Evergreen Trees

Looking for a little shade from the hot afternoon sun? Or perhaps you want more privacy to screen out the neighbours or have some nice foliage in the garden for aesthetic appeal. Planting evergreen trees is the simple solution, but which ones are the perfect fit for your garden?

Evergreen trees offer both shade and privacy while also providing wind protection. They can also act as shelter for other plants and are year-round features in the garden.

You can find ornamental and dwarf varieties that suit most garden sizes, and larger specimen or feature trees are commonly used in parks and gardens. In Australia, the Eucalyptus varieties are among the most commonly grown.

When landscaping or considering environmental benefits, it’s important to consider various varieties, including ornamental, dwarf, large-growing, and fast-growing species. Many people seek fast-growing trees as a solution; however, keep in mind that fast growth often leads to larger rather than smaller trees, so the final size should be a key consideration when choosing any tree, regardless of the type.

Evergreen Tree Resources

• Small trees for Gardens and Courtyards.
• Small Eucalypts for the garden.
• Magnolias
• Screening Trees

A – Z List of Evergreen Trees for the Australian Gardens

Best Evergreen Trees

The trees listed all have different requirements; however, all are reasonably hardy trees.

• Acmena smithii Minor
  The Lily pilly is a fantastic Australian Native tree used widely as a screening plant and in topiary.
  Prefers: Full sun.
• Agonis flexuosa
  Commonly called the Willow Myrtle. A medium-sized tree growing to around 12m. It has a nice weeping habit with a spreading canopy. Tolerates dry conditions and, with some additional water over the first few years, is a reasonably fast-growing tree.
  Prefers: Full sun.
  Flowers: Small white, slightly fragrant flowers in spring to summer.
• Araucaria cunninghamii
  Hoop Pine is a tall tree to 40m. Used widely as a shade tree or street tree in open areas. Also suitable as a windbreak. Reasonably drought tolerant and will cope well with coastal conditions.
  Prefers: Full sun.
• Arbutus andrachnoides
  A fantastic garden specimen tree with very colourful bark and white ‘Lily of the Valley’ flowers. It is a sterile cross, so it does not produce fruit and is not invasive like some other species.
• Cornus capitata
  A Dogwood tree that holds its leaves in most climates but will drop leaves in colder climates.
  Flowers: Yellow flowers in spring, followed by yellow fruits that attract birds. Try not to plant this one near a pathway. Will self-seed.
• Gordonia yunnanense
  Medium-sized upright tree growing to 10m. Suitable for use as a specimen tree with fragrant flowers in spring.
  Prefers: Full sun to part shade. Well-mulched root run to maintain moisture. Needs protection from frosts.
  Flowers: A little like ‘fried eggs’ white with yellow stamens. Very attractive with a citrus fragrance.
• Hibiscus tiliaceus
  Known as the Beach Hibiscus or Coastal Cottonwood. Will grow to 6-8m depending on conditions. Suitable for coastal plantings. Bronze foliage and a rounded spreading canopy.
  Prefers: A moist root run.
  Flowers: Pale yellow flowers from late winter.
• Ficus macrophylla
  Known as the Moreton Bay Fig. A tall growing spreading tree suitable to very large gardens or parkland. Lovely dense, dark green shiny foliage.
  Prefers: A moist but well-drained soil. Full sun.
• Ficus hillii
  Ficus microcarpa var. hillii or Hill’s Weeping Fig. Fast-growing tree to 20m. Best suited to parklands, very large gardens or open roadside plantings.
  Prefers: Generally a hardy tree but prefers humus-rich, moist, well-drained soil.
• Magnolia grandiflora
  The Magnolias range from very large trees to much smaller plants suitable for use as garden specimens or hedging plants. Includes Little Gem, Exmouth, Kay Parris, and Teddy Bear.
• Tristaniopsis laurina
  Water Gum or Kanooka. Yellow perfumed flowers in summer from this spreading tree. It will grow from 7-17m depending on conditions and is used as a street or garden shade tree.
  Prefers: Full sun to light shade and does require moisture.
• Ulmus parvifolia
  Chinese Elm. Depending on the climate, it will grow 8 -14m with a nice spreading canopy. Nice dark green foliage and will be deciduous or semi-deciduous in colder climates. Attractive bark indwell requires some water during dry periods. Used widely as a street tree.
• Waterhousea floribunda
  Weeping Lillypilly. A lovely tree for moist, humus-rich soil. It will reach 30m in ideal conditions.