Shrubs

Pixie Protea (Protea pudens x longifolia) is a compact protea with abundant pink cup-shaped flowers with a darker, salmon-hued centre. The beautiful Pixie flowers from autumn to spring and is ideal for small areas, rockeries and containers. The dense protea is versatile and can be planted as a feature, shaped into a low hedge or mass planted for a stunning visual effect. Blooms last well and are perfect for cut flower arrangements for the home. Be sure to use a native soil mix when planting as exotic potting mix and fertiliser will kill them.


Soil: Well-drained soil. With clay soils, use mounds for planting - to facilitate drainage.
Conditions: Full sun to part shade. Drought, coastal and moderately frost tolerant.
Size: Height 1.2-1.8m x width 1.2-1.8m

Prostanthera rhombea Pink is a small evergreen shrub with a dense growth habit and a spectacular display of musk-pink flowers during late winter and early spring. The aromatic foliage of this Australian native gives it the common name of Mint Bush because of the refreshing fragrance when it is crushed. Pretty in both native and cottage gardens and suitable for containers, rockeries, and pathways. Use a slow-release low phosphorus fertiliser to help establish the plant. Mulching around the base of the plant will help retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Soil: Well-drained soil.
Conditions: Full sun to part shade. Drought, frost and coastal hardy.
Size: Height 1-2m x width 0.50-1m

Leptospermum Merinda is an attractive low-growing shrub with soft bronze-green foliage. Early growth can be spreading or cascading, but it will develop into a rounded shrub. Merinda has prolific magenta flowers in spring which create a stunning display. Perfect for pot culture or as a feature plant in the garden. Prune back after flowering and feed in spring with a native plant fertilizer.

Soil: Moist, well-drained soils.
Conditions: Full sun. Frost, drought and coastal tolerant.
Size: Height 1m x width 2m

The Camellia Black Tie produces a rich display of dense, glossy, dark green foliage and formal, deep red double blooms. Black Tie flowers from late winter to spring adding a splash of colour and contrast to the garden. An excellent choice for cut flowers, the beautiful deep red flowers are striking in the vase and in the garden. With a compact growth habit, camellias are ideal for screens, hedging, large containers and espaliers. Lightly prune every couple of years to create density and maintain shape. Fertilise using a slow release fertiliser specific to camellias in spring.

Soil: Well-drained, acidic soil. Mulch and water regularly until the plant is established, usually around 12 weeks.
Conditions: Semi-shade position in the garden. Protect from the harsh afternoon sun and strong winds. Prefers a cooler, less-humid climate. Frost hardy.
Size: Height 2.5m x width 2m

Pink Champagne callistemon produces lovely, delicate flowers that start vibrant warm pink with gold tips, changing to soft pink, then fading to a pale blush pink as they age. The foliage is a bright green, with new leaf growth a striking silvery-gold adding contrast to the landscape. Plant Pink Champagne to attract birds and bees to the garden. Ideal as a clipped hedge, massed plantings or in a pot for its floral display.

Soil: Very hardy and forgiving in all types of soil.
Conditions: Full sun or partial shade. Drought, frost and coastal tolerant.
Size: Height 3m x width 1-1.5m

Featuring a naturally rounded compact shape, delicate white flowers in spring, and foliage darkening to red in autumn, Northland Blueberry adds colour and interest to your edible garden for many months. This variety produces a dark fleshed fruit with a wild-berry flavour that becomes sweeter the longer it hangs on the bush. This variety is self-fertile so another plant nearby is not required, making it perfect for smaller gardens. However a higher yield will be produced if another plant is growing nearby (Blue Rose Blueberry is recommended). Northland will make a wonderful patio or verandah plant where the delicious berries can be enjoyed straight off the bush.

Soil: Requires a well-drained, acidic soil to grow well. A potting mix for Azaleas and Rhododendrons is recommended for pot culture.
Conditions: Prefers a full sun to part shade position. Frost tolerant.
Size: Height 1-1.2m x width 1m

Anigozanthos Amber Velvet PBR is an attractive hybrid kangaroo paw with bold, strappy foliage and vibrant spring flowers. Large upright leaves can reach around 1.2m high, while the striking red and yellow flower spikes may rise to about 3m above the ground in spring and early summer. The colourful blooms produce abundant nectar, attracting bees and nectar-feeding native birds to the garden. Ideal for smaller gardens and large containers, it also works well as a feature plant in sunny beds. After flowering, remove older flower stems low in the plant to encourage fresh growth and continued flowering.

Soil: Prefers well-drained soil
Conditions: Full sun. Drought, frost and coastal tolerant.
Size: Height 1.2m x width 1m

Hibbertia Golden Sunburst is a lovely, low-maintenance, native ground-cover producing masses of bright yellow flowers throughout late autumn and spring. It forms low mounds naturally without the need to constantly prune the foliage or remove dead flowers, and is beneficial to any garden as it improves the water-holding capacity of the soil as well as assisting to suppress weeds. Ideal in native and cottage gardens as well as verge planting, and perfect as a border in formal and informal gardens. A handful of slow-release fertiliser in spring is beneficial.

Soil: Golden Sunburst will do well in soils ranging from quite acid to alkaline but good soil preparation is recommended when planting all plants to achieve the best results
Conditions: Full sun to part shade. Frost and coastal tolerant.
Size: Height 0.40m x width 1m