{"product_id":"elaeocarpus-reticulatus","title":"Elaeocarpus reticulatus","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBlueberry Ash\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBotanical Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eElaeocarpus reticulatus\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFamily:\u003c\/strong\u003e Elaeocarpaceae\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e Eastern Australia — Vic, NSW, Qld, Tas (coastal and hinterland rainforest margins)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e Evergreen native tree \/ large screening shrub\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBlueberry Ash (\u003cem\u003eElaeocarpus reticulatus\u003c\/em\u003e) is one of Australia's most elegant and versatile native trees, prized for its narrow upright silhouette, dense year-round foliage, and a spectacular three-season display of fringed bell flowers, rich blue ornamental berries, and flushes of crimson new growth. Hardy across a wide range of conditions — from Adelaide's coastal suburbs and Hills foothills to the temperate plains — it performs equally well as a statement feature tree, a tall privacy screen, or a clipped formal hedge. Its consistent beauty and reliable toughness make it a cornerstone choice for South Australian gardens seeking native character with low-maintenance credentials.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMature Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 5–10 m H × 3–5 m W (garden-realistic range; can reach taller in ideal conditions; responds readily to pruning to maintain any desired height)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fast; 50–80 cm per year once established; strongly upright and self-branching with a naturally dense, conical to oval crown that requires minimal formative pruning\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Deep glossy dark-green elliptic leaves; new growth emerges in striking reddish-pink to bronze tones before maturing to dark green; older leaves turn vivid red before dropping, providing year-round colour contrast against the canopy\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlowers:\u003c\/strong\u003e Delicate pendant bell-shaped (campanulate) flowers with distinctively fringed petals; white or pink (variable in the species); lightly fragrant; produced in clusters beneath the foliage from late spring through summer (October–January in SA)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSeasonal Interest:\u003c\/strong\u003e Spring–summer flowering; followed by ornamental bright metallic-blue drupes (berries) from autumn through winter (April–October); red leaf flush year-round on new growth; exceptional multi-season garden presence\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWildlife Value:\u003c\/strong\u003e Outstanding — flowers attract bees and nectar-feeding birds; blue berries are a key food source for satin bowerbirds, lorikeets, figbirds and other frugivorous natives; one of the best wildlife-support trees available for Australian gardens\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTolerance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Drought-tolerant once established; moderate frost hardy (tolerates light to moderate frost; protect from heavy frost when young); coastal-tolerant (2nd-line coastal and sheltered beachside positions); wind-tolerant; adaptable to clay, loam and sandy soils; heat-tolerant in Adelaide's Mediterranean summer climate; pollution-tolerant (suitable for streetscapes)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting Density:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dense privacy screen or informal hedge: space 1.2–1.5 m apart (approx. 0.7–0.8 plants per linear metre) for coverage within 2–3 years; formal clipped hedge or avenue planting: space 1.5–2.0 m apart (0.5–0.7 plants per linear metre) for a more open, structured result\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePet Friendly:\u003c\/strong\u003e No known significant toxicity to dogs, cats or horses has been recorded for \u003cem\u003eElaeocarpus reticulatus\u003c\/em\u003e; the blue berries are considered non-toxic and are technically edible for humans, though they are not palatable in large quantities. As a precaution, discourage pets from eating large amounts of any plant material, and if ingestion of large quantities occurs, contact your vet. Considered generally safe for family gardens with pets.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere It Works Best\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSunlight:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun to part shade; performs best with at least 4–6 hours of direct sun daily; tolerates dappled shade under taller trees but flowers and fruits most prolifically in an open sunny position\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e Adaptable to a wide range of soil textures including clay loam, sandy loam, and fertile loam; requires reasonable drainage — avoid waterlogged or constantly saturated positions; amend heavy Adelaide clay with gypsum and organic matter at planting\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater Needs:\u003c\/strong\u003e Establishment (first 12–18 months): water deeply 2–3 times per week in warm months (Oct–Mar), reducing to once weekly during cooler periods (Apr–Sep); ensure the root zone stays consistently moist but not wet. Established: drought-tolerant with minimal supplementary watering needed — in Adelaide's Mediterranean climate, 1–2 deep summer waterings per fortnight during hot spells (Dec–Feb) and natural rainfall is typically sufficient for winter and spring; zero supplementary watering required in average winters\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaintenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Low; prune at any time of year to shape, reduce height, or maintain hedge density; apply a slow-release low-phosphorus native fertiliser in autumn and spring; mulch to 7–10 cm depth around the root zone to conserve moisture and suppress weeds; highly resistant to most pests and diseases — occasional inspection for psyllids or scale in warm humid conditions is all that is needed\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan:\u003c\/strong\u003e Long-lived perennial tree; 40–80+ years in suitable conditions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClimate Zones:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ideally suited to Adelaide's temperate and Mediterranean coastal zones (inner and outer metro, northern and southern suburbs); performs well in the Adelaide Hills footslopes and valleys (sheltered from heavy frost when young); suitable for coastal SA garden positions from 2nd row back; tolerates the warmer inland plains of the Adelaide metropolitan fringe with adequate establishment watering; not recommended for exposed frost hollows in the Hills without frost protection in the first two winters\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil pH:\u003c\/strong\u003e Adaptable — performs well across acid, neutral and alkaline soils (pH 5.5–8.0); no lime or sulfur amendment typically necessary in most Adelaide soils\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLandscape \u0026amp; Design Ideas\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTall privacy screen or hedge:\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant 1.2–1.5 m apart along fence lines, property boundaries or beside pergolas and alfresco areas to create a lush, flowering green wall that delivers seasonal colour while blocking overlooking neighbours — no trellis, stakes or structures required\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFeature specimen or garden focal point:\u003c\/strong\u003e Use as a standalone feature tree in a lawn, native garden bed or courtyard where its conical form, multi-season flower and berry display, and striking red new growth can be fully appreciated from multiple angles; pairs beautifully with Lomandra, Dianella and Banksia underplantings\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWildlife and habitat garden:\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant in drifts of 3–5 trees spaced 2 m apart to create a native bird and pollinator corridor; the combination of nectar-rich flowers and protein-rich berries makes this one of the most productive wildlife trees available for South Australian residential gardens\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy You Will Love It\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBlueberry Ash is that rare plant that genuinely earns its place in the garden every single month of the year — cascading fringed bell flowers from spring into summer, jewel-like blue berries drawing birds through autumn and winter, and flushing crimson new leaves that catch the light year-round. It grows fast enough to deliver real screening within two to three seasons, yet responds perfectly to a trim, giving you total control over its size and shape. Hardy, adaptable, wildlife-friendly and unmistakably Australian, \u003cem\u003eElaeocarpus reticulatus\u003c\/em\u003e is a standout choice for any Adelaide garden — whether you are creating a living privacy wall, a striking boulevard, or simply want one breathtaking native tree that does it all.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Adelaide Plant Co","offers":[{"title":"400mm Pot","offer_id":68039635796220,"sku":"ELAE-RETI-400MM-SO","price":259.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"100L Grow Bag","offer_id":68039635828988,"sku":"ELAE-RETI-100L-SO","price":585.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/9282\/0220\/files\/elaeocarpus-reticulatus-blueberry-ash-400mm-pot-adelaide-plant-co.jpg?v=1793700020","url":"https:\/\/adelaideplantco.com.au\/products\/elaeocarpus-reticulatus","provider":"Adelaide Plant Co","version":"1.0","type":"link"}