle?
Tip prune after flowering to keep it dense and stop the base going bare. It takes a hard cut back if it becomes leggy, though remove no more than about a third at a time. Water through the first summer, then it is largely self sufficient. Use a low phosphorus native fertiliser in spring on poor soils.
Melaleuca nesophila
Ligularia reniformis
Ligularia reniformis
Ligularia reniformis carries enormous glossy kidney-shaped leaves that give a shaded garden the bold tropical texture usually only available in full sun. The Tractor Seat Plant is grown for foliage first, with tall stems of bright yellow daisy flowers through summer as a bonus.
Ligularia reniformis forms a clump 0.6 to 1 metre tall and 1 to 1.5 metres wide, spreading slowly at 10 to 20 centimetres per year. That steady habit makes it reliable as a mass underplanting beneath established trees, an edging along a shaded path, or a single specimen in a large pot.
This is a full shade plant. It wants consistent moisture and protection from hot afternoon sun, which scorches the leaves, and it is frost sensitive, so in cold districts it needs a protected position. Given shade and water it is close to maintenance free.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Ligularia reniformis
How big does Ligularia reniformis grow?
It forms a clump 0.6 to 1 metre tall and 1 to 1.5 metres wide. The individual leaves can reach 40 centimetres across, which is where the bold texture comes from.
Why is it called the Tractor Seat Plant?
The common name comes from the large round kidney-shaped leaves, which resemble the seat of an old tractor. The botanical name reniformis means kidney-shaped.
Does Ligularia reniformis need shade?
Yes. It performs best in full shade and will scorch in hot afternoon sun. It is one of the most useful foliage plants available for genuinely dark positions.
When does it flower?
Tall stems of bright yellow daisy-like flowers rise well above the foliage through summer. The foliage remains the main feature for the rest of the year.
Is Ligularia reniformis frost tolerant?
No. It is frost sensitive and may be damaged by frost. In cold districts plant it in a protected position, or grow it in a pot that can be moved under cover.
How much water does it need?
It wants consistently moist soil and does not tolerate drying out. Mulch well and water regularly through summer, particularly in pots and under established trees where roots compete.
How far apart should I plant it for a mass planting?
Plant 0.8 to 1 metre apart for a continuous shaded groundcover mass. Closer spacing fills in faster but the clumps will crowd within a few seasons.
Ligularia reniformis
Osmanthus x burkwoodii
Osmanthus x burkwoodii
Osmanthus x burkwoodii, or Burkwood osmanthus, is a compact evergreen shrub with an upright bushy habit, a garden hybrid between Osmanthus delavayi and Osmanthus decorus. The small dark green leaves are leathery and glossy, and in spring the whole plant carries clusters of little white flowers with a heavy sweet scent.
It grows 2 to 3 metres tall and 1.5 to 2 metres wide at about 15 to 30 centimetres a year. Full sun to part shade suits it, in any well-drained soil. Cool temperate through to warm temperate gardens all work, frost is handled easily, and water matters mainly in the first summers.
Plant it 80 centimetres apart for a clipped formal hedge, 1 to 1.5 metres apart for a soft screen, or 3 metres apart down an avenue. Single plants hold their own near a seat or path where the spring fragrance is noticed. This is a hedge that asks for one trim a year.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Burkwood Osmanthus
What is Osmanthus x burkwoodii?
Burkwood osmanthus is a compact evergreen shrub, a garden hybrid between Osmanthus delavayi and Osmanthus decorus. It forms an upright bushy plant of small, leathery, dark green leaves, and in spring it carries dense clusters of little white tubular flowers with a strong sweet fragrance that carries across a courtyard.
How big does Burkwood Osmanthus grow?
It reaches 2 to 3 metres tall and 1.5 to 2 metres wide at maturity, growing about 15 to 30 centimetres a year. Clipped as a hedge it is easily held at 1.5 metres or lower. The habit is naturally neat, so it fills out from the base without the bare legs many shrubs develop.
How far apart should I plant it for a hedge?
For a tight formal hedge plant 80 centimetres apart. For a fuller informal screen allow 1 to 1.5 metres between plants and let them knit together over two to three seasons. If you are running it as an avenue of clipped shapes, 3 metres apart gives each plant room to develop evenly.
When does it flower?
Spring, roughly September to November, with the heaviest display in the middle of that window. The flowers are small and white in tight clusters along the stems, and the fragrance is strong enough to fill an enclosed garden. Prune after flowering rather than before if you want the full display each year.
Does it need sun or shade?
Full sun to part shade both work. Full sun gives the densest growth and the heaviest flowering, while part shade suits it in hot inland gardens where afternoon protection helps. It will grow in more shade than that, but the plant opens up and flowers less. Avoid deep shade under dense evergreens.
Is it frost hardy?
Yes. It handles frost comfortably once established and is a dependable choice for cool temperate districts, including the tablelands and Victorian and Tasmanian gardens. It also grows well in milder coastal and warm temperate areas. Young plants benefit from steady water through their first two summers, which matters more than winter protection.
How do I prune and care for it?
Trim once a year straight after flowering, taking the new growth back to shape. A second light tidy in late summer keeps a formal hedge crisp. Water regularly for the first two summers, then only through long dry spells. Mulch the root zone and feed with a general fertiliser in early spring.
Osmanthus x burkwoodii
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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Perfect Substitutes for Tipuana tipu – Pride of Bolivia / Rosewood Tree
Fraxinus angustifolia 'Raywoodii'
Fraxinus angustifolia 'Raywoodii'
Fraxinus angustifolia 'Raywoodii' turns a deep claret to burgundy-red in autumn, a colour no other commonly grown shade tree produces. The Claret Ash is an Australian selection, raised in South Australia, and it colours reliably across a far wider climate range than most autumn trees.
'Raywoodii' grows to 10 to 15 metres tall and 8 to 12 metres wide at 30 to 60 centimetres per year, holding a strong upright frame with fine narrow foliage that casts light dappled shade rather than dense cover. It is a long-standing standard for streetscapes, avenues and parkland.
'Raywoodii' is frost hardy, surviving heavy and frequent frost without damage, and tolerates drought, alkaline soils and compacted urban ground once established. It grows in full sun and needs no routine maintenance.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Fraxinus angustifolia 'Raywoodii'
How big does the Claret Ash grow?
Fraxinus angustifolia 'Raywoodii' reaches 10 to 15 metres tall and 8 to 12 metres wide, forming an upright rounded canopy. It suits large gardens, streets, avenues and parkland.
What colour is the autumn foliage?
Foliage turns deep claret to burgundy-red in autumn, a distinctive colour among shade trees. It holds well before dropping.
Where did the Claret Ash come from?
'Raywoodii' is an Australian selection, originally raised in South Australia, which is part of why it performs and colours so reliably across Australian conditions.
How fast does 'Raywoodii' grow?
It grows at 30 to 60 centimetres per year, which is moderate to fast, and delivers useful canopy within five to seven years.
Is the Claret Ash frost hardy?
Yes. It survives heavy and frequent frost without damage and performs reliably in cold inland tablelands districts, where autumn colour is strongest.
Does it tolerate dry and alkaline soils?
Yes. Once established it handles drought, alkaline soils and compacted urban ground, which is why it is so widely used as a street tree.
How far apart should I plant Claret Ash for an avenue?
Plant 8 to 10 metres apart for an avenue where canopies will meet, and keep trees clear of paving and services.
Fraxinus angustifolia 'Raywoodii'
Ulmus parvifolia (Chinese Elm)
Ulmus parvifolia (Chinese Elm)
Ulmus parvifolia, the Chinese Elm, is a semi deciduous shade tree with a vase shaped crown and gracefully arching outer branches. The small glossy serrated leaves turn yellow through bronze before falling, and the trunk sheds patches of bark to leave a mottled pattern of grey, cream and tan.
It reaches up to 15 metres tall and 8 to 10 metres wide, adding roughly 50 to 80 centimetres a year. Full sun to part shade suits it, in any reasonably drained soil. Once established it handles frost, drought, wind, salt spray and the compacted ground of urban sites.
Councils and landscapers use it as a street tree, a car park tree and a shade tree in parks, and it works in larger home gardens where a broad canopy is wanted. Formative pruning over the first few years sets the branch structure, after which it asks very little.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Chinese Elm
What is a Chinese Elm?
Ulmus parvifolia is a semi deciduous shade tree from China, Korea and Japan, grown here for its vase shaped crown, small glossy serrated leaves and mottled bark that flakes away to reveal cream and tan patches. It is one of the more urban tolerant deciduous trees available in Australia and is planted widely in streets and parks.
How big does a Chinese Elm grow?
It reaches up to 15 metres tall with a canopy 8 to 10 metres wide in good conditions. In restricted street plantings and shallow soils it usually settles well short of that. Allow at least 8 metres of clear space around the trunk if you want the full arching form to develop.
How fast does a Chinese Elm grow?
Around 50 to 80 centimetres a year, which is moderate to fast for a deciduous shade tree. Growth is quickest in the first ten years and slows as the crown broadens. Advanced trees in larger containers give a usable canopy sooner, which matters on projects where shade is wanted early.
Is a Chinese Elm evergreen or deciduous?
It is semi deciduous. In cool districts it drops its leaves properly through winter after colouring yellow and bronze. In warmer coastal and subtropical areas it often holds much of its foliage, shedding briefly in late winter as the new leaves push through. Either way the bare period is short.
Is a Chinese Elm suitable for coastal positions?
Yes. It tolerates salt laden wind better than most deciduous trees, which is why it turns up in beachside streetscapes along the east coast. Plant it behind the first line of dunes rather than in full frontal exposure, and water it through the first two summers while the roots establish.
Does a Chinese Elm have invasive roots?
Its roots are less aggressive than those of many large elms, but it is still a substantial tree. Keep it at least 4 to 5 metres from house footings, paving and service trenches, and further again from older drainage lines. In street verges use a root barrier or a structural soil cell.
How do I care for a Chinese Elm?
Water deeply through the first two summers, mulch out to the drip line and keep the mulch off the trunk. Prune in late winter while the tree is bare, removing crossing limbs and lifting the canopy over paths. Once established it needs little beyond an occasional check for deadwood.
Ulmus parvifolia (Chinese Elm)
Pyrus calleryana 'Chanticleer'
Pyrus calleryana 'Chanticleer'
Pyrus calleryana 'Chanticleer' is one of the most widely planted street trees in Australia, and for good reason. The naturally narrow upright teardrop form needs almost no pruning, masses of white blossom cover the bare branches in early spring, and the glossy foliage finishes the year in vivid red, purple and orange.
Chanticleer grows to 8-11 metres tall and just 4-5 metres wide. The compact narrow footprint makes it ideal for street planting, formal avenues, driveways, and feature positions in residential gardens where a tall tree is wanted without a wide spreading canopy.
Chanticleer is highly adaptable and thrives across most Australian climates, tolerating heat, frost, drought, urban pollution, and a wide range of soils once established. It is fully deciduous, dropping its colourful autumn foliage in winter before the spring blossom display begins again.
Choosing an ornamental pear. Chanticleer is the narrowest and most uniform, ideal for tight street and avenue planting. Manchurian Pear is broader and the most cold hardy. Snow Pear offers silver foliage on a compact rounded form, and Southworth Dancer has fine birch-like foliage with a graceful look. All deliver white spring blossom and autumn colour.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Pyrus calleryana 'Chanticleer'
How tall does Chanticleer Pear grow?
Pyrus calleryana 'Chanticleer' grows to 8-11 metres tall and 4-5 metres wide with a distinctive narrow upright teardrop form.
How fast does Chanticleer grow?
Chanticleer is moderately fast-growing, adding 50-80cm per year once established.
When does Chanticleer flower?
Chanticleer produces masses of white blossoms in early spring, typically September across Australia, before the glossy green foliage emerges.
Why is Chanticleer so popular as a street tree?
Chanticleer has a naturally narrow uniform shape, needs minimal pruning, tolerates urban pollution and tight spaces, and delivers reliable white spring flowers and red-purple autumn colour. This makes it one of the most widely planted street trees in Australia.
Is Chanticleer deciduous?
Yes. Chanticleer is fully deciduous. Glossy green summer foliage turns vivid red, purple and orange in autumn before dropping in winter.
Where does Chanticleer grow best in Australia?
Chanticleer is highly adaptable and thrives across most Australian climates, tolerating heat, frost, drought, and a wide range of soils once established.
How far apart should I plant Chanticleer for an avenue?
Plant 3-4 metres apart for a continuous narrow avenue, or 5 metres for individual feature spacing.
Pyrus calleryana 'Chanticleer'
Gleditsia triacanthos 'Shademaster'
Gleditsia triacanthos 'Shademaster'
Gleditsia triacanthos 'Shademaster' is a large thornless honey locust grown for its fine pinnate foliage and even, spreading crown. The leaflets are small and ferny, so the canopy filters light rather than blocking it. Fresh green in spring and summer, the foliage turns yellow through autumn before falling.
It performs in full sun to part shade across cool temperate, temperate and semi arid districts, taking frost, heat, wind and compacted urban soil in its stride. Growth is 30 to 60 centimetres a year. Once established it is drought tolerant and needs little beyond formative pruning in the early seasons.
This is a park and street tree first. Councils plant it along roads and through car parks, and it works over lawns and paved courtyards where dappled shade is wanted without heavy litter. On a larger residential block it will shade a house within a decade of planting.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Gleditsia 'Shademaster'
What is Gleditsia triacanthos 'Shademaster'?
It is a named thornless cultivar of the honey locust, selected for a uniform upright branching pattern and an even, spreading crown. It suits Australian street and park planting because it takes hard urban conditions, casts light dappled shade, and carries fine ferny foliage that colours yellow in autumn before it drops.
How big does Shademaster Honey Locust grow?
At maturity it reaches 12 to 18 metres tall with a canopy spread of 8 to 15 metres, making it a genuine large shade tree. Allow that room at planting, well clear of buildings and overhead wires. On a restricted site, a compact honey locust selection is the better fit.
How fast does it grow?
Around 30 to 60 centimetres a year, faster in deep soil with summer moisture. An advanced tree puts on useful canopy within three or four seasons, which is why it is specified where shade is needed reasonably quickly. Growth slows as the tree approaches full height, and the crown then broadens rather than climbs.
Does it produce seed pods?
Very few. 'Shademaster' was selected in part for setting little to no fruit, so the long brown pods that litter the ground under seedling honey locusts are not an issue here. Small greenish flowers appear in spring and are barely noticeable. Autumn leaf drop is fine textured and breaks down fast.
Is it suitable for street and car park planting?
Yes, it is one of the standard choices. It tolerates compacted soil, reflected heat off asphalt, exhaust pollution and root restriction, and it has no thorns to catch pedestrians. The high branching habit clears vehicles and sight lines once the tree has been formatively pruned. Give the roots adequate soil volume.
Will grass grow underneath it?
Usually yes. The leaflets are small and widely spaced, so light filters through and the shade beneath is dappled rather than dense. Lawn, groundcovers and shade tolerant shrubs all grow underneath, which is unusual for a tree of this size. That quality is why it is used over turf and seating areas.
How do I care for Shademaster Honey Locust?
Water deeply through the first two or three summers, then it manages on rainfall in most temperate districts. Formative prune in the early years to establish a single leader and a clear trunk. After that, remove deadwood in late winter. Mulch annually and feed in early spring if growth looks slow.
Gleditsia triacanthos 'Shademaster'
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