{"product_id":"melia-azedarach-elite","title":"Melia azedarach 'Elite'","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhite Cedar, Cape Lilac\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBotanical Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eMelia azedarach\u003c\/em\u003e 'Elite'\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFamily:\u003c\/strong\u003e Meliaceae\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e Eastern Australia (QLD–VIC); species also native to South and South-East Asia\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e Deciduous shade and street tree; Australian native provenance\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMelia azedarach 'Elite' is a premium selected form of Australia's native White Cedar, chosen specifically for its uniform symmetrical dome, reliably reduced fruit set compared to seedling-grown stock, and exceptional adaptability across tough South Australian conditions. In spring it smothers itself in sweetly fragrant lilac flower clusters; through summer the dense canopy delivers genuine cooling shade; and in autumn golden foliage and (where present) cream-to-yellow berry clusters create a standout seasonal finale before the clean, sculptural winter silhouette takes over. For streets, avenues, parks, and large suburban gardens, 'Elite' is one of the hardest-working and lowest-maintenance deciduous trees available in SA.\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 8–12 m H × 6–10 m W\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fast; 30–60 cm per year; vigorous upright leader in youth developing into a broad, self-shaping symmetrical dome — canopy impact is achievable within 5–7 years from a 45 L stock plant\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bipinnate, dark green, fine and ferny in texture; turns clear golden-yellow in autumn before a rapid, clean leaf drop that restores winter light beneath the canopy\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlowers:\u003c\/strong\u003e Abundant sweetly fragrant lilac-to-pale-purple star-shaped florets in open panicles 15–25 cm long; spring (September–November); strongly and pleasantly perfumed\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSeasonal Interest:\u003c\/strong\u003e Spring — fragrant lilac blossom; Summer — dense cooling canopy; Autumn — golden foliage and (on this low-fruit selection) occasional cream-yellow berry clusters; Winter — ornamental bare branch architecture with clean structure\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWildlife Value:\u003c\/strong\u003e Spring flowers attract native bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects; any autumn berries provide food for honeyeaters, currawongs, and other native birds passing through the garden\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTolerance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Drought-tolerant once established; frost-hardy (survives heavy and repeated frosts without foliage or stem damage); heat-tolerant in extreme SA summers; coastal-tolerant in first and second-line coastal positions; wind-tolerant; adapts to clay, loam, or sandy soils including compacted and poor ground\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting Density:\u003c\/strong\u003e Avenue or street tree: 6–8 m apart (canopies join at maturity for a continuous vaulted shade corridor); specimen in open lawn or feature garden: minimum 8–10 m from other large structural trees; minimum 4–5 m clearance from buildings, retaining walls, and hard paving infrastructure\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePet Friendly:\u003c\/strong\u003e NOT pet-safe — Melia azedarach contains meliatoxins (tetranortriterpenes) toxic to dogs, cats, horses, and cattle if foliage or berries are ingested in quantity; toxic to humans also; 'Elite' is a low-fruit to near-sterile selection reducing but not eliminating risk — do not plant adjacent to grazing areas or children's play zones without supervision\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 essential; best canopy density, most prolific flowering, and cleanest form achieved in a fully open unshaded position\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e Highly adaptable — clay, loam, or sandy soils including poor, compacted, and seasonally waterlogged ground; calcareous coastal and alkaline Riverland soils are handled without issue\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater Needs:\u003c\/strong\u003e Establishment: water every 2–3 days for the first 8–12 weeks, then taper to twice weekly through months 3–6 as roots establish. Established: summer — once a fortnight during sustained hot dry spells is ample; winter — SA rainfall alone is sufficient across all regions; no ongoing irrigation schedule required once the root system is down\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaintenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Extremely low; no routine pruning, fertilising, or irrigation once established; 'Elite' produces significantly less fruit litter than seedling-grown stock, reducing pavement slip hazards on paths and driveways; if structural shaping is desired, remove crossing or competing leaders in late winter while fully dormant\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan:\u003c\/strong\u003e 50–100+ years\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClimate Zones:\u003c\/strong\u003e Suited to all SA climate zones — temperate Adelaide metropolitan plains, coastal suburbs from Semaphore to Aldinga, dry Mediterranean and hot Riverland inland regions, Adelaide Hills and Mount Lofty Ranges (frost-hardy to at least −5 °C), and the Fleurieu Peninsula; one of the few deciduous trees that performs equally well across SA's full temperature range\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil pH:\u003c\/strong\u003e Highly adaptable; pH 5.5–8.5 (moderately acid to strongly alkaline, including highly calcareous coastal and Mallee 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\u003eStreet and avenue planting:\u003c\/strong\u003e The 'Elite' cultivar's consistently uniform dome shape makes it the benchmark choice for matched avenue lines — space 6–8 m apart along driveways, boulevards, or council verges for a stately vaulted shade corridor at maturity that no other deciduous tree matches for low maintenance\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePassive solar shade tree:\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant on the north or north-west elevation of a home as a deciduous cooling screen — the dense summer canopy blocks harsh afternoon sun, then natural leaf drop in autumn restores winter warmth and light in a completely automatic passive-cooling cycle suited to SA's Mediterranean climate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMulti-season garden feature:\u003c\/strong\u003e Position where the spring lilac blossom fragrance drifts toward outdoor entertaining areas, and where the golden autumn canopy and winter silhouette can be enjoyed from key viewpoints — entrances, alfresco surrounds, or as the anchoring canopy specimen over a large mixed bed or lawn\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy You Will Love It\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFew deciduous trees can match White Cedar 'Elite' for four-season impact in the South Australian garden. It asks almost nothing once the roots are down — no irrigation routine, no pest management, no soil amendments — yet returns spring perfume, generous summer shade, a blazing golden autumn canopy, and a sculptural winter silhouette year after year. The 'Elite' selection delivers all the species' legendary toughness and longevity with the added advantage of a reliably uniform rounded crown and dramatically reduced fruit litter, making it the professional landscaper's and home gardener's first choice wherever a long-lived, no-fuss, showstopping deciduous canopy is needed across South Australia.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Adelaide Plant Co","offers":[{"title":"400mm Pot","offer_id":68039639040252,"sku":"MELI-AZED-ELIT-400MM-SO","price":527.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"75L Grow Bag","offer_id":68039639073020,"sku":"MELI-AZED-ELIT-75L-SO","price":749.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"100L Grow Bag","offer_id":68039639105788,"sku":"MELI-AZED-ELIT-100L-SO","price":925.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/9282\/0220\/files\/Melia-azedarach-elite-white-cedar-cape-lilac-100L-pot-adelaide-plant-co.jpg?v=1793412271","url":"https:\/\/adelaideplantco.com.au\/products\/melia-azedarach-elite","provider":"Adelaide Plant Co","version":"1.0","type":"link"}