A large shift happens in spring, igniting new growth, seasonal colour, and the beginning of the warmer months. Showcasing the beginning of your garden’s planting palette.
We share five plants thriving this spring that will truly change your garden.
Cercis canadensis ‘Forest Pansy’
A true showstopper in spring, when clusters of pink blooms appear on bare branches before the foliage emerges. As the leaves unfurl, they bring rich, purple new growth to the garden – a colour that holds its depth well into the warmer months. Left to mature, the tree can reach approximately 6–9m in height.
This is not a tree for dry conditions. Consistent moisture is essential, particularly while young, so the soil should be kept moist rather than allowed to dry out between waterings. When planting more than one, allow roughly 1.2m between each to give the canopy room to develop.
Once established, Cercis canadensis ‘Forest Pansy’ settles into a genuinely low-maintenance feature, requiring attention only during periods of unusually wet or dry weather.
In our Camberwell Meadow Garden, we selected Cercis canadensis ‘Forest Pansy’ as feature trees to anchor the design – positioned to create a strong focal point and vertical interest within the surrounding planting scheme.
Cornus florida (Flowering Dogwood)
Cornus florida (Flowering Dogwood) is prized for its early spring display, when clusters of small yellow-green flowers are framed by broad white or pink bracts, giving the appearance of a single, striking bloom. It typically reaches 10m in height with a trunk diameter of around 30cm at maturity. The species performs best in moist, partial shade and benefits from consistent watering through periods of heat.
Trachelospermum jasminoides (Star Jasmine)
For an evergreen shrub or climber with glossy, dark green foliage and clusters of star-shaped white flowers in late spring, Trachelospermum jasminoides, or Star Jasmine, becomes a flowering spring favourite.
Star jasmine thrives in full sun to partial shade in well-drained soil. As a climber, it requires a mesh screen or similar support structure. Mature height ranges from 60cm as a groundcover to 6m when trained vertically.
To get the best results, prune in early spring to maintain shape and density. Given time and the right support, a well-established specimen will cover a fence within four years.
Discover Trachelospermum jasinoides in our Kew Sunset garden.
Bartlettina sordida (Purple Torch)
For an evergreen shrub with bold architectural foliage and striking colour, Bartlettina sordida, or Purple Torch, brings a burst of colour to shaded garden beds. Large, dark green leaves with prominent veining sit against reddish-purple stems, setting the stage for its signature display: dense, fragrant clusters of mauve to lilac flowers with a distinctive fireworks-burst appearance, appearing mainly in spring.
Bartlettina sordida thrives in part shade to full shade, in moist, well-drained soil rich in organic matter. It is frost-tender and requires protection where temperatures drop below freezing. Mature height typically reaches 1.2m to 2.4m, with a similar spread.
Prune after flowering to maintain a compact, well-shaped habit.
See this shrub in our Toorak Garden.
Agastache ‘Sweet Lili’
For a herbaceous perennial with height, movement, and season-long colour, Agastache ‘Sweet Lili’ brings tall, self-supporting flower spikes to the sunny border. Aromatic, lemon-and-aniseed-scented foliage supports slender stems topped with amethyst flowers tinted apricot, produced in profusion from early summer through to autumn.
Agastache ‘Sweet Lili’ thrives in full sun to light shade, in well-drained soil, and tolerates heat, drought, and poor soils once established. It reaches a mature height of about 120cm, with a spread of 60cm.
Deadheading encourages further blooms and a more compact habit; cut back hard in winter for strong spring regrowth.
Agastache ‘Sweet Lili’ features within the planting palette of our Camberwell Meadow project, positioned in the main garden bed of the rear garden. Its upright form and vibrant colour bring height and visual pop against the structured density of Poa labillardieri ‘Eskdale.’
If your garden leans towards a more shaded area, our shade-friendly plant selections might be a better fit, read more.
