Top 10 Must-Have Tropical Plants for Queensland Gardens
Tabernaemontana Little Emerald
Description:
Tabernaemontana corymbosa 'Little Emerald', commonly known as Little Emerald, is a compact, evergreen shrub cherished for its dense, glossy green foliage and clusters of fragrant white flowers. This versatile plant is ideal for use as a low hedge, border plant, or in containers, adding year-round structure and greenery to garden spaces.
Flowers:
'Little Emerald' produces small, star-shaped white flowers with a faintly sweet fragrance. These blooms appear throughout the year, with peak flowering in spring and summer, attracting pollinators and bringing a delicate charm to the garden.
Foliage:
The plant features dense, glossy green leaves that maintain their vibrant color year-round. The lush, evergreen foliage provides a consistent and attractive backdrop in landscapes, enhancing the garden’s visual appeal.
Fruit:
This variety is not known for significant fruit production, as its ornamental value lies primarily in its foliage and flowers.
Form and Size:
'Little Emerald' maintains a compact, rounded form, typically reaching a height and width of approximately 70 to 90 cm. Its neat growth habit makes it suitable for both formal and informal garden designs.
Growing Conditions:
This plant thrives in full sun to part shade and is adaptable to a range of soil types, provided they are well-draining. It is drought-tolerant once established and can withstand light frost, making it versatile across various climates.
Uses:
'Little Emerald' is effective as a low hedge, border plant, or in mass plantings. Its compact size and attractive foliage make it an excellent choice for container gardening, adding greenery to patios and decks. It also works well as a specimen plant in smaller garden spaces.
Maintenance:
This variety requires minimal maintenance. Its natural growth habit eliminates the need for regular pruning, though light trimming after flowering can help maintain shape and encourage dense growth. Applying a slow-release, balanced fertilizer in spring enhances foliage color and overall health.
Notes:
'Little Emerald' is a member of the Tabernaemontana genus, originating from tropical and subtropical regions. Its compact size, attractive foliage, and low-maintenance nature make it a popular choice for gardeners seeking structure and year-round interest.
Companion Plants:
Pairs well with contrasting foliage plants such as Loropetalum chinense 'Plum Gorgeous' or Heuchera varieties. It also complements flowering perennials like Salvia and Lavandula, enhancing garden beds and borders.
Common Name: Little Emerald
Botanical Name: Tabernaemontana corymbosa 'Little Emerald'
Family: Apocynaceae
Origin: Tropical and subtropical regions
As we cannot guarantee stock all year around on Pots & Plants please hit us up via the chat button and we can get back to you with availability
Quantity:
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Delivery Options
- We Offer a local Sunshine Coast delivery service in our Truck.
- Orders placed before Tuesday 9.00am will be Delivered on Wednesday and or Friday of that week on the Sunshine Coast.
- For more information on Deliveries outside the Sunshine Coast please click here
Product Availability
Plants & Pots come and go all year around.
- Plants are seasonal and sometimes we run out but have more batches coming along.
- Some Plants are not always in-store however we can either order it in or deliver it to your door. pending availability
- Available numbers change every hour of the day in store and where we grow so please check in with us on how many you are looking for
- we have access to thousands of plants. if you are looking for a specific plant please let us know and we will see if its coming into store soon or if we can order it for you.
- we will sometimes keep plants on our website to show you the description of how it grows and its specific characteristics. they may not be in stock all the time however we will keep it up online so when it comes in we wont have to reload products
- the above information is exactly the same for Pots. they come and go all year around so please send us a message via the chat button and we will get back to you with availability
Where are our plants Grown and how do we grow them
- Plants are grown locally on the Sunshine Coast
- All outdoor plants are sun hardened and ready to grow
- Indoor plants are grown under 50% Shade and will transfer perfectly to indoor use
- Orchids are also grown under 50% Shade and are best brought indoors during flowering for show then returned back into a shaded area until the following flowering time
- we are Qualified horticulturists, greenkeeper as well as Qualified landscape Construction with over 35 years experience in the industry. We use Quality products and materials to grow all our plants.
- Visit us instore and get the right advice the first time to make your plants succeed
How to Look after your plants like we do
- When using any Garden Care products or Fertilisers we always recommend reading the label before use
- We recommend using Earthlife crushed rock mineral on all plants when planting in the ground or in Pots.
- When planting in Pots in Our garden centre we use Rocky Point potting mixes to plant all our plants
- If planting in the ground we also recommend that you use Rocky Point garden soil around your plants at the time of planting