Deciduous Trees and Shrubs

Black currant is a small hardy attractive deciduous shrub that fruits in early summer. The black currant canes will grow vigorously in their first year and then flower and fruit in the second year. Multiple branches produce an abundance of flowers, which are coloured pale yellow, that develop into small dark purple glossy berries. Grow the black currant canes against a wall or a fence, or support with a fence or trellis.
Black currants have a tart taste when eaten raw so are usually used in cooking. The berries are used to make jams, jellies and juices. They are a fantastic natural concentrated source of vitamin C and antioxidants.

Soil: Rich, well-drained soil. Dig through plenty of organic matter or well-broken-down animal manure before planting.
Conditions: Black currants prefer a full sun position and give shelter from strong hot winds. Best grown in areas with a cold winter as a ‘chilling period’ will assist fruit set.
Size: Height 1m x width 0.60m

Taxodium distichum, or The Swamp Cypress, is a tall ornamental tree of pyramidal habit that is very useful for boggy, water-logged spots in the garden. It is a deciduous conifer with soft, fine-textured, needle-like bright green foliage changing to a rusty orange in late autumn and brown before falling. Its bark is deeply fissured and red-brown and rounded purple cones add to the texture and colour. A spectacular tree for stream edges and pond surrounds.

Soil: Any deep soil - especially very wet.
Conditions: Full sun to part shade.
Size: Height 15m x width 5m

The Weeping Willow is a graceful deciduous tree long admired for its delicate, cascading branches that sweep toward the ground. Its slender leaves shimmer with a soft, silvery-green tone through the warmer months before turning a brilliant yellow in autumn, creating a striking seasonal display. Forming a broad, rounded canopy, the Weeping Willow adds height, movement, and elegance to large landscapes. It is especially suited to planting near ponds, creeks, or dams where its extensive root system can help stabilise soil and reduce erosion along the water’s edge. Because of these vigorous roots, it’s best planted well away from houses, underground pipes, and electrical lines. Given plenty of space, this majestic tree becomes a beautiful focal point and a valuable addition to expansive gardens and naturalistic settings.

Soil: Adaptable to most soil types and will tolerate boggy areas.
Conditions: Full sun to partial shade. Frost, drought, wind and pollution tolerant.
Size: Height 10m x width 10m

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

The Pink Lady Apple produces delicious fruit with the perfect balance of sweetness and tartness. Each apple develops an attractive pink blush over a green-yellow background and delivers a crisp, audible crunch with a burst of refreshing juice. Renowned as one of the world’s favourite eating apples, Pink Lady has firm flesh and bright acidity, making it excellent both fresh and in cooking. Developed in Western Australia, this variety performs well in warm climates and is well suited to Australian growing conditions..Plant trees during winter while dormant to help them establish strong roots. Pink Lady apple trees generally take around 3–4 years to begin producing fruit, as the branches need time to mature and build sufficient nutrient reserves for fruiting. For the best harvests, plant a cross pollinator nearby - Fuji, Gala, Granny Smith, and Dorsett Golden are all excellent choices. 

Soil: Well-drained, rich soil.
Conditions: Full sun. Protect from strong wind. Light frost tolerance.
Sizes: Height 3m x width 2.5m