Download scope of the guide - Moreland City Council

POLICY NO DCI 13 - CL
Under Review
LANDSCAPE GUIDELINES AND
TECHNICAL NOTES FOR VARIOUS DEVELOPMENTS
POLICY
Date Resolved By Council:
14 December 1998
Commencement Date:
14 December 1998
Review Date:
2003 / 2004
Responsible Department:
City Infrastructure
This policy has been authorised and is included on Council’s Website.
Peter Brown
Chief Executive Officer
April 2003
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LANDSCAPE GUIEDELINES AND TECHNICAL NOTES
FOR VARIOUS DEVELOPMENTS POLICY
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SCOPE OF THE GUIDE
This document applies to all developments which require a landscape plan to be submitted
as part of a planning application. These include applications for multi unit developments,
commercial and industrial sites where landscaping is required as part of the planning
approval. The guidelines will also be used more generally to encourage a strong and distinct
Moreland landscape across private and public land-holdings.
However where developments create a space available to the public, such as roads, car
parks, plazas/forecourts and so on, Council would require the landscape plan to adopt the
recommendations of the “Moreland Street Landscape Strategy, (1997)”.
INTRODUCTION
The character and attractiveness of the City of Moreland depend on the quality of its built and
natural environment. Moreland’s Corporate Plan and Municipal Strategic Statement both
place considerable emphasis on the conservation and improvement of the environment.
Council is committed to achieving a high standard of design, development, and management
of its public landscapes, streets and open spaces. It is also keen to encourage developers to
provide quality landscapes that contribute to the built and natural character and sustainability
of the city.
The private garden is a component of the streetscape and the natural environment.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this document is to:

Encourage the development of quality landscapes associated with new development.

Identify Council’s policy and aims regarding municipal planting theme and design
principles that are important for a quality outcome.

Assist in the documentation and submission of landscape plans so as to ensure
efficient and quick processing of planning applications.

Identify a selection of tree species for planting in private gardens and landscapes.
MUNICIPAL PLANTING SCHEME
The Moreland Street Landscape Strategy aims to create a strong municipal planting theme
through the use of local native trees. This planting will establish a unique Moreland character
whilst providing habitat benefits and attracting native bird life.
Moreland City Council aims to encourage and enhance this planting theme into the private
gardens of new developments.
Note:- The Moreland Street Landscape Strategy is available at Council offices for viewing.
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LANDSCAPE GUIEDELINES AND TECHNICAL NOTES
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DESIGN PRINCIPLES FOR PLANTING IN MORELAND
Local Area Character
Council is keen to enrich the qualities of the city by encouraging private landscape
developments that consider and complement local area character and streetscape.
The most important factors of the private gardens that affect local area character are:

Fence type,

Plant species and planting patterns, and

Materials and colours, including paving.
Fences, especially the front fence and gates, should generally have a height, scale, structural
articulation, materials and colours that respond to the overall scale and proportions of the
street and streetscape. A fence should be a simple complement to the building and provide
for an active frontage to the street.
Plant Selection
Plant species and planting patterns should add to the streetscape image of the area,
especially where the private garden is visible from the street:

Local, indigenous vegetation is the principal theme in Moreland’s open space
development and streetscape strategy. Species selection and plant grouping should be
environmentally and ecologically appropriate and strengthen existing and establishing
vegetation stands and patterns in the public realm. In particular, private gardens in
areas along creek corridors and open space should be sensitively treated.

Regionally local native plants should be the first choice. These areas provide
opportunities to build ecological corridors across the city. Species selection and
planting patterns should follow from the local growing conditions and relate to the scale
and proportions of the street and the built elements in the area. A list of regionally local
native plants is provided in these guidelines.
Materials and colours of landscape structures and surfaces should make a positive
contribution to the streetscape and not detract from its quality.
Natural Ecosystems
Moreland’s natural ecosystems have been put under severe pressure by the growth and
development of the city. Their protection and restoration is a priority of Council. Much work
has been done already to restore natural systems along the Merri, Moonee Ponds,
Merlynston, Edgars, and Westbreen Creeks. Council encourages residents, developers and
land owners to contribute to increasing the incidence of indigenous plants. This is seen as a
way of encouraging native bird life back to the municipality.
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LANDSCAPE GUIEDELINES AND TECHNICAL NOTES
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Important measures in the protection and restoration of local vegetation in private landscapes
are:

Identification of any remnant, indigenous vegetation,

Retention of remnant vegetation including groups and single plants,

Removal and control of environmental weeds, and

Selection of local, indigenous species for complementary planting.
Environmentally Sustainable Landscape Design
Council is committed to an environmentally sustainable city. It encourages innovative
landscape solutions to conserve water and energy and reduce waste in all private gardens.
Measures for water conservation in the private gardens include:

Selection of plants suited to local climatic and growing conditions,

Recirculation of water within the site, and,

Design of site drainage to benefit vegetation on the site.
Measures for energy conservation in the private gardens include:

Use of materials produced from renewable resources only, and

Selection of plants and planting patterns that contribute to the solar efficiency of the
building.
Measures for waste reduction in the private landscape include:

Design for and implementation of composting and mulching to return local nutrients to
the soil.
Landscape Designer
Landscape plans associated with planning permit applications must be competent and well
considered, prepared by a suitably qualified landscape designer.

Landscape Architects are corporate members of the Australian Institute of Landscape
Architects (AILA).

Other professional designers with a degree in horticulture or urban design and relevant
professional experience may also be adequately qualified and approved by Council to
undertake landscape design.
Council encourages developers to involve the landscape designer in the development project
from the earliest possible stage to ensure proper consideration of landscape factors and to
contribute to a sustainable, cost-effective outcome.
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LANDSCAPE GUIEDELINES AND TECHNICAL NOTES
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Designing Landscapes
Council wishes to encourage landscape developments that consider and complement the
use and design of the associated buildings.
The amenity and identity of a private landscape and garden depend on its usefulness and
aesthetic quality. The private landscape should have:

A pattern of use that complements the use of the buildings and differentiates between
various activities and functions,

A layout that relates to the layout of the buildings, provides for the extension of internal
activities outdoors and makes good use of the site,

Convenient and safe access into and within the site,

A style that relates to the architecture of the buildings including forms, materials, details
and finishes,

A scale that relates to the proportions of the building and the site, and

A planting concept that complements the use and form of the buildings.
PLANNING APPLICATIONS - THE PROCESS
Processing times for planning applications depend on the adequacy and accuracy of the
documentation. Council encourages developers to check that applications include all required
documentation and that the documents include all required information and thoroughly
describe the proposed works.
Planning permit applications for landscape works should include:

A detailed landscape plan

Landscape schedule outlining plant species, densities and numbers;

And where requested, a statement explaining the landscape design.
SITE ANALYSIS
Site analysis forms the basis of the landscape design. The Victorian Government’s Good
Design Guide for Medium-Density Housing requires a site analysis for multi-unit
developments and Council strongly recommends it for all other developments in Moreland as
well.
Site analysis is a part of the site designs process. It should clearly show the existing
conditions, opportunities, and constraints on the site and the immediately adjoining sites and
streets.
Factors such as sun orientation, soil condition and purpose of the open space all influence
the landscape design and selection of flora.
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LANDSCAPE GUIEDELINES AND TECHNICAL NOTES
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Factors which should be considered prior to designing landscape are:
Subject Site

Geology, contours and existing native and significant exotic vegetation;

The design, layout and location of the building (including habitable room windows);

Views to and from the site;

Vehicular and pedestrian access;

Drainage and services;

Solar access (including winter sun and summer sun), orientation and noise sources;

Fences, boundaries and easements;
Surrounding Area

The location of the adjoining buildings and the habitable room windows;

Abutting private open space;

Nearby public open space;

Views and solar access enjoyed by adjacent property owners and parkland users;

Major trees on adjacent properties;

Street frontage features, such as street trees, poles, paving etc;

Built form and character of the surrounding streetscape and development, including
fencing and garden styles.
Documentation
A landscape plan should:

Be drawn to scale, preferable at 1:100 or 1:200.

Not larger than A1 in size.

Show site and building layout and boundaries, including the ground floor plan of all
buildings on the site showing the location of doors and windows fencing.

Designate and identify the areas to be set aside as lawn, pavement or garden beds.

Graphically identify the proposed trees, group of shrubs, areas of ground covers and
climber locations and existing vegetation to be retained.

Indicate management plan for any indigenous vegetation being retained.

Provide a plant schedule which is a list of the proposed plants, plant density and the
total numbers required.

Identify type and design of materials to be used, such as paving, railway sleepers,
pergolas, seating, fencing, fountains etc.

Include plan title, property address, date of drawing, scale and north point.
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LANDSCAPE GUIEDELINES AND TECHNICAL NOTES
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For large scale developments and for developments in environmentally sensitive locations, a
landscape design statement will be required. The landscape design statement should be a
brief written document that clearly explains the design principles and justifies the proposed
landscape development, especially in relation to:

Local area character including the selection of fence type, plant species, materials and
colours,

Natural ecosystems, and

Environmentally sustainable design.
Recommended Species
The recommended species list provides a basis for flora selection . The species list includes
local native, non-local native and exotic plants which are aligned to the growing conditions of
Moreland. Preference is given to planting indigenous (local native) vegetation of local
provenance.
In selecting native plants, priority has been given to plants that will grow well in the local
environment and complement the local native species in terms of design, function and
habitat.
A number of exotic species have been included in the plant list. This has been done to
increase horticultural choice in unusual landscape circumstances where it is considered
unlikely Moreland’s indigenous woodland plants will establish. For example, in micro-sites
that may be in permanent shade.
In normal circumstances, the majority of plants selected must be from the indigenous list.
Plant List
Note:
The following list of plants should be used in conjunction with comments under
‘Plant Selection” on Page 2 of these guidelines.
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LANDSCAPE GUIEDELINES AND TECHNICAL NOTES
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REGIONALLY LOCAL NATIVE PLANTS
Botanical Name
Large Trees > 10 metres
Acacia dealbata
Acacia melanoxyon
Eucalyptus camaldulensis
Eucalyptus leucoxylon ssp. connata
Eucalyptus macrorhyncha
Eucalyptus melliodora
Eucalyptus microcarpa
Eucalyptus ovata
Eucalyptus polyanthemos ssp. vestita
Eucalyptus viminalis
Common Name
H
W
Silver Wattle
Blackwood
River Red Gum
Yellow Gum
Red Stringybark
Yellow Box
Grey Box
Swamp Gum
Red Box
Manna Gum
10 - 20
8 - 15
15 - 25
10 - 15
10 - 35
15 - 25
15 - 25
8 - 12
10 - 15
15 - 25
4-8
5 - 10
10 - 20
5 - 10
10 - 20
10 - 20
10 - 15
5 - 10
6 - 10
10 - 20
Small Trees <10 metres
Acacia implexa
Acacia pycnantha
Allocasuarina littoralis
Allocasuarina verticillata
Banksia marginata
Bursaria spinosa var. spinosa
Callitris glaucophylla
Hymenanthera dentata
Leptospermum lanigerum
Leptospermum obovatum
Pomaderris aspera
Lightwood
Golden Wattle
Black Sheoke
Drooping Sheoke
Silver Banksia
Sweet Bursaria
White Cypress-pine
Tree Violet
Wooly Tea-tree
River Tea-tree
Hazel Pomaderris
6-8
3 - 10
5-8
6-8
8
4-8
5-8
3
5
3
3 - 10
4-8
2-5
2-5
4-6
3
3-6
4-6
2
2
1.5
2-4
Shrubs
Acacia acinaceae
Acacia paradoxa
Acacia verticillata
Callistemmon sieberi
Correa glabra
Correa reflexa
Dodonaea viscosa ssp. spatulata
Goodenia ovata
Grevillea rosmarinifolia
Gynatrix pulchella
Kunzea ericoides
Myoporum insulare
Myoporum viscosum
Rhagodia parabolica
Solanum aviculare
Viminria juncea
Gold-dust Wattle
Hedge Wattle
Prickly Moses
River Bottlebrush
Rock Correa
Common Correa
Wedge-leaf Hop Bush
Hop Goodenia
Rosemary Grevillea
Hemp Bush
Burgan
Boobialla
Sticky Boobialla
Fragrant Saltbush
Kangaroo Apple
Native Broom
.5 - 2.5
2-4
2-6
3-8
1-3
0.3 - 2
1-3
1 - 2.5
1-3
2-4
2-5
1-5
0.5 - 2
0.5 - 2
1-3
2-5
2-4
2-5
3-5
2-5
1-3
1-2
1-3
1-3
2-3
1.5 - 3
2-4
1-3
1.5 - 2
.5 - 1.5
1-4
2
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Groundcovers and Wildflowers
Atriplex semibaccata
Brachyscome cardiocarpa
Brachyscome multifida var. multifida
Calocephalus citreus
Calocephalus lacteus
Carpobrotus modestus
Chrysocephalum apiculatum
Craspedia variabilis
Dichondra repens
Enchylaena tomentosa
Helichrysum scorpioides
Kennedia prostrata
Myoporum parvifolium
Pelargonium australe
Pelargonium rodneyanum
Podolepis jaceoides
Pratia pedunculata
Veronica gracilis
Viola hederacae
Wahlenbergia communis
Wahlenbergia stricta
Tussock Plants
Carex appressa
Carex breviculmis
Danthonia duttoniana
Creeping Saltbush
Swamp Daisy
Cut Leaf Daisy
Lemon Beauty Heads
Milky beauty Heads
Pigface
Common Everlasting
Billy Buttons
Kidney Weed
Ruby Salybush
Button Everlasting
Running Postman
Creeping Boobialla
Australs Stork’s-bill
Magenta Stork’s-bill
Showy Podolepis
Matted Pratia
Slender Speedwell
Native Violet
Tufted Bluebell
Tall Bluebell
Poa morrisii
Stipa elegantissima
Stipa semibarbata
Stylidium graminifolium var. graminifolium
Themeda triandra
Tall Sedge
Short-stem Sedge
Brown-back Wallaby
Grass
Bristly Wallaby Grass
Smooth Flax-lily
Black Anther Flax-lily
Silky Blue-grass
Thatch Saw-sedge
Knobby Club-rush
Wattle Mat-rush
Spiny-headed Mat-rush
Common Tussock
Grass
Velvet Tussock Grass
Feather Spear-grass
Fibrous Spear-grass
Grass Trigger-plant
Kangaroo Grass
Climbers
Clematis aristata
Clematis microphylla
Hardenbergia violaceae
Old Man’s Beard
Small-leafed Clematis
Purple Coral Pea
Danthonia setaceae var. setaceae
Dianella longifolia var. longifolia
Dianella revoluta var. revoluta
Dicanthium sericeum
Gahnia radula
Isolepis nodosa
Lomandra filiformis ssp. filiformis
Lomandra longifolia
Poa labillardieri
.1 - .3
1–3
.3
.3
.4
.2 – 1
.5
.3 – 1
.3
.3 - .5
prostrate
1–3
.3
1–2
.3
.5
prostrate
.1 – 1
.5 – 1
.3
.3
.1
1 – 2.5
.1
2–4
.3 - .6
.3 – 1
.3
.5
.3 - .6
.3
.1
2–3
.3
1
.15
1–2
.5
.15
.4 - .9
.3 - .5
.5 – 1
.15
.4
.5 – 1
.3
.3 - .8
.3 – 1
.3 - .5
1–2
.5 – 1.5
.1 - .5
.5 – 1
.5 – 1
.5
.5
.5 – 2.5
.3
.5 - .8
.3 – 1
.2 - .6
.4 – 1
.3
.5
.5 – 2
.6 – 2
.1 - .2
.5 – 1
.2 - .3
.5
5 – 15
5 – 10
1–2
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NON-LOCAL NATIVE PLANTS
Botanical Name
Tall Trees > 10 metres
Allocasuarina luehmannii
Allocasuarina torulosa
Angophora costata
Common Name
H
W
5 - 15
10 - 15
10 - 15
5 - 10
4-6
5 - 10
15 - 20
10 - 15
10 - 15
10 - 20
5 - 10
4-8
6-8
5-8
5-8
4-6
5-8
5-8
5-8
5-8
3-5
2-4
5-8
4-6
4-5
3-5
3-5
4-7
2-5
1.5 - 3
1 - 1.5
1.5
3-6
3-4
1-2
1.5 - 3
1 - 1.5
1
Common Dampiera
Cushion Bush
prostrate
.5 - 1
prostrate
.4 - .6
1
1-2
1-2
1 - 1.5
Little Kangaroo Paw
Tasmanian Flax Lily
Butterfly Flag
.3 - .6
.5 - 1.5
.1 - .9
1 - 1.5
.3 - .6
1 - 1.2
.3 - .8
.5 - 2
.1 - 1
1 - 1.5
.3 - .6
.6 - 1
6
6
10
6
6
10
Eucalyptus tricarpa (sideroxylon)
Ficus microcarpa var. hilli
Lophostemon confertus
Bull Oak
Rose She-oke
Smooth-bark Applemyrtle
Red Ironbark
Hills Weeping Fig
Brush Box
Small Trees <10 metres
Agonis flexuosa
Callistemon salignus
Eucalyptus caesia
Eucalyptus macranda
Eucalyptus torquata
Melia azerarach var australasica
Tristaniopsis laurina
Willow Myrtle
Willow Bottlebrush
Gungurru
Long-flowered Marlock
Coral Gum
White Cedar
Kanooka
Shrubs
Acacia iteaphylla
Acacia retinoides
Banksia ericifolia
Calothamnus quadrifidus
Correa baeuerlenii
Westringia fruticosa
Gawler Range Wattle
Wirilda
Heath Banksia
Common Net Bush
Chefs Cap Correa
Native Rosemary
Groundcovers and Forbs
Dampiera linearis
Leucophyta brownii
Pratia pedunculata
Rhagodia spinescens
Tussock Plants
Anigozanthus bicolor
Dianella tasmanica
Diplarrena moroea
Orthrosanthus multiflorus
Patersonia occidentalis
Restio tetraphyllus
Climbers
Kennedia macrophylla
Kennedia nigricans
Pandorea pandorana
Purple Flag
Tassel Cord-rush
Black Coral Pea
Wonga Wonga Vine
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NON-INVASIVE EXOTIC PLANTS
Botanical Name
Large Trees > 10 metres
Alnus jorullensis
Michelia doltsopa
Quercus suber
H
W
Evergreen Alder
Chinese Magnolia Tree
Cork Oak
6 - 12
3 - 15
6 - 12
3-6
1-5
4-6
2-5
5 - 10
1-3
2-4
Olea europaea var. europaea
Crepe Myrtle
New Zealand Christmas
Tree
European Olive
5 - 10
4-8
Shrubs
Coleonema album
Spirea cantoniensis
White Diosma
Reeves Spirea
.6 - 1.2
1.5 - 2
.6 - 1.2
1 - 1.5
Groundcovers and Forbs
Coprosma x kirkii
Rosmarinus officinalis
Rosemary
.4 - .6
.5 - 1
1 - 1.5
Climbers
Ficus pumila
Parthenocissus tricuspidata
Wisteria sinensis
Creeping Fig
Boston Ivy
Chinese Wisteria
15 - 20
15 - 20
Small Trees < 10 metres
Lagerstroemia indica
Metrosideros excelsa
Common Name
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EXPANDED DESCRIPTIONS OF LARGE TREES FROM EACH OF THE THREE
CATEGORIES (WITH ILLUSTRATION OF MATURE FORM)
Local Native Trees
Acacia dealbata
Common Name:
Silver Wattle
Size:
Height 10 - 20m x Width 4 - 8
Growth rate:
Moderately fast: 0.6 - 0.9m per year
Place of origin:
Local native
Acacia dealbata is a large evergreen tree that is easily grown, adaptable to a wide range of
soil types, preferring moist soils. It will grow in dappled shade, partial or full sun. Host to the
Imperial Blue Butterfly caterpillar when less than 3m tall. Bluish-green bipinnate leaves and
profuse lemon flowers July to October.
Acacia melanoxylon
Common Name:
Blackwood
Size:
Height 8 - 15 x Width 5 - 10
Growth rate:
Slow: 0.3 - 0.6m per year
Place of origin:
Local native
Acacia melanoxylon is a long-lived large evergreen tree with dull green phyllodes and cream
to pale yellow flowers July to October. Prefers deep moist soils but adaptable, tolerating
dryness once established. Dappled shade to full sun.
Eucalyptus camaldulensis
Common Name:
River Red Gum
Size:
Height 15 - 20 x Width 10 - 20
Growth rate:
Fast: 0.9m plus per year
Place of origin:
Local native
Eucalyptus camaldulensis is a large evergreen tree of spreading form with narrow leaves and
profuse white flowers November to March. Prefers deep soils and tolerates dry periods once
established. Excellent habitat tree at maturity.
Eucalyptus leucoxylon ssp. connata
Common Name:
Yellow Gum
Size:
Height 10 - 15 x Width 5 - 10
Growth rate:
Moderately fast: 0.5 1.0m per year
Place of origin:
Local native
Eucalyptus leucoxylon ssp. connata is a large evergreen tree of variable form with long,
narrow olive-green to green pendulous leaves and profuse cream to white flowers May to
September. Prefers heavy soils but is very adaptable, tolerating drought once established.
Highly regarded for honey production.
Eucalyptus macrorhyncha
Common Name:
Red Stringybark
Size:
Height 10 - 35 x Width 10 - 20
Growth rate:
Moderately fast: 0.6 -0.9m per year
Place of origin:
Local native
Eucalyptus macrorhyncha is a large sized upright tree with a rounded canopy. It has glossy
leaves and profuse white to cream flowers January to April with a pervasive honey aroma,
the red-brown bark is deeply fissured. Prefers a well drained clay loam soil, not tolerant of
wet soils.
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Eucalyptus melliodora
Common name:
Yellow Box
Size:
Height 15 - 25 x Width 10 - 20
Growth rate:
Fast: 0.9m plus per year
Place of origin:
Local native
Eucalyptus melliodora is a large evergreen variable open to dense tree with narrow leaves
light green to greyish or blue, flowers perfumed cream to white, September to March. Soils
need to be well-drained loams and alluvial. Excellent honey tree with a spreading, drooping
canopy.
Eucalyptus microcarpa
Common Name:
Grey Box
Size:
Height 15 - 25 x Width 10 - 15
Growth rate:
Fast: 0.9m plus per year
Place of origin:
Local native
Eucalyptus microcarpa is a large spreading tree with an open canopy. Leaves narrow dull
green, flowers white February to August. Good honey tree, requiring heavy soils, tolerating
wet winters and dry summers.
Eucalyptus ovata
Common Name:
Swamp Gum
Size:
Height 8 - 12 x Width 5 - 10
Growth rate:
Moderately fast: 0.6 -0.9m per year
Place of origin:
Local native
Eucalyptus ovata is a medium to tall tree with open to moderately dense canopy. Shiny
broad leaves with wavy edges, flowers white to cream March to June. Does well in poorly
drained soils but also grows in well-drained soils. Useful shade tree for swampy areas and
creek banks. Leaves are eaten by koalas.
Eucalyptus polyanthemos ssp. vestita
Common Name:
Red Box
Size:
Height 10 - 15 x Width 6 - 10
Growth rate:
Slow: 0.3 - 0.6m per year
Place of origin:
Local native
Eucalyptus polyanthemos ssp. vestita a small to medium evergreen tree with attractive bluegrey rounded leaves and profuse white flowers September to January which attract nectar
eating birds. Will tolerate poor soils as long as drainage is good.
Eucalyptus viminalis
Common Name:
Manna Gum
Size:
Height 15 - 25 x Width 10 - 20
Growth rate:
Fast: 0.9m plus per year
Place of origin:
Local native
Eucalyptus viminalis is a large evergreen upright tree with an open spreading canopy. Dark
green sickle-shaped leaves and white flowers January to May. Adaptable to a wide range of
soils this tree is very ornamental with white trunk, clean branches and shedding bark.
Leaves are an important koala food and the flowers a source of nectar and pollen for bees.
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LANDSCAPE GUIEDELINES AND TECHNICAL NOTES
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Non-Local Natives Trees
Allocasuarina luehmannii
Common Name:
Bull Oak
Size:
Height 5 - 15 x Width 5 - 10
Growth rate:
Moderately fast: 0.5 - 0.8m per year
Place of origin:
Local native
Allocasuarina luehmannii is an evergreen upright tree with fine dull green branchlets. It has
yellow spikes on male trees March to October. Adaptable to a wide range of heavy soils,
filtered to full sun.
Allocasuarina torulosa
Common Name:
Rose She-oke
Size:
Height 10 - 15 x Width: 4 - 6
Growth rate:
Moderately fast: 0.6 - 0.9m per year
Place of Origin:
Qld, NSW
Allocasuarina torulosa is a slender upright or spreading evergreen tree with deeply furrowed
bark. Grey-green branchlets take on a rusty to dark brown appearance when in flower.
Branches frequently weep when young, adaptable to a wide range of soils types and
conditions.
Angophora costata
Common Name:
Smooth-bark Apple-myrtle
Size:
Height 10 - 15 x Width 5 - 10
Growth rate:
Moderately fast: 0.6 - 0.9m per year
Place of Origin:
Qld, NSW
Angophora costata is a small to medium evergreen tree with an upright form with a relatively
open canopy. The leaves are large and bright green, with reddish new growth. The flowers
are white to cream and profuse through summer, bark smooth and bright orange brown to
pink-brown when new. Will grow in a wide range of soil conditions.
Eucalyptus tricarpa
Common Name:
Red Ironbark
Size:
Height 15 - 20 X Width 10 - 20
Growth rate:
Fast: 0.9m plus per year
Place of Origin:
Victoria
Eucalyptus tricarpa is a large upright to spreading tree with an open crown. The bark is
persistent on trunk and branches, hard, very thick, deeply furrowed, reddish brown to black.
The leaves long dull green to grey, profuse cream or pink flowers May to December, very
attractive to nectar eating birds. Requires well drained soils and tolerates extended dry
periods when established.
Ficus microcarpa var. hilli
Common Name:
Hills Weeping Fig
Size:
Height 10 - 15 x Width 5 - 10
Growth rate:
Slow: 0.3 - 0.6m per year
Place of Origin:
Qld
Ficus microcarpa var. hilli is a medium sized evergreen tree leathery dark green leaves. At
maturity the tree forms a bushy habit with weeping branches. The tree clips well to form
large hedges or pleached avenue plantings. The bark is white which contrasts with the
foliage.
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LANDSCAPE GUIEDELINES AND TECHNICAL NOTES
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Lophostemon confertus
Common Name:
Brush Box
Size:
Height 10 - 15 x Width 4 - 8
Growth rate:
Moderately fast: 0.6 - 0.9m per year
Place of Origin:
NSW, Qld
Lophostemon confertus is a medium sized evergreen tree forming a dense rounded crown.
The leaves are a dark green, reddish when young, profuse white flowers in late spring to
early summer. The compact form is unusual for native trees, tolerates a wide range of soil
conditions.
Exotic Trees
Alnus jorullensis
Common Name:
Evergreen Alder
Size:
Height 6 - 12 x Width 3 - 6
Growth rate:
Fast: 0.9m plus per year
Place of Origin:
Mexico
Alnus jorullensis is an upright pyramidal evergreen tree with pendudlous deep green foliage.
Bark is papery and pale grey. Tolerates a wide range of soil conditions.
Michelia doltsopa
Common Name:
Chinese Magnolia Tree
Size:
Height 3 - 15 x Width 1 - 5
Growth rate:
Slow: 0.3 - 0.6m per year
Place of Origin:
China
Michelia doltsopa is a very ornamental evergreen tree with glossy leaves and fragrant white
flowers. The tree requires well drained soil, not tolerant of drought.
Quercus suber
Common Name:
Cork Oak
Size:
Height 6 - 12 x Width 4 - 6
Growth rate:
Slow: 0.3 - 0.5m per year
Place of Origin:
N. Africa, Europe
Quercus suber is an upright evergreen tree with glossy dark green leaves. The attractive
bark is the commercial source for cork. The tree is tolerant of dry soils once established.
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LANDSCAPE GUIEDELINES AND TECHNICAL NOTES
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REFERENCE MATERIALS
The Moreland Open Space Strategy; 1996
The Moreland Street Landscape Strategy, 1997
Merri Creek and Environs Strategy, 1998
Moonee Ponds Creek Concept Plan, 1992
Field Guide to Victoria’s Native Grasslands, 1992, National Trust
Plants of Melbourne’s Western Plains - A gardener’s guide to the original flora, 1995, SGAP
Keilor Plains Group
Plants of the Merri Merri - A Home Gardener’s Guide to Using Indigenous Plants in the
Northern Suburbs of Melbourne, 1994, Merri Creek Management Committee
Flora of Melbourne - A Guide to the Indigenous Plants of the Greater Melbourne Area, 1993,
Society for Growing Australian Plants Maroondah, Inc.
Native Trees and Shrubs of South-Eastern Australia, 1989, L. F. Costermans
Gardening with Indigenous Plants in Moreland, 1998 (Moreland City Council)
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LANDSCAPE GUIEDELINES AND TECHNICAL NOTES
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