Canberra Plant Selector

This compact form of Banksia marginata is tough and attractive, with striking dark green foliage with silver tones underneath. Fresh vibrant yellow flowers are produced in summer/autumn. This form repsonds well to pruning, either for hedging, screening or as a pot specimen.

A handsome tall tree local to the Canberra region and used commonly as a street and landscape tree. Its smooth milky white trunk and fine foliage make it a standout tree for large areas. Hugely adaptable, hardy and fast-growing, this tree provides shelter for shady understorey plants and homes for wildlife. As it is a large, vigorous tree it is not suitable for small gardens, but makes a stunning large shade tree for open spaces, gardens and parks.

Evergreen mat-forming perennial groundcover (0.3 x 1m) with creeping stolons from the United Kingdom. Rounded spoon shaped green leaves with a purple underside. Erect short spikes of mauve-blue flowers in whorls in spring and summer. Useful as a groundcover or border in shady locations. Prefers a moist position in partial to full shade. Many cultivars available. Can be susceptible to fungal disease in high humidity. Divide every few years to reduce crowding and fungal occurrence. Drought and frost sensitive.

A dwarf selection of Banksia ericifolia, this compact shrub produces masses of large orange/red flower spikes in autumn and winter. Works well as a hardy but spectacular pot specimen. Great for attracting nectar-feeding birds.

An attractive tall shrub with striking burgundy coloured growth. It has an abundance of large white flowers during summer. Grows to approximately 3m high by 1.5m across. An invaluable large shrub for the Canberra region, for its hardiness to harsh conditions, and its usefulness for screening and hedging. Great alternative to a Pittosporum hedge, as its also fast growing, but requires much less pruning to keep it looking fabulous.

This is a stunning small compact plant with strappy foliage and striking pink flowers throughout late spring and summer. Plants can be good performers and long-lived when grown in containers in sites sheltered from heavy frost. Can produce another flush of flowers if old flowers are removed. Great nectar source for birds.