Australian Native Trees

How to choose an Australian native tree

Start with the job. For scented screening, Lemon Scented Myrtle (Backhousia citriodora) holds dense aromatic foliage to about 6m and its leaves are a genuine bushfood. For a flowering feature, the Illawarra Flame Tree (Brachychiton acerifolius) reaches around 12m and covers bare branches in scarlet bells, though it may take several years to flower. For sculpture, the Queensland Bottle Tree (Brachychiton rupestris) and the Grass Tree (Xanthorrhoea glauca) grow slowly into living architecture; a grass tree adds only a centimetre or two of trunk a year.

Trust the garden size we list over the habitat figure. Ivory Curl Tree (Buckinghamia celsissima) touches 30m in north Queensland rainforest yet behaves as a 6m to 8m street tree in cultivation, and Weeping Lilly Pilly (Waterhousea floribunda) settles near 10m rather than its riverside 20m.

Where these trees thrive

Most of the range suits tropical, subtropical and warm temperate gardens, from Cairns to Sydney and across to Perth. A large share tolerates light frost only, so gardeners in Canberra, Melbourne, Hobart and the Adelaide Hills should filter for frost hardy species first: Coast Banksia (Banksia integrifolia) and grass trees both cope with cold winters. On exposed coast, Coast Banksia and Tuckeroo (Cupaniopsis anacardioides) shrug off the salt wind that browns most exotics. The complete Australian native plant range covers every layer below the canopy.

Planting and spacing

Dig the hole twice as wide as the pot and no deeper, water in heavily and mulch 75mm deep, keeping mulch off the trunk. For an avenue or windbreak, space Tuckeroo about 4m apart and Ivory Curl Tree 3m apart. For screens, Lemon Scented Myrtle closes at 1.5m spacing and Native Frangipani (Hymenosporum flavum) at 3m. Root behaviour matters near buildings: bottle trees run a deep taproot rather than spreading surface roots, Tuckeroo is safe beside paving, while Weeping Lilly Pilly has vigorous roots best kept well away from pipes.

Care in the first two years

Water deeply twice a week through the first summer, then taper off as the roots reach out. Feed in spring with a low phosphorus native fertiliser; banksias and grevilleas in particular resent standard high phosphorus blends. Once established, most trees here are drought tolerant and need little beyond a mulch top up and a light prune. Underplant with Australian native shrubs for a layered habitat garden, and time the job with our guide to the best time to plant a tree in Australia.

Common questions

Which Australian native trees are safe near the house?

Queensland Bottle Tree, Tuckeroo and Ivory Curl Tree all carry our non invasive roots flag, and the bottle tree's deep taproot makes it one of the best choices beside driveways. Keep Weeping Lilly Pilly well clear of sewer lines.

Will native trees grow in cold southern gardens?

Plenty will, but check the frost tag before you buy. Much of this collection tolerates light frost only, while Coast Banksia and grass trees are fully frost hardy. In cold districts, plant in spring so the tree establishes before its first winter.

Do native trees need special fertiliser?

Yes. Use a low phosphorus formulation blended for natives, applied once in spring. Standard garden fertilisers carry enough phosphorus to damage banksias, grevilleas and hakeas.

How are trees delivered?

Everything here is delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95 and no minimum order. Advanced and large stock is freighted at cost, and every tree carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.