Native Shrubs

Very pretty erect perennial shrub. Similar to T.rosea only with orange flowers. Important nitrogen fixing legume and bee attracting plant for fast colourful garden in-filling in well drained sunny areas. Relatively common across rocky, sandstone Top End and on sandy lowlands, occasionally in monsoon forest and vine thicket. Low maintenance and hardy. Most Tephrosia considered toxic, as commonly used as traditional fish poison. Very fast growing but can be short lived. 1-2M

Glorious open fast growing shrub with blue-green holly-like foliage and brilliant flowers turning from red to yellow-orange, seen ongoing throughout the year. A rare Grevillea hybrid and one of the Top End's most decorative. Open form serves to further highlight stunning blooms. Prefers well drained soils in full sun 3-4M

Very low spreading Grevillea shrub from the Western Top End. Holly like leaves and white-cream to cream-yellow-green flowers. Hardy and showy low ground cover specimen for border, filling and accent in garden beds and rockeries. Rarely seen in cultivation. Prefers rocky well drained soils in full sun. 1-2M

Fast growing, very hardy and evergreen understory bushy shrub or small tree. Smooth globular red-black fleshy berries favoured by birds. Widely distributed in coastal monsoon vine thickets, sand dunes, cliffs, rock outcrops, open woodland, sandstone and lowland country. Foundation ornamental screening tree for revegetation, coastal plantings and urban/rural gardens. 1-5M

Impressive small, erect and very hardy decorative shrub, similar to Pink Turkey Bush but bursting with masses of showy white star-like flowers. Common in open wood/shrubland on lateritic soils, sandstone escarpment country, slopes, ledges and rocky banks near freshwater streams. Suitable for borders, filling, screening and feature plantings in waterwise gardens. 1-4M

Medium sized stately wattle with attractive brown grey flaky bark and beautiful yellow flowers in bloom. Very hardy, fast growing and tolerates a variety of habitats. Common in sandstone escarpment, deep riverine sand and open forest or woodland. Excellent showy tree for gardens and rural properties. Also useful as windbreak and for rehabilitation or soil stabilisation. 2-6M

Pretty, slender and unique NT native rainforest understory shrub from the Arnhem plateau, endemic to the Top End. Almost luminous blue-green foliage, large platters of butterfly attracting green and white flowers and masses of stunning blue-grey fruit favoured by birds. Prefers full-part shade in rich moist, well drained soils. Suitable as indoor plant, rarely seen in cultivation. 1-3M

Gorgeous erect native lilly endemic to Northern Australia, with broad glossy blue-green strappy leaves and large clusters of white-purple perfumed flowers. Tolerates full sun or partial shade in waterlogged areas, sandy and clay soils. Attractive to bees, butterflies and birds. Excellent specimen for border edge plantings or potted. Bulbs are considered poisonous. 1-2M

Versatile and hardy perennial native lily found in moist areas near streams and tidal areas. Tolerates full sun or partial shade. Broad strappy leaves and large tall clusters of white, pleasantly scented flowers make for a beautiful feature plant in garden or potted. Grows in poorly drained soils, under other trees and will flower in shade. 1.5-2.5M

Common, although extremely variable evergreen native vine, vigorous climber or scrambling shrub. Occasionally tree form. Wide ranging in coastal bushland, Acacia woodland, dry and riverine forest. Juicy cream grape-shaped edible fruits & seeds, with leaves cooked and eaten as a vegetable. Wide medicinal uses. 2-5M

Beautiful, iconic and endemic native Cycad found across Top End Eucalyptus and open deciduous woodland forests. One of the smallest species. Listed as vulnerable and fully protected in the NT. A stunning termite resistant ornamental landscape feature planting. Light orange-brown palm like new feathery leaves, becoming glossy at maturity. Extremely fire tolerant and long lived. Deciduous, less so under irrigation. Wide indigenous uses, although all parts considered toxic.

Beautiful native Gardenia shrub with similarly scented small pretty white tubular flowers. Large glossy leaves, dry woody fruits and smooth creamy grey bark. A very useful & hardy species for seaside plantings or in ornamental gardens with well-drained soils. Prefers open sunny position. Tolerates coastal & sandy conditions. 2-4M

Stunning large, hardy & rare true-form NT Native shrub to small tree. (SYN: Melaleuca viminalis). Gorgeous foliage and profuse bright crimson red flower spikes, very attractive to a variety of native birds. Excellent fast growing & showy screening plant for sandy/clay soils in full sun. Useful for erosion control. Can tolerate coastal environments, light shade and be readily pruned. Requires moisture for establishment. 5-7M

Distinctive small pendulous central Australian tree or shrub. Covered with bright cream to yellow flower blooms, and bright red sticky seeds. Useful small, unique and hardy filler tree. 6-8M

Very hardy & highly versatile small strappy garden edging & low ornamental planting. Heavily scented nectar attracts pollinating insects. Suitable for indoor potting, or full sun. Australian native to all but NT & WA. 0.4-1M

Small erect and very colorful perennial shrub with bursts of yellow pea flowers and rattling seed pods. Fast growing & spreading as garden bed filler and highly attractive to native butterflies, particularly the Swamp/Plain Tiger and Common Crow species. Can require management to keep contained. Thought to be toxic to some livestock, otherwise a very attractive small garden bed feature specimen. 1M

Bushy semi-deciduous edible shrub, more evergreen when irrigated. Tolerates full sun or part shade. Smooth tasty fleshy berries, black when ripe. Butterfly food plant. Associated with sandstone country, monsoon forests near freshwater streams, open forest and woodland. 3-5M

Delicious endemic NT Native edible. Favoured bush tucker. Small sprawling semi-deciduous shrub with dense glossy foliage & ripe purple fruits used to make dye, jam or eaten fresh. Found in sandstone country, monsoon thickets & open woodland. Male and female plants, best planted in multiples to maximise fruiting viability. Flowers & fruits from 2-3m tall. 1.5-3M

Attractive fast growing low & spreading shrub wattle from Central Eastern Top End. Leathery smooth dark green leaves and bright yellow cylindrical spiked flowers. Hardy specimen suitable for borders & low screening in full sun & well drained soils. 2M

Very rare, near threatened NT endemic Grevillea restricted to the Daly River basin and Fergusson Range. Ornate hardy feature garden planting with stunning reddish flowers that turn black upon ripening. Found on rocky slopes in open woodland. Prefers full sun & good drainage. Highly sought after in parks and gardens. 2–4M

Very hardy, robust and pretty waterwise Australian native, with striking red flowers. Densely foliaged, fast growing bird attractant. Can be regularly pruned to encourage beautiful new red tipped growth and bursts of scarlet flowers. Prefers well drained soil & full sun. Suitable for all suburban and rural gardens. 2-3M

Decorative evergreen shrub endemic to Nth QLD. Spectacular dry season floral display of pale yellow flowers. Part shade tolerant, flowers as a shrub or can be grown in a pot. Very attractive to birds & bees. 3-5M

Attractive trailing shrub. Watermelon pink to white/cream hibiscus-like flowers last one day, but prolific during wet season. Re-shoots from underground tuber with first rains. Tubers, leaves and shoots edible raw or cooked. Wide medicinal uses. Food plant for the Spotted Bollworm moth and Cotton Leaf roller. 1-1.5M

Slender, open and delicate shrub/small ornamental tree, with fine needle-like leaves and regular bursts of pale yellow flowers blooming throughout. Hardy feature wattle for urban and rural garden beds. 2-5M

Attractive and neat well formed erect shrub to small tree for woodland garden plantings, with reddish bark and yellow flowers. Widely distributed across the Top End in sandy soils and open forests. Wide indigenous uses including edible gum & seeds, soap, adhesive & pain relief. 2.5-5M

Hardy and extremely showy ornamental understory shrub for gardens and rockeries. Small elephant ear shaped leaves. Long cylinder deep yellow to golden flowers. 2-3M

Erect, hardy and pretty multi branched wattle, with profuse bursts of bright yellow flowers. Useful screening and landscape shrub for waterwise gardens. 1-4M

Delicate, pretty and neat small shrub with pale yellow pod flowers. Compact garden bed ornamental. Foliage used as herb flavouring for cooking meat. Flowers for long periods. 1-3M

Extremely hardy and fast spreading shrub. Very common Acacia species across Darwin with yellow rod shaped flowers and twisted seed pods. Seeds ground to make flour, damper or flat bread or as soap wash. Very useful revegetation species. 3-4M

Near threatened beautiful and distinctive weeping wattle from restricted area of VRD region with fine delicate leaves and pretty yellow flowers along branchlets. Drooping form provides hardy and handsome small shrub feature planting for rockeries and woodland gardens. 3-5M