Plants we regret losing
Grevillea ‘Billy Bonkers’
Acacia acuminata - Raspberry Jam Wattle
Doesn’t the name Acacia acuminata, or Raspberry Jam Wattle, sound delicious? We planted one in October 2017, but it died during the severe winter of 2018. We have planted another one in January 2021 and hope to see this one flower. This plant forms a slender shrub to 5m high x 3m wide with long fine foliage and yellow rod flowers in spring. Supposed to be hardy and long lived but not, so far, in our garden. This plant is native to southwestern WA.
Acacia aphylla - Leafless Rock Wattle
We have tried to grow Acacia aphylla, or Leafless Rock Wattle, twice, in November 2008 and October 2015, but both died after two or three years. This plant has leafless spiny branches, yellow ball flowers and purplish-grey seed pods. This plant comes from WA and is listed as rare. We are trying another one, planted in a pot, in September 2023.
Acacia chinchillensis
We planted Acacia chinchillensis in October 2014, but it did not thrive. This plant died in the hot spell or January 2018. We were disappointed as this is a decorative species from Chinchilla, Queensland, 2m x 2m, with fine ferny foliage and many sprays of golden ball flowers.
Acacia dimidiata
We planted Acacia dimidiata in May 2009, but it died in the frost in December 2009. This plant, 5m high x 1.5m wide, grows in northwestern Queensland and through tropical NT with bluish green leaves and bright yellow rod flowers. We have other NT acacias which do not mind Canberra frost, but this is not one of them.
Acacia dunnii
We planted Acacia dunnii in a pot in March 2015, but it quickly succumbed in November 2015, even though it was well protected and warm indoors. This plant is a spectacular foliage plant with some of the largest phyllodes of all wattles. However, it is very cold sensitive and the recommendation is that the minimum temperature should always be more than 10 deg.C. so I was probably over-ambitious to try it, even in an indoor pot..
Acacia ‘Fettucine’
We planted two Acacia ‘Fettucine’ in pots in March 2009 and January 2011, but neither persisted very long. Even though we put these plants in shade they succumbed to the summer heat. This plant is a decorative form of A. cognata with coppery new growth which develops into fresh, lime green, wavy, weeping foliage. This is a beautiful wattle in a pot and we should try again.
Acacia guinetii - Golden Gravel Wattle
Acacia guinetii, or Golden Gravel Wattle, is a low spreading shrub from WA with grey-green foliage and fluffy gold ball flowers. We planted one in November 2009 and it lasted until November 2014, but was never really happy in the frosty winters. We have planted a new one in April 2021 in a more sheltered position but it died in March 2022.
Acacia holosericea - Velvet Wattle
We planted Acacia holosericea, or Velvet Wattle, in a pot in October 2016. This plant forms a large shrub to 4m high and 2m wide with large, soft, velvety silvery leaves, rod shaped yellow flowers and twisted seed pods. This plant is native to Queensland, NT and WA. We kept it inside the house but it grew too quickly and too vigorously to stay under cover over winter 2019, so it died. What beautiful leaves this plant has that everyone loved to stroke.
Acacia iteaphylla - Flinders Range Wattle
We planted 10 Acacia iteaphylla, or Flinders Range Wattle, in 2003 as part of our foundation planting. This wattle forms a dense weeping shrub to 5m high with narrow blue-green phyllodes with mauve new growth and fragrant lemon ball flowers followed by bunches of silvery seed pods. These were planted in the moist part of the garden which they resented and we removed them and retained them in pots for some months before replanting in a drier spot. Most plants developed black spot or sooty mould which is both unattractive and interferes with good growth. We ended up removing all by March 2008. These wattles can be seen in their glory in the outdoor Sculpture Garden of the National Gallery in Canberra.
Acacia kempeana - Witchetty Bush
We planted Acacia kempeana, or Witchetty Bush, in September 2009 after admiring it in the Red Centre Garden, Australian National Botanic Gardens. This plant forms a rounded shrub to 4m high with yellow rod flowers and is from the arid areas of NT, WA, Queensland and SA. Our plant grew and flowered but was damaged by winter 2019 and did not recover.
Acacia leucolobia
We planted Acacia leucolobia in November 2013. This open shrub 1.5-3m high x 2m wide with silver foliage and large yellow ball flowers is native to the central tablelands of NSW. We had our first showy blooms in September 2015, but this plant sadly died in the dryness of April 2016.
Acacia merinthophora
We planted three different plants of Acacia merinthophora in 2009-2013 as we had seen this plant growing well in friends’ gardens. This plant forms a shrub, 3m high and wide with long thin curved phyllodes and yellow rod flowers. We did get some flowers in March 2011, but none of these trees prospered in our garden. This plant is native to southwestern WA.
Acacia myrtofolia - Myrtle Wattle
We planted Acacia myrtifolia, or Myrtle Wattle, in October 2014 having always admired the one on Banks Walk at the Australian National Botanic Gardens. This plant forms a rounded shrub, 2.5m high and wide, with dark green foliage, red stems and light yellow flowers. This plant died in December 2015, but we must try it again. This plant is native to all states except NT.
Acacia pycnantha - Golden Wattle (photos above)
Acacia pycnantha, or Golden Wattle, is the Australian national emblem and we tried to establish this tree in our garden four different times without long lasting success. This tree grows to 6m in height, with hanging branches, green sickle shaped phyllodes and large fragrant golden ball flowers and is native to NSW, ACT, Victoria and SA. Our first tree planted in March 2006 only lasted until December of the same year. The second tree, planted in November 2006, grew very well for a period, then got borer, lost half its mass, browned off and died in January 2014. The third tree, planted in October 2009 lost a large limb in a storm in December 2014 and was eventually uprooted, in full bud, in July 2016. The fourth tree was planted in December 2009 and was the Queanbeyan form, which bloomed for us for the first time in April 2011 with very different flowers from the other three, then died in December 2011. We are trying again with this iconic tree, planted October 2020. We now (2024) have two well established trees, one the Queensland version and the other the Queanbeyan type with narrower leaves and earlier flowering.
Acacia sertiformis
We planted Acacia sertiformis in March 2013 and it formed an open shrub to 2m high with deep gold flowers. This plant flowered for us for the first time in January 2014 and the flowers lasted for a long period. It is native to central western NSW with some plants growing in Queensland. This plant also developed interesting seed pods, but unfortunately died in December 2017.
Acacia vestita - Hairy Wattle
We planted two Acacia vestita, or Hairy Wattle, as part of our foundation planting in 2003. This plant forms a weeping shrub to 3m high and 5m across with grey-green triangular phyllodes and golden ball flowers. This plant is an outstanding feature plant and we had Superb Blue Wrens nesting in one in February 2008. One plant died suddenly in November 2004 and the other was removed in February 2009, as it grew too big for its position. This plant is native to central western NSW.
Acacia willdenowiana - Grass Wattle
Acacia willdenowiana, or Grass Wattle, is a small shrub with grass-like habit and tiny phyllodes clasping grey winged stems with cream ball flowers and curved seed pods. We planted one in November 2012 and it was delightful until winter 2017 when it succumbed to frost. This plant is native to southwestern WA.
Acacia williamsonii
We planted one Acacia williamsonii in October 2017, a spreading shrub to 2m high and 3m wide, with narrow greyish foliage and bright yellow ball flowers. This plant grew well originally, flowered in September ’18 and ’19, but sadly died in January 2020.
Allocasuarina crassa - Cape She-oak
We planted Allocasuarina crassa, or Cape She-oak, in March 2007 and were somewhat challenged to find it described as either a prostrate shrub to a 14m high tree depending on habitat. This plant is endemic to Tasmania, restricted to the Cape Pillar and Tasman Island area. This plant bloomed well for us in October every year from 2007-2013 with bright red fluffy flowers, but died in the heat of February 2017. We have now planted a new one in May 2021.
Allocasuarina littoralis ‘Matuka Silver’
Allocasuarina littoralis ‘Matuka Silver’ was a gift from the ‘breeder’ of this plant, a natural sport from Allocasuarina littoralis in Nambour, Queensland with attractive variegation to give a silver appearance. We planted two specimens of this rounded small tree to 10m high in June 2009. This plant was slow to grow to 2m for us but did bloom with red fluffy flowers in June 2013. Then both trees began to fail in 2015 and were eventually removed.
Anigozanthos forms - Kangaroo Paws
We have planted so many different species and cultivars of Kangaroo Paw over the years, but have not had any lasting success with them. Some cultivars have done well in pots for a year or two and our original planting of A. ‘Big Red’ lasted for over a decade before completely disappearing. We have tried ‘Bush Dawn’, ‘Bushranger’, various forms of A. flavidus, lime, lime variegated, orange, pale pink, ‘Green Dragon’, ‘Lilac Queen’, ‘Orange Cross’, ‘Pink Joey’, ‘Bush Bonanza’ and A. rufus. More recently, May 2015, we have planted 20 each of Angus Stewart’s Landscape Line, Orange, Lilac, Yellow, Violet and Red. Landscape Orange has been the best performer for us, but none of thesebloomed in 2020.
Anopterus glandulosus - Native Laurel
Anopterus glandulosus or Native Laurel, is an endemic of Tasmania and is limited to rainforest areas. This plant forms an evergreen shrub, 2-4m high, sometimes a tree to 10m, with ‘lily of the valley’ flowers. We planted one in July 2014 and it flowered in October 2014, but died in the heat and dryness of January 2016. We have a new one, growing very slowly, planted in March 2021.
Athrotaxis laxifolia - Tasmanian Cedar
We tried Athrotaxis laxifolia, or Tasmanian Cedar, in November 2014. This plant is endemic to the high country of Tasmania, an evergreen, coniferous tree to 20m high. This tree can live for up to 1300 years and grows very slowly, but we failed to establish our plant and it died in the heat and dryness of March 2016.
Athrotaxis selaginoides - King Billy Pine
We also tried Athrotaxis selaginoides, or King Billy Pine, another Tasmanian high country endemic. This tree is also an evergreen coniferous tree to 30m high, with claw like leaves. We planted our specimen in November 2004, but this tree also died in the dry spell of April 2016.
Baloskion tetraphyllus - Tassel Cord Rush
We had great success with our 2003 foundation planting of 36 Baloskion tetraphyllus, or Tassel Cord Rush, around the big pond. This plant has bright green feathery foliage and produces rusty brown flowers. These plantsare native to swampy river banks in Queensland, Victoria, NSW, Tasmania and SA. However, by 2016 all of these had died out. We should plant more as these plants attract beneficial insects.
Banksia ashybi
I really love all the Western Australia banksias, which have such great foliage and showy blooms. However, these are often quite difficult to grow in the eastern states, especially when the soils are heavy, as they are on our property. We have planted both Banksia ashbyi and B. ashbyi dwarf in a pot and in the ground. These plants when growing well form a large shrub to 6m high and 4m wide with toothed leaves and large orange flower spikes. They come from the mid-coast area of WA and seemed to suffer in the frost with us, stopped growing and died after two or three years.
Banksia attenuata
We planted Banksia attenuata dwarf in November 2013 in a pot. This plant can grow into a small tree to 10m high and 5m wide with serrated leaves and bright yellow cones. The new cones are emerald green and furry and were showing to great advantage for the ANPSA Conference in November 2015, but the plant died soon after in the heat of December 2015.
Banksia brownii - Feather-leaved Banksia
We planted Banksia brownii, or Feather-leaved Banksia, in a pot in November 2008 and it grew to 3m high and wide in ten years before it died in September 2018. It bloomed with brown cones every year from 2010 onwards. The plant fell over and smashed its pot in a storm in February 2014, but survived and repotted well. We also tried other B. brownii plants, both tall and compact forms, some with red flowers, but none of these prospered.
Banksia coccinea - Scarlet Banskia
We planted the iconic Banksia coccinea, or Scarlet Banksia, in a large pot in April 2011. This plant can grow to 4m high with toothed leaves and brilliant red cylindrical spikes. Ours grew well, sheltered under the eaves, to 2m high and wide, but never flowered. The plant was badly damaged by frost in winter ’18 and was discarded.
Banksia epica
We sowed seed of Banksia epica from Kevin Collins in June 2010 and planted the resulting shrub into the garden a year later. This shrub can grow to 3m high with creamy yelllow flowers with iridescent lime green buds and is native to the Great Australian Bight region of WA. This plant did not grow well in the garden and we tried to save it by transplatning it back from the garden into a pot in April 2014. Unfortunately it died in February 2015.
Banksia ‘Giant Candles’
We planted six Banksia ‘Giant Candles’ in our original foundation planting in 2003. This plant is a cross between B. ericifolia and B. spinulosa with huge orange flower spikes. Our plants produced their first flowers in February 2005 and by March 2007 one bush had 40 spikes on it. However these plants never looked well, always with yellow foliage, and even though we tried several applications of iron chelates and trace elements they never improved. We eventually removed all by February 2017.
Banksia grandis - Bull Banksia
We were lucky to receive seed of Banksia grandis, or Bull Banksia, from Two Peoples Bay, WA and planted it in a pot in March 2009. This plant forms a shrub 1.5m high and 3m across to a small tree 10m high, with magnificent dark green toothed leaves and large yellow flower spikes. We transplanted our seedling to a larger pot in April 2009 and it doubled in size by December 2009 and again by November 2010. We saw our first flower in November 2011 and this plant gave great pleasure until it died suddenly in the heat of February 2020.
Banksia hookeriana (photos below, left two)
We planted Banksia hookeriana, or Hooker’s Banksia, from southwestern WA, in a pot in October 2011. This plant grows fast to a dense rounded shrub, 2-3m high and wide, with golden-orange flowers. Our plant was very browned off in the heat of February 2014, but rallied and bloomed well until it died in March 2020.
Banksia occidentalis - Red Swamp Banksia (photos above, right two)
We planted Banksia occidentalis, or Red Swamp Banksia, in June 2007 and March 2012 without much success, but were lucky to be given a grafted plant in January 2015. This plant develops into a small tree to 3-8m high and 5m wide with narrow dark green leaves and golden flowers with prominent red styles. Our tree first bloomed for us in March 2017 with brilliant emerald-green new cones and even more prolifically the next year. However this tree browned off and died suddenly in the extreme heat of December 2019. We have since planted (2022) Banksia occidentalis ‘Red Beacon’ which is flowering well.
Banksia pilostylis - Marsh Banksia
We planted Banksia pilostylis, or Marsh Banksia, in a pot in November 2013. This plant is native to the area around Esperance, WA and grows into a bushy shrub to 4m high. Long cylindrical spikes of cream or greenish yellow develop with narrow saw-toothed foliage. This plant bloomed well for the ANPSA Conference in November 2015, bloomed again the next year, then died in May 2017.
Banksia telematiaea - Swamp Fox Banksia
We received seed of Banksia telematiaea or Swamp Fox Banksia in March 2006 and planted it in a large pot in May 2009. This plant native to the area around Perth grows to 2m high with small round flowers of yellow, orange and brown, flowering for the first time for us in April 2011. These flowers last for a long time and are prolific. We enjoyed this plant very much until October 2015 when it died after being frosted off in winter 2015.
Billardiera longifolia
Billardiera longifolia, or Purple Apple Berry, was a successful vine for ten years in our garden from its planting in April 2008. This plant, native to NSW and ACT, is a slender climber with dark green narrow leaves and greenish-yellow tubular flowers followed by shiny purple berries. This climber performed well for us until it was severely damaged over winter 2017 and did not recover.
Boronia megastigma ‘Uncle Jack’s Red’
We have some success with boronias in pots but absolutely no success with them in the ground in our garden. They are such beautiful plants, smell wonderful and have many flowers, but they last about five years at best with us. We planted Boronia megastigma ‘Uncle Jack’s Red’ in March 2010. This plant can form a shrub to 1.5m high and 0.6m wide with aromatic foliage and fragrant, deep red flowers with yellow inside. This plant did flower for us in October 2010 and following years, but we made the mistake of cutting it back in December 2013, and it resented this, and died in the heat of January 2014.
Callistemons
We lost about 20 fully grown callistemons in July 2016 when a large Pinus radiata fell and smashed the bottom right corner of the garden. This pine tree was over 90 years old and even the stump weighed 6 tonnes. We retained a number of callistemons in this area which were missed by the tree, but some favourites perished. We planted Callistemon citrinus ‘Western Glory’ in August 2005 and this plant grew to 3m high with rose pink brushes with a lilac tinge. Callistemon ‘Dawson River Weeper’ was planted in March 2004 and grew larger than any of our other callistemons, except C. salignus, to 4m high and wide, with pendulous branches and bright red bottlebrush flowers. These plants enjoyed the heat and flowered profusely in February 2009. Callistemon ‘Endeavour’ was planted in April 2006. This is a vigorous shrub to 2.5m high and wide with broad dull green leaves and brilliant red flower spikes. Callistemon ‘Harkness’, created in 1937, has C. viminalis in its genetics and forms a rounded bush to 5m high x 4m diameter with light green leaves and bright red flower spikes. Callistemon ‘Perth Pink’ was planted in September 2006 and formed a tall open shrub, height 4m x width 3m, with a great display of deep pink flowers at the end of the branches. This plant flowered well from 2010-2016. We planted Callistemon ‘Rebecca’ in December 2003 and this plant flowered well with bright pink brushes from 2010-2016. Another callistemon with beautiful coloured brushes is C .’Rose Opal’ which we also planted in December 2003. We regret the loss of all these callistemons.
Ceratopetalum gummifermum ‘Albery’s Red’
We tried to establish Ceropetalum gummiferum ‘Alberys Red’ in the garden four times between 2006 and 2009, but all were gone by 2011. This plant is a compact selection of the NSW Christmas Bush with many white flowers followed by red bracts. This plant can grow to 5m in height and 2m in width, but our specimens were very slow to grow. We now have a great specimen of Ceropetalum gummiferum in a pot which is thriving away from the frost.
Chamelaucium ‘Lady Stephanie’
We have been able to grow five cultivars of Chamelaucium in the garden, but have failed with ten others, ‘Dancing Queen’, ‘Marshmallow Delight’, ‘Morning Delight’, ‘Morning Pink’, ‘My Sweet Sixteen’, ‘Pearl Buttons’, ‘Sarah’s Delight’, uncinatum pink, uncinatum ‘University’ and uncinatum ‘White Surprise’. Most of these did not grow or bloom well and were removed for failure to thrive. These plants do need overhead protection and well drained soils. A standout cultivar for us is ‘Lady Stephanie’ with white flowers with a red centre over many months.
Chorizema cordatum - Flame Pea
Chorizema cordatum or Flame Pea is a spreading shrub to 1m x 1.5m wide with sprays of red, or orange and pink flowers in spring. This plant is native to southwestern WA and needs protection from frost and very sharp drainage. We tried four plants between 2009 and 2015 and although a couple in pots lasted for several years none really thrived. We now have one, planted in 2020, that is flowering well some years, but is still a bit iffy.
Chrysocephalum apiculatum ‘Yorke Peninsula’
We were lucky to obtain six Chrysocephalum apiculatum Yorke Peninsula in November 2012 and these plants did last in the garden until 2017, but they were never happy. They suffered in both the heat and the frost in our garden, and although Ben made five cuttings from them as well as the original six, all 11 were removed with much reluctance as these plants are very beautiful in flower. They have spreading silver foliage and deep gold flower buttons.
Correa ‘Annabell’
We planted one Correa ‘Annabell’ in May 2014 but it died in December. We tried another three, planted in August 2019, but all these died in the heat of summer 2019/2020. We have had success with other Bywong correas, but this one we will have to try again. ‘Annabell’ is a small shrub, 1m x 1m, with olive green leaves and prolific small pink flowers.
Correa ‘Autumn Blaze’
Another attractive correa cultivar is ‘Autumn Blaze’, a form of Correa pulchella from Kangaroo Island. This is a low spreading plant with dark green foliage and bright orange tubular flowers. We planted three in March 2007 and another two in 2008 but all died in the heat.
Correa ‘Federation Belle’
We planted two Correa ‘Federation Belle’, one in April 2005 and the other in April 2009. This hybrid between C. ‘Marian’s Marvel’ and C. reflexa var. speciosa forms a shrub to 1.5m high with bright pink flowers with cream tips. This hybrid was selected by Mole Station Native Nursery, Tenterfield, NSW so should be used to our frosty conditions. One died in the heat of summer 2009 and the other did not like the extra rain in April 2011. We find in our garden that correas are susceptible to both hot and cold, and wet and dry conditions. They are quite fussy.
Correa ‘Inglewood Gold’
We tried five times to establish Correa ‘Inglewood Gold’ in our garden over the five years from 2013-2018 but only saw a few flowers on one occasion. This plant grows to 1m x 1m, with gold flowers and dark green shiny leaves. I would still like to establish it in our garden.
Correa ‘Pinker Bells’
We planted two Correa ‘Pinker Bells’ in May 2008 and they lasted until 2013 with dark green foliage and pink bells. They bloomed really well in 2010, but then began to fail.
Correa reflexa forms and cultivars
We have not had much luck with Correa reflexa forms and cultivars in our garden. The litany of failures is long, Correa reflexa var. reflexa ‘Cream Form’, Correa reflexa ‘Kangaroo Island Form’, Correa reflexa ‘Skye Bells’, Correa reflexa ‘Flared Bell’, Correa reflexa x decumbens, Correa reflexa var. reflexa ‘Brisbane Ranges’, Correa reflexa var. reflexa ‘Wilson’s Promontory form’, and particularly Correa reflexa var. speciosa ‘Fat Fred’. I really wanted to grow ‘Fat Fred’ and tried 11 times to get this plant established in our garden, but without success. This plant is very ornamental with dark green foliage and many showy tubular red and green flowers with upturned petals. Most died in the heat, some in the rain and one was chewed to death by a possum.
Corymbia maculata variegata ‘Ribbons of Hope’
We planted Corymbia maculata variegata ‘Ribbons of Hope’ in January 2013. This tree was grafted on Corymbia maculata stock and was expected to grow to 12m high in 25 years. ‘Ribbons of Hope’ has attractive variegated foliage and pink new growth and grew well for us until August 2014 when it was blasted into oblivion by the severe frost.
Corymbia peltata
Corymbia peltata, or Rusty Jacket, is a mid-north coast Queensland species with loose flaky bark, hard green leaves and clusters of large white flowers. This plant grows well in the Australian National Botanic Gardens and we admired it there. We were so happy to be given a sapling by a friend which we planted in February 2019, but the tree had rotted out by June 2019. It needed much better drainage than we had given it and if we were ever lucky enough to find another plant we would plant it in a different drier area.
Croweas
We have never had much luck with Croweas in our garden, despite the fact that they grow very well in other Canberra gardens. We particularly regret that Crowea saligna failed in our garden even though we planted it many times in many different parts of the garden. We now plant Croweas in pots and they are a great success with better drainage than we can give them in the garden.
Dianella longifolia ‘Warrumbungle Rain’
We planted Dianella longifolia ‘Warrumbungle Rain’, a plant bred by our friends at Bilby Blooms near Coonabarrabran, in March 2013. This is a clumping plant to 0.4m high with pale blue flowers in spring followed by pale berries in summer. Until 2017 this plant performed very well, but then we somehow contracted the dianella disease which causes the flowers to droop and not to open. We sadly removed this plant in November 2019 and continue to remove many dianellas from our garden.
Doryanthes palmeri - Spear Lily
We were ambitious to try planting Doryanthes palmeri, or Spear Lily, in our garden in October 2011 even though we gave it plenty of protection. The large specimens at the Australian National Botanic Gardens, admittedly under considerable protection, flower regularly with 3m flower spikes of brick red flowers along the stem. This is a spectacular plant with bright green leaves 3m long which can be damaged by frost as ours was. We moved it under even more protection in December 2014, but this plant just sputters along, will not die, but does not flower. Since the removal of leptospermums it does get more sun.
Epacris purpurascens
We planted Epacris purpurascens in a pot in August 2012. This plant grows to 80cm and forms a stiff shrub with pale pink star flowers with red stamens and is native to the Sydney region. Our plant flowered well from 2013-2016 then died in December 2016.
Eremophila bowmanii
I coveted Eremophila bowmanii for its soft silvery foliage and dark blue flowers. We planted seven in May 2011 in a dry, sunny spot in the garden with good drainage and air circulation. This plant is native to northeastern SA, southwestern Queensland and northwestern NSW. We could not get these to thrive at all, tried replanting them in pots, but had to give up in September 2012.
Eremophila debilis
We tried four times to establish Eremophila debilis in our garden, but did not really succeed, even though it grows well in other Canberra gardens. This plant is a groundcover to 1m wide with long narrow bright green leaves and pink flowers followed by purplish berries. We first planted it in March 2007 and it flowered in December 2009 and each year afterwards until winter 2012, when it got badly frosted and was removed in September 2012. Our other attempts in 2009, 2014 and 2015 died even faster in the frost, but I would still like to have this plant from southern Queensland and northern NSW in our garden.
Eremophila ‘Desert Passion’
We planted nine Eremophila ‘Desert Passion’ in tubs at the front door in September 2016. This cultivar is a cross between E. maculata x racemosa and produces many pink flowers with orange buds. These plants bloomed freely until the frost hit them and all had died by May 2017. They need some protection in Canberra.
Eremophila flaccida subsp. flaccida
We planted Eremophila flaccida subsp. flaccida, grafted, in a pot in November 2017. This plant is a low spreading shrub to 1m high x 1.5m wide with dark green spoon shaped leaves and violet flowers with pink sepals which stay on the bush and darken with age after the flowers have fallen. We knew that this plant was very susuceptible to frost so we kept it in the house over winter and were rewarded with beautiful flowers in February 2019. This plant is native to the Pilbara region of WA but it died over winter 2019 despite being indoors.
Eremophila glabra prostrate ‘Pancake’
We planted three Eremophila glabra prostrate ‘Pancake’ in January 2016. This plant is a carpet-forming, grey leaved plant with red tubular flowers which fade to orange. These plants performed well for the first year but then went totally brown in the heat of January 2017 and we eventually removed them.
Eremophila glabra ‘Roseworthy’
A similar wonderful groundcover is Eremophila glabra ‘Roseworthy’, this time with bright green foliage and many orange tubular flowers. This plant is also very flat, like a lawn, and is native to the Roseworthy district north of Adelaide, SA. We planted three of these in 2015-16, but they did not survive winter 2017.
Eremophila maculata x alternifolia ‘Magenta Dream’
We planted Eremophila maculata x alternifolia ‘Magenta Dream’ in December 2009 and this plant grew to 1.5m high and wide for us with masses of magenta flowers over a long period. The new foliage is a purplish red. Our plant was frosted off in winter 2014 and we cut it back hard. It did grow again and flowered in 2015, but never really recovered and we removed it in April 2016.
Eremophila santalina
I was keen to grow Eremophila santalina as a small tree in our garden and planted one in December 2016. This plant can grow to 5m high with dark green hanging foliage and white flowers in spring. This long-lived plant will grow in clay, although slowly, and has shiny brown fruits. It is native to South Australia. Our plant was badly frosted off in July 2018 and sadly died in August of that year.
Eriostemon australiasius - Pink Wax Flower
We planted one Eriostemon australasius, or Pink Wax Flower, in the ground in February 2008 and another in a pot in September 2015. This attractive plant is 1-2m high and 1-1.5m wide with leathery dark green leaves and waxy pink star shaped flowers. It is native to the Illawarra area of NSW north to southern Queensland. The first plant rotted out in May 2008, and the other, although in a pot with excellent drainage, died over winter 2016.
Eucalyptus cladocalyx ‘Vintage Red’
We planted Eucalyptus cladocalyx ‘ Vintage Red’ in December 2009. This decorative tree with stunning red foliage is a form of Sugar Gum, which can grow to 10-20m high and 5-10m wide. We protected this tree over its first winter and the beautiful red foliage was stripped by small grey caterpillars in January 2011. We managed to spray the offending caterpillars and the tree leafed out and was healthy by March 2012. However, the frost of winter 2014 crippled this tree and we removed it.
Eucalyptus formannii
I was attracted to the unusual foliage of Eucalyptus formannii at Lang’s Nursery in Mildura in October 2010. This small tree has grey bark, a dense habit, very narrow grey-green leaves and creamy yellow flowers in spring and is native to a small area north of Southern Cross in the Die Hardy Range, WA and grows well in Adelaide. We had plenty of new growth by June 2013, but lost our tree to the heat and drought of summer 2013-14. The tree did not recover and was removed in August 2014.
Eucalyptus latens ‘Moon Lagoon’
We planted Eucalyptus latens ‘Moon Lagoon’ in October 2007, a small tree with attractive grey foliage which can be pruned every 3-4 years and is used in cut flower arrangements. This tree grows to 5m high and has lime green new growth which we first saw in March 2009. The new growth became rather mildewed in December 2010 and was trimmed back in March 2012. The tree resented being trimmed back and sulked until September 2014. We trimmed it right back in August 2016 and eventually removed the tree in October 2017. So much for the advice that this tree can be trimmed regularly – not in our experience.
Eucalyptus macrandra
We purchased Eucalyptus macrandra in November 2012 from Kuranga Nursery. This mallee grows to 2-8m high, has smooth bark and yellow green flowers. The main feature for me was its beautiful shiny leaves, like Eucalyptus lucens in the Olive Pink Garden at Alice Springs, NT. Our plant got scale in December 2014 and, despite spraying, it died in May 2016.
Eucalyptus preissiana subsp. lobata - Lobe Fruited Mallee
We were lucky to be given some of the beautiful, unusual and jewel-like nuts of Eucalyptus preissiana subsp. lobata, or Lobe Fruited Mallee, by Dean Nicholle at his magnificent eucalypt collection in Currency Creek Arboretum, South Australia. We grew a seedling and planted it into the garden in April 2012. This seedling grew well until it developed scale in September 2015. We battled to save this tree but it succumbed in October 2016. This tree is native to the Esperance area, WA.
Eucryphia lucida ‘Pink Cloud’
We tried hard to establish Eucryphia lucida ‘Pink Cloud’ in our garden, planting 5 different seedlings in different moist, well protected parts of the garden in 2014-15. Leatherwood grows in the wetter western half of Tasmania and our trees all died during hot spells in 2015-18. If we could grow this plant successfully, as we saw it growing in the Green garden in Tasmania, it would be an evergreen tree to 12m high with attractive new growth in spring with many large pink, strongly scented flowers in summer. We also tried Eucryphia moorei, or Plumwood, with very similar results – too hot and too dry.
Goosypium sturtianum - Sturt’s Desert Rose
We planted Gossypium sturtianum, or Sturt’s Desert Rose, in a pot in November 2012. This shrub is the floral emblem of the Northern Territory and has smooth blue-grey leaves which rapidly shed water, and pale pink to mauve flowers with red centres. Our plant flowered well for several years and then began to fail. We cut it back in January 2017, but it did not reshoot and died the next month.
Grevillea arenaria
We have tried many forms of Grevillea arenaria without much success despite the fact that other gardens in Canberra are successful with this species. We planted 12 of these in our foundation planting of 2003. They grow to 2.5m high and 3m wide with grey-green foliage and variable flowers. None of them prospered in our garden and the last one was gone by January 2008. We also tried Grevillea arenaria 'Warri Bridge form in December 2004 which occurs naturally in the Braidwood area. This is a medium shrub, 1.5-3m high and 2-3m wide, with many yellow-green flowers which attract nectar feeding birds. Our plant grew too large for its position even though we trimmed it well in February 2015. It rarely flowered and was removed in February 2017. We also tried two Grevillea arenaria red Pilliga with red blooms from Bilby Blooms in December 2014 but these died early in 2015. We also tried a grafted specimen of Grevillea arenaria subsp. canescens, or Hoary Grevillea, from Yarrangobilly in October 2017. This plant forms a dense compact shrub to 3m high and wide with velvety leaves. We got one flower in January 2018 and the plant died the next week.
Grevillea ‘Billy Bonkers’
We were sorry to lose Grevillea ‘Billy Bonkers’, a grafted specimen, planted in August 2006, which flowered well for us for eight years before being frosted off in winter 2015. This plant has dark green fishbone leaves and bright pink flowers for many months of the year.
Grevillea ‘Border Red’
We removed Grevillea ‘Border Red’ in error in December 2016 due to miscommunication, but it turned out to be a boon as the shrub was rotted out at the base. We planted ‘Border Red’ in December 2003 and it grew to 2m x 2m in our garden with olive green foliage and red spider flowers over a long period.
Grevillea ‘Bronze Rambler’
We planted 22 Grevillea ‘Bronze Rambler’ as part of our foundation planting in 2003. This is a vigorous, sprawling shrub with divided leaves, which have bronze new growth, and red toothbrush flowers. ‘Bronze Rambler’ is an outstanding groundcover which can be used to smother weeds, but unfortunately can also smother other plants as it did in our garden. We removed all of these by March 2007 as they were just too vigorous for their position.
Grevillea ‘Bush Lemons’
We have tried twice to establish Grevillea ‘Bush Lemons’, grafted specimens, in our garden but have to admit defeat. Our frosty conditions are too severe for this plant. One, planted in March 2013 died in September 2015 after flowering somewhat in December 2013. The other, planted in February 2018, was frosted off in the winter and died in September 2018. I should try one in a pot, as I have seen this plant in bloom with many lemon flowers and admired it very much. We now have a standard specimen in a pot, planted in February 2022, which flowers every year.
Grevillea ‘Canberra Gem’
Grevillea ‘Canberra Gem’ is a vigorous prickly shrub, 2-4m high and 2-5m wide, with many pinkish red flowers. The prickly foliage makes it a haven for small birds. We planted one in September 2008 and it grew too large for the spot I had selected for it, despite constant trimming. We sacrificed this plant in November 2012 and hated to do it.
Grevillea ‘Coastal Glow’
We planted Grevillea ‘Coastal Glow’ in October 2009, a hybrid between G. macleayana and either G. longifolia or G. asplenifolia, a rounded shrub to 2-3m high and wide, with oblong leaves and purplish-red toothbrush flowers. We had prolific bloom in October 2010, but once again, I had chosen a spot not big enough for the rampant growth of this grevillea, even though we trimmed it often. We removed this plant with regret in January 2018.
Grevillea curviloba
We planted Grevillea curviloba in November 2006 in our rock garden, an evergreen prostrate shrub, with mat-like foliage on arching branches, and white flowers in spring. This plant, from Bullsbrook area, WA grew really well and the strong cinnamon scent of the flowers drifted all over the garden. We cut it back severely in December 2010 as it had become too vigorous and was competing with other plants. We finally had to remove this plant in September 2012 as it did not bounce back from pruning.
Grevillea dryandroides ssp. hirsuta - Phalanx Grevillea
We planted Grevillea dryandroides ssp. hirsuta, or Phalanx Grevillea, a grafted specimen, in November 2008. This plant blooms with red flowers on long trailing stems and has distinguished hard, grey, fishbone foliage. This plant bloomed well for us until we removed it in October 2010 as it was overtaken by a Callistemon.
Grevillea ‘Evelyn’s Coronet’
We planted 7 Grevillea ‘Evelyn’s Coronet’ as part of our foundation planting in 2003. This plant is a hybrid between G. buxifolia and G. lavandulacea, with pinkish mauve flowers for a long period, growing to 2m high and wide. These plants did not thrive in our garden, but died off one by one over many years, the last one in March 2017. I regret that we could not find a position where these plant could prosper.
Grevillea ‘Forest Rambler’
We planted Grevillea ‘Forest Rambler’ in March 2005. Reading from the plant tag, this cultivar was supposed to be a medium sized shrub, to 1.5m high and wide, but in our garden it was at least twice that size. Even though it was a lovely plant, with dark green leaves and many shell pink flowers we ended up removing it in December 2016 as it was just too large and hard to contain.
Grevillea iaspicula ‘Wee Jasper’
We planted 7 Grevillea iaspicula ‘Wee Jasper’ in December 2003 and one of them lasted until December 2013 before deteriorating completely. There were only three remaining by October 2005 and they did bloom for a couple of years. This plant, also known as Wee Jasper Spider Flower, is very rare in the wild being found only in a small area near Wee Jasper and was discovered in 1980. ‘Wee Jasper’ forms a shrub to 1.5m high and wide with oblong green leaves and pink and cream terminal flowers. This plant grows well in Canberra gardens with soil that is less clay rich than ours. We are trying another one, planted with some protection, in December 2021.
Grevillea jephcottii - Green Grevillea
Grevillea jephcottii, or Green Grevillea, is an interesting plant. We planted 5 of them over the two years 2004-6 and they lasted until 2014, when all were removed as they were not performing well. Green Grevillea is a rounded plant up to 2.5m high and 2m wide with small leaves and green flowers in clusters over a long period. They are attractive to birds and need very sharp drainage to succeed. They occur in a few areas near the Burrowa-Pine Mountains region of northeastern Victoria.
Grevillea lanigera dwarf ‘Greencape’
We planted Grevillea lanigera dwarf ‘Greencape’ in May 2009 and it formed a compact shrub with fine dark green foliage and cream and pink spider flowers, 60cm x 60cm. This plant is very long lasting and attractive in bloom but our plant got scale and began to decline so was removed in February 2017.
Grevillea leptobotrys ‘Lilac Tangles’
We planted Grevillea leptobotrys ‘Lilac Tangles’ in a pot in June 2017. This is a delightful cultivar with tangled silver foliage and lilac flowers which performed well for us for a couple of years before succumbing to the terrific heat of January 2020. We have since planted two in pots in March 2024, in the courtyard, and they are performing well.
Grevillea ‘Orange Marmalade’
We planted one Grevillea ‘Orange Marmalade’ in October 2008 that we purchased from Grevillea Park, Bulli. This cultivar is probably a cross between G. venusta and G. glossadia and arose in the garden of R. and G. Norris, Burbank, Queensland. This plant grows to 2.5m high and 2m wide with long, linear green leaves and bright orange flowers at the ends of the stems. Our plant did bloom, but was frosted off each winter and eventually died in August 2011.
Grevillea pimelioides
We planted Grevillea pimelioides in a pot in September 2010 and it first flowered for us in July 2011. This plant from Helena and Canning River regions southwest of Perth, WA has red tipped yellow flowers and is sensitive to overwatering. We moved our plant to a larger pot in February 2012, but it did not thrive and died in December 2016. We now have another one in a pot, planted July 2020 which is regularly bird pruned.
Grevillea ‘Pink Pearl’
We planted one Grevillea ‘’Pink Pearl’ in September 2009. This plant has a spreading bushy habit with many clusters of pink flowers over a long period. The height is supposed to be 2m but our plant quickly outgrew its position and was sacrificed in November 2011. I hated to do it as it was a great plant, but needed far more room than I had allowed from reading the plant description.
Grevillea robusta - Silky Oak
We planted Grevillea robusta, or Silky Oak, in April 2004. This iconic tree grows to 30m in a favourable climate, with large divided leaves with a grey-green undersurface and bronze new growth. The bright orange flowers drip nectar and attract birds. This plant is native to the east coast from Coffs Harbour to Maryborough, Queensland. Our plant flowered well in December for four years until it was demolished by the fall of the pine tree in July 2016.
Grevillea rosmarinifolia ‘Rosy Posy’
We planted 38 Grevillea rosmarinifolia ‘Rosy Posy’ in the years 2003-4. This is a small compact shrub, 1.2m high and wide, with fresh green foliage and pendant pink and cream flowers. Several of our original plantings were attacked by cockatoos and we netted the remaining plants. We moved 13 plants from near the water to drier conditions and most of the transplants died. Most of those remaining flourished for many years before beginning to decline and were removed in two lots, one in January 2016 and the rest in August 2018.
Grevillea ‘Scarlet Sprite’
We planted 24 Grevillea ‘Scarlet Sprite’ in the years 2003-4. These plants have bright green foliage and scarlet flowers. While some of our plants bloomed well in some years, most did not. We were disappointed that the shrubs did not flower prolifically and eventually removed these plants in May 2014.
Grevillea ‘Strawberry Blonde’
We planted Grevillea ‘Strawberry Blonde’, a cross between G. ‘Sandra Gordon and G. caleyi, in March 2006. This plant forms a compact bush, 2m high and 1.5m wide, with stiff honey-coloured toothbrush flowers and soft green divided foliage. Our plant had a rocky start, being somewhat yellow in foliage for several years, but was just beginning to thrive when Acacia caeuerlescens fell on it and demolished it in September 2013.
Halgania preissiana
We planted 3 Halgania preissiana in October 2006. This plant from Western Australia is a small shrub 0.3m high and wide with dull green prickly leaves and small blue flowers. These plants lasted and bloomed well for us for a number of years before disappearing in December 2012. We also planted 3 cultivars of this plant, ‘Purple Haze’ in 2017, but these did not last with us.
Hardenbergia violacea ‘Candy Wrapper’
We planted two Hardenbergia violacea ‘Candy Wrapper’, one in September 2005 and another in September 2009. This vine has bright candy-pink flowers and grows well but not rampantly. This plant is very free flowering and flowers early in the season. One died suddenly in November 2006 and the other equally suddenly in October 2011.
Hardenbergia violacea ‘Free ’n’ Easy’
Another lovely climber is Hardenbergia violacea ‘Free ‘n’ Easy’, which is more vigorous, with frothy white sprays of flowers and pink buds. We planted one in March 2005 and another in September 2010 and both grew vigorously. We had to keep cutting them back, despite the fact that they did get frosted off over winter. We eventually removed one in October 2012, as it had become unmanageable. The other was infested with green caterpillars and was eventually removed in December 2013.
Hibbertia stellaris - Orange Stars
I love Hibbertia stellaris, or Orange Stars, for its brilliant orange flowers. We planted seven of these in pots over the period 2008 to 2014, but they were never really successful. They did flower but they did not persist, despite being fussed over. These plants come from swampy areas of southwestern WA.
Hibbertia serrata ‘Sun Shine’
We tried 7 Hibbertia serrata ‘Sun Shine’ in the garden over 2013-14. This plant is an upright small shrub to 0.3m high and wide with bright yellow flowers. These plants did flower for us in August 2014, but after winter 2014-15 all were frosted off and subsequently died.
Hibiscus ‘Wirruna’
We planted Hibiscus splendens x H. heterophylla ‘Wirruna’ in November 2010 in a pot. This plant forms a rounded open shrub 4m x4m. Grey green lobed leaves to 15cm long with large showy apricot flowers with red spotted centres during spring and summer. Lyn Craven recorded information on Hibiscus ‘Wirruna’ in Australian Plants, June 1971. By crossing a pink Hibiscus splendens and a yellow-flowering form of Hibiscus heterophyllus, Lyn obtained an apricot-flowering plant. We had to remove this glorious plant in February 2012 as it grew too big to be protected under the eaves of the house.
Isopogon ‘Pink Drumsticks’
We planted 9 Isopogon cuneatus x buxifolius ‘Pink Drumsticks’, also sometimes called Stuckey’s Hybrid, over the years 2006-2017. This plant is a hybrid of two WA varieties, with pink drumstick type flowers forming a shrub 1.5m high and wide. We did get some flowering but many died and all were removed by November 2019.
Kennedia nigricans - Black Coral Pea
We planted Kennedia nigricans, or Black Coral Pea, under protection in October 2009. This vigorous climber from WA has large green trifoliate leaves and unusual black and yellow pea flowers. Our shrub began to climb and bloom in October 2010, but got badly frosted over winter 2011. This plant is not hardy in our garden so was removed in December 2012. We have planted two more in 2022 under much protection, but they are not flourishing.
Kunzea ambigua - Tick Bush
We planted 10 Kunzea ambigua, or Tick Bush, as part of our foundation planting. This plant is a tall and spreading shrub to 3m high and 4m across, with narrow heath-like leaves and starry white fragrant flowers. The foliage is aromatic and its essential oil is used in aromatherapy. I did not like the bush, despite the great scent of the flowers. The bush was often yellowish and unattractive, so we removed all of these by January 2017. However, I do miss the scent of the flowers pervading the whole garden.
Lambertia formosa - Mountain Devil
We have planted 5 Lambertia formosa, or Mountain Devil, over the years 2004-2017, but have had no lasting success with this plant in our garden. This hard dense shrub, which is endemic to coastal NSW, grows to 3m, has narrow, pointed, dark green leaves and bright red tubular flowers followed by ‘devil’s head’ seed capsules. We did get some bloom in February 2007, but most plants did not thrive and were removed.
Lasiopetalum behrii
We planted Lasiopetalum behrii in March 2012 and it lasted until January 2018. This lovely plant, 70cm high and 1m across, has grey green leaves and pink flowers over a long period. This plant is native to Victoria and South Australia. We had profuse flowering from this plant in October each year until it died in the heat of January 2018.
Leptospermum ‘Lavender Queen’
We planted 3 Leptospermum rotundifolia ‘Lavender Queen’ in 2007-8. This plant grows to 1.5m high with many lavender flowers. Our plants did flower well in November for several years but then failed and were removed in December 2012.
Leptospermum ‘Burgundy Queen Tea Tree’
We planted one Leptospermum scoparium ‘Burgundy Queen Tea Tree’ in October 2003. This shrub grew to 1.5m high and 2m wide with red foliage and masses of burgundy flowers in spring. and was a feature plant in our garden.. We did combat webbing caterpillar, but this plant bloomed reliably and well until winter 2019 when it declined and we removed it in October 2019.
Leptospermum ‘New Silver Fantasy’
The other reliable tea-tree we planted in October 2003, beside the one above, was Leptospermum scoparium ‘New Silver Fantasy’. This plant also grew to 1.5m high and 2m wide and had silver weeping foliage and masses of pink flowers in spring. This plant also had an attack of webbing caterpillar – we sprayed with Confidor and white horticultural oil – it survived until December 2019.
Leucophyta brownii ‘Cape le Grand’
We planted 11 Leucophyta brownii ‘Cape le Grand’ over the years 2004-2007. This shrub is small, 0.8m high and 1m wide, with intertwined branches of silver foliage with inconspicuous yellow button flowers. These plants need free air movement, full sun and good drainage, as anyone would know who has visited Esperance, WA. We tried to provide these conditions, but our plants still got mildew and all had perished by 2009.
Lomatia silacifolia - Crinkle Bush
We planted one Lomatia silaifolia, or Crinkle Bush, in the back garden in October 2004. This lacy spreading bush can grow to 1.5m high and wide, with divided leaves and large white flowers in clusters. Crinkle Bush is a plant from the coast and tablelands of NSW and Queensland flowered for us in December for many years until it declined in 2009, and was removed in April 2010.
Melaleuca incana - Grey Leafed Honey Myrtle
We planted 3 Melaleuca incana, or Grey Leafed Honey Myrtle, in March 2004. This shrub has narrow, weeping grey green foliage and pale yellow flowers. This melaleuca, from southwestern WA, grows to 1.5m high and wide and responds well to pruning. Our plants bloomed well until one fell over in a storm in February 2014 and the remaining two were removed in October 2019 as they were looking poorly. The beautiful foliage is the standout feature of this plant.
Myoporum parvifolium ‘Choppy Seas’
We planted 8 Melaleuca parvifolium ‘Choppy Seas’ in the parterre under tree protection in June 2008. These plants grew incredibly rapidly and bloomed in November 2008, and made a green carpet with white flowers over the whole parterre by December 2011, just as we had hoped. Then the birds started pulling up the runners and lots of bare patches developed by October 2012. We waited for the plants to regenerate, but they did not and we removed all plants by February 2013.
Olearia phlogopappa ‘Nimmity Belle’
We planted 15 Olearia phlogopappa ‘Nimmity Belle’, (possibly Olearia rubida?), in 2006-7. This evergreen shrub has glossy green leaves with red tips and stems and dainty white daisy flowers. These plants bloomed very well for us for a number of years, but then began to fail in the heat. We trimmed them back in December 2010 but they had not recovered a year later and we removed them in February 2017.
Pimelea macrostegia
We were thrilled to receive a plant of Pimelea macrostegia from the Stantons at the stunning Stokes Bay Bush Gardens on Kangaroo Island in October 2011. This plant, endemic to Kangaroo Island, grows to 1.5m high with airy foliage and rounded white flower heads. We kept our plant in a pot and it lasted until January 2017.
Pimelea suavolens - Scented Banjine
We planted Pimelea suavolens, or Scented Banjine, in June 2017. This plant is a slender shrub with large, rather hairy, yellow flowers, native to southwestern WA. Our plant flowered in July 2018 and kept flowering until it died in September 2018.
Prostanthera striatiflora - Streaked Mint Bush, Jockey’s Cap, Striped Mint Bush
We planted Prostanthera striatiflora, or Streaked Mint Bush, Jockey’s Cap or Striped Mint Bush, three different times, October 2010, May 2017 and March 2018, but to my disappointment, none of these survived more than a few months. This plant is from the semi-arid areas of New South Wales, South Australia, Western Australia, Queensland and the Northern Territory, grows to 2m high, has aromatic foliage and white flowers striped with purple in the throat. I think that our garden is too wet for this species.
Zieria ‘Pink Crystals’
We planted 3 Zieria cytisoides x laevigata ‘Pink Crystals’ in September 2007. These plants grow to 1m in height and width, have green foliage and masses of small pink flowers. They flowered profusely in September 2008 and following years then the acacia that shaded them was removed in August 2011. They began to fail over the next few years and all were gone by 2016. These plants do need a partly shaded position in our garden.
