Nursery
The Portsea Estate Nursery is stocked with Advanced Indigenous trees that are native to the local area.
Before European settlement, the Portsea/Sorrento region was covered in dense woodland dominated by Moonah (Melaleuca lanceolata) and She-oak (Allocasuarina Verticillata) with Banksia and Tea tree nearer the coast. Stands of Moonah trees now exist only in remnants while She-oaks and coastal Banksias were virtually wiped out in the 19th century following extensive land clearing and limeburning activities.
As part of our commitment to preserving and regenerating the unique ecological environment of the region, Portsea Estate has embarked on a program of propagating and replanting these indigenous trees. Our native plant nursery now stocks upwards of 20,000 plants, all of which have been germinated from seeds exclusively sourced from the beautiful and ancient stands of Moonah, Banksia and She-oaks that still grow in and around our 100 acre property which borders the Point Nepean National Park and overlooks Bass Strait.
Our Trees
Banksia Integrifolia
(Coastal Banksia)
Size and Price:
2 to 4 meters tall.
6 years old. 45L bags.
$280 / tree GST inclusive.
Banksia Integrifolia is a hardy tree growing from 5m – 25m in height depending on local conditions.
It is often upright when young and may spread between 3m and 6m at maturity.
The foliage is bright green and spiky when young, developing into thick, leathery leaves that are dark green on the upper side and silver underneath.
It displays bottle-brush-like flower spikes up to 12cm long, which are pale yellow in colour.
Melaleuca Lanceolata
(Moonah)
Size and Price:
1.3 – 1.6 meters tall.
45L bags, 5 years old
$280 / tree GST inclusive.
A small tree growing to about 8m. The alternate leaves are linear to narrow-elliptic with pointed tips, which grow from 5mm to 15mm long and 1mm to 3mm in width. It produces bottlebrush-like white flowers 2cm to 4cm long in summer.
Melaleuca lanceolata is a small tree or shrub which grows to about 8m and is native to Australia. It has a number of common names, including Black Paperbark and Moonah.
The white or cream flower spikes are 2–4cm in length and appear mainly in the summer, but may also appear randomly throughout the year. Ideal for coastal areas, Moonahs can be effectively hedged or can be used as a windbreak, for shade, or as ornamental trees.
Leptospermum Laevigatum
(Coastal Tea-Tree)
Size and Price:
1.5 to 1.7meters tall.
4-5 years old.
$280 / tree GST inclusive.
A tall, bushy shrub or small, twisted tree up to 6m in height. It is of the myrtaceae family native to eastern Australia.
Leaves are grey-green, up to 2 cm. Flowers are white and up to 1.5 cm diameter, in spring or early summer.
It is salt-resistant, very hardy and is commonly used in coastal plantings and can be effectively hedged.
High tolerance to the harshest coastal conditions including salt spray. Drought and frost tolerant.
Allocasuarina Verticillata
(She Oak)
Size and Price:
1.5 meters tall.
4 to 5 years old. 45L bags.
$280 / tree GST inclusive.
Commonly known as drooping she-oak, Allocasuarina seedlings become small trees with a rounded habit, 4 -10m tall, featuring drooping, pine-like branchlets.
Allocasuarina grows slowly compared to other species; however, it is commonly selected for coastal regions due to its hardiness.
It can be grown to form an excellent windbreak, but when planted in frontline coastal areas, seedlings must come from coastal-region seed, as inland forms aren’t adapted to salt-laden winds.
All our She Oaks are grown from seed sourced on our property, only 600m from the ocean beach.
Acacia Cognata
(Bower Wattle)
Size and Price:
1 to 2 meters tall.
4 to 5 years old. 45L bags.
$280 / tree GST inclusive.
Commonly known as Bower Wattle, Acacia Cognata is a graceful, weeping native evergreen shrub or small tree that grows well across the Mornington Peninsula landscape.
Prefers moist, well-drained loams or sandy loams, but adapts to clay if drainage is sufficient.
Good drainage is vital to prevent root rot. Thrives in full sun to dappled shade.
Afternoon protection can help protect delicate foliage during extreme summer heatwaves.
Well-suited to second-line coastal planting on the Peninsula, though it prefers shelter from direct, harsh salt-laden sea winds.
Brachychiton Populneus
(Kurrajong Tree)
Size and Price:
5 to 10 meters tall.
4 to 5 years old. 45L bags.
$280 / tree GST inclusive.
Brachychiton Populneus thrives in well-drained soils, easily managing sandy, loamy, and even rocky or poor soils.
However, it has a low tolerance for waterlogged sites, avoid low-lying coastal plains with poor drainage.
It is highly wind-tolerant, making it ideal as a durable coastal windbreak or shade tree.
While it handles secondary coastal breezes well, it should be protected from harsh, direct salt spray on primary beach fronts.
Once established, the Kurrajong is exceptionally drought-hardy, using its characteristic slightly swollen trunk to store water.
It handles the Peninsula’s hot, dry summers beautifully and easily tolerates the light winter frosts occasionally seen in inland areas like Main Ridge or Moorooduc.
Acacia verticillata
(Prickly Moses)
Size and Price:
2 to 6 meters tall.
4 to 5 years old. 45L bags.
$280 / tree GST inclusive.
A hardy, dense, spriny shrub highly valued for local revegetation, habitat creation, and understorey biodiversity.
Flowers are pale lemon-yellow to golden cylindrical spikes blooming generally from July to December.
It prefers moist sandy or clay soils, easily tolerating seasonal waterlogging as well as summer drying.
NON-NATIVE
Olea europaea
(Olive Tree)
Size and Price:
4 to 10 meters tall.
4 to 5 years old. 45L bags.
$280 / tree GST inclusive.
Olive trees thrive on the Mornington Peninsula because the region’s cool, maritime, Mediterranean-style climate mirrors parts of Italy and Tuscany.
They are very drought-tolerant, give younger trees deep weekly watering through their first summer, but mature trees only need help during long dry spells.
They feature non-invasive, shallow, spreading roots that are safe to place near structures and driveways.
Olea europaea
(Olive Tree)
Size and Price:
5 to 10 meters tall.
4 to 5 years old. 45L bags.
$280 / tree GST inclusive.
Fig trees thrive on the Mornington Peninsula due to its mild, Mediterranean-like climate, producing sweet fruit from late summer to autumn.
Highly drought-tolerant once established, but require steady moisture while fruit is swelling.
Fig Trees dislike ‘wet feet’, if you have heavy clay or poor drainage, plant your tree on a mound or in a raised garden bed.
Delivery
To organise a nursery visit or place an order, please call Portsea Estate Nursery or e-mail:
Portsea Estate can deliver locally on the Peninsula (Dromana to Portsea) for all orders over $500.
