Short & sweet native shrubs
Short & sweet native shrubs
Australian native plants are making their way into a broad range of garden designs today. New cultivars have introduced a broader colour palette and the always interesting foliage and flowers of natives are back in vogue, especially when paired with contrasting plant groups in rambling, cottage garden styles.
There are a huge range of compact native shrubs that make for excellent feature shrubs, border plants or impressive, low-care potted plants. Here is a selection of our most popular low growing native shrubs available in-store. To view our full range and get advice on your garden visit your local Flower Power.
Popular low growing native shrubs
Grevillea lanigeraThis low spreading shrub has a woolly, grey finish on it's green foliage which helps protect the plant from the elements. Grevillia lanigera will flourish in windy and coastal gardens and is also frost and drought resistant once established. Gorgeous pink and cream flowers burst up in late winter to early spring and attract birds. Botanical name: Grevillia lanigera Common name: Grevillia Mt Tamboritha Height: up to 80 centimetres Width: up to 1.5 metres Ideal position Plant in full sun or part shade. This hardy Grevillea will tolerate most soil types as long as drainage is good. Caring tips Mulch and water regularly for the first 12 weeks while the plant establishes. Once established Grevillia lanigera is very low maintenance but it does appreciate a feed with a slow release native fertiliser in spring. Sizes available instore 200mm pots. |
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Grevillea rosmarinifolia Scarlet SpriteProlific scarlet red flowers are the star of this neat shrub. Flowers look like colourful unfurling tendrils which contrast against the fine, deep green foliage year round. Birds are just as attracted to the flowers as we are. This tough native shrub will tolerate drought and frost and will thrive in any garden. Botanical name: Grevillea rosmarinifolia Scarlet Sprite Common name: Rosemary grevillea Height: up to 1 metre Width: up to 80 centimetres Ideal position Plant in full sun and well draining soil to enjoy plenty of flowers. Caring tips Water regularly in the first eight to 12 weeks. Once established this shrub is very low maintenance. Feed with a slow release native fertiliser in spring. Give rosemary grevillea a light prune at the end of summer to keep dense and tidy. Sizes available instore 200mm pots. |
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Grevillea rhyoliticaGrevillea rhyoliticac is loved for its hardiness, low maintenance, compact form and clusters of spidery, red flowers. The slightly pendulous flowers are in full flush during spring and summer but can be spotted year round. Flowers attract bird life and are long lasting. Grevillea rhyolitica is frost tolerant. Botanical name: Grevillea rhyolitica Common names: Deua grevillea, deua flame Height: up to 1.5 metres Width: up to 2 metres Ideal position Plant in full sun in well drained soil. Caring tips Feed with a slow release native fertiliser in spring. Trim lightly after a heavy flush of blooms to encourage further flowering and shrub fullness. Sizes available instore 200mm pots. |
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Grevillea Lady OBright red, spidery flowers contrast against compact foliage making Grevillea Lady O a popular native shrub. An excellent choice as a feature shrub, groundcover, in rockeries or in a pot. Flowers appear all year and attract birds into the garden. Grevillea Lady O is hardy and frost tolerant. Botanical name: Grevillea Lady O Common name: Grevillea Lady O Height: 1.5 metres Width: 1 to 2 metres Ideal position Plant in full sun in well drained soil. Caring tips Grevillea Lady O is a low maintenance shrub but will benefit from a regular light prune to encourage dense habit. Feed with a slow release native fertiliser in spring. Sizes available instore 200mm pots. |
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Philotheca buxifoliaThis native shrub lights up in spring and summer with gorgeous masses of white, star-like flowers opening from pale pink buds. Foliage is compact and aromatic with a blue-green colouring. Philotheca buxifolia would look right at home in any native garden, cascading over a retaining wall or in a pot. This native shrub is hardy and frost tolerant. Botanical name: Philotheca buxifolia Common names: Cascade of stars, box-leaf waxflower Height: up to 1.5 metres Width: up to 1 metre Ideal position Plant in a semi-shaded position in well drained, sandy soil. Caring tips Philotheca buxifolia is very low maintenance but benefits from a light prune after flowering and appreciates mulching. Sizes available instore 200mm pots. |
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Banksia spinulosa Birthday CandlesThis evergreen native shrub has dense foliage and spectacular golden flowers in autumn and winter. Banksia spinulosa has a mound shape and makes a great border plant, addition to rockeries or feature plant in a pot. The striking flowers attract birds and bees into the garden. A hardy, frost tolerant shrub. Botanical name: Banksia spinulosa Birthday Candles Common name: Banksia Height: 50 centimetres Width: 60 centimetres Ideal position Plant in full sun or light shade. Prefers well drained well drained soil. Caring tips A very low maintenance native shrub. Most shouldn't require fertilising but they can be trimmed to keep in shape if necessary. Sizes available instore 140mm; 200mm; and 250mm pots. |
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Tetratheca thymifoliaDon't let the brightly coloured, delicate looking flowers fool you. This is one tough native shrub that would fit right into a cottage garden style. Tetratheca thymifolia is an evergreen native with dense foliage and a mounded form. In spring the shrub bursts with brilliant, pendulous pink flowers with a black centre. The flowers attract butterflies, native bees and birds into the garden. Low maintenance and hardy Tetratheca thymifolia is great in the ground or in pots and will tolerate light frost. Botanical name: Tetratheca thymifolia Common names: Fairy bells, Black-eyed Susan Height: up to 1 metre Width: up to 75 centimetres Ideal position Plant in a well drained sunny or lightly shaded position. Caring tips Give it a light trim and a feed with an organic slow release fertiliser after flowering. Sizes available instore 140mm pots. |
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Crowea salignaGlossy green, waxy leaves make Crowea saligna an attractive shrub or small hedging plant. They also make a fantastic pot specimen. Beautiful and large pink flowers spring from this native shrub in late summer through to winter. Native bees are attracted to the stunning five-petalled flowers. Crowea saligna is tolerant of light frosts. Botanical name: Crowea saligna Common name: Willow leaved crowea Height: 1 metre Width: 1 metre Ideal position Plant in full sun to part shade in well drained soil. Caring tips Keep moist in summer while establishing but it will become drought tolerant once settled. To keep in shape and encourage bushy growth prune lightly in spring. Sizes available instore 140mm pots. Seasonal availability Available from autumn to spring. |
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Acacia cognataLooking to add some contrast with vibrant year-round colour in the garden? This compact native shrub ticks all the boxes. Bright, lime-green foliage forms into a ball shape making Acacia cognata an excellent feature shrub or container plant for gardens of all shapes and sizes. Small yellow, ball-shaped flowers appear in spring and attract birds into the garden. Botanical name: Acacia cognata Common name: Limelight Height: up to 1 metre Width: up to 1 metre Ideal position Plant in full sun to part shade in well drained soil. Caring tips Remove dead or dying branches but otherwise this native shrub needs very little attention. Sizes available instore 140mm and 200mm pots. Seasonal availability Available from autumn to spring. |
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Chorizema cordatumFor a spectacular display of vivid colour you should consider this native shrub. Bright orange and pink flowers appear in winter and spring to brighten the garden. Its small form makes it an excellent shrub for small spaces. Works well in rockeries and cottage garden styles. Botanical name: Chorizema cordatum Common name: Coral flame pea, heart-leaf flame pea Height: 75 centimetres to 1 metre Width: 1 metre Ideal position Plant in full sun to part shade in well drained soil. Caring tips Ensure to keep well watered in hot weather. Give a light trim after flowering to keep compact. Sizes available instore 140mm pots. |
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Correa jezabellThis native shrub is tough, easy to grow and has beautiful flowers making it a garden favourite. Foliage is glossy green and bell-shaped, red flowers attract birds through autumn and winter. It has a low, mounding habit and looks fantastic planted under trees that provide dappled sunlight. Correa jezabell is frost tolerant and performs well in coastal areas. Botanical name: Correa jezabell Common name: Wild fuchsia Height: 75 centimetres to 1 metre Width: 75 centimetres Ideal position Plant in full sun to part shade in well drained soil. Caring tips Give a light prune after flowering to keep compact. Sizes available instore 140mm pots. Seasonal availability Available from autumn to spring. |
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Boronia megastigmaA scent-sational native shrub for your garden thanks to it's sweetly scented flowers. Flowers are bell-shaped and a rich plum colour with a yellow centre. Their shape, colour and perfume make them a great cut flower so you can enjoy them inside as well as out. Boronia megastigma is frost tolerant. Botanical name: Boronia megastigma Common name: Heaven scent Height: 50 centimetres Width: 30 centimetres Ideal position Plant in full sun to part shade in well drained soil. We suggest planting near an entrance or a window of your home to enjoy the beautiful fragrance. Caring tips Prune regularly to keep to shape. Sizes available instore 140mm pots. Seasonal availability Available from autumn to spring. |
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Rhodanthe anthemoidesA small native shrub with a compact, mounding growth habit. Masses of papery-white flowers with yellow centres appear through spring and summer. Rhodanthe anthemoides looks gorgeous in a cottage garden, as a feature plant (in the ground or in a pot) or cascading over a garden wall. Rhodanthe anthemoides is frost tolerant. Botanical name: Rhodanthe anthemoides Common name: Paper cascade, paper daisy Height: 30 centimetres Width: 40 centimetres Ideal position Plant in full sun in well drained soil. Caring tips Water regularly if planted in a pot or during hot periods. Give a hard prune in late summer to encourage compact growth. Sizes available instore 140mm pots. Seasonal availability Available from autumn to spring. |
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Dampiera strictaThis tough native shrub makes a great border plant or addition to rockery or coastal gardens. They also look great as a feature shrub in a pot. Deep blue flowers with a yellow throat appear through spring and summer and attract native bees into the garden. Botanical name: Dampiera stricta Common name: Glasshouse glory Height: up to 50 centimetres Width: up to 75 centimetres Ideal position Plant in full sun to part shade in well drained soil. Caring tips If you want to encourage Dampiera stricta to spread further give a hard prune after flowering. Sizes available instore 140mm pots. Seasonal availability Available from autumn to spring. |