Western Australia

Choosing plants for Western Australian conditions

Water is the first filter. Most of this range is drought tolerant once established, which matters in Perth, where watering rosters limit sprinkler days and sandy soil holds little in reserve. Check mature height and width honestly too, since the fast growers here are mostly trees in the 4m to 8m class. Mediterranean exotics and WA natives both earn their place: olives, bay and Italian cypress evolved for the same dry summer pattern, while weeping peppermint and the grafted flowering gums were shaped by it here.

One state, several climates

Perth and the coastal plain run hot dry summers and mild wet winters over deep sand, conditions that suit olive trees, Italian cypress, dragon trees and most Australian natives. The South West around Margaret River and Albany is cooler and wetter, and rewards deciduous trees like ornamental pears and crepe myrtles that colour well in autumn. Inland, the Wheatbelt and Goldfields add frosty nights to dry heat, so lean on the frost hardy filter. In the tropical north, wet season humidity favours melaleucas, poincianas and jacarandas.

Screening and shade with real numbers

For a boundary screen, Straight and Narrow Lilly Pilly (Syzygium australe) holds about 1m wide at up to 5m tall planted 60cm to 80cm apart; give it reliable summer water on sand. West Australian weeping peppermint (Agonis flexuosa) makes an 8m shade tree or a softer screen at 3m spacing and shrugs off salt wind. Kalamata olives (Olea europaea) planted 3m apart form an informal grove or windbreak and can be held at 3m to 4m with an annual prune, and Mediterranean cypress lines a formal drive at 1.5m centres. Jacarandas remain a Perth favourite; just keep their surface roots well away from paving and pools.

Planting into sand and getting through summer

Perth sand is famously water repellent. Dig compost and a little bentonite clay through the planting area, apply a soil wetting agent, and plant in autumn or early winter so roots establish on winter rain before facing their first dry season. Water new plantings deeply twice a week through the first summer, mulch 75mm deep with the mulch kept off the trunks, and feed natives with a low phosphorus native fertiliser in spring. Our waterwise garden guide covers plant choices and watering habits in more detail.

Common questions

What grows best in Perth's sandy soil?

Plants bred by dry summers: olives, Italian cypress, dragon trees and the West Australian weeping peppermint all thrive once established. Improve the sand with compost and a wetting agent at planting and almost everything here performs better.

When is the best time to plant in Western Australia?

Autumn through early winter across the southern half of the state, so roots settle in while the soil is moist and the heat is off. In the tropical north, the early wet season gives young plants the easiest start. Summer planting works only if you can water deeply twice a week without missing.

Which of these trees handle inland frost?

Kalamata olive, Mediterranean cypress and the Natchez crepe myrtle are all frost hardy once established. Lilly pillies and jacarandas tolerate light frost only, so in the Wheatbelt give them a warm sheltered spot or choose something tougher.

Do you deliver to Western Australia?

Yes. We ship to every state and territory, with delivery from $29.95 and no minimum order. Advanced and large stock is freighted at cost, and every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.