Topiary Spheres: a timeless addition to landscape designs
Topiary spheres are a timeless design element in Australian gardens, offering form, texture, and evergreen structure that looks good all year round. While Buxus sempervirens (English Box) remains a firm favourite thanks to its dense foliage and sculptural shape, there’s a growing appetite for mixing things up with different plant varieties.
Whether you're after Australian native topiary plants, something more drought-tolerant, or simply a plant with a unique look, there are plenty of topiary-worthy contenders out there. These options can bring striking textures, contrasting foliage tones, and even seasonal flowers—while still offering the structure and shape you expect from a topiary sphere.
Why add topiary spheres to your landscape design?
Topiary spheres are more than just a design trend—they serve both functional and aesthetic roles:
Evergreen structure: Spheres provide year-round form and greenery.
Visual balance: They bring symmetry and help soften hard surfaces.
Low-growing definition: Ideal for garden borders, feature beds, or underplanting trees.
Timeless appeal: Whether your style is classic or modern, topiary spheres always look polished and intentional.
Designing with topiary spheres: where and how to use them?
Topiary spheres can be used creatively throughout a landscape:Use a single, bold sphere in a pot or raised planter to draw the eye and create an elegant entryway or courtyard feature.
Planting topiary spheres in repetition builds visual rhythm and harmony. This design technique works across classic, contemporary, and minimalist landscapes alike.
Spheres pair beautifully with loose-form shrubs, grasses, or flowering perennials to create contrast in shape and texture.
Yes—spheres can work beyond formal gardens. Several native and coastal species form naturally dense shapes that suit naturalistic or Mediterranean-inspired spaces.
What makes a great topiary sphere?
Not every plant is cut out for topiary, but the best candidates all share a few key traits:
A naturally dense, rounded growth habit
Evergreen foliage is key for providing year-round form and colour
The ability to tolerate regular clipping and shaping
Resilience to pests, drought, and varied site conditions
So how do you choose the right topiary sphere for your project? Start by assessing the site—sunlight, soil type, and climate all play a role. Then think about the overall garden style. Are you working with a formal layout? A relaxed coastal garden? A native planting scheme? Your choice of plant should enhance and complement the space.
OUR TOP 10 PICKS: The best plants for topiary spheres (beyond Buxus)
Our expert team at Plantmark has curated a list of our Top 10 Topiary Spheres—featuring standout alternatives to Buxus balls. These varieties are available pre-shaped as topiary, saving you both time and labour on your project site.
Each plant on this list offers something unique—whether it's interesting texture, standout foliage, or exceptional hardiness—while still delivering that classic, clipped spherical look.
Our topiary range includes fantastic alternatives suited to native and coastal gardens, along with drought-tolerant and low-maintenance options. We even offer flowering topiary spheres for those looking to add a splash of colour!
Ready to find your next favourite topiary plant?
Let’s dive in!
Correa alba
White Correa
Why we love it: Soft grey-green foliage that contrasts with other greenery. Features pretty, small white flowers. Naturally rounded habit. Plus it's a native!
Best for: Coastal and native gardens where low-maintenance, drought-tolerant options are needed.
Landscape style: Great for adding a gentle contrast of colour and texture to native planting schemes.
Grows to approx. 1–1.5m high. Full Sun, Semi Shade.
Westringia fruticosa
Coastal Rosemary
Why we love it: A native hero! Grey-green leaves and soft white to mauve flowers on a naturally compact plant.
Best for: Coastal gardens and hot, dry areas. Drought tolerant once established makes it great for water-wise gardens.
Landscape style: Works well in native, Mediterranean, or contemporary landscapes as a neat clipped sphere or natural mound.
Westringia fruticosa Wynyabbie Gem
Coastal Rosemary
Why we love it: A tough, fast-growing Westringia cultivar with soft grey-green foliage and pretty mauve flowers almost year-round. Grows smaller in size than Westringia fruticosa with a slightly softer form.Best for: Low-maintenance & water-wise gardens, native designs, and coastal conditions.
Landscape style: Perfect for clipped spheres in naturalistic, native, or coastal landscapes.
Grows to approx. 1.5m high. Full Sun. Semi Shade.
Teucrium fruticans
Germander
Why we love it: Twiggy branches and elegant grey-blue foliage, great for adding silvery colour contrast to other greenery. The subtle lavender-blue flowers in summer are a magnet for bees and nectar feeders.
Best for: Dry, sunny sites and Mediterranean or coastal planting schemes. Tolerates drought, poor soils and salt spray.
Landscape style: Pairs well with stone, gravel, and terracotta tones. A perfect companion for more vibrant greens and blooms in cottage style gardens.
Grows to approx. 1.2m high. Full Sun.
Cistus salviifolius
Gallipoli Rose
Why we love it: Low-growing, spring and summer flowering shrub with paper-like, white flowers with yellow centres.
Best for: Hot, dry areas needing a low dome or informal sphere.
Landscape style: Ideal for Mediterranean, native or rock garden styles. Low-maintenance and bee-friendly.
Grows to approx. 60cm high. Full Sun.
Correa reflexa pulchella Dusky Bells
Native Fuchsia
Why we love it: Shiny, glossy green leaves and pretty, bell-shaped, pink flowers that attract nectar-feeding birds and insects.
Best for: Shadier spots where many other sphere plants won’t thrive.
Landscape style: Perfect in native gardens, cottage-style borders, or under canopy trees where light is limited.
Grows to approx. 1m high. Full Sun, Semi Shade.
Ceanothus griseus horizontalis Yankee Point
California Lilac
Why we love it: Beautiful clusters of blue flowers in spring and summer on a dense shrub.
Best for: Informal topiary, low growing spheres, or soft mounding forms.
Landscape style: Stunning in coastal, Mediterranean, or drought-tolerant gardens.
Grows to approx. 60-90cm high. Full Sun, Semi Shade.
Rhaphiolepis indica Oriental Pearl
Indian Hawthorn
Why we love it: Compact growth, glossy evergreen foliage, and a burst of long flowering, fragrant, white flowers from winter to spring. Other Rhaphiolepis varieties such as Rhaphiolepis Snow Maiden and Hot Tips are also great options for spheres due to their naturally rounded, dense form.
Best for: Front gardens, mass plantings, and clipped formal shapes. Tolerates salt spray and can be planted next to salt water pools. Great choice for pots and planters.
Landscape style: Ideal in both structured designs and subtropical gardens. Amazing as a low hedge and pairs well with feature trees.
Grows to approx. 60cm-1m high. Full Sun, Semi Shade.
Elaeagnus ebbingei
Silverberry
Why we love it: Fast-growing and incredibly tough, with beautiful silvery-green foliage that catches the light.
Best for: Coastal gardens or exposed sites—its salt and wind tolerance is excellent. Great for when you want to create impact quickly or for brightening up shady corners.
Landscape style: Works well in modern, Mediterranean, or water-wise gardens needing robust structure and subtle colour contrast.
Grows up to 3m tall. Any position: Full Sun, Semi Shade, Shade.
Laurus nobilis Miles Choice
Bay Tree
Why we love it: An elegant, classic choice with glossy, dark green, aromatic foliage — plus it’s great for cooking too!
Best for: Excellent salt and drought tolerance makes it ideal for coastal gardens and Mediterranean designs. A classic choice for formal gardens. Or plant in your herb and vegetable garden for a fresh look.
Landscape style: Brilliant for clipped spheres in pots, low hedges, or statement features. Tolerant of clipping and sculpting.
Grows up to 7m tall. Full Sun, Semi Shade.
Choosing the right topiary sphere for your landscape
Consider sun, wind, and rainfall when choosing your plant. Native options like Westringia fruticosa varieties or Correa thrive in coastal conditions and free draining soil and can be planted in semi-shade, while Mediterranean species prefer dry, sunny spots.
Are you after formality, softness, or contrast? Use glossy-leafed plants like Rhaphiolepis for sleek structure, or silvery species like Teucrium fruticans and Correa alba for texture and brightness.
Wrapping It up
Buxus varieties will always be beloved for their timeless shape and versatility—but with so many fresh alternatives available, there’s never been a better time to try something new.
The list above features our TOP 10 Topiary Spheres, and the best part? These plants are available at Plantmark, already expertly trimmed into perfect spheres - saving you time, effort and labour on site.
And there's plenty more alternatives available at our Trade Markets! Whether you're looking to create structure, texture, contrast, or native appeal, our range of topiary spheres at Plantmark will keep your landscape looking sharp and stunning year-round.
Ready to get started? Visit one of our seven Trade Markets in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane or on the Gold Coast and see our range of topiary spheres for yourself. Or for more inspiration, why not read our blog post about Small Hedging Plants - Alternatives for Buxus.
Not available at your closest Plantmark location? Get in touch with our Quotes & Orders team who will be able to source the best quality plants for your next landscape project.
Did our TOP 10 Topiary Spheres include your favourites? Let us know in the comment section below.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What’s the best low-maintenance alternative to Buxus?
Westringia fruticosa is a hardy native that keeps a neat shape and needs little care once established.
2. Can I grow topiary spheres in pots?
Yes! Laurus nobilis and Rhaphiolepis are great choices for containers and thrive with regular clipping.
3. What’s the fastest-growing Buxus alternative?
Elaeagnus ebbingei is a vigorous grower, making it ideal for quick results and full coverage.
4. Which alternatives flower as well as shape nicely?
Rhaphiolepis, Cistus salviifolius and Ceanothus Yankee Point all offer beautiful seasonal flowers along with good shaping potential.
5. Can I use native plants for topiary spheres?
Absolutely! Correa, Westringia, and even some forms of Grevillea can be shaped into beautiful spheres with regular pruning.
6. Can I grow herbs as topiary spheres?
Yes! Laurus nobilis Miles Choice (Bay Tree) and Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary) are great options. They clip well, stay dense, and are excellent in cooking. Rosemary will also add fragrance and attract bees to the garden.
7. Which topiary spheres are best for shady spots?
Correa Dusky Bells is our top pick for a shady spot and is even capable of growing in full shade when the conditions are right. So is Elaeagnus ebbingei for when you want a fast-growing option. Correa alba, Westringia fruticosa varieties, Murraya Min-a-Min and Pittosporum Miss Muffet are all great choices for part shade. All these options hold their shape well and stay compact with light pruning.
8. Which topiary spheres are best for coastal gardens?
Try Westringia varieties, Correa alba or Alyxia buxifolia (Sea Box) These tough plants handle salty air and windy conditions while maintaining a dense, rounded shape.