15 Small Native Shrubs for Your Australian Garden

Grevillea 'Poorinda Royal Mantle' is a ground-hugging shrub native to coastal Queensland. With vibrant red flowers and a spreading form, it's an ideal choice for gardens looking to add a burst of color. This species typically reaches a height of 30-60 cm and a width of 1-2 meters, thriving in full sun to partial shade. Grevilleas are known for their low-maintenance requirements, making them suitable for various garden sizes. The plant is adapted to low to moderate water levels and boasts striking red flowers. As a native of coastal Queensland, it contributes to local ecosystems while providing a stunning visual display.

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  Height: 30-60 cm
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  Width: 1-2 meters
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  Sun: Full sun to partial shade
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  Water: Low to moderate
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  Soil: Well draining
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  Flower Colour: Red
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  Native to: Coastal Queensland, Australia

Banksia 'Birthday Candles' is a dwarf banksia variety featuring golden flower spikes, ideal for smaller gardens and container gardening. Native to Western Australia, this compact shrub adds a touch of the West to gardens across the country. It typically reaches a height of around 60 cm and has a width of 1 meter. 'Birthday Candles' thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, showcasing its adaptability to various conditions. The golden flower spikes create a stunning visual impact, making this banksia variety a standout choice for Australian gardens.

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  Height: varies greatly 60cm - 3 meters
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  Width: varies greatly 1m - 3 meters
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  Sun: Full sun
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  Water: low to moderate
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  Soil: Well draining
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  Flower Colour: Golden
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  Native to: Western Australia

Correa 'Dusky Bells' is a charming shrub with bell-shaped flowers, native to Victoria and New South Wales. With its compact growth and attractive foliage, it is well-suited for shaded areas in the garden. 'Dusky Bells' typically reaches a height of 1 meter and a width of 1.5 meters. It thrives in partial shade and well-drained soil. This correa species is known for its adaptability to various conditions and its ability to attract native birds to the garden. The pinkish-red bell-shaped flowers add a touch of elegance to the landscape.

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  Height: 1 meter
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  Width: 1.5 meters
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  Sun: Partial shade
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  Water: Low to moderate
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  Soil: Well draining
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  Flower Colour: Pinkish-red
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  Native to: Victoria, New South Wales

Dwarf Bottlebrush 'Little John' is a compact and hardy shrub with striking red bottlebrush-like flowers. Native to eastern Australia, this variety is an excellent choice for gardens with limited space. 'Little John' typically reaches a height of 1 meter and has a similar spread. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. With its drought tolerance and vibrant flowers, this bottlebrush variety adds color and interest to the garden throughout the year. The nectar-rich flowers attract birds and pollinators, contributing to the overall biodiversity of the garden.

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  Height: 1 meter
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  Width: Similar spread
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  Sun: Full sun
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  Soil: Adaptable
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  Flower Colour: Red
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  Native to: Eastern Australia

Kangaroo Paw 'Bush Ranger' is a smaller variety of the iconic Australian kangaroo paw, known for its tubular flowers in shades of red and green. Native to Western Australia, this plant adds a touch of the outback to your garden. 'Bush Ranger' typically reaches a height of 60 cm and thrives in full sun. It's well-suited for well-drained soil and is drought-tolerant once established. The unique and distinctive flowers, resembling kangaroo paws, make this variety a standout feature in any garden, attracting native birds and curious onlookers alike.

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  Height: 60 cm
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  Sun: Full sun
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  Soil: Well-drained, some adaptable
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  Flower Colour: Red and green
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  Native to: Australia

Dwarf Grevillea 'Pink Pixie' is a petite grevillea with delicate pink flowers and fine, fern-like foliage. Native to New South Wales, this compact shrub is an excellent choice for smaller gardens and rockeries. 'Pink Pixie' typically reaches a height of 50 cm and a width of 1 meter. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. The unique foliage and charming flowers add texture and color to the garden, attracting nectar-feeding birds. With its adaptability and low-maintenance requirements, 'Pink Pixie' is a delightful addition to Australian landscapes.

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  Height: 50 cm
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  Width: 1 meter
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  Sun: Full sun to partial shade
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  Soil: Well-drained
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  Flower Colour: Pink
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  Native to: New South Wales, Australia

Dwarf Boronia (Boronia spp.) is a fragrant and low-growing shrub, native to various regions in Australia, including parts of Victoria and New South Wales. With its aromatic leaves and petite flowers, it's a delightful addition to gardens. The height of Dwarf Boronia varies by species, typically ranging from 30 to 60 cm. It thrives in well-drained soil and partial to full sun. The fragrant flowers and compact growth make Dwarf Boronia a perfect choice for borders, rockeries, or containers. Enjoy the sensory experience this native shrub brings to your garden.

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  Height: 30-60 cm
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  Sun: Partial to full sun
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  Soil: Well-drained
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  Flower Colour: Varies by species
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  Native to: Various regions in Australia

Coastal Rosemary 'Wynyabbie Gem' (Westringia fruticosa) is a small, compact shrub with rosemary-like leaves and white flowers. Native to coastal areas of New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia, this hardy shrub is well-suited for coastal gardens. 'Wynyabbie Gem' typically reaches a height and width of 1-1.5 meters. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. The small white flowers appear in clusters, creating a beautiful contrast with the grey-green foliage. With its coastal tolerance and versatility, 'Wynyabbie Gem' is a popular choice for gardens along the Australian coastline.

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  Height: 1-1.5 meters
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  Width: 1-1.5 meters
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  Sun: Full sun
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  Soil: Adaptable
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  Flower Colour: White
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  Native to: Coastal areas of NSW, Victoria, South Australia

Tea Tree 'Captain Cook' (Leptospermum scoparium) is a dwarf tea tree with many cultivars. There are light or dark foliage and flowers range from white, pink and red. Native to Australia and New Zealand, this compact shrub is a versatile and hardy choice for gardens. 'Captain Cook' typically reaches a height of 1 meter and a width of 1.5 meters. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. The profusion of pink to red flowers in spring adds vibrant color to the garden, attracting pollinators. With its compact size and decorative features, 'Captain Cook' is a popular option for both formal and informal garden settings.

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  Height: 1 meter
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  Width: 1.5 meters
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  Sun: Full sun
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  Soil: Adaptable
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  Flower Colour: Pink to red
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  Native to: Australia, New Zealand

Dwarf Lilly Pilly 'Tiny Trev' (Syzygium australe) is a compact and dense shrub with glossy green leaves and bronze new growth. Native to eastern Australia, this Lilly Pilly variety is well-suited for hedging and screening in smaller gardens. 'Tiny Trev' typically reaches a height and width of 1-1.5 meters. It thrives in full sun to part shade and well-drained soil. The compact size and attractive foliage make it an excellent choice for formal gardens or as a container plant. With its resistance to pests and diseases, 'Tiny Trev' is a reliable and low-maintenance option for Australian landscapes.

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  Height: 1-1.5 meters
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  Width: 1-1.5 meters
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  Sun: Full sun to part shade
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  Soil: Adaptable
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  Flower Colour: Creamy-white
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  Native to: Eastern Australia

Tetratheca ericifolia, commonly known as the Heath Pink-bells, is a charming shrub with slender stems and pink bell-shaped flowers. Native to various regions in Australia, including heathlands and woodlands, this plant thrives in well-drained, acidic soils. With a height of approximately 1 meter, it makes an excellent addition to gardens seeking a delicate and colorful touch.

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  Height: Approximately 1 meter
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  Light: Full sun to partial shade
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  Water: Adaptable, acidic soils
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  Flower Colour: Pink
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  Native to: Various regions in Australia

Acacia brownii, commonly known as the Heath Wattle, is a graceful shrub featuring clusters of golden-yellow flowers. This Australian native plant is well-suited to a variety of garden styles and thrives in well-drained soils. With a height of around 1 meter, it adds a touch of elegance to gardens and attracts native birds with its vibrant blooms.

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  Height: Around 1 meter
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  Light: Full sun to partial shade
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  Soil: Sandy to clay loam
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  Flower Colour: Golden-yellow
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  Native to: Australia

Banksia nivea, also known as the Honeypot Dryandra, is a distinctive shrub renowned for its large cylindrical flower spikes and serrated leaves. Native to the southwest of Western Australia, this banksia species is well-adapted to sandy soils. It blooms with cream-colored flowers, attracting native wildlife to the garden. With a height of around 1 meter, Banksia nivea adds a unique flair to Australian gardens.

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  Height: Around 1 meter
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  Light: Full sun
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  Water: Well-drained sandy soils
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  Flower Colour: Cream
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  Native to: Southwest of Western Australia

Grevillea 'Winter Delight' is a delightful shrub known for its year-round flowering and compact size. With vibrant red and cream-colored flowers, this Grevillea cultivar adds a splash of color to gardens. Its low-maintenance nature and adaptability to various soil types make it a favorite among gardeners. Whether used as a focal point or in mixed plantings, 'Winter Delight' brings beauty to Australian gardens.

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  Height: Compact size
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  Light: Full sun to partial shade
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  Water: Well-drained soils
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  Flower Colour: Red and cream
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  Native to: Cultivar

Leptospermum 'Horizontalis' is a low-spreading shrub celebrated for its weeping habit and small, dark green leaves. Native to Australia, this Leptospermum cultivar blooms with charming white flowers, creating a cascade of beauty. With a prostrate growth habit, 'Horizontalis' is an excellent choice for ground covers, rockeries, or hanging baskets, adding a touch of elegance to various garden settings.

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  Height: Low-spreading
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  Width: 2-3 meters
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  Light: Full sun
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  Soil: Adaptable
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  Flower Colour: White
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  Native to: Australia