Ornamental Trees

How to choose an ornamental tree

Start with mature size, because a tree is the one purchase you cannot quietly move in three years. For courtyards and small front gardens, stay under 5m: compact crepe myrtles, Teddy Bear magnolia and most Japanese maples all finish between 3m and 5m. Mid sized gardens carry a 5m to 8m tree comfortably, which is where White Crepe Myrtle 'Natchez' and the larger magnolias sit. Ornamental pears such as 'Chanticleer' and American Sweetgum push past 10m and belong on bigger blocks where their scale reads as intended.

Then decide between evergreen and deciduous. Evergreen trees, including the magnolia range, weeping figs, yuccas and grass trees, hold their structure and privacy all year. Deciduous trees trade winter foliage for the best seasonal theatre in the garden: spring blossom on ornamental pears, months of summer flower on crepe myrtles, and the autumn colour that makes Japanese maples and liquidambars famous. Dropping leaves also lets winter sun into the house, which matters more in Melbourne than it does in Brisbane.

Last, pick the feature you actually want to look at: flowers (magnolia, crepe myrtle), foliage (Japanese maple, liquidambar), or bark and form (the mottled trunks of a mature crepe myrtle, the black stem of a grass tree).

Matching tree to climate

Australia is several growing regions, and ornamental trees are where the differences show most.

• Cool temperate gardens in Victoria, Tasmania, Canberra and the tablelands get the strongest autumn colour in the country. Japanese maples, liquidambars and ornamental pears all perform at their best here.
• Subtropical and warm coastal gardens suit crepe myrtles, evergreen magnolias and figs. Japanese maples will grow from Sydney north but want morning sun only and shelter from hot wind, and their autumn display softens as winters warm.
• Mediterranean and dry gardens around Perth and Adelaide favour the tough end of the range: crepe myrtles, yuccas and grass trees hold their looks on limited water once established.
• Frost prone inland gardens can grow most of the deciduous range, which is dormant when the hard frosts arrive.

Planting and placement

Dig the hole twice as wide as the rootball and no deeper, so the trunk flare sits at the original soil level. Backfill with the soil you removed, water in with 20 litres, then mulch 75mm deep, keeping mulch clear of the trunk. Water deeply twice a week through the first summer rather than a light daily sprinkle, and stake only if the site is windy, removing stakes after 12 months.

Placement is the decision that outlasts you. Small trees with well behaved roots, including crepe myrtles, Japanese maples and Teddy Bear magnolia, can sit 2m from paving and pools. Keep liquidambars and figs at least 6m from paving, pipes and structures, because their roots are as vigorous as their canopies.

Care through the first years

Feed once in early spring with a complete or controlled release fertiliser. Prune deciduous trees in late winter while they are bare, and evergreens lightly after flowering. Spend the first two or three winters on formative pruning: remove crossing branches and establish a single clear leader or an even vase shape, and the tree needs little attention for decades afterwards. Our crepe myrtle care guide shows how much difference early shaping makes.

Common questions

What size tree should I buy?

A 200mm pot is the value choice and establishes quickly. Advanced stock in 25L to 100L gives an instant result and is worth it for a single feature position. Advanced and large trees are freighted at cost, with common tiers at $179.95 and $209.90.

Which ornamental trees are safe near paving?

Crepe myrtles, Japanese maples, Teddy Bear magnolia and grass trees all have compact, non-invasive root systems. Avoid planting liquidambar, ornamental pears or any ficus within 6m of paths, driveways or drains.

Can I grow an ornamental tree in a pot?

Yes, if you match tree to container. A Japanese maple, compact crepe myrtle or Teddy Bear magnolia lives happily for years in a 60cm pot with premium mix and reliable summer water. The tree finishes smaller than it would in the ground, which is usually the point.

How fast do ornamental trees grow?

Japanese maples are the slow, graceful end at 20cm to 30cm a year. Crepe myrtles manage 30cm to 50cm, and ornamental pears and liquidambars can exceed 50cm a year once established. If you need height sooner, buy a bigger tree rather than a faster species you will fight later.

How does delivery work?

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. For more spring and summer flower, the flowering trees collection is the natural next stop.