Luscious Water Gum

Luscious Water Gum (Tristaniopsis laurina 'Luscious') is the native street tree most gardens should plant instead of something with a root system that lifts the path. It reaches about 7m tall and 4m wide, the right size bracket for a driveway, a narrow front garden or a modern courtyard, and the roots are well behaved near paving and services. The leaves are much larger than the common water gum, so the canopy reads denser and glossier, with coppery new growth and small yellow flowers in summer.

Why you'll love it

• Roots that stay out of trouble. Non invasive roots are the main reason landscapers specify this tree beside driveways, paths, pools and small courtyards.
• A denser canopy than the species. Chosen for larger leaves and a fuller crown, so a row of them screens better and casts more useful shade.
• It handles wet ground. It grows naturally along creek banks, so it copes with damp soil and periodic wet feet that would kill most feature trees.
• Native, and busy with wildlife. Yellow summer flowers bring bees and butterflies.

Where it works best

Driveways and avenues. Plant 3m apart for a matched avenue, or 4m to 5m if you want each tree to stand alone with a full crown. Even spacing matters more than the exact number.

Screening and privacy. At 3m spacing it makes a raised screen that blocks an overlooking window without filling the garden bed at ground level.

Small gardens and damp ground. One of the few well behaved shade trees for a small space, and it will take a pond edge or a spot that holds water after rain.

Growing Luscious Water Gum in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun to part shade. It suits tropical, subtropical and warm temperate gardens, and it takes light frost only, so cold inland districts, the tablelands and hard frosting southern gardens should choose a frost hardy native tree instead.

Soil. Adaptable, and it takes heavier soils better than most thanks to its creek bank origins. Enrich the planting area with compost and mulch 75mm deep, kept clear of the trunk.

Water. This is where the usual advice gets it wrong. Water Gum is not a drought tree. It is a moisture lover that tolerates wet feet, so deep soak twice a week through the first two summers, then water through hot dry spells.

Feed and pruning. Controlled release native fertiliser in early spring and again in late summer. Little pruning is required: remove lower branches over the first few years if you want a clear trunk beside a driveway, and shape lightly after flowering.

What to expect when it arrives

It is grown in eleven sizes, from tube and 200mm packs of six through 250mm packs, 300mm, 400mm and 500mm pots, then 45L, 75L, 100L, 200L and 400L. Small sizes are the value option for a long driveway run. The 300mm to 500mm pots are the usual middle ground. The 45L and larger sizes arrive with a formed trunk and real canopy, which is what an avenue needs.

Plants are packed to travel upright and delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Advanced and large stock is freighted at cost. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Trees for driveways and avenue planting
• Browse feature trees for a focal point
• Compare Australian native trees
• Coast Banksia for exposed coastal positions

Common questions

Is it safe to plant near a driveway or pipes?

Yes, which is the main reason it is chosen. The roots are non invasive and it has a long record in street and driveway planting. Keep the trunk about 1.5m clear of paving edges.

How tall will it actually get?

About 7m in most gardens, with a crown around 4m across. Older figures of 10m to 12m come from the plain species in ideal creek side conditions, not from this selection in a suburban garden.

How is it different from a standard Water Gum?

Larger leaves and a fuller, more even canopy. Side by side, 'Luscious' screens better, which matters when the trees are planted in a row.