Canberra Plant Selector

Deciduous to semi-deciduous small tree (6m x 3m) from China with attractive smooth and gnarled trunk in mottled colours. Elliptical shaped leaves. Flowers pink, red or white on terminal panicles during summer. Useful as a small shade tree, flowering feature tree or for group plantings. Susceptible to powdery mildew – Indian Summer forms resistant. Dwarf shrub forms available. Drought tolerant after establishment. Moderately frost tolerant.

Evergreen small rounded shrub (0.7m x 1m) from ACT, NSW and Vic. Linear leaves. White to deep pink star-like flowers in summer and autumn. Useful as a specimen, low understorey or in groups especially in a bush garden. Prefers a cool moist position with mulched well drained soil. Sensitive to root disturbance. Prune to maintain bushy growth. Frost tolerant. Drought sensitive.

Flowering perennial bulb (0.5m x 0.4m) from Europe. Linear leaves. Terminal solitary or clustered mostly fragrant trumpet shaped flowers and perianth in shades of yellow, orange, cream or white in spring. Useful for colour display, planted in groups, drifts or containers. Prefers a sunny position with good drainage. Most cultivars increase naturally by offsets. Dense clumps should be divided no sooner than 6 weeks after flowering every 3-5 years. Frost tolerant.

Bushy tuberous perennial (1-2m x 0.5m). Hybrids originating from Mexico. Grown from swollen tubers planted out in October and November. Leaves variable often divided into leaflets. Brilliantly coloured flowers in a wide range of colours and styles in summer and autumn. Useful massed for its colour display, as part of a border of perennial plants or for cut flowers. Protect from strong winds. Avoid competition from tree and shrub roots. Prefers well drained fertile soil in a warm position. May require staking to prevent stem breakage. Tubers are best lifted after flowering and stored over winter. Drought and frost sensitive.

Compact mound forming perennial (variable 0.2m-0.6m x 0.6m) from Europe. Shiny dark green coarsely dentate leaves. White daisy-like flowers around a yellow centre in summer. Useful for a container, border, edging or mixed with other perennials. Prefers well drained soil in full sun. Frost and drought tolerant.

Evergreen compact perennial plant (0.15m x 0.4) from ACT, Qld, NSW and Vic. Soft finely divided dark green foliage. Lilac-blue or white daisy-like flowers in spring to summer. Useful for a border, perennial garden or groundcover and for colour display. Prefers a sunny well drained position. Frost tolerant.