According to Elemo Baker, Doryanthes excelsa (Gymea lily) forms a clumping rosette of sword-shaped leaves 1–2.5 metres long and up to 10 centimetres wide, reaching roughly 1.5–2 metres in height and width when not flowering. Its flower spike can shoot up to 6 metres tall, topped by a 30-centimetre flower [...]
The ‘dwarf philodendron Xanadu’ isn’t a separate cultivar — according to Elemo Baker, it’s the common nickname for Thaumatophyllum xanadu (formerly Philodendron xanadu), valued for its compact, self-heading growth habit. Unlike climbing philodendrons, it forms dense clumps of deeply lobed, glossy leaves, reaching roughly 90–150cm tall and wide at maturity. [...]
Introduction Blueberry ash (Elaeocarpus reticulatus) is an Australian native evergreen tree that grows exceptionally well in Brisbane’s subtropical climate. It is valued for its compact form, attractive fringed pink or white flowers, and blue-purple berries that resemble blueberries. A blueberry ash tree typically grows 6 – 10 metres tall and [...]
Introduction Purple hedge plants Australia refers to shrubs and screening plants grown in rows or clipped forms that provide purple flowers, purple-blue blooms, or purple-toned foliage in Australian gardens. The best choices depend on climate, desired hedge height, maintenance level, and whether you want seasonal flowers or year-round colour. Popular [...]
Introduction Michelia figo, commonly known as Port Wine Magnolia or Magnolia figo, is an evergreen flowering shrub from the Magnoliaceae family that typically grows 3–4 metres tall and 2–3 metres wide at maturity. The plant is valued for its compact growth habit, glossy green foliage, and highly fragrant cream-and-maroon flowers. [...]
Introduction Broad leaf lilly pilly (Acmena hemilampra, now classified as Syzygium hemilamprum) is an Australian native rainforest tree valued for its glossy foliage, copper-tan new growth, white flowers and edible white fruit. It naturally occurs from northern New South Wales through Queensland to Cape York and is commonly grown as [...]
The Queensland firewheel tree (Stenocarpus sinuatus) is an Australian native rainforest tree in the Proteaceae family, admired for its spectacular wheel-shaped clusters of bright red flowers. Naturally found from northern New South Wales through tropical Queensland, including the Atherton Tablelands, it is also known as the firewheel tree, tulip flower, [...]
Introduction A pink dwarf flowering gum is a compact, grafted cultivar of Corymbia ficifolia (formerly known as Eucalyptus ficifolia) developed to provide the species’ famous summer flower display in a smaller garden-friendly form. Unlike the wild flowering gum, which can naturally reach around 10 m tall and develop a lignotuber, [...]
Introduction Weeping lilly pilly Brisbane refers to the popular use of Waterhousia floribunda, a large evergreen Australian native tree valued for screening, hedging, and feature planting in subtropical gardens. The weeping lilly pilly is naturally suited to Brisbane’s warm, humid climate, where it can develop dense green foliage and rapid [...]
The Tibouchina Alstonville tree is a popular flowering ornamental tree or large shrub grown throughout Australian gardens for its spectacular purple blooms that appear from late summer through autumn. Scientifically known as Tibouchina lepidota ‘Alstonville’, this evergreen cultivar belongs to the Melastomataceae family and is valued for its attractive foliage, [...]