Category: Medium (minimum 8m tall)
Height: 10-12m Width: 8m Best feature: Showy lilac flowers in spring with dense summer shade and golden autumn colour Ideal for: Gardens that want a low-maintenance deciduous shade tree |
A fast-growing deciduous Australian native tree with a rounded crown and dense foliage, providing excellent summer shade and golden-orange colour in autumn. In spring, glossy new leaves emerge with clusters of small, fragrant lilac flowers. Unlike the standard species, cultivars such as 'Elite', 'Lilac Lady' and 'Caroline' produce little to no fruit, making them cleaner and more suitable for residential gardens and streetscapes. Hardy and adaptable, they tolerate compacted soils, a wide range of conditions, and require little maintenance.

Melia azedarach leaves turning yellow in autumn. Credit: Australian National Botanic Gardens