Small Natives in High Demand

Small Native Trees for Australian Landscapes

Development trials on provenance-grown natives suitable for residential and community planting are ramping up, with councils in particular acknowledging the growing need to find and develop more species that fit within this popular short native tree category.

Short native Australian tree varieties

Why Small Native Trees Are in High Demand

With their often blue grey-green appearance, shorter height and finer leaf form, dwarf native trees with a mature height of between 4m to 8m tall are hugely popular in the marketplace, and their appeal continues to grow. 

They represent a species type that we know will tolerate Australian conditions, and they offer a compact growing alternative to the iconic trees found in gardens and state forests. Yet they have soil and climate preferences that still require specialist advice for placement and optimum potential.

Regional Suitability

There are some fabulous species under 10m tall. 

Most of the trees we have highlighted here are suitable for the south-eastern parts of Australia, but we usually recommend being guided by the advice of your grower. If you would like advice, we’re always happy to help! You can contact our team of experienced growers, here.

Why Small Native Trees Are in High Demand

With their often blue grey-green appearance, shorter height and finer leaf form, dwarf native trees with a mature height of between 4m to 8m tall are hugely popular in the marketplace, and their appeal continues to grow. 

They represent a species type that we know will tolerate Australian conditions, and they offer a compact growing alternative to the iconic trees found in gardens and state forests. Yet they have soil and climate preferences that still require specialist advice for placement and optimum potential.

Our Small Native Tree Collection

Ultra-Compact Varieties (4-5m)

Eucalyptus latens 'Moon Lagoon' - Fine-leafed Mallee Tree

Eucalyptus latens ‘Moon Lagoon’. Fall in love with this beautiful Fine Leafed Mallee Gum growing to 4m tall and a dense shrub with blue-green foliage. Juvenile growth is smallish in size and blue-silver, so it is often kept clipped small to keep this leaf shape and colour, so popular with contrast planting in landscaping and flower arranging.

Eucalyptus grefsoniana - Dwarf Mallee Snow Gum

Eucalyptus gregsoniana. This is a Dwarf Snow Gum growing to 5m tall with thick, leathery, blue-green foliage, which works to contrast with red coloured stems and smooth white to grey bark. There is so much to like about this tree, so suitable for smaller spaces and cold conditions, hence its common name.

Medium Height Options (6-7m)

Eucalyptus leucoxylon Euky Dwarf - Dwarf Yellow Gum

Eucalyptus leucoxylon ‘Euky Dwarf’. This is a shapely white-trunked gum to 6m tall with a light, open canopy and smooth bark that sheds. Its grey-green leaves, once mature, are offset by masses of nectar-rich, pink, red and sometimes cream blossoms from late autumn to early summer. A real bird-attracting variety.

Scentuous Dwarf Lemon-Scented Gum

Corymbia citriodora ‘Scentuous’. To be honest, we cannot grow enough of this sought-after iconic beauty, growing to approximately 7m tall. As a dwarf version of a lemon-scented gum, it is highly regarded for its aroma, particularly after rain, as well as its compact and narrow form. Its smooth trunk is slightly mottled with bark and an attractive, but subtle salmon colour. It is a grafted selection, so when we have advanced specimens for sale, they fly out the door!

Small Tree Category (8-10m)

Dwarf Sugar Gum

Eucalyptus cladocalyx nana. This is another Dwarf Sugar Gum growing to 8m with attractive mottled yellow-blue-grey bark and glossy green foliage. It flowers in warmer months, followed by large gumnuts for the kids to collect.

Corymbia eximia nana

Eucalyptus eximia nana.  This is a dwarf version of Corymbia eximia growing to 8m tall. Foliage is broad with a strong green colour and may turn a paler yellow/green in the colder months.  The trunk adopts a gnarly appearance with mottled brown bark, and in spring, the tree puts on an eye-catching display, covering itself in creamy yellow flowers, attracting nectar-loving birds.

Lowanna Dwarf Spotted Gum

Our tallest in this collection is Corymbia maculata ‘Lowanna’, which is a Dwarf form of spotted Gum to approximately 10m tall. This is a special selection originating from Sale in Victoria and is a denser version of straight maculata with the same iconic spotted trunk and feature bark as its much bigger parent.

Important Notes on Availability

Corymbia citriodora ‘Scentuous’ and Corymbia maculata ‘Lowanna’ are grafted forms, which means that numbers available to the market will continue to be limited. So, what is available sells very quickly.

Our advice is to lock down what you need in advance by talking directly to your supplier or us.

Need Help Selecting Species for Your Project?

For information on others suitable for your next project, please talk to the team.

On each of these selections, click through for availability.