Climate Zone

Subtropical

239 plants

Glossy Abelia · Abelia x grandiflora A tough arching shrub smothered for months in small, lightly fragrant white-to-pink bells set against bronze-tinted glossy foliage, with persistent rosy sepals. A reliable, bee-friendly informal hedge.
Okra · Abelmoschus esculentus A heat-loving relative of hibiscus with pretty yellow flowers and tender, ridged pods. Pick the pods young and often, before they turn woody.
Fringed Wattle · Acacia fimbriata A soft, weeping wattle with fine fringed foliage and a profuse late-winter display of fragrant lemon-gold pom-poms. Fast, hardy and ideal as an informal screen or quick filler.
Queensland Silver Wattle · Acacia podalyriifolia A striking large shrub clothed in rounded silvery-blue phyllodes and bright golden winter blossom. One of the most ornamental wattles, valued for foliage as much as flower.
Feijoa · Acca sellowiana Striking red-and-white edible flowers, then aromatic autumn fruit tasting of pineapple and mint. Tough, salt-tolerant and quick to clip into a productive evergreen hedge.
Maidenhair Fern · Adiantum raddianum Delicate, fan-shaped fronds of tissue-thin foliage on fine black stems. Pet-safe and graceful, it demands constant moisture and humidity to stay lush.
Agapanthus · Agapanthus praecox Spheres of blue or white flowers on tall stems above strappy clumps — a tough, drought-proof mass-planting staple. Choose sterile forms, as the species can self-seed into bushland.
Foxtail Agave · Agave attenuata A spineless soft-leaved agave forming large pale grey-green rosettes, eventually producing a dramatic arching flower spike like a foxtail. A widely planted soft-textured feature, safe and easy.
Chinese Evergreen · Aglaonema commutatum A tough, decorative foliage plant with patterned leaves in silver, green and pink. Among the most tolerant of low light and neglect, ideal for offices and dim rooms.
Silk Tree · Albizia julibrissin A spreading umbrella-shaped tree with feathery ferny foliage and fluffy pink powderpuff flowers through summer that draw butterflies and bees. Gives light, elegant dappled shade.
Alocasia Polly · Alocasia × amazonica Dramatic arrow-shaped leaves of deep green edged and veined in silvery white. A striking but demanding aroid that loves warmth and humidity.
Zebra Alocasia · Alocasia zebrina Prized for its zebra-striped stems holding aloft glossy arrowhead leaves. An eye-catching collector's aroid that needs bright light and steady humidity.
Krantz Aloe · Aloe arborescens A large branching shrub aloe with sprawling rosettes of toothed grey-green leaves, producing brilliant orange-red torch-like flower spikes through winter that draw nectar-feeding birds. A bold coastal feature.
Aloe Vera · Aloe vera A clumping rosette of thick fleshy grey-green leaves with toothed margins, filled with the soothing gel long used on burns, and sending up tall spikes of tubular yellow flowers. A practical pot staple.
Smooth-barked Apple · Angophora costata A magnificent large tree with sculptural, twisting limbs and smooth pink-to-orange bark that sheds to reveal salmon tones. Clusters of creamy summer flowers feed bees and birds.
Tall Kangaroo Paw · Anigozanthos flavidus The hardiest and most adaptable kangaroo paw — tall fans of strappy leaves topped by furry, nectar-rich flowers that birds adore. Tougher and longer-lived than the smaller hybrids.
Bush Pearl Kangaroo Paw · Anigozanthos 'Bush Pearl' A compact, disease-resistant kangaroo paw bearing deep pink furry flowers over a very long season above evergreen fans. Bred for pots and small gardens, it is a magnet for honeyeaters.
Custard Apple · Annona cherimola Knobbly green fruit with sweet, fragrant, custard-like flesh on a briefly deciduous subtropical tree. Hand-pollination greatly improves the crop in cooler districts.
Flamingo Flower · Anthurium andraeanum Glossy heart-shaped leaves and waxy, long-lasting spathes in vivid red, pink or white. A cheerful flowering houseplant that blooms much of the year in bright light.
Zebra Plant · Aphelandra squarrosa Striking dark leaves boldly veined in white, topped by bright yellow bracts. Beautiful but fussy, it demands warmth, humidity and steady moisture.
Heartleaf Iceplant · Aptenia cordifolia A fast spreading trailing succulent with heart-shaped glistening green leaves and bright magenta daisy-like flowers through the warm months. A vigorous water-wise groundcover and basket plant.
Cast Iron Plant · Aspidistra elatior Famously indestructible, with broad, upright dark-green leaves that shrug off deep shade and neglect. The go-to choice for difficult, dim corners.
Bird's Nest Fern · Asplenium nidus Broad, glossy, undivided fronds unfurl from a central rosette like a leafy nest. Pet-safe and easy-going, it tolerates lower light than most ferns.
Heath Banksia · Banksia ericifolia A dense shrub with fine heath-like foliage and brilliant orange-gold candle spikes through autumn and winter, drawing honeyeaters in numbers. A superb screening and bird plant.
Giant Candles Banksia · Banksia 'Giant Candles' A large vigorous banksia hybrid producing enormous orange-bronze flower spikes up to 40cm long through autumn and winter. A dramatic bird-attracting feature and bold cut flower.
Coast Banksia · Banksia integrifolia · from $5.50 A hardy coastal tree with dark-green leaves silvery beneath and pale-yellow flower spikes through autumn and winter that feed birds. Exceptionally salt- and wind-tolerant for seaside windbreaks.
Old Man Banksia · Banksia serrata A gnarled, characterful small tree with serrated leathery leaves, thick warty bark and large grey-green flower spikes that age to the woody 'big bad banksia men' cones. Tough and long-lived.
Polka Dot Begonia · Begonia maculata An angel-wing begonia with olive leaves spotted silver above and deep red beneath. Cane-like and elegant, it dangles clusters of white flowers in season.
Rex Begonia · Begonia rex Grown purely for its spectacular foliage swirled in silver, purple, pink and green. A jewel-toned feature plant that loves humidity and bright, indirect light.
Wax Begonia · Begonia semperflorens Compact mounds of glossy green or bronze leaves dotted with flowers from spring to frost, in sun or shade. Tidy, weather-proof and self-cleaning bedding; mildly toxic to pets.
Beetroot · Beta vulgaris · from $3.50 A cool-season root vegetable yielding sweet, earthy red roots and edible nutritious leaves. Reliable and easy from seed, with each knobbly cluster producing several seedlings.
Paper Flower · Bougainvillea glabra A thorny, vigorous evergreen climber celebrated for its dazzling, long-lasting papery bracts in vivid magenta and purple surrounding tiny white true flowers. Thrives in heat and revels in poor, dry soils.
Great Bougainvillea · Bougainvillea spectabilis A robust, large-growing climber armed with stout thorns and clothed in showy crimson, red and orange bract clusters over a very long season. A spectacular subtropical screen for hot, sunny positions.
Illawarra Flame Tree · Brachychiton acerifolius A spectacular Australian native that drops its leaves to reveal a blaze of bell-shaped scarlet flowers smothering the bare branches in early summer. A stunning feature shade tree.
Kurrajong · Brachychiton populneus A hardy, drought-tolerant Australian native with a swollen trunk, glossy poplar-like leaves and cream bell flowers. An iconic, long-lived shade and shelter tree for tough conditions.
Broccoli · Brassica oleracea var. italica · from $3.95 A cool-season brassica producing dense green flower heads followed by tender side shoots after the main head is cut. A rewarding winter crop in fertile, well-limed soil.
Angel's Trumpet · Brugmansia x candida A dramatic large shrub hung with enormous pendulous trumpet flowers that pour out a heady perfume in the evening. Spectacular but extremely toxic in all parts; handle and site with care.
Yesterday-Today-and-Tomorrow · Brunfelsia latifolia A fragrant shrub whose flowers open deep purple, fade to lavender then white, so all three shades appear together. Sweetly scented in spring; all parts are toxic, especially to dogs.
Japanese Box · Buxus microphylla var. japonica The classic clipped formal-hedge and topiary plant, with small glossy rounded leaves on dense slow growth. More heat-tolerant than English box and the standard low border edge in Australian gardens.
Kings Park Special Bottlebrush · Callistemon 'Kings Park Special' A vigorous large bottlebrush with weeping branches and bold crimson brushes in spring and autumn that are alive with honeyeaters. A reliable screen, windbreak or specimen.
Weeping Bottlebrush · Callistemon viminalis (Sol. ex Gaertn.) G.Don · from $3.95 A fast-growing, tough Australian native with weeping branches and brilliant red bottlebrush flowers — a reliable screening and bird-attracting plant for almost any soil.
Trumpet Vine · Campsis radicans A vigorous, self-clinging deciduous climber bearing bold clusters of orange-red trumpet flowers through summer that draw nectar-feeding birds. Robust and showy, but suckering and best given firm support.
Canna Lily · Canna indica Bold paddle-shaped leaves, often bronze or striped, topped by vivid tropical flowers all summer. Lush and fast in warmth, but the rhizomes can become invasive near waterways.
Capsicum · Capsicum annuum · from $3.95 A warm-season vegetable bearing crisp sweet capsicums or fiery chillies that ripen from green to red, yellow or orange. Compact and productive in garden beds or containers in full sun.
Tall Sedge · Carex appressa A vigorous weeping sedge forming a lush green fountain of fine arching foliage. Thriving in damp and boggy ground, it is a go-to for rain gardens, pond edges and erosion control.
Pigface · Carpobrotus glaucescens A hardy coastal succulent forming a fleshy mat that sprawls over dunes and rocks, bright with magenta-pink flowers and edible salty-sweet fruit. Superb for sandy, salt-blasted sites.
Carrot · Daucus carota · from $3.50 Crisp, sweet homegrown carrots — sow direct into deep, stone-free soil and thin well for straight roots. A near year-round crop in mild climates.
Celosia · Celosia argentea Flamboyant plumes or velvety brain-like crests in fiery colours that thrive in summer heat and humidity. Striking fresh or dried; loves warmth and resents cold, wet feet.
Peruvian Apple Cactus · Cereus repandus A tall columnar blue-green cactus with prominent ribs and spined areoles, opening large fragrant white night flowers followed by edible red fruit. A bold vertical accent and living hedge in dry gardens.
Parlour Palm · Chamaedorea elegans A compact, dainty feather palm that thrives in low light and tight spaces. Pet-safe and undemanding, a long-standing favourite for tabletops and shelves.
Spider Plant · Chlorophytum comosum An effortless classic with arching striped leaves that throws out dangling plantlets on long stems. Pet-safe, fast and endlessly propagated, perfect for hanging baskets.
Watermelon · Citrullus lanatus Long, hot summers reward you with heavy, sweet, thirst-quenching fruit on a sprawling vine. Needs warmth, room and a free-draining sandy bed to ripen well.
Lime · Citrus aurantiifolia Glossy evergreen leaves, fragrant white blossom and a heavy crop of tangy green fruit. The most cold-sensitive of the common citrus — give it the warmest, sunniest corner.
Grapefruit · Citrus x paradisi A large, vigorous citrus carrying big crops of tangy-sweet fruit that hang well on the tree. Needs warmth and a long season to develop its full flavour and sweetness.
Cumquat · Citrus japonica A neat, ornamental citrus smothered in small oval fruit eaten whole, sweet rind and all — superb for marmalade and candying. Tough, cold-hardy and made for a decorative pot.
Lemon · Citrus × limon The most useful tree in the backyard — fragrant blossom, glossy evergreen leaves and a heavy crop of fruit. Happy in the ground or a large pot on a sunny patio.
Mandarin · Citrus reticulata Easy-peel, sweet and almost seedless — the kids' favourite citrus on a compact, container-friendly tree. Generous winter crops follow a flush of fragrant spring flowers.
Orange · Citrus sinensis The backyard classic — heavily scented blossom in spring and sweet, juicy fruit through winter. A handsome evergreen that's just as happy as a large feature in a pot.
Bush Lily · Clivia miniata Glossy strap leaves and trusses of vivid orange trumpets light up dry shade where almost nothing else flowers. A long-lived clump-former; bulb and sap are toxic if eaten.
Taro · Colocasia esculenta Enormous heart-shaped leaves on tall stalks, often flushed in dramatic dark purple. A water-loving tropical that makes a lush, bold feature in a bright, humid spot.
Ti Plant · Cordyline fruticosa Vivid strappy foliage flushed in pink, burgundy and green on upright stems. A colourful tropical accent that brightens warm, bright interiors.
Coriander · Coriandrum sativum · from $3.50 A fast cool-season herb whose pungent leaves and citrus-flavoured seeds are staples of Asian, Mexican and Indian cuisine. Best direct-sown and grown quickly, as it bolts in heat.
Red Flowering Gum · Corymbia ficifolia One of the most spectacular flowering trees in the world, smothered in summer with huge corymbs of scarlet, orange or pink blossom alive with birds and bees. A rounded shade tree for warm gardens.
Cosmos · Cosmos bipinnatus Airy ferny plants topped by simple daisies that wave on tall stems and adore poor, dry soil. One of the easiest cut flowers from seed, loved by bees and butterflies.
Jade Plant · Crassula ovata A robust shrubby succulent with thick woody stems and glossy oval jade-green leaves often edged in red, bearing clusters of starry white-pink flowers in winter. An enduring easy-care container classic.
Fishbone Prayer Plant · Ctenanthe burle-marxii Low, spreading clumps of pale leaves brushed with dark green fishbone bars and burgundy undersides. A lush, pet-safe groundcover-style foliage plant for shaded rooms.
Rockmelon · Cucumis melo Fragrant, netted-skin melons with sweet orange flesh, trailing across a sunny bed. Like watermelon, it craves a long hot season to develop full sweetness.
Cucumber · Cucumis sativus · from $3.50 A fast-growing warm-season climber or trailer producing crisp refreshing fruit through summer. Easy and prolific, best trained up a trellis in full sun with steady moisture.
Pumpkin · Cucurbita maxima Sprawling vines that ramble across the garden and reward you with heavy, sweet, long-keeping fruit. Give them room and a rich, sunny bed and they'll do the rest.
Zucchini · Cucurbita pepo One of the most productive plants in the garden — a single bush can swamp a kitchen with glossy summer fruit. Pick young and often for the best flavour and a steady supply.
String of Pearls · Curio rowleyanus A delicate trailing succulent strung with rows of round pea-like green beads, each with a translucent window, spilling in long curtains and producing small fragrant white brush flowers. A favourite hanging plant.
Lemongrass · Cymbopogon citratus A lush, fountaining clump of citrus-scented grass — the swollen leaf bases lend their fragrance to Thai and Vietnamese cooking. Loves warmth and resents cold, wet winters.
Dahlia · Dahlia hybrid Tuberous summer stars in an astonishing range of forms and colours, from pompons to dinner-plate blooms. Lift or mulch the tubers in cold districts; deadhead for months of cut flowers.
Rabbit's Foot Fern · Davallia fejeensis Lacy, finely divided fronds rise from furry creeping rhizomes that drape over the pot like little paws. Pet-safe and charming in a hanging basket.
Blue Flax-Lily · Dianella caerulea A clumping strappy native with starry blue flowers followed by glossy violet berries that draw birds. Tough, tidy and at home in mass plantings or pots.
Little Jess Flax Lily · Dianella 'Little Jess' A compact, clumping flax lily with deep green strappy leaves, sprays of blue starry flowers and purple berries. A neat, tough small native for borders, pots and mass planting.
Dumb Cane · Dieffenbachia seguine A lush, upright foliage plant with large leaves marbled in cream and green. Striking and easy, but its sap is irritating, so handle with care around pets and children.
Large Wild Iris · Dietes grandiflora Strappy evergreen iris from southern Africa with elegant white flowers marked yellow and violet, opening in fortnightly flushes. Almost indestructible, though it can naturalise.
Persimmon · Diospyros kaki Glowing orange fruit that hangs on bare branches like lanterns after the leaves drop in fiery autumn colour. Largely self-fertile and ornamental in every season.
Corn Plant · Dracaena fragrans 'Massangeana' Thick woody canes crowned with arching, corn-like leaves striped yellow-green. A tough, low-light floor plant that brings tropical height indoors.
Madagascar Dragon Tree · Dracaena marginata An architectural plant with slender canes topped by spiky rosettes of red-edged leaves. Drought-tolerant and sculptural, it adds height to any bright room.
Snake Plant · Dracaena trifasciata Upright, sculptural sword-leaves that tolerate anything from a dim hallway to a bright window, and weeks without water. As tough as houseplants get.
Geisha Girl Duranta · Duranta erecta 'Geisha Girl' A fast warm-climate shrub bearing sprays of two-tone purple-and-white flowers followed by golden berry clusters. Popular as a colourful clipped hedge; the berries and leaves are toxic if eaten.
Golden Cane Palm · Dypsis lutescens A clumping feather palm with golden stems and arching fronds that bring tropical lushness indoors. Pet-safe and popular as a bright-room floor specimen.
Queen of the Night · Epiphyllum oxypetalum An epiphytic cactus with long flattened leaf-like stems that produce enormous fragrant white flowers opening for a single night. A spectacular, fragrant nocturnal basket and patio plant.
Pothos · Epipremnum aureum The forgiving trailing vine that thrives on neglect and low light — cascade it from a shelf or train it up a pole. The first plant for nervous beginners.
Seaside Daisy · Erigeron karvinskianus A tireless little daisy that tumbles over walls and seeds into paving cracks, its white blooms ageing to pink. Flowers nearly year-round in mild climates but can naturalise readily.
Loquat · Eriobotrya japonica Big, ribbed evergreen leaves and clusters of sweet-tart yellow fruit that ripen in early spring. Fragrant winter flowers feed the bees when little else is in bloom.
Summer Red Flowering Gum · Eucalyptus 'Summer Red' A compact grafted flowering gum bred for masses of large deep red to coral blooms through summer and autumn. A small, reliable feature tree that performs across most of Australia.
Red Ironbark · Eucalyptus sideroxylon 'Rosea' A handsome upright tree with deeply furrowed near-black ironbark and blue-grey foliage, carrying pink to red winter flowers rich in nectar. Tough, drought-hardy and excellent for birds.
Firesticks · Euphorbia tirucalli A striking succulent of slender pencil-thin branching stems that blaze coral-orange to fiery red in cool sunny weather, carrying a highly caustic milky sap. A bold drought-proof feature to handle with care.
African Milk Tree · Euphorbia trigona An upright branching succulent with three-sided green ridged stems lined with small paired spines and teardrop leaves, exuding an irritant milky sap. A fast architectural feature, often mistaken for a cactus.
Weeping Fig · Ficus benjamina A graceful indoor tree with arching branches and small, glossy pointed leaves. It dislikes being moved and may drop leaves while settling, but is elegant once established.
Fig · Ficus carica Bold, lobed leaves and sweet, soft fruit on a tough, drought-hardy Mediterranean tree. Self-fertile and easy — thrives even in a large pot to keep its roots restrained.
Rubber Plant · Ficus elastica A robust indoor tree with thick, glossy oval leaves in deep green or burgundy tones. Tolerant and long-lived, it grows into a handsome upright specimen.
Fiddle Leaf Fig · Ficus lyrata The fashionable indoor tree with enormous, violin-shaped leathery leaves. A striking architectural statement that rewards a bright, draught-free spot and steady routine.
Nerve Plant · Fittonia albivenis A low, spreading plant with leaves laced in fine pink or white veins. Pet-safe and perfect for terrariums, it dramatically wilts when even slightly dry.
Strawberry · Fragaria × ananassa Sweet homegrown berries from a low, spreading plant that's as happy trailing from a hanging basket as carpeting a bed. Runners give you free new plants each year.
Strawberry · Fragaria x ananassa Sweet homegrown berries from a low, spreading plant as happy trailing from a hanging basket as carpeting a bed. Free runners give you new plants each year.
Freesia · Freesia hybrid Intensely perfumed funnel flowers on arching stems, a beloved cut flower that scents the whole garden. The species forms can naturalise and are a weed risk in mild climates.
Garden Pea · Pisum sativum · from $3.95 Sweet, crunchy peas straight from the pod — a cool-season climber that's one of the easiest and most rewarding crops to grow from seed.
Florida Gardenia · Gardenia augusta 'Florida' A compact rounded gardenia carrying intensely perfumed, waxy double white flowers above glossy emerald foliage from spring into summer. One of the most popular fragrant shrubs for warm gardens and pots.
Gardenia · Gardenia jasminoides Intensely perfumed white blooms against dark glossy leaves — the scent of a subtropical summer. Give it warmth, acidic soil and steady moisture and it flowers for months.
Ox Tongue · Gasteria bicolor A shade-tolerant succulent with thick tongue-shaped dark green leaves speckled in white, bearing arching sprays of curved stomach-shaped red-and-green flowers. An easy, forgiving, pet-safe collector's plant.
Butterfly Bush · Gaura lindheimeri Airy wands of white-to-pink flowers dance on wiry stems like a cloud of butterflies for months on end. Drought-proof and self-cleaning, it brings movement to any sunny border.
Carolina Jasmine · Gelsemium sempervirens A graceful, twining evergreen climber smothered in fragrant bright-yellow trumpet flowers in late winter and spring. Elegant and hardy, but every part of the plant is highly poisonous.
Gladiolus · Gladiolus hybrid Tall one-sided spikes of funnel flowers, a staple of the summer cutting patch, grown from corms planted in succession. Stake in windy spots; some species are environmental weeds.
Rattlesnake Plant · Calathea lancifolia Long, wavy-edged leaves spotted like a rattlesnake's skin with rich purple undersides. A lively, pet-safe Calathea that folds upright as evening falls.
Peacock Plant · Calathea makoyana Intricately feathered leaves with translucent peacock patterning and purple undersides. A pet-safe stunner that demands humidity and softened water.
Calathea Orbifolia · Calathea orbifolia Large rounded leaves striped in silvery green that ripple with quiet drama. A pet-safe beauty that rewards humidity and even moisture with show-stopping foliage.
Grevillea Moonlight · Grevillea 'Moonlight' · from $18.95 A large, fast-growing hybrid bearing long cream-white toothbrush flowers almost continuously, set against ferny green foliage. An outstanding bird-attracting feature or informal screen.
Grevillea 'Robyn Gordon' · Grevillea 'Robyn Gordon' · from $4.50 One of Australia's most popular garden hybrids — a low-maintenance native shrub producing red toothbrush flowers almost year-round to feed the birds.
Cooper's Haworthia · Haworthia cooperi A jewel-like rosette of plump translucent blue-green leaves with glassy 'windowed' tips that glow when backlit, allowing light into the buried plant body. A coveted collector's miniature.
Zebra Plant · Haworthiopsis fasciata A small slow-growing rosette of stiff dark green pointed leaves banded with raised white tubercle stripes like zebra markings. A tough, pet-safe windowsill gem that tolerates lower light than most succulents.
Sunflower · Helianthus annuus Giant golden heads track the sun on towering stems, feeding bees in flower and finches in seed. One of the most rewarding and fast plants to grow from seed with children.
Daylily · Hemerocallis hybrid Each trumpet lasts a single day but the clumps churn out wave after wave through the warm months. Adaptable and tough; note that daylilies are toxic to cats.
Dwarf Umbrella Tree · Heptapleurum arboricola An easy, bushy indoor tree with glossy leaflets fanning out like umbrella spokes. Fast-growing and tolerant, it responds well to pruning and even bonsai.
Hibiscus · Hibiscus rosa-sinensis The quintessential tropical flowering shrub, producing a non-stop succession of huge, flamboyant trumpet flowers in every warm colour. Loves heat and sun; frost-tender but spectacular in warm gardens.
Hippeastrum · Hippeastrum hybrid Huge trumpet flowers on stout stalks make a spectacular pot or border display in warm climates. The large bulbs are easy and long-lived but toxic to pets and people.
Kentia Palm · Howea forsteriana The elegant, arching feather palm beloved since Victorian parlours, tolerant of low light and neglect. Pet-safe and graceful, the classic indoor palm.
Wax Plant · Hoya carnosa A long-lived trailing vine with thick waxy leaves and clusters of star-shaped, sweetly scented flowers. Pet-safe and undemanding, it blooms best when slightly potbound.
Busy Lizzie · Impatiens walleriana The go-to bedding plant for shade, smothering itself in flat flowers all the warm months in moist soil. Frost-tender and thirsty, it rewards regular water with non-stop colour.
Sweet Potato · Ipomoea batatas A vigorous, heat-loving vine grown from rooted cuttings called slips, yielding sweet, nutritious tubers. The leaves are edible too, and it makes a lush summer groundcover.
Blue Morning Glory · Ipomoea indica A fast, twining climber that opens a daily flush of large azure-blue to purple funnel flowers. Striking but highly invasive, it is a serious environmental weed that smothers bushland and gardens.
Jacaranda · Jacaranda mimosifolia A spreading subtropical tree famed for its haze of violet-blue trumpet flowers in late spring, carpeting the ground beneath. Fine fern-like foliage gives dappled summer shade.
Pink Jasmine · Jasminum polyanthum A twining evergreen climber that erupts in late winter and spring with masses of pink-budded white flowers carrying a powerful sweet perfume. Fast and floriferous, though it can spread beyond its bounds.
Arabian Jasmine · Jasminum sambac A tender, scrambling evergreen jasmine bearing intensely fragrant waxy white flowers that age to pink, blooming through the warmer months. Beloved for perfume, garlands and scenting tea.
Flaming Katy · Kalanchoe blossfeldiana A compact succulent with glossy scalloped green leaves smothered in long-lasting clusters of tiny bright flowers in red, pink, orange or yellow. A hugely popular flowering gift and patio plant.
Paddle Plant · Kalanchoe thyrsiflora A striking succulent with large rounded paddle-shaped leaves stacked in a rosette, the grey-green blades edged in brilliant red when sun-stressed, before a tall fragrant yellow flower spike. A bold pot feature.
Panda Plant · Kalanchoe tomentosa A charming succulent clothed in dense silvery felt, its plump leaves tipped with chocolate-brown notches like furry ears. A soft, tactile, easy-care novelty for bright windowsills.
Dusky Coral Pea · Kennedia rubicunda A tough, fast Australian native climber and groundcover bearing dusky red pea flowers in spring that attract honeyeaters. Hardy and adaptable, it is excellent for binding banks and quick cover.
Red Hot Poker · Kniphofia uvaria Bold pokers of tubular flowers glow red, orange and yellow above grassy clumps, brimming with nectar for honeyeaters. Tough, drought-hardy and dramatic in the summer border.
Tick Bush · Kunzea ambigua A soft, arching shrub with fine aromatic foliage smothered in fluffy honey-scented white flowers in late spring that hum with bees and insects. A fast, hardy screen for coastal sites.
Lettuce · Lactuca sativa · from $3.50 A fast, easy cool-season leafy vegetable in crisp, cos and loose-leaf forms for year-round salads. Quick from seed and ideal for cut-and-come-again harvesting in beds or containers.
Crepe Myrtle · Lagerstroemia indica A reliable summer-flowering tree bearing big crinkled trusses of pink, mauve, red or white bloom for months, with mottled peeling bark and rich autumn tones. A heat-tolerant favourite.
French Lavender · Lavandula dentata The toughest lavender for warm Australian gardens, with grey toothed leaves and an exceptionally long flowering season. Tolerates humidity better than English types.
Lemon-scented Tea Tree · Leptospermum petersonii A tall tea tree with aromatic lemon-scented foliage and white spring blossom, often grown as a fragrant informal hedge. The leaves can be steeped for a citrus bush tea.
Weeping Tea Tree · Leptospermum 'Cardwell' · from $16.95 A graceful weeping tea tree smothered in masses of small white flowers in late winter and spring above fine arching foliage. A reliable, hardy feature and informal screen for native gardens.
Lilly Pilly · Syzygium australe · from $3.95 Australia's favourite native screen — glossy evergreen leaves flushed coppery-red when new, clipping into dense hedges and topiary, followed by edible magenta berries the birds love.
Lychee · Litchi chinensis A dense, dome-shaped evergreen bearing clusters of red, knobbly-skinned fruit with sweet, perfumed flesh. Needs warmth, humidity and a cool dry spell to flower well.
Sweet Alyssum · Lobularia maritima A low carpet of tiny honey-scented flowers that hum with bees and hoverflies, perfect for edging and baskets. Tough, quick and self-seeding in mild climates.
Lime Tuff Mat-rush · Lomandra 'Lime Tuff' A compact, dense lomandra with fine lime-green foliage forming a tidy rounded tussock. Tough and low-care, it suits formal borders, mass plantings and containers.
Spiny-head Mat-rush · Lomandra longifolia An indestructible strappy-leaved native that thrives in sun or shade, wet or dry, coast or inland. The workhorse of low-maintenance landscaping and erosion control.
Japanese Honeysuckle · Lonicera japonica A vigorous twining climber valued for its intensely sweet-scented white flowers that age to yellow through summer. Beautiful and nectar-rich, but a declared environmental weed that smothers native vegetation.
Brush Box · Lophostemon confertus A robust evergreen Australian native with a dense rounded canopy of glossy leaves, peeling reddish-brown bark and fluffy white summer flowers. A tough, widely planted street and shade tree.
Chinese Fringe Flower · Loropetalum chinense 'China Pink' A burgundy-leaved shrub draped in spidery, fringed hot-pink flowers, repeating through the year against rich purple foliage. A striking colour-contrast feature, hedge or container plant.
Macadamia · Macadamia integrifolia Australia's own gourmet nut — a glossy rainforest evergreen from the subtropical east coast bearing rich, buttery kernels. Long-lived and handsome as a shade tree.
Little Gem Magnolia · Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem' A compact, narrow magnolia with glossy dark leaves backed in rich rust felt and large, lemon-scented creamy-white flowers borne over a long season. A versatile screening and feature shrub-tree.
Chilean Jasmine · Mandevilla laxa A vigorous twining climber bearing clusters of fragrant white trumpet flowers through summer, hardier than its tropical relatives. The sweet evening perfume makes it a charming choice for warm pergolas.
Dipladenia · Mandevilla sanderi A glossy-leaved twining climber producing a continuous show of large trumpet flowers in vivid red, pink and white through the warm months. Compact and free-flowering, it is ideal for pots and patio trellises.
Mango · Mangifera indica The taste of a tropical summer — a spreading evergreen laden with fragrant, juicy stone fruit. Needs real warmth and a dry spell to flower and crop reliably.
Prayer Plant · Maranta leuconeura Velvety leaves patterned with herringbone veins that fold up like praying hands at night. A charming, pet-safe trailer that loves warmth and humidity.
Snow in Summer · Melaleuca linariifolia 'Claret Tops' · from $17.95 A compact form of the popular paperbark with striking burgundy new growth maturing to green, and fluffy white summer flowers. Hardy and adaptable for hedges, screens and feature planting.
Thyme Honey-myrtle · Melaleuca thymifolia A small, dainty paperbark with fine blue-green leaves and curious fringed mauve-purple claw flowers through the warmer months. Tolerates wet feet and suits damp or boggy spots.
Port Wine Magnolia · Michelia figo A dense evergreen shrub with small cup-shaped cream flowers edged maroon that release a powerful banana-and-bubblegum perfume on warm days. A classic fragrant screening plant.
Swiss Cheese Vine · Monstera adansonii A trailing or climbing aroid with smaller leaves riddled with oval holes, giving a delicate lace effect. Lovely spilling from a basket or scrambling up a pole.
Swiss Cheese Plant · Monstera deliciosa The iconic split-leaf houseplant — big, glossy, holey foliage that turns any bright corner into a jungle. Easy-going indoors and dramatic at scale.
Black Mulberry · Morus nigra Sweet, deep-purple berries that stain everything they touch — a self-fertile, long-lived shade tree the whole street's birds will find. Quick-growing and tough.
Orange Jessamine · Murraya paniculata · from $16.95 A glossy-leaved evergreen famed for flushes of intensely fragrant white flowers resembling orange blossom, followed by red berries. A popular dense hedge in warm-climate gardens, but frost-tender.
Dwarf Sacred Bamboo · Nandina domestica 'Nana' A compact mounding shrub grown for fine ferny foliage that turns brilliant red and burgundy in cold weather. Tough and low, it makes a colourful mass planting or low border. Berries are toxic to pets.
Boston Fern · Nephrolepis exaltata A classic feathery fern with arching fronds that spill beautifully from a hanging basket. Pet-safe and lush, it thrives with humidity and consistent moisture.
Oleander · Nerium oleander An extremely tough, heat- and drought-proof shrub flowering all summer in pink, white or red. Ideal for hot, dry and coastal screens, but every part is highly toxic to people and animals.
Sweet Basil · Ocimum basilicum · from $3.50 The essential summer herb — pinch it often for bushy growth and a steady supply of fragrant leaves. Fast and rewarding from seed in warm weather.
Olive · Olea europaea Silvery evergreen leaves on a gnarled, exceptionally long-lived and drought-proof tree. Grown for the fruit, for oil, or simply as a sculptural, clip-able feature.
Prickly Pear · Opuntia ficus-indica A large segmented cactus of flat oval green pads armed with spines and fine barbed glochids, bearing yellow flowers and edible red-purple fruit. A declared weed in much of Australia, so plant with care.
Sweet Marjoram · Origanum majorana Sweeter, milder and more delicate than its cousin oregano — a tender perennial often grown as an annual in cooler gardens. Lovely in dressings and with roast vegetables.
Bower Vine · Pandorea jasminoides · from $16.95 A vigorous evergreen climber with glossy foliage and large trumpet-shaped pink flowers with deep rose throats through the warmer months. Ideal for covering pergolas, fences and arbours.
Wonga Wonga Vine · Pandorea pandorana A hardy, fast Australian native climber bearing dense clusters of small creamy bell flowers often marked with maroon or brown throats in spring. Tough and adaptable, it screens quickly and shrugs off dry spells.
Blue Passionflower · Passiflora caerulea An ornamental evergreen to semi-deciduous climber bearing intricate blue-and-white flowers with a striking filament crown, followed by ornamental orange fruit. Hardier than the edible passionfruit but prone to suckering.
Passionfruit · Passiflora edulis A vigorous evergreen tendril climber grown for its exotic fringed purple-and-white flowers followed by aromatic, tangy purple fruit. A productive backyard favourite for warm, sheltered fences and pergolas.
Zonal Geranium · Pelargonium hortorum The indestructible pot geranium, flowering almost year-round in mild climates with rounded, often zoned leaves. Thrives on neglect, heat and a sunny windowsill or balcony.
Watermelon Peperomia · Peperomia argyreia Named for its rounded leaves striped silver and green like watermelon rind, on red stems. A pet-safe, compact charmer for bright indirect light.
Emerald Ripple Peperomia · Peperomia caperata A tidy little plant with deeply corrugated, heart-shaped leaves in rich green or burgundy. Pet-safe and compact, topped with slender rat-tail flower spikes.
Baby Rubber Plant · Peperomia obtusifolia A compact, easy-care plant with thick, glossy rounded leaves that store water. Pet-safe and forgiving, it suits small spaces and tabletops.
Avocado · Persea americana A large evergreen carrying buttery, nutrient-rich fruit — but it demands free drainage and hates wet feet. Grafted trees fruit far sooner than seedlings.
Curled Parsley · Petroselinum crispum Tightly ruffled, deep-green leaves on a tidy biennial that crops for the best part of a year. Slow to germinate but worth the wait for a constant kitchen supply.
Petunia · Petunia hybrida Trumpet flowers in a dazzling colour range smother trailing or mounding plants all season long. Superb in baskets and pots; deadhead and feed for a non-stop show.
Dwarf Bean · Phaseolus vulgaris A compact, self-supporting bean that crops heavily over a few weeks — no trellis needed. Sow successively through the warm season for a continuous supply of tender pods.
Pink Princess Philodendron · Philodendron erubescens 'Pink Princess' A sought-after climber prized for dark, near-black leaves splashed with bubblegum-pink variegation. A standout collector's aroid that needs bright indirect light to keep its colour.
Heartleaf Philodendron · Philodendron hederaceum A forgiving trailing vine of soft, heart-shaped green leaves that cascades from shelves or climbs a moss pole. One of the easiest aroids for low light.
Xanadu · Philodendron 'Xanadu' A compact, clumping philodendron with glossy, finger-lobed leaves that holds a tidy mounded shape. A neat, low-fuss feature for pots indoors or shaded patios.
Photinia Robusta · Photinia x fraseri 'Robusta' A vigorous evergreen hedging shrub famous for its brilliant coppery-red new growth that flushes after each trim. Tougher and more upright than 'Red Robin', it makes a fast, dense screen.
Chinese Money Plant · Pilea peperomioides A quirky favourite with round, coin-like leaves on slender stalks held like little lily pads. Pet-safe and easily shared via its many offset pups.
Chinese Pistachio · Pistacia chinensis A tough, drought-hardy shade tree with glossy pinnate foliage that turns brilliant orange, red and crimson in autumn. An excellent, reliable choice for hot, dry street and park planting.
Dwarf Mock Orange · Pittosporum tobira 'Miss Muffet' A naturally compact, dome-shaped form of Japanese mock orange with whorls of leathery dark green leaves. Clusters of creamy flowers carry a rich orange-blossom scent in spring; excellent coastal low hedge.
Elkhorn Fern · Platycerium bifurcatum An epiphytic fern with antler-shaped fronds, usually mounted on a board to hang on a wall. Pet-safe and sculptural, it forms living green art.
Plumbago · Plumbago auriculata A sprawling, scrambling shrub awash with phlox-like sky-blue flower clusters from summer to autumn. Drought-hardy and butterfly-friendly, it makes a soft informal hedge or bank cover in warm climates.
Sweet Pea Bush · Polygala myrtifolia A fast, hardy shrub almost permanently dotted with purple-pink pea-shaped flowers brushed with a fringed keel. Excellent in dry coastal gardens, though it can self-seed and naturalise.
Elephant Bush · Portulacaria afra A bushy succulent with reddish-brown stems and small round glossy green leaves, edible and tangy, favoured for bonsai and hedging in warm climates and grazed by elephants in its native South Africa.
Japanese Plum · Prunus salicina Juicy, richly coloured fruit on a vigorous tree carrying a froth of early white blossom. Most Japanese plums need a partner variety nearby to set a good crop.
Pomegranate · Punica granatum Brilliant orange-red flowers in summer, then leathery fruit packed with ruby, juicy seeds. A tough, drought-hardy and self-fertile small tree that loves a hot, dry summer.
Radish · Raphanus sativus The fastest crop in the patch — peppery roots ready to pull just weeks after sowing. Perfect for impatient gardeners and for filling gaps between slower vegetables.
Indian Hawthorn · Rhaphiolepis indica 'Oriental Pearl' A tough, compact rounded shrub with leathery dark leaves and clusters of starry white-to-pink flowers in spring, followed by blue-black berries. A reliable low coastal hedge needing little care.
Lady Palm · Rhapis excelsa A clumping fan palm with glossy, finger-like fronds on slender bamboo-like canes. Pet-safe, shade-tolerant and refined, excellent for low-light interiors.
Mistletoe Cactus · Rhipsalis baccifera A soft trailing epiphytic cactus of fine cylindrical green stems cascading in a dense curtain, dotted with tiny cream flowers and translucent white mistletoe-like berries. A lush, spineless hanging plant.
Indica Azalea · Rhododendron indica 'Alba Magna' A large evergreen Indica azalea that blankets itself in big single white trumpet flowers in spring. Loves dappled shade and acid soil; all parts are toxic if eaten.
Anise-scented Sage · Salvia guaranitica Deep cobalt-blue flowers on tall stems, irresistible to nectar-feeding birds, over anise-scented leaves. Vigorous and free-flowering from early summer to the first frosts.
Mexican Bush Sage · Salvia leucantha Arching wands of velvety purple calyces and white flowers light up the autumn garden when little else performs. Grey, felted foliage shrugs off heat and drought.
Scarlet Sage · Salvia splendens Blazing spikes of scarlet bracts make this a bold bedding annual that nectar-feeding birds visit. Quick from seed and reliable for hot, sunny summer colour.
Fairy Fan-flower · Scaevola aemula A trailing native covered in distinctive fan-shaped mauve-blue flowers through the warmer months. Quick, heat-tolerant cover for hanging baskets, pots and sunny banks.
Christmas Cactus · Schlumbergera truncata An epiphytic forest cactus with flat segmented spineless stems that arch and trail, erupting in vivid pink, red or white tubular flowers in the cooler months. A long-lived heirloom basket plant.
Satin Pothos · Scindapsus pictus A handsome trailing aroid with matte, heart-shaped leaves dusted in silvery markings. Easy and elegant cascading from a shelf or hanging basket.
Burro's Tail · Sedum morganianum A trailing succulent forming long ropes densely packed with plump blue-green teardrop leaves coated in a chalky bloom, tipped with red-pink flowers in summer. Perfect tumbling from a hanging basket.
Tamarillo · Solanum betaceum A fast, shrubby small tree that crops within a couple of years, hung with glossy egg-shaped fruit. Tangy and rich — eaten fresh, stewed or in chutneys.
Potato Vine · Solanum laxum A fast, scrambling evergreen climber that produces near-constant clusters of starry white flowers with golden centres. A quick, soft screen for fences, though all parts are mildly toxic if eaten.
Tomato · Solanum lycopersicum · from $3.95 The backbone of the summer veggie patch — sprawling or staked, sweet or tart, there's a tomato for every garden. Sow from seed for the widest choice of varieties.
Eggplant · Solanum melongena Plump, glossy fruit in deep purple, white or striped, hanging from a sturdy, heat-loving bush. Needs a long warm season, so raise seedlings early indoors.
Potato · Solanum tuberosum Plant certified seed potatoes and hill them up as they grow for a rewarding underground harvest. Easy in beds, bags or pots — and homegrown new potatoes are a revelation.
Peace Lily · Spathiphyllum wallisii A reliable low-light favourite with lush dark foliage and elegant white spathe flowers. It dramatically droops when thirsty, making watering needs easy to read.
Madagascar Jasmine · Stephanotis floribunda A tender evergreen twiner with thick waxy leaves and clusters of pure white, powerfully fragrant tubular flowers prized in bridal bouquets. It needs warmth, humidity and a sheltered, frost-free spot.
Stevia · Stevia rebaudiana Leaves intensely sweeter than sugar yet with no kilojoules — a natural sweetener for teas and drinks. A frost-tender perennial best treated as an annual in cool gardens.
Giant Bird of Paradise · Strelitzia nicolai A towering tropical with huge, paddle-shaped banana-like leaves that fill a bright room. The quintessential statement plant for a sunny indoor corner.
Bird of Paradise · Strelitzia reginae Famous for its crane-like orange and blue flowers perched above blue-green paddle leaves. A bold sun-lover that flowers best when potbound in a bright spot.
Triostar Stromanthe · Stromanthe thalia 'Triostar' Bold leaves streaked cream, green and pink with vivid magenta undersides that flash when they move. A dramatic, pet-safe statement plant that craves humidity.
Arrowhead Vine · Syngonium podophyllum A versatile climber or trailer with arrow-shaped leaves in green, cream and pink shades. Quick-growing and adaptable, easily kept bushy with a trim.
French Marigold · Tagetes patula Cheery, pungent-leaved marigolds that flower for months and are a classic companion plant in the vegie patch. Quick and foolproof from seed, thriving in heat.
Fraser Island Creeper · Tecomanthe hillii A handsome Australian native rainforest climber with glossy foliage and showy clusters of rosy-pink trumpet flowers in spring. A choice, frost-tender vine for sheltered subtropical gardens.
Warrigal Greens · Tetragonia tetragonioides A hardy Australian native bush food that sprawls into a heat- and salt-tolerant spinach substitute when English spinach has bolted. Blanch the leaves before eating to remove oxalates.
Tree Philodendron · Thaumatophyllum bipinnatifidum A bold South American aroid with huge, deeply lobed leaves that form a lush rosette. A dramatic floor specimen for a bright indoor corner.
Kangaroo Grass · Themeda triandra An iconic native grassland species with blue-green tufts that turn russet-bronze in summer and nodding rusty seed heads. Drought-hardy, it suits meadows and low-water plantings.
Black-eyed Susan Vine · Thunbergia alata A cheerful, fast twining climber covered in bright orange, yellow or cream flowers each with a dark chocolate eye through the warmer months. Quick to cover a trellis but can self-seed readily.
Blue Trumpet Vine · Thunbergia grandiflora A rampant, large-leaved evergreen climber hung with pendulous clusters of pale blue to mauve trumpet flowers. Spectacular over big pergolas in the tropics, but a serious environmental weed in warm regions.
Lasiandra · Tibouchina lepidota 'Alstonville' A showstopping large shrub that smothers itself in vivid royal-purple flowers in autumn above velvety ribbed leaves. A favourite warm-climate feature; frost-tender and acid-loving.
Star Jasmine · Trachelospermum jasminoides A reliable evergreen twining climber smothered in masses of intensely fragrant, white pinwheel flowers through late spring and summer. The dense glossy foliage makes it a favourite for screening fences, pergolas and walls.
Wandering Jew · Tradescantia zebrina A fast trailing plant with shimmering leaves striped silver and purple above, vivid purple below. Easy and vigorous, it cascades brilliantly from a hanging basket.
Water Gum · Tristaniopsis laurina An adaptable evergreen Australian native with glossy leaves, smooth peeling orange-brown bark and fragrant yellow summer flowers. A popular, well-behaved street and feature tree.
Nasturtium · Tropaeolum majus Trailing or mounding plants with round lily-pad leaves and edible peppery flowers that thrive on neglect and poor soil. Both leaves and blooms spice up a salad; it self-seeds and can naturalise.
Chinese Elm · Ulmus parvifolia A graceful, spreading shade tree with small glossy leaves and beautiful mottled, flaking bark in tones of grey, orange and cream. Tough, disease-resistant and a popular bonsai subject.
Rabbiteye Blueberry · Vaccinium ashei A low-chill, heat-tolerant blueberry suited to warmer gardens, with white spring bells and fiery autumn foliage. Plant two varieties for the heaviest crop in acidic soil.
Purpletop Vervain · Verbena bonariensis Tall see-through stems carry clusters of mauve-purple flowers that butterflies adore, perfect for weaving through a border. Self-seeds freely and is a weed risk in some regions.
Sweet Viburnum · Viburnum odoratissimum 'Dense Fence' A vigorous large-leaved viburnum selected for upright, dense growth that makes a fast tall privacy hedge. Lightly fragrant white flower clusters appear in warm weather above lush green foliage.
Native Violet · Viola hederacea A dainty spreading groundcover with kidney-shaped leaves and white-and-purple flowers held on slender stems almost year-round. Loves cool, moist shade where it forms a lush living carpet.
Weeping Lilly Pilly · Waterhousea floribunda A graceful evergreen Australian native with gently weeping branches of glossy ripple-edged leaves and fluffy cream flowers. Excellent as a tall screen, shade tree or feature.
Coastal Rosemary · Westringia fruticosa A soft grey-green coastal shrub that clips beautifully into hedges and balls. Salt-proof, drought-proof and flowering most of the year — the native answer to box and lavender.
Wynyabbie Gem Coastal Rosemary · Westringia 'Wynyabbie Gem' A dense rounded shrub with fine grey-green foliage and mauve flowers through most of the year. Hardier and showier than the species, it clips superbly into hedges and balls.
ZZ Plant · Zamioculcas zamiifolia Glossy, architectural and nearly unkillable — the ZZ stores water in fat rhizomes and shrugs off dark corners and missed waterings. The ultimate low-care statement plant.
Calla Lily · Zantedeschia aethiopica Elegant white spathes curl around a yellow spadix above glossy arrow-shaped leaves, thriving in boggy ground. A serious environmental weed in parts of Australia and toxic to pets and people.
Sweet Corn · Zea mays Nothing beats a cob picked and cooked within the hour, while the sugars are still high. Sow in a block rather than a row so the wind can pollinate every plant.
Zinnia · Zinnia elegans Vibrant, long-stemmed daisies in hot colours that bloom relentlessly through summer heat. The more you cut, the more they flower; a butterfly magnet and cutting-garden staple.