Shrubs

Also referred to as “wild lime” or “desert kumquat”, the Desert Lime is a hardy, occasionally thorny shrub or small tree. It produces small green grape-sized fruits that pack an intensely citrus flavour! Fruits will appear soon after a showing of white, sweetly scented flowers in spring. For best results, harvest only ripe fruits — these will come away easily from the stem when gently pulled. As an Aboriginal bush food, they were eaten whole and are today considered a highly prized native fruit high in vitamin C, lutein, folate and vitamin E. You can enjoy Desert Lime in a variety of ways including marmalades, sauces, pickles and chutneys, candied peel, cocktails, and as a flavouring spice for both sweet and savoury dishes.
Drought-resistant and attractive, it’s a perfect addition to a low-maintenance garden or ornamental courtyard, and may be grown in large pots on a sunny verandah.

Soil: Well-drained sandy soil.
Conditions: Full sun to part shade. Drought and coastal tolerant.
Size: Height 3-6m x width 2-4m

Thryptomene saxicola Supernova is a delightful little evergreen shrub with graceful slender stems with tiny narrow foliage. In late winter masses of dainty white flowers put on quite a show for several months. Supernova is a great cut flower for the home and bouquets. It is a tough, plant, and is ideal for a low-maintenance garden. Fertilise in spring and autumn and lightly trim to shape the plant if desired.

Soil: Well-drained soil.
Conditions: Full sun to light shade. Drought, light frost and coastal tolerant.
Size: Height 0.8m x width 1.5m

A dense, highly aromatic shrub with soft, rounded, glossy mint-perfumed foliage, Prostanthera cuneatus Cool Mint is a lovely addition to the garden. The aromatic shiny dark green foliage is covered with a spectacular mass of purple-throated white flowers in late spring and summer, attracting bees to the garden. Excellent as a perfumed hedge in areas of low light.

Soil: Moist, well-drained soil
Conditions: Part sun to full shade. Frost, snow and coastal tolerant
Size: 0.60-1m x width 0.60-1m

Physocarpus Monlo Diabolo™, commonly known as Diabolo™ Ninebark, is a captivating deciduous shrub prized for its stunning, dark purple foliage. Its rich colouration makes it an excellent choice for creating striking contrasts in garden landscapes, whether planted individually, in groups, or as hedges or borders. This cultivar is particularly valued for its ornamental appeal and versatility in various garden settings. White flowers to 8 mm in diameter with a pink blush, borne in 5 cm wide corymbs in late spring that stand out very well against the dark foliage.

Soil: Well-drained soil.
Conditions: Full sun to part shade. Frost and drought tolerant.
Size: Height 3m x width 3m  

Tibouchina Blue Moon features masses of delicate lilac flowers upon velvety foliage from late summer to autumn. Tibouchina Blue Moon is a fantastic choice for a warm, sheltered, sunny position in the garden and fabulous for shrub borders to add colour and form. Fertilise in spring and cut back after flowering to size and shape.

Soil: Well-drained soil.
Conditions: Full sun to part shade. Protect from heavy frosts.
Size: Height 1.5m x width 1.5m

Thuja Orientalis Aurea Nana, commonly known as Golden Biota, is a popular, rounded, compact shrub. Foliage is a mid to emerald green in winter and a more golden green in summer. The slow-growing conifer will provide architectural highlights to smaller gardens, thrive in tubs or planters, and can be clipped as a low, dense hedge.

Soil: Moist, rich, well-drained soil.
Conditions: Full sun to part shade. Frost and coastal hardy. Best suited to cooler climates.
Size: Height 1m x width 0.60m

Tetratheca thymifolia, or Black Eyed Susan, is a dainty little native shrub smothered in purple bell flowers in late winter-spring. It looks right at home tumbling over a rockery with its tiny, thyme-like evergreen foliage or in a mixed flowering bed. Give it a light trim and a feed after flowering. It makes an outstanding pot plant as well. This lovely native comes in white and pink flowers as well.

Soil: Plant in free-draining slightly acid soil with plenty of organic matter for best results.
Conditions: Full sun to dappled shade. Heat and coastal hardy. Tolerates a light overnight frost
Size: Height 0.5-1m x width 0.5-0.8m

A stunning compact waratah, Essie’s Gift shows off spectacular deep pink blooms on a beautiful low-growing dense shrub. With large flower heads borne on short arching stems during spring, this variety is an excellent choice for specimen planting, hedging, or simply growing for the beautiful cut flowers it produces.

Soil: Fertile, well-drained soils
Conditions: Full sun to part shade. Frost tolerant
Size: Height 1.5m x width 1.5m