Ideal Australian Tree Species for the Garden

If you are planning a garden revamp or are designing the exterior of a new build, trees will most certainly come into the equation, as they provide essential shade. Here is a list of the most popular tree species suited for the garden.

• Large Fruited Yellow Gum – A very attractive eucalypt with a full, but dense covering; the Eucalyptus leucoxylon flower colour ranges from red to pink and yellow, this tree is commonly found in South Australia and does not do so well in Sydney or Brisbane, due to the humidity.

• Dwarf Apple Gum – The Angophora hispida grows to a height of 6m, with a spectacular summer flowering, which attracts all insects and can be grown in most soil types. It needs frost protection when young, but does become quite hardy. If you are looking for tree care, check out http://www.arborcomm.com.au/ who can advise you on every aspect of tree care from planting to removal.

• NSW Christmas Bush – This compact shrub/tree produces a bright red flower and the Ceratopetalum gummiferum likes the sun, making it very suitable for shading or partitioning. Maximum height is 5m, this shrub is easy to shape and you can prune around 30% for best results, plus the NSW Christmas Bush is hardy and does not require large amounts of water.

• Baby Orange Flowering Gum – From the Corymbia family, it has large, shiny dark green leaves with brilliant orange blossoms in summer. This tree prefers well-drained soil in a sunny location and can be seen in gardens in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth. Birds are very attracted to the flowering gum, as they seek out the sweet nectar, and with pruning and shaping, this makes for an ideal way to inject some colour and contrast to any garden.

• Long-Flowered Morelock – Scientifically known as Eucalyptus macrandra, lemon flowers and a smooth bark make this a perfect feature tree, planted on its own, the Morelock with have spectacular yellowish bloom and this tree is virtually maintenance-free.

• Summer Red Flowering Gum – This is a Corymbia hybrid that has large green leaves and reddish foliage that really does attract the birds. This species prefers sunny spots with well-drained soil and is very hardy, growing to 4-5m, and it is classed as low-maintenance.

If you would like to see a range of images of popular Australian trees and shrubs, a Google image search is all it takes, then you can take a trip to a nearby nursery and see what they have on offer. A good choice of trees is essential for a well-balanced garden and make sure that a tree is well-suited to its planned location and that soil type is compatible.