Acacia baileyana is the floral emblem of the small rural township of Cootamundra is a well-known Australian species, principally on account of its popularity in cultivation. Baileyana grows to a large bushy shrub or small tree, commonly reaching 5–10 m high, and is typically freely branching from 1–2 m above the ground, plants growing in dense regrowth stands tend to be somewhat spindly whereas in open sites they are more robust. The short bipinnate leaves are usually grey/green in colour, the flower heads are lemon yellow and arranged in elongated showy racemes. Cootamundra Wattle is an adaptable, fairly hardy species that is fast-growing, relatively short-lived, frost resistant to perhaps -5°C preferring cool, higher rainfall areas.

Acacia baileyana purpurea  - a lovely blue/purple leafed form of the Cootamundra Wattle with clusters of yellow flowers in the spring. Maybe hardy to about -5°C

Acacia complanata  is an unusual ornamental Acacia, “Flat Stem Wattle”, growing quickly into a large shrub or small tree, 3ft-9ft tall if you have the space! However it is fairly unique among wattles to flower from Spring to Autumn, bearing an abundance of large, yellow balls which emit a rich perfume. Frost resistant but unlikely to survive below -5°C.

Acacia Dealbata produces the classic florist cut flower and also hardy to about -7°C. There is a beautiful 20ft specimen probably 10/20 years old growing happily in a front garden near Thorpe Park.

Acacia pravissima flowers in racemes that many of us aspire to grow. Pravissima is said to be the hardiest of the Acacias and therefore well worth trying, however from our own trials in 2005 it was badly damaged at -8°C.

Flannel flower is a herbaceous or shrubby plant native to New South Wales reaching almost a metre in height in good conditions but is usually much smaller if grown in pots. The leaves are deeply lobed, grey and velvety in nature, giving rise to the common name. The small flowers occur in clusters surrounded by velvety, "petal-like" bracts. The overall appearance of each head of flowers is similar to a daisy.

It is relatively easy to cultivate in sandy soils or in raised beds or pots. Plants may not be long lived but, once established, will often "self-sow" so that new plants replace the originals. Good drainage is essential.

These unusual plants can be cultivated in a greenhouse that has a minimum winter temperature of 10°C or they can be grown outside in mild, dry climates. Anigozanthus flavidus red grows from 3 to 4 feet high and spread up to 18 inches across. They need an acid, sandy, well drained compost. They also make excellent unusual long lasting cut flowers for flower arranging enthusiasts!

Banksia ericifolia, historically important as it was the first specimen collected by Sir Joseph Banks at Botany Bay in 1770, and undoubtedly one of the most beautiful Banksias in Australia, with large 12” tall striking spikes of yellow to reddish-orange flowers contrasted with small, linear, light-green to greyish-green leaves. It will develop into a large 4 metre high bush given a sheltered sunny position in an acid well drained soil. Frost tolerant but only hardy to about -5°C

Banksia marginata a fast growing very large tropical climber, only suitable for large conservatories, that bears massive yellow flowers the size of dinner plates. An excellent specimen can be seen at Wisley in their tropical House. The large yellow cup shaped flower gives the plant its common name.

Billardiera cymosa is a twining plant carrying lovely pale blue, jasmine-like, starry flowers in spring and summer followed by showy snow white berries. Superb in a conservatory or sheltered frost free garden.Growing to approximately 2ft in height without support but higher if trained on a frame or fence this evergreen plant will grow in light shade or full sun.

Callistemon glaucus  is the most commonly grown bottle brush previously called Callistemon speciosus. A semi hardy shrub tolerant to perhaps -5°C with large scarlet flowers and slightly larger leaves than the hardier species. Excellent though as a conservatory plant tolerant of heat and dry atmospheres and easy from seed.

Callistemon linearis  is a lovely shrub with thin evergreen leaves and in summer long cylindrical spikes of scarlet bottlebrush flowers. Good for milder coastal regions in the UK where it will thrive taking moderate frosts to -8C. Needs a sunny protected position with well drained soil. My father has one planted in his front garden near Wembley where it has flowered profusely for many years without any protection and proved reliably hardy.

A Callistemon mixture of all our Bottle Brush seeds, some frost tender and others hardy. Colours include Red, Violet, White, Pink and Green

Callistemon pallidus  - an upright hardy shrub with slender spreading branches growing to a height of 3 m by 2 m. The fresh lemon coloured brushes present a pleasing contrast to the grey-green foliage. This frost-hardy plant will grow in moist situations in full sun or part shade and will also withstand moderate exposure to salt laden winds.

'Australian Bottle Brush' I have included here some of the best forms of hardy and semi hardy varieties. Callistemon Rigidus and Callistemon Salignus Rubra have slightly smaller flowers than some of the more tender species, but well worth growing for an unusual shrub with masses of brilliant bright red flowers about 3” long in early summer. The seed is small, not difficult to grow, with a flowering plant in the second year if sown early. Callistemon Salignus Rubra is a more weeping and smaller variety. Captain Cook is a weeping large flowered form of Callistemon Viminalis but also reasonably hardy for milder areas.

Viminalis is a cultivated weeping form of Bottle Brush but also reasonably hardy for milder areas. The seed is small but not difficult to grow and you should have a flowering plant in the second year if sown early. Little John only grows to 1.5m making an excellent pot plant for an unheated conservatory if not planted out..

Callistemon violaceus  is a rather special bottle brush, semi hardy to -5°C, with large violet/purple blooms. The picture is from a shrub grown from seed by us and the front page of the Australian seed section contrasts this flower with the more common scarlet.

Callistemon viridiflorus  - a very hardy bottle brush from Tasmania down to perhaps -18°C! Lovely lime green bottle brush flowers in late spring. The plant will grow to about 2 metres with glossy willow like foliage and prefers a hot sunny position.

Clianthus puniceus are unusual scrambling woody shrubs from down under related to the pea family. Frost tender but fairly tough for over wintering in a cold greenhouse or conservatory. It produces highly attractive lobster claw type scarlet flowers in clusters in late winter early spring.

Cyathea Australis the “Rough Tree Fern” is similar in appearance to Cooperii but said to be at least as hardy as Dealbata and tolerant of a more open position.

Cyathea Cooperii is an attractive garden tree fern suitable for a sheltered site. However it is not so hardy and temperatures of minus 4C are at the limit of its endurance. It is taller and more slender than Dicksonia with soft light green fronds.

Cyathea dealbata, also known as the silver tree fern or silver fern is a species of medium-sized tree ferns, endemic and symbolic to New Zealand. It can grow to heights of 10 m or more with a dense crown of long (4m) fronds that have a silver-white colouration on the undersides. This distinctive silver colouration has made them useful for laying along tracks for night walking. Once established, it will tolerate drier conditions but it does best when sheltered from strong winds and frost in a well drained shady damp position. For the UK it needs to be kept pot grown (which will also contain its ultimate size) and brought under glass for winter.

This is the largest Tree Ferns which will succeed with cool greenhouse treatment but not hardy enough for overwintering outside unless in the mildest microclimate with no or limited frost. The trunk and stem is covered in an intensely black fur, contrasting strongly with the deep green, leathery fronds. Spores germinate freely making very showy young plants in a couple of seasons.

Dicksonia antarctica  is one of the most beautiful species of plant to come from the southern hemisphere within the tree ferns. Alas our winter climate is a little harsh for most tree ferns unless a micro climate and suitable winter protection can be established. They are true ferns and hence need shade and high humidity as well as clement winter temperatures. The hardiest is Dicksonia Antartica capable of managing -5°C to -8°C without protection although the fronds will burn and die back at these lows. However if the crown is suitably protected in winter they can survive much lower temperatures and the 5' to 10' fronds in early summer are breathtaking. For those of you living in warm coastal waters or in a protected suburban environment where shade and humidity can be maintained in summer along with mild winter temperatures, these are essential for your tropical garden. They take years to grow and therefore becoming protected in the wild as pressure grows for more garden plants worldwide. You can grow them from spores and although it will take time to grow a tree fern which develops a trunk, the smaller plants are extremely attractive as large ferns.

Dicksonia fibrosa is a smaller species of the Dicksonia genus from New Zealand and easy to grow but not quite as hardy as Dicksonia antartica maybe to -8c. Ideal for the smaller garden in a suburban micro climate in Southern Britain.

Diplolaena angustifolia (Yanchep Rose) is a small bushy shrub from Western Australia that grows to about 3 ft tall. It has narrow olive-green leaves with dense rusty hairs on the underside. In late winter through early spring appear the pendant 1 1/2" wide flowers that have a double row of short greenish cream-colored petal-like bracts and large brushes of pale orange stamens. Plant in well-drained soil in full sun to light shade with little irrigation. Not frost tolerant this unusual and showy plant can be used in containers in a cold frost free glasshouse.

A dense dwarf frost resistant shrub requiring excellent drainage and an open dry position. The spotted pink flowers are borne singly from winter to late spring or early summer. Eremophila maculata grows to about 2m high and 2m wide. Many Eremophilas come from areas in Australia with less than 150mm annual rain. In most areas of Australia once established they never hand watered again.

I have grown Erythrina crista-galli  on and off for years but it really needs a hot sunny conservatory to do well. Long terminal spikes of typical pea family bright red flowers. Tall plant flowering at 6ft+ but dies back to ground level in cold climates, watch out for the wicked thorns on the stems though! Easy to raise from seed and fairly fast growing.

Many seeds can benefit from soaking in smoke impregnated water solution to simulate seed growth after natural bush fires in countries like Australia and South Africa. In particula Anigozanthus, Strelitzia and Protea benefit from this treatment enhancing the likely germination % but research suggests many other recalcitrent species can also benefit like Palms and Musa seed.

Cape Super Smoke Plus is an absorbent paper that is impregnated with fynbos-smoke-saturated water. The paper is then dried and sealed in a polythene packet. When dormant seeds require "smoking", a predetermined volume of water is added to the paper in a suitable container and the seeds are "smoke-primed" by soaking in the smoke-water solution for 24 hours. In order to have the maximum effect in breaking seed dormancy, a range of natural germination stimulators has been added to the smoke solution to overcome other forms of seed dormancy found in many species.

Each standard packet contains five papers, and 50ml water should be added to each paper. Each packet is thus sufficient to make up 250ml solution ( approx. 8½ oz. ) and enough to treat approximately 500 large seeds.

Grevillea banksii 'Forsteri', known as the Banks' Grevillea or Red Silky Oak, is one of the most widely cultivated of all grevilleas and a parent of an increasing number of hybrids. Typically it is a large, spreading shrub to around 3 metres but smaller if pot grown. The silvery-green, much divided foliage complements the red flowers that are produced in large clusters at the ends of branches.  Flowering usually occurs in spring although it may flower for much of the year. G.banksii is a hardy plant for warm climates where it performs best in reasonably well-drained soils in full sun. Plants can tolerate light frosts but best under frost free glass in the UK for the winter.

Grevillea decora is a medium sized, upright shrub, 2.5m high but smaller if pot grown. Leaves are narrowly oval and a leathery greyish-green to bronze-red with densely hairy new growth. The flowers are bronze-red in colour borne in large, dense racemes up to a foot long. A colourful plant which does well in dry tropical areas as long as it has well drained soil but not suited to cold, temperate climates unless under glass.

Grevillea robusta or silk oak is a large evergreen tree that makes a good pot plant with it’s soft downy pinnate leaves. Grows easily from seed with fast growth after germination.

Hymenosporum flavum is native to Australia. The heavily perfumed, creamy-white flowers turn golden-yellow with time and are borne in panicles. Highly scented with a hint of citrus blossom hence its common name “Australian frangipani”. Once established it may tolerate a light to medium frost.

Lagunaria patersonia  is an evergreen small tree or large shrub from Australia with gray/green leaves. The small hibiscus like flowers are pink fading to white and bloom in the summer to autumn.  Best in full sun, and quite adaptable to dry conditions, it is suitable for seaside conditions and will take temperatures down to about -4°C. Should make a useful dry conservatory large pot plant

Leptospermum scoparium roseum - a useful compact shrub to 2 m, leaves from 7 to 20 mm long. Masses of small coral pink flowers 1 cm in diameter occur in spring and summer covering the shrub. Hardy to about -7c

Melaleuca alternifolia, is notable for its essential oil which is both anti-fungal, and antibiotic, while safely usable for topical applications. This is produced on a commercial scale, and marketed as Tea Tree Oil. The Ti tree is presumably named (Tea Tree) for the brown colouration of many water courses caused by shed leaves from this species. Melaleuca are closely related to the Bottle Brush and need similar conditions. Frost resistant down to -2C

Melaleuca thymifolia, closely related to Callistemon (Bottlebrushes), is one of the most widely cultivated members of the genus forming a small 1 metre shrub. It has beautiful, purple, feathery mauve/violet flowers in clusters on the older stems with a distinctive “claw” configuration. Needs good drainage coupled with regular watering to do well. It prefers a sunny position to flower and is not frost tolerant so best suited for conservatory pot use. An unusual shrub not often seen in cultivation in the UK flowering in the second year from seed.

Metrosideros excelsa  - a large tree in its native habitat and often called 'Pohutukawa' or the NZ Christmas Tree as it flowers in their summer. Does not like frost and best grown as a large conservatory pot plant , or planted in a frost free area. It responds to pruning and produces masses of fabulous red flowers in summer.

Metrosideros fulgens or Scarlet Rata is a forest vine endemic to New Zealand. The scarlet rata is one of the better-known species of rata vines, because it flowers in the autumn or winter, and is often highly visible growing over road side trees. Its displays of large red flowers are quite spectacular given the right light.

The plant prefers warm moist habitats and in the wild grows up to 10m long or more. It climbs in the same way as ivy, sending out short adventitious roots to adhere to the trunks of host trees, penetrating and clinging to rough surfaces. It will tolerate a light frost but an interesting choice for a cool greenhouse or conservatory where it can be kept to size by pruning where it will take on more of a shrubby habit rather than a vine.

This special mixed packed includes the following 6 varieties each with separately labelled packets with individual seed sowing instructions. More details on each seed can be found below.

Callistemon glaucus    Albany Bottle Brush
Acacia dealbata         Mimosa
Clianthus puniceus      Lobster Claw
Grevillea robusta        Silk Oak
Sophora tetraptera     Kowhai
Pandorea jasminoides Bower Vine

Sophora tetraptera  - a shrub or small tree of New Zealand and Chile with pendulous racemes of tubular golden-yellow flowers. Flowers earlier from seed than the NZ South Island macrophylla, but is not quite so hardy. Flowers of a deeper gold than macrophylla and a popular North Island garden plant.

Sturt's Desert Pea, is an Australian plant famous for its distinctive blood-red leaf-like flowers, each with a pronounced black centre. It is one of Australia's best known wildflowers native to the arid regions of central and north-western Australia. The plants require dry conditions and a sand/grit compost and watered very sparingly.

This semi-hardy waratah, Telopea speciosissima has excellent quality flowers and is hardy to about -5C given a well drained soil and a sheltered position.Telopia is the floral emblem of New South Wales, and a spectacular but challenging flower to grow as a pot plant in the UK, although easy to germinate from seed. The Waratah is a stout, erect shrub which may grow to 4 metres. The dark green leathery leaves, 13-25 cm in length, are arranged alternately and tend to be coarsely toothed. The flowers are grouped in rounded heads 7 to 10 cm in diameter surrounded by crimson bracts, about 5 to 7 cm long. It flowers from September to November and responds well to pruning which encourages flowering the following year, and overcomes the natural tendency of the shrub to assume a straggly shape. It needs a deep sandy soil but with an assured water content to do well and prefers a low nutrient content.

The Tasmanian waratah is an evergreen shrub native to warm wet mountain areas of Tasmania. Its sister species, Telopea speciosissima has a more spectacular flower but is not so hardy. A member of the protea family it does not like high nitrogen or phosphorus fertilizers and is prone to damping off once germinated unless the conditions are just right. So not for the fant hearted and you will need "green fingers for this one! This plant does not like dry hot conditions nor direct hot sunshine and best in partial shade.

Xanthorrhoea preissii - a variety of grass tree with a black trunk known as Blackboy. Xanthorrhoeaceae are slow growing plants that have the appearance of dense clumps of grass on top of short tree trunks. Best kept in a cool airy greenhouse and patience will be needed for them to produce a trunk. An interesting novelty plant.

Xanthostemon chrysanthus, is relatively unknown outside of Australia but a very desirable garden plant for warmer climates or as a Greenhouse pot plant. The glorious, dense flower heads are well displayed at branches ends and are bright yellow reminiscent of a Bottlebrush. Flowering time is from winter through early spring and it flowers reliably  often within 2-3 years from seed in ideal conditions. In native rainforest environments the tree can grow up to 40-50 ft, however in gardens it may reach only 15-20 ft and in pots much smaller. It responds well to pruning and can be easily shaped into a manageable sized shrub. The plant is pretty hardy, tolerates dry soil and can even take light frosts.