Have you ever wondered about the types of shrubs in Australia? Thanks to its near-perfect climate, the country has an incredible array of shrubs.
These range from broadleaf trees to woody vines to flowering bushes.
Equally important, if you’re planning on visiting Australia, it’s important to know what types of shrubs can be found there.
Shrubs are often used to landscape Australian homes and businesses as hedges or focal points in the yard or garden area.
Even within these general categories, you’ll find hundreds of species within them.
To learn more about different types of shrubs in Australia, read on!
1. Grevillea’s Peaches and Cream
The types of shrubs in Australia include the Grevilleas. These flowering shrubs are native to eastern and southern Australia and are popular both as garden plants and as potted indoor plants.
Further, they range from tiny shrubs just a few inches high to tree-like forms 15 feet (4.5 m) tall or more. The colors are many, including pink, orange, red, yellow, cream, white, blue, and purple.
2. Callistemon ‘Endeavour’
In contrast to the other types of shrubs in Australia, Callistemon ‘Endeavour’ is a variety of bottlebrushes. The Callistemon are easy-to-grow, adaptable shrubs that can be used as hedges, screens, or borders.
They have an open and airy appearance even when dense. Likewise, their low-growing nature makes them ideal for rock gardens and small spaces.
Specifically, ‘Endeavour’ has a compact form with narrower leaves than other varieties. It grows to between 4 and 6 feet (1.2 to 1.8 meters) tall with a spread of 3 to 4 feet (0.9 to 1 meter).
This variety has been known to produce clusters of salmon-pink flowers every spring through summer, although some do not flower as well as others.
3. Buckinghamia Celsissima (Ivory Curl)
Next on the types of shrubs in Australia to be discussed is Buckinghamia celsissima (ivory curl). It is a small tree that grows slowly to about 15 m but sometimes reaches 25 m. It has a lignotuber so that it can resprout after bushfires.
At some rate, in forested areas, it may reach 30 m tall and have an open crown. It becomes a dense shrub around 1.5 m high and wide at more exposed sites. The leaves are elliptic to lanceolate, 5-14 cm long, with short petioles less than 3 mm long.
Also, they occur in whorls of three or four pairs along the stems from leaf axils near their ends. Again, they occur at internodes or on short-side shoots from upper leaf axils too.
4. Alyogyne Huegelii ‘West Coast Gem’
Alyogyne huegelii ‘West Coast Gem’, commonly known as West Coast gem and locally as ‘worongary’, is a shrub that is endemic to New South Wales.
It grows to between 1.2 and 3 meters high. Basically, it has stiff, upright branches with prominent spine-like leaves about 20 millimeters long and 10 millimeters wide at their base.
In addition, deep pink flowers are produced from late summer to early winter, followed by large fruit pods, which may be up to 15 centimeters long.
Above all, these plants can be killed by fire, but notwithstanding, they regenerate from seed fairly quickly after bushfires. Quite a strong one considering the types of shrubs in Australia.
5. Grevillea ‘Flamingo’
Grevilleas are a popular shrub for use in Australian gardens since many varieties are easily propagated and generally only require occasional pruning.
Grevilleas have long clusters of red flowers that can be quite attractive. However, you’ll likely need to prune your Grevilleas annually to keep them attractive.
Pruning will promote new growth and prevent your shrub from becoming overgrown. If you like Grevilleas but want an easier-to-maintain variety regarding the types of shrubs in Australia, consider ‘Flamingo’.
Besides, it has clusters of red flowers with pink tips (which makes them appear orange) and grows up to 7 feet tall with a similar spread.
6. Telopea Speciosissima (New South Wales Waratah)
Telopea speciosissima is a member of the family Proteaceae. It is an evergreen shrub that can reach up to 12 m (39 ft) tall by 12 m (39 ft) wide. Usually, it only grows to 6–8 meters (20–26 ft) tall.
On the one hand, the unusual species name ‘speciosissima’ means most beautiful. And on the other hand, common names include waratah or New South Wales waratah.
Certainly, it should be the prettiest of the shrubs, as explained above. And if not, it’s definitely one of Australia’s prettiest types of shrubs!
7. Adenanthos Sericeus ‘Copper Glow.’
Speaking of the different types of shrubs in Australia, Adenanthos sericeus ‘Copper Glow’ is one of them. This small shrub does best in a warm, sunny location with good drainage and regular watering. The plant can be planted from seed or stem cuttings.
Moreover, it requires very little maintenance beyond annual pruning to keep it from getting out of control. We have grown Adenanthos sericeus ‘Copper Glow’ in our commercial landscaping for many years.
Thus, we recommend it for landscapes where low-growing plants are needed that provide interest throughout most of the year and not just during the spring and summer months.
8. Melaleuca Thymifolia (Thyme Honey Myrtle)
Melaleuca thymifolia (or broad-leaved paperbark) is a plant species that is native to northern Queensland, Northern Territory, and Western Australia. Some authorities regard it as a synonym of Melaleuca armillaris.
Further, it grows along watercourses and billabongs on seasonally inundated flats, floodplains, and tidal estuaries, including mangrove forests.
When flooded, it has arching stems growing up to 1m tall; when dry, these shrubs resemble tall grasses.
9. Acacia Iteaphylla (Flinders Range Wattle)
Acacia is a genus of around 550 species in the subfamily Mimosoideae. It belongs to the Fabaceae family. Many members produce gum, which has been used as traditional medicine since prehistoric times.
Originally, the genus was named by botanist Robert Brown after his tutor, Professor Joseph Knight.
Concerning the types of shrubs in Australia, if you are looking for a versatile plant, you might want to go for this Flinders Range Waffle. This will beautify your landscape and serve medicinal purposes, amongst other benefits!
10. Acacia Melanoxylon (Blackwood)
Blackwood is an Australian tree with common names, including Jarrah, Australian Cedar, and Western Red Cedar (in Western Australia). It can grow to between 30 and 40 meters tall.
Again, keep reading to learn about other different types of shrubs in Australia. Not only are you sure to find these around the cities, but also in the suburbs and countryside of this beautiful country!
11. Eremophila Nivea (Silky Eremophila
Without doubts, this plant to be discussed next is, in truth, one of the most adorable plants of the types of shrubs in Australia!
Eremophila Nivea (silky eremophila) is a member of the figwort family and is also known as a gold-fringed fuchsia bush. The shrub has white or yellow flowers that are known to attract bees.
Aside from its aesthetic appeal, Eremophila Nivea (silky eremophila) is often planted along highways.
Because it produces colorful blooms that can withstand heavy car exhausts and other vehicle emissions without being damaged, it is most commonly used for erosion control and roadside maintenance, especially in arid climates like Australia.
12. Breynia Ironstone Range
Breynia is a genus of small trees, also known as Breynia. The genus was recently reclassified from its former classification as a member of the Proteaceae family to its new classification in a unique family, Breyniaceae. Breynias are native to eastern Australia.
In particular, they grow naturally in rainforests, littoral rainforests,s and moist scrubland, where they will reach heights up to 13 meters (43 feet).
There are approximately 30 different species within the Breynia genus, and all are endemic (only found) in Eastern Australia.
13. Hibiscus Aussie Pearl (PBR)
Also known as Hibiscus rosa-Sinensis, Aussie Pearl is a popular ornamental variety and hardy shrub. The pea-like flowers are quite large (to 6 inches across) and come in bright pink, red or orange colors.
Due to its attractive appearance, durability, and ease with which it can be propagated from cuttings or suckers, Aussie Pearl is grown all around Australia.
With these in mind, Aussie Pearl is an option when confused about the types of shrubs in Australia that you want to choose from!
14. Callistemon Candy Pink
Callistemon Candy Pink, a gorgeous deciduous shrub with brilliant pink flowers, will turn heads all year round. This beauty is perfect for planting near your front door or along your walkway.
Did you know that Callistemon Candy Pink is a fun way to brighten up even a dull and boring winter day? Now, you know!
As a plus, these evergreen shrubs can be pruned into hedges if you want to keep them tidy. Likewise, you might simply allow them to grow and climb into an unruly tangle of deep green leaves and beautiful blossoms.
A great addition to just about any garden, no matter what you’re looking for! Still, bewildered about what type(s) to choose from other shrubs in Australia? What more can you ask that Callistemon Candy Pink doesn’t offer?
15. Hibiscus Aussie Delight (PBR)
Another variety native to Western Australia is Hibiscus Aussie Delight. This popular shrub features mauve-colored flowers and a reddish-brown square stem at its base and green on top.
Uniquely, it reaches heights of up to 6 feet tall, so plant it towards the back or side of your garden. The PBR variety can be difficult to grow due to its high sensitivity to cold temperatures.
Luckily, there are many others that make excellent substitutes when winter rolls around! With all the types of shrubs in Australia, there will always be one to resort to! Not to worry!
16. Paynes Thryptomene
Paynes thryptomene is native to Western Australia and is called Candlewood. It will grow best with lots of sunshine, moist soil, and well-drained soil.
The leaves are small, narrow, and green, with a reddish undertone that turns purple as they age.
That being said, the shrub also produces pink flowers that bloom during the early autumn months. They require minimal maintenance and are drought-tolerant once established.
Looking for a unique, colorful shrub compared to other types of shrubs in Australia? Paynes thryptomene may be just right for you! Not only does it grow easily in sunny areas, but it also doesn’t require much attention!
17. Grevillea Mini Marvel
Do you desire a shrub that is stress-free yet proffers all that is needed of it? Voilà! The Grevillea Mini Marvel! As one of the types of shrubs in Australia, it might as well marvel at you as its name shows.
Proceeding the mini marvel is a small, evergreen shrub that can reach up to 1.5 meters; it’s perfect for low-maintenance gardens too.
Also, it is notable for its profusion of tiny yellow and white flowers that flower during summer. Thus, providing color where it’s needed most (and on otherwise dreary winter days).
And even though it grows slowly, its size can be increased by pruning each spring lightly. Besides watering every once in a while, the mini marvel needs little maintenance.
In fact, it tolerates drought extremely well and doesn’t need fertilizer because its shallow roots keep it from drying out as fast as other plants.
18. Grevillea Old Gold
Finally, we have Grevillea Old Gold, which is one of the types of shrubs in Australia. The Grevilleas are a large genus within the family Proteaceae, with around 450 species native to Australia.
The common name for these shrubs is grevilleas or gee-ver-lays (for all you Aussie vernacular buffs).
Similarly, about 60 related plants are found in New Caledonia, New Guinea, Norfolk Island, Lord Howe Island, and Fiji—in fact, anywhere with a warm and wet environment that mimics Australia.
