Australian Capital Territory

What the Canberra climate rewards

The ACT is real cold climate gardening: regular winter frosts with mornings below minus 5, hot dry summers, low humidity and heavy clay under most suburbs. That rules out the frost tender plants that dominate coastal nurseries, and it is exactly why this collection is filtered the way it is. What thrives here are the great deciduous exotics, cold hardy eucalypts from the local tablelands, and fruit trees that actually need Canberra's winter chill to crop properly.

How to choose

For summer shade and winter sun, the deciduous trees do the heavy lifting: Pin Oak, Claret Ash, Chinese Pistachio, Japanese Maple and Zelkova all colour brilliantly in Canberra's dry autumns, and the ornamental pears add massed white spring blossom. For flowers in the heat, the crepe myrtle range runs from 3m compacts to 7m avenue trees and handles frost once established. Gardeners planting natives are well served by local species in this collection, including Blakely's red gum, apple box, brittle gum and white gum, which grow naturally on the tablelands, along with grass trees and kurrajong. For evergreen structure, Little Gem Magnolia, Himalayan Cedar and Mediterranean Cypress all cope with the cold, and the fruit tree collection is at its best here: apples and pears set heavier crops with proper winter chill.

Planting in the ACT: timing and numbers

Autumn, March to May, is the prime planting window, giving roots a full cool season to establish before the first hot summer. Spring works too, but plant evergreens after the last hard frosts. Dig each hole twice as wide as the pot and no deeper, break up the clay walls, and add gypsum if water sits in the hole overnight. Water in with 10 litres, then 10 litres twice a week through the first summer. Mulch 75mm deep, keep it off the trunk, stake advanced trees loosely against the westerlies, and drape frost cloth over young evergreens for their first two winters in the coldest suburbs.

Delivery to Canberra and the ACT

Stock shown here comes from partner growers whose delivery runs cover the ACT, with standard delivery from $29.95 and no minimum order. Advanced and large trees are freighted at cost. Every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee, and the full tree range can be filtered the same way if you want to compare more options.

Common questions

Will crepe myrtles really handle Canberra frost?

Yes, once established. The wood is frost hardy, and because they leaf out late they miss most spring frosts. Plant in spring rather than autumn so the first winter arrives with some roots down.

What is the best shade tree for a Canberra block?

Pin Oak for a big block, Chinese Pistachio or Claret Ash for a standard yard, and Zelkova 'Green Vase' where you want a vase shaped canopy over paving. All four are proven street trees across the ACT.

When should I plant?

Autumn for deciduous trees and hardy natives, spring for evergreens and crepe myrtles. Avoid planting into frozen ground or in the week around a heatwave, and water deeply either side of planting day.