she suggested flowering ash (fraxinus griffithii) which is an option but a bit boring.
also bleeding heart tree ( Omalanthus populifolius) but not sure about berries and leaf droppage. Does anyone have one?

so i consulted my "readers digest encyclopedia" but i'm not even sure if these are available in Perth.

I am considering Randia Fitzalanii (Australian Gardenia) which i read only grows to 6m and possibly less in Perth - does anyone in Perth have one and how is it ?

Native Gardenia (Gardenia Ovularis) - not sure what the difference is with this one and the Randia Fitzalanii ?
and there's also the Gardenia Jardinei which is also called a native Gardenia which i found on the web and may also be called Larsenaikia Jardinei. does anyone have any knowledge of these or how they would go in Perth.

also like the sound of Bauhinia Hookeri which although semi- deciduous would be ok if it only dropped some of it's leaves, or only for a short period of time.

Also Brazilian Angel's Trumpet (Brugmansia Suaveolens) looks good, as does Gordonia Axillaris but it's too slow growing unless i can find an advanced one.

does anyone know anything about Natal Cherry (Dombeya Tiliacea syn. D. Natalensis ?

what a list !! and very confusing. I had a Cape virgilia (Virgilia oroboides syn Virgilia Capensis) which i loved and was so fast growing but it shed leaves all year round and i was forever sweeping.

i have a theory that trees with little leaves drop more than trees with big leaves - is there any substance to this theory ?

help please. sorry this turned into an essay !

confused and fussy

Robyn

I assume you mean the normal frangipani "plumeria" but they are too slow growing. i want quick screening. i saw an advanced frangipani at the advanced nursery the other day which was the perfect height - about 2.5 metres already - for a mere price of $3500. no thanks - my budget doesn't extend that far.

keeps the suggestions coming. I think hte evergreen ash is going to be my best bet and i;ve seen them growing successfully in my neighbourhood but i want to explore all other options first.

Karen

Nurseries seem to be doing interesting things with them - such as selling potted standards. With a bit of attention in the early stages it should be possible to grow a standard-shaped tree.

Perhaps some other gardeners can advise on the possibilities of the lilly pilly.

sorry, you meant the native frangipani Hymenosporum flavum which is evergreen - the plumeria is deciduous. Yes, i am considering that, my Dad has one and they are supposed to be quite fast growing. He didn't prune his and its a bit leggy but i believe with pruning when young they grow more densely. thanks for that suggestion.

karen

The native frangipani can be quite tall and slim - if that's what you're after. They can be quite sparse in habit, but you're right, with pruning while young they can be more dense. You might want to consider clumping a few of them - depending on how wide your courtyard is, maybe 5 of them fairly close togther would look very nice.

I know you've said not a native ... but have you thought about one of the small flowering gums - torquata or torwood. They are very nice.

Good luck.

Aggie

thanks for the advice about the frangipani's. Haven't considered the gum trees (eucalyptus do you mean ?) because i think they drop too many leaves - had some before and was always sweeping.

cheers

Karen

Another possibility is to choose any fast growing bush to 4-5 metres and shape it to a tree.

Meggs' is a good idea. Would camelias be tall enough?

Yes, reference to gums were to eucalypts and yes, they do drop leaves/gum nuts and flower stuff.

What about a fruit tree - lemon, lime? Bay trees get big (but I think slow growing) and are beautifully shaped. Evergreen to boot and I don't think they drop leaves (unless left unwatered like mine in the pot in the backyard ...).

Good luck - plse let us know what you end up picking.

Aggie

Fruit trees would give lots of choices too - lemon, lime, apple, or any of the ornamentals - like weeping cherry.

I've got 4 flowering ash down our driveway - they are quite pretty too - but not if you or your neighbours suffer from asthma!

Good luck.
Barb

I have a huge wisteria which drops an enormous quantity of leaves onto a paved area in autumn. I HATE sweeping. So the leaves are left until they have all fallen and then get cleaned up in one foul sweep and put onto the garden. Wouldn't suit a lot of people (like my friend who regularly washes her front fence) but gardening is such a personal thing.

From the sound of things, you are only going to have one tree. Make it a tree that you are going to be happy to have and happy to live with. Forget the evergreen ash.

How about taking a walk through your botanical gardens and similar places and looking for "your" tree. Council parks and streetscapes, as well as leafy suburbs will also provide examples. If staff or owners don't know what the tree is, ask permission to obtain a piece and take to a nursery for identification.