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Creating a native garden

Until recently, Australia's native plants have been neglected by gardeners in favour of overseas species bred to have bigger and brighter flowers. But the subtle richness and diversity of Australian flora is at last being recognised and explored. Most people are familiar with the distinctive reds and yellows of wattles, bottlebrushes and grevilleas but, with thousands of other species to choose from, there are native plants for every type of climate, soil and position.

Why natives are good for the environment

1. Australian plants are adapted to Australia. Native plants suited to your climate and soil will thrive in your garden without chemical fertiliser and pesticides.
2. Many native species are drought tolerant and require little or no watering once established.
3. Natives plants provide food and habitat for native birds and butterflies.

Tips for growing natives

1. Prune after flowering. This mimics the grazing of native animals such as kangaroos, promoting growth and further flowering.
2. Many native plants benefit from a small amount of slow-release low-phosphorus fertiliser in spring, just before the main growing period. Add fertiliser when the soil is wet, and water in thoroughly.
3. Natives can have a shorter lifespan than introduced plants; break up the old plants and leave them on top of the garden bed as mulch. This will replenish the soil with organic matter and nutrients, and in the right conditions seeds in the mulch may self-seed to grow again.
4. If you want drought-tolerant plants, choose species from dry regions of Australia. (You can't expect rainforest plants to be drought-tolerant, even if they are natives.)
5. As with any plant, find out if it likes sun or shade and plant in an appropriate spot.
6. Choose indigenous species (see below).

Choose indigenous species

Australia contains a wide diversity of ecosystems and climates, from humid rainforest to arid desert, so not all Australian plants will be suitable for your garden. Native plants from other regions of Australia can even become harmful weeds if their seeds get into the bush in your area.

The most environmentally friendly approach is to choose indigenous species - that is, species that grow naturally in your local area. Indigenous species are, by definition, perfectly adapted to local climate and soil, making them easy to grow.

If you can't find indigenous plants or seeds, then choose plants from areas with similar soil and climate to your garden. For instance, if your garden is heavy clay, don't use plants that naturally grow in dry sandy soil.

Native plant nurseries should be able to recommend and supply appropriate species. Your local Council might also have information about suitable local native plants.

Climbers

Native sarsaparilla ("Happy Wanderer") produces vibrant purplish-blue, pea-shaped flowers in late winter and spring. Other good native climbers include common appleberry, Australian clematis species, native passionfruit and wonga-wonga vine.

Trees

Native trees with attractive blossom will not only add colour to your garden but will attract native birds such as rainbow lorikeets and honeyeaters. Try yellow gum, white ironbark, fuchsia gum and golden wattle.

Colour

While many native flowers are smaller and less prominent than those of introduced species, a native garden can still be full of colour and spectacle. As well as wattles, bottlebrushes and grevilleas, there are Christmas bells, flax lily, short purple-flag (patersonia fragilis), native broom or golden spray, eriostemon (a type of wax-flower), native pelargoniums and many more.

Edible natives

In recent years native flavours such as lemon myrtle, lilly-pilly and mountain pepper have begun to find their way onto adventurous restaurant menus. Why not try planting a few natives fruits and berries in your garden and introduce them into your own cooking? Ask your local native plant nursery about some of the following: lemon myrtle, aniseed myrtle, grey
(cinnamon) myrtle, lilly-pilly, common appleberry, cranberry heath, midyim berry, finger limes, Davidson plum, native guava (eupomatia aurina), muntries (kunzea pomifera) and mountain pepper.

Native lawns

It's even possible to create a water-wise native grass lawn. Suitable species include weeping grass (microlaena stipoides), various wallaby grasses, kangaroo grass (themeda triandra) and red grass (bothriochloa macra).

Pot plants

Natives can be grown in pots. Use soil that reflects the natural growing conditions of the plant. Keep them moist, but don’t overwater. Use a low-phosphorus native potting mix with a couple of teaspoons of slow-release fertiliser in late spring.

Useful websites

Association of Societies for Growing Australian Plants (asgap.org.au)
Sustainable Gardening Australia - (sgaonline.org.au/plants.html)

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