Deciduous Trees and Shrubs

Cotinus Flame Smoke Bush is a spectacular deciduous shrub that brings colour and interest to the garden throughout the seasons. Rounded mid-green foliage is topped with airy, feathery plumes in summer, creating the magical effect of clouds of rose-coloured smoke. In autumn, the foliage puts on an even bigger show, transforming into brilliant shades of orange, red and yellow before falling. Hardy and easy to grow, Flame Smoke Bush makes a stunning feature plant or colourful backdrop in the garden.

Soil: Plant in well-drained and worked soil. Take care to plant the bud union and above the soil level. Water in well and keep the soil moist until the tree is established. Fertilise when planting and again after the new growth
Conditions: Full sun to part shade. Frost, coastal and drought hardy.
Size: Height 4m x width 3m

Stella Cherry is a beautiful deciduous fruit tree that produces a stunning display of white spring blossoms, followed by an abundant crop of dark red, juicy cherries. The fruit ripens in early summer—perfect timing for festive desserts like a classic Christmas pavlova. Stella is a self-fertile variety, meaning only one tree is needed to produce a reliable harvest, making it an excellent choice for home gardens and small orchards. Compared with many cherry varieties, it also requires lower chill hours, allowing it to perform well in milder climates such as the NSW South Coast. With its attractive spring flowers, productive fruiting habit, and adaptability to warmer regions, Stella Cherry is both a decorative and rewarding tree for Australian gardens.

Soil: Widely adaptable to a broad range of soil types 
Conditions: Full sun (for larger harvests). Frost and coastal tolerant.
Size: Height 5m x width 2m

Cornus Eric Gennett is a beautiful hybrid of Japanese dogwood and evergreen dogwood. This rare dogwood is a stunning, semi-deciduous tree producing a display of delightful, large four-petaled white and pink flowers. In spring through to summer, the flowers are a creamy white and slowly change into a delicate pink as they mature. Pink, strawberry-like fruits arrive late in summer, attracting an abundance of birdlife to the garden. Eric Gennett’s lush green foliage will turn fiery oranges, reds and pinks in autumn but will keep most of these leaves in mild climates. In cold climates, these leaves will drop and buds will be ready to sprout in spring.

Soil: Well-drained soil.
Conditions: Full sun to partial shade. Suitable for subtropical through to temperate cool climates. Mildly frost tolerant.
Size: Height 5m x width 5m

Prunus Pink Cascade is a beautiful ornamental tree best known for its stunning floral display in early spring. The weeping branches are covered in a profusion of single musk-pink flowers which precede deep green finely textured foliage. The leaves turn brilliant burnt orange to orange-red in the autumn. Pink Cascade is spectacular as a feature plant, in a pot or as an entry display. Eventual size depends in part on the height of the ‘standard’ onto which it is grafted.

Soil: Requires fertile, humus-rich soil.
Conditions: Full sun. Heat and coastal tolerant. Light frost tolerance.
Size: Height 1.2-1.5m x width 1.2m

Paulownia tomentosa, commonly known as the Empress Tree, is a striking deciduous tree admired for both its dramatic foliage and spectacular floral display. It features very large, dark green, heart-shaped leaves with a soft, velvety texture that create a bold, architectural presence in the landscape. In spring, the tree truly shines, producing an abundance of tubular, foxglove-like flowers in shades of purple and blue held on long upright panicles that make an unforgettable show. Exceptionally hardy and fast growing, the Empress Tree provides excellent summer shade, while its deciduous nature allows welcome sunlight through during winter. Ideal as an ornamental feature or shade tree, the Empress Tree is best suited to medium to large gardens where its size and beauty can be fully appreciated.

Soil: Any well-drained soil, well-mulched with reliable moisture.
Conditions: Full sun. Tolerant of wind, frost and pollution. 
Size: Height 10m x width 8m