Garden Trees - Shade, Ornamental & Fast-Growing Varieties

The 'Water Pear' is a very popular tree due to its versatility to withstand the harsh conditions of the urban environment. It is indigenous, evergreen and fast growing and is an excellent choice used as privacy screen to create instant privacy and noise-reduction in your garden. Creamy white, sweet scented flowers bloom from August to December.'Water Pear' prefers moist, well-drained soil and a full sun position for optimal growth.

Indigenous, neat, evergreen, decorative tree for medium-large sized gardens.  It is a useful screener tree and provides contrast in the garden due to its grey-green foliage. Thrives in large pots and responds well to pruning. Hardy and drought resistant. Withstands coastal and windy conditions. The wild olive has beautiful wood for furniture making. Has many medicinal uses.

Caesalpinia ferrea, a slender tree, boasts a uniquely colorful trunk, making it a perfect fit for small gardens.
Its dainty canopy allows ample light to filter through, making it an excellent choice for planting on lawns.

However, be mindful of its aggressive root system, which mirrors the size of the tree above ground. In spring, small yellow, bell-shaped flowers grace its branches, followed by the emergence of dark seed pods. This tree is sensitive to wind conditions.

A striking and very popular ornamental tree that is tall, deciduous and fast growing with a distinctive greeny-yellow bark. It has sparse foliage that allows for sunlight to shine through which is perfect if you want other plants to grow underneath the tree.

Excellent used as a windbreak or hedge. Can be cut to any size. Indigenous.A strikingly attractive and hardy drought resistant tree, with an uncommon silvery-blue appearance that contrasts beautifully with surrounding, darker green foliage. Well suited to harsh coastal conditions. It has a non invasive root system and can be used close to walls. Easily trained as a shrub or screening plant that can provide privacy in a short space of time due to its fast growing rate.

 Prune off the lower branches to form a shade tree; and if space is limited, grow it in a large pot.

A handsome, indigenous tree, suitable for most gardens. Beautiful deep red flowers make this a feature tree for summer shade.

Deciduous to semi-deciduous. Dark green foliage turns copper-red in spring. Nectar-rich flowers from Sept-Oct. Bright red, nectar-filled flowers will invite birds and bees to the garden.

Low maintenance. Cut to any shape or size. 

This popular ornamental tree, is easily recognised by the combination of its five-pointed star-shaped leaves and develops spectacular shades of orange, red and purple leaves during autumn.

Deciduous. 

A small to medium sized, evergreen tree with a graceful willow-like appearance and neat crown.  Fast and easy to grow, making it an ideal shade tree for a newly established suburban garden. Cut to any size. Dense growth habit makes it a good windbreak option. 

Wind and drought tolerant.  The leaves are fine and delicate. Tiny, green flowers in spring and summer are followed by edible red berries that will attract birds to the garden.

Indigenous, Waterwise, Wind-tolerant. 

A Cape Garden favourite! An attractive, medium sized, deciduous tree that is fast growing, ensuring that you will be rewarded with a magnificent tree in just a few years. It does extremely well in urban areas and is often planted along avenues for its uniform shape. Tolerates clay soil. 

The dense growth of this plant ensures that they make excellent wind breakers and large screening shrubs. They make a beautiful clipped hedge and can be planted in a container and shaped. Great for bonsai enthusiasts. Great coastal option. Indigenous.

The forest elder is an attractive, moisture-loving, medium-sized tree. This tree will give you an abundance of white flowers in the grey winter months and is an excellent investment for a focal feature in a smaller garden.  It has been classified as having a non invasive root system. Evergreen. Cut to any size. Suitable for planting in pots.

Pambati tree is a fast growing, evergreen shrub or small tree with leaves that contrast their dark green tops with silvery white and felt-like undersides.  With clusters of custard-yellow flowers it is an attractive addition to any garden.

A perfect tree for the suburban garden as it is quick and easy to grow, tolerates wind and drought, is evergreen with a graceful habit and a neat crown and won't get too big.

A beautiful indigenous evergreen tree or large shrub, with a spreading crown of glossy bright green leaves on drooping branches. Often grown as a screening hedge. 

Nectar rich, trumpet shaped flowers, are produced directly on the main branches. The abundance of tubular, orange-red flowers appear from autumn until early summer. Ideal for small gardens and will attract birds.

A fast growing deciduous tree that provides dappled shade in summer and shows off a stunning silhouette in the winter when the tree is bare. The abundant crop of edible dark orange berries adds extra interest in autumn when the leaves turn golden yellow. If planted as an avenue or speciman tree, they can be pruned and trained into any suitable shape when young.

A lovely shade tree that is not only grown as an ornamental tree in gardens but also widely cultivated for its edible pods that when dried is often ground to carob powder as a replacement for cocoa powder.

An excellent tub subject for patios. Evergreen and indigenous.

When young, the leaves have a rosy tinge and the stems are red. It bears spikes of sweetly scented creamy-white flowers in autumn.

This attractive evergreen tree will attract insects to your garden.   This is a relatively small tree, growing well in sun and shade. Prefers a cool and moist environment and therefore best to avoid hot, dry areas in the garden.

With a non-invasive root system it can be planted about 2 m from a building or pool. 

If you have a large garden, this indigenous tree will provide you with a very wide canopy of shade. The birds will love the small fig fruits and the kids will love the many branches to climb. This tree is ideal for building a treehouse. Plant with enough space between tree and permanent structures as it has invasive roots.

The Pavetta lanceolata, also known as the Wild Coffee or White Pavetta, is a stunning shrub that bursts with fragrant, white flowers, attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies. Its glossy green leaves and compact growth make it an ideal choice for adding texture and fragrance to gardens. This hardy plant is perfect for creating a lush, natural look in both formal and wild landscapes.

The decorative and handsome leaves of this medium to large tree turn bright red to purple in winter, dropping just before flowering, which starts around August and continues to November. Quick growing and reasonably cold resistant, this tree should be planted at least 5m from buildings and pools.

Frangipanis are compact tropical trees known for their intensely sweet-scented flowers that bloom abundantly from spring through autumn. They come in a range of colors. This striking deciduous tree is tolerant of windy and coastal environments and adapts well to container growth. It features a root system classified as non-invasive. Note that all parts of the Frangipani are mildly toxic.

Frangipanis are small tropical trees with lovely scented flowers that bloom from spring to autumn. They come in different colors and can grow well in pots. This tree can withstand wind and coastal weather and has a root system that doesn’t spread aggressively. Be aware that all parts of the Frangipani are mildly toxic.

Acacia Bonsai Starter is a beginner-friendly bonsai plant featuring delicate, feathery foliage and attractive bark texture. Known for its resilience and fast growth, this hardy tree adapts well to shaping and pruning, making it ideal for bonsai training. With regular care, it develops into a graceful miniature tree with a natural, airy form. Thrives in semi-shade (morning sun & afternoon shade, or filtered sun)and well-drained soil, bringing a touch of wild African beauty to your Bonsai collection.

The Barringtonia racemosa (Powder Puff Tree) dazzles with its vibrant, fluffy pink or white flowers, creating a tropical, eye-catching focal point. Fast-growing and lush, it thrives in coastal gardens, adding bold colour and a touch of exotic flair to any landscape.

Frangipani’s are small tropical trees with highly fragrant flowers that bloom freely from spring to autumn. Various colours are available. This spectacular deciduous tree handles wind and coastal conditions. They grow well in pots.  This tree has been classified as having a non invasive root system. All parts of the Frangipani are considered mildly toxic.

Ficus Natalensis | Natal Fig is a stunning African native bonsai tree known for its graceful branching, thick trunk, and glossy, bright green foliage. With its strong aerial roots and adaptability, it creates a striking miniature tree form perfect for both beginners and experienced bonsai enthusiasts. This, (the) Natal fig thrives in bright, indirect light and enjoys regular watering with good drainage. Naturally resilient and fast-growing, the Natal Fig makes a bold, sculptural statement indoors or on a sheltered patio.

Lydenburgia abbottii is a rare and endemic tree species found in the mistbelt forests of South Africa. Known for its glossy, dark green leaves and slow-growing nature, this evergreen tree plays a vital role in its native ecosystem. It thrives in well-drained, nutrient-rich soils and is often found in shaded, undisturbed forest areas. Due to habitat loss and limited distribution, Lydenburgia abbottii is considered a threatened species, emphasizing the need for conservation efforts. This unique tree is a testament to South Africa’s rich biodiversity, offering both ecological value and botanical intrigue.

The Cassipourea gummiflua (Large-Leaved Cassipourea) is a stunning evergreen tree with glossy green leaves and fragrant white flowers that attract bees and butterflies. Its elegant form and year-round greenery make it a perfect shade tree for gardens, while its resilience ensures low-maintenance beauty. Add a touch of natural charm and timeless appeal to your outdoor space with this indigenous gem.

Ficus plants are one of the most popular plants for beginners to bonsai.  Often shaped with a cascading trunk and topped with glossy, dark green oval leaves.