Written by Susan – Plant Lover, Adelaide
If you’re lucky enough to call the Adelaide Hills home, you already know how unique the landscape is — rolling slopes, misty mornings, and cooler nights. But those same conditions can make gardening a little trickier than on the Plains or coast.
The good news? With the right plant choices, your Hills garden can be lush, colourful, and resilient all year round — from summer sunshine to chilly winter frosts.
Here are my favourite Hills-hardy plants from Adelaide Plant Co that thrive in the region’s cooler, wetter climate and varied soils.
🌿 Top Plant Picks for the Adelaide Hills
🌸 Camellias (Sasanqua & Japonica)
A true Hills classic — glossy leaves and gorgeous blooms from autumn through spring.
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Thrive in part shade and rich soil
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Great for hedging, screening, or feature shrubs
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Frost-tolerant once established
🌳 Rhododendrons & Azaleas
Perfect for the cooler Hills air and sheltered spots.
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Stunning colour from late winter into spring
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Prefer dappled light and well-drained soil
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Combine beautifully with ferns or hydrangeas
💚 Westringia fruticosa ‘Grey Box’
Surprisingly versatile — works just as well in the Hills as on the coast.
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Hardy, compact, and beautifully silver-green
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Handles wind and light frost
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Great for neat hedges or native borders
🌺 Correa (Native Fuchsia)
An understated native that shines in the Hills climate.
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Tubular flowers attract birds through winter
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Tolerates frost and semi-shade
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Works well in naturalistic gardens
🍃 Rhaphiolepis indica ‘Snow Maiden’
A resilient evergreen that still gives you flowers.
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Handles the Hills’ mild frosts and varied soils
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Neat growth habit makes it ideal for structure
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Pink or white flowers in spring and autumn
🌾 Lomandra longifolia & Dianella tasmanica
Reliable, textural plants that hold their shape year-round.
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Drought and frost tolerant
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Great for borders, under trees, or driveways
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Add movement and contrast
🌼 Salvia (Microphylla & Nemorosa)
Sun-loving perennials that light up Hills gardens through summer.
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Frost-hardy once mature
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Great for bees, butterflies, and long flowering
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Perfect with grasses or in mixed borders
🌦️ Gardening Tips for the Adelaide Hills
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Soil prep is key: Add organic matter for drainage — Hills soils can be clay-heavy.
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Mulch generously: Protect roots from frost and retain moisture in summer.
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Choose the right position: Full sun for Salvias and Westringias; part shade for Camellias and Rhododendrons.
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Watch winter waterlogging: Raise beds or plant on slopes to avoid root rot.
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Windbreaks help: Use natives like Correa and Westringia to shield more delicate plants.
💚 Final Thoughts from Susan
“The Adelaide Hills are magic — misty mornings, crisp air, and gardens that burst into colour. The secret is picking hardy, climate-matched plants that love cool winters and warm summers. Once they’re established, they’ll reward you for years.”
