Acalypha  

There are more than 400 species in the Acalypha genus ranging from ground covers to large shrubs.  Acalyphas are grown for their wonderful coloured foliage ranging from shades of yellows, greens and reddish purples to copper, bronze and pink dark green.  Acalyphas are versatile plants adding great colour to the garden.  Plant in full sun to part shade in a frost-free location.  Trimming will be required to maintain compact form.  Large succulent leaves are attractive to chewing insects such as grasshoppers.  Works well as a screening or hedging plant.  The brightly coloured foliage gives a tropical feel to any garden.

Grows in Tropical Darwin, Tropical Cairns, Subtropical and Perth Regions, SA and Inland Australia Climate Zones, warm, frost free position.

SALT TOLERANT – Suitable for seaside or poolside plantings

Allamanda 

Shiny green, leathery leaves with large trumpet-shaped flowers are white, purple, pink or orange in colour and delicately fruity scented.  Allamanda’s trailing woody canes can fool you into believing it’s a climbing plant, though this shrub may be directed and tied to a trellis or pergola.  Without support, you can prune it into a gorgeous shrub.  Requires a sunny position and well-drained soil.  Allamanda may reach a free-standing height of 2 metres or more.  Prune heavily in spring to shape and encourage flowers.  Allamanda’s poisonous, milky sap can cause an itchy, blistered rash.

Grows in Tropical Darwin, Tropical Cairns, Subtropical and Perth Regions, SA and Inland Australia Climate Zones warm, frost free position.

SALT TOLERANT – Suitable for seaside or poolside plantings

Azalea 

These small to medium shrubs are available in flower colours ranging from white, yellows and oranges through pinks, mauves, purples and reds.  Of the two flower types, the single flower variety is hardier than the double flowered form.  Azaleas are susceptible to pest and disease problems in more humid climates and may require treatment.  They love an acidic soil so ensure the pH is adjusted to around 5.5 to 6.  Some like full sun whilst other will perform well in the shade.  Not the easiest plant in the garden but well worth the effort for the keen gardener.  Prune after flowering, fertilize with a good organic azalea and camellia fertilizer.  Azalea Plumtastic features beautiful maroon foliage rather than the flowers.

Grows in Subtropical and Temperate Regions, Cool ACT, Tasmania, Victoria, Perth Regions, SA and Inland Australia Climate Zones Climate Zones.

Brunfelsia – Yesterday-Today-Tomorrow 

An evergreen shrub with dense green foliage and sweetly perfumed flowers from September to late November.  Upon opening, flowers are a violet colour, fading to lavender and then white, with the three colours present on the bush simultaneously.   Grows to around 2-4 x 2m wide.  Plant in a full sun position in well-drained soil.   Prune any suckers and after flowering to maintain shape and size.

Grows in Tropical Darwin, Tropical Cairns, Subtropical and Perth Regions, SA and Inland Australia Climate Zones warm, frost free position.

Camellia sasanqua, C. japonica 

This hardy, disease resistant plant has one of the best flower displays around, a unanimous favourite of the EZYplant team.  With glossy green leaves, various shrub sizes and a huge range of flower colours, these plants make a striking feature or dense hedge.  Consider featuring one in a large pot.  Flower colours Different flowering forms include single, semi-double, double, anemone and peony forms.  Camellias will reward you with a beautiful display though the cooler months when the rest of the garden may not be performing as well.  Camellia japonicas have a dense habit and large leaf which allows them to grow in semi- shaded positions while Camellia sasanquas have a straggly habit, smaller leaf and cope better in the full sun.  Camellias like slightly acid soil with good drainage.  Regular application of compost helps to maintain acidity.  Grows in all Climate Zones.

Croton – Codiaeum variegatum – Zanzibar, Mammy, Africa, Togo

Crotons are an evergreen shrub famous for the huge range of leaf shapes and sizes with splashes of yellow, orange, red and maroon colours and hundreds of varieties available.  Some varieties prefer part shade to shade positions for good leaf colouration.  They are easy to grow, only requiring deep watering in dry weather, though not fast growing, to around 2m in height.  Successful as indoor plants.

Grows in all Climate Zones, though indoors only in Cool Climate Zones.

Gardenia augusta

Glossy green leaves and strongly perfumed, creamy/white flowers through the warmer months make this evergreen shrub a lovely addition to the garden.  There’s a Gardenia available for any spot in your garden.  With dwarf varieties including Gardenia ‘Florida’, growing to around 1m, and Gardenia ‘Magnifica’, reaching 2m in height, making a great scented hedge.  This plant will perform best in a part shade though copes in a full sun position in well drained, slightly acidic soil.  Protect from frosts and fertilize regularly.

Grows in all Climate Zones.

Hibiscus 

With lush foliage and large beautiful flowers available in a huge range of colours, this evergreen plant can grow to around 5m.  Flowers are single or doubles.  Foliage can be variegated as in ‘Snow Queen’.  Requires a full sun position and well-drained soil, it’s important it doesn’t get wet feet and a specialized hibiscus food to promote flowering.  Prune through Winter after flowering and mulch well.  Susceptible to insect attack.  Frost and drought tender.  Grows in all Climate Zones.

SALT TOLERANT – Suitable for seaside or poolside plantings

Ixora 

This evergreen shrub can grow to 2m in height (‘Prince of Orange’).  Dwarf varieties are available like ‘Coral Fire’ which reach 1m in height.  Makes a lovely hedge with an abundance of flowers produced through the year.  Flower heads can be tangerine, orange or bright pink (‘Pink Malay’) in colour.  A hardy plant requiring a full sun to part shade position.  Easily maintained and adds great colour.

Grows in Tropical Darwin and Cairns, Subtropical and Perth Region Climate Zones.

SALT TOLERANT – Suitable for seaside or poolside plantings

Lagerstroemia indica – Crepe Myrtle

A deciduous plant that can be trimmed to shrub height, otherwise to a 6-8m height. Flowers can be white, pink, mauve or purple and appear in late summer.  The petals look crepe-like, hence the name. In autumn, the foliage changes colour providing a beautiful colour display.  Trim in late winter before new shoots appear to maintain required height.

Grows in all Climate Zones.

Loropetalum – Chinese Fringe Flower

Soft foliage with flushes of burgundy new growth, beautiful pink tassle like flowers appearing in spring with spot flowerings appearing throughout the year.  Trim after flowering to maintain size and shape.  Likes a full sun to part shade position and grows to around 2m.  This fantastic plant makes a great screening plant and is tough and hardy.   Grows in all Climate Zones.

Metrosideros thomasii, Metrosideros excels – New Zealand Christmas Bush, Tahiti, Fiji Fire 

Ranging in size and foliage variegation with bright red fluff ball flowers this evergreen shrub makes a great hedging plant.  Fiji Fire in particular, hedges well and provides a good screen, reaching about 3m in height.  Requires a full sun to part shade position and well-drained soil.  Drought tolerant once established.  Grows in all Climate Zones.

SALT TOLERANT – Suitable for seaside or poolside plantings

Murraya paniculata – Mock Orange 

This evergreen shrub has rich, glossy, green foliage and makes a great hedging specimen.  Grows in full sun to part shade and will tolerate most soil types.  Very easy to grow but will require trimming to maintain height otherwise it can become quite large.  Highly scented, white flowers are prolific.  Dwarf species,‘Min A Min’, grows to around 1m and maintains a compact ball shape.  Drought tolerant.

Grows in all Climate Zones.

SALT TOLERANT – Suitable for seaside or poolside plantings

Nerium oleander – Oleander 

This hardy evergreen is a fantastic colourful shrub and has dense foliage.  Grown just about anywhere this versatile plant only requires a well-drained, sunny position.  Flowering Summer through to Autumn with a show of pink, red, white or apricot flowers.  Dwarf varieties available.  Sap is known to be poisonous in large doses.  Take care when pruning as sap will stain clothing.

Grows in all Climate Zones.

SALT TOLERANT – Suitable for seaside or poolside plantings

Phyllanthus multiflorus – Waterfall Plant 

This pretty, low growing plant has fern like foliage with flushes of new growth.   Use as a low hedging plant or allow it to grow naturally over a retaining wall.  Easily pruned to provide a dense habit.   Grows to about 80cm with a width of 2m however kept trimmed can be utilized a low growing shrub.  Performs at its best in full sun to part shade in well-drained soil.

Grows in Tropical Darwin, Tropical Cairns and Subtropical Region Climate Zones.

Michelia figo – Port Wine Magnolia, Coco

Port Wine Magnolia is an evergreen, dense shrub possessing all round great attributes.  Small, highly perfumed flowers are purple/brown in colour and often first noticed after smelling their strong bubble gum scent.   Pruning does not affect flowering production as buds appear on the stem.  A slow growing plant that reaches 3m if left though it may also be pruned to maintain height and width.

Coco features a beautiful creamy, highly fragrant flower.  Prune Coco after flowering has finished.

Both require a full sun to part shade position in well drained soil.  Prune after flowering to encourage good shape.  Protect from frost.

Grows in all Climate Zones.

Tibouchina – Jules

It’s hard to miss Tibouchina Jules with its profuse display of large purple flowers through Autumn and Winter.  This evergreen shrub grows to about 1m in height and produces small green leaves covered in fine hairs giving it the appearance of velvet.  Needs a full sun position protected from frosts.  Prune well after flowering in Spring to promote bushy growth.

Grows in all Climate Zones.