Australian native plants are gaining a following in gardens, especially flowering native shrubs such as grevilleas, correas, bottlebrush, lilly pillies and banksias. Gardeners are planting Australian natives to attract native insects, birds and animals to gardens and to make their gardens more environmentally friendly.

Native plants are also seen as more adaptable to local conditions. With the increase in the availability of named cultivars, there are also lots of beautiful native plants that fill a range of positions in many different styles of gardens.

Many myths exist about native plants in gardens, with some believing these plants don’t need any care at all. However, like any garden plant, natives respond to good garden care including watering, fertilising (particularly with fertilisers formulated for native plants) and pruning. While some native plants are drought tolerant, all plants, including natives, need to be watered regularly until they have a well-developed root system and are showing signs of new growth. Plants will also require additional watering during extended hot or dry periods.

Native plants come from all parts of Australia, so not all natives grow in all areas. If you want to grow a garden that’s compatible with your local soil and climate, seek out local plants. To check whether a native plant suits your garden, consult the label to assess its light, soil, drainage and climate requirements (including frost tolerance).

Many native plants can be grown in small spaces including containers and raised beds, but most are not suited to permanent growth indoors. Exceptions would include some native rainforest plants such as native figs and ferns.

 

Flowering Australian natives come in many bright and beautiful colours. Clockwise from top left: Correa 'Adorabell', a grevillea, a kangaroo paw and a prostanthera.

 

Native Plant Care At A Glance

While there are native plants from every conceivable ecological niche throughout Australia, our garden favourites tend to have similar requirements to other garden plants. Here's a quick run-down of what you need to know.

Ideal soil for natives

Generally, select a position with well-drained soil. Sandy loams or good garden soils are generally suitable. In areas with heavy clay, many natives grow better in raised beds which assures drainage. Many natives do best in a slightly acidic soil (pH 5.5-6.5), but there are some that tolerate alkaline soils. Generally, don’t apply lime around native plants. Yellowing foliage may indicate that the soil pH is too alkaline.

Growing natives in pots and containers

If growing natives in containers, use a specific potting mix for native plants such as Supersoil Professional Native Potting & Planting Mix.

Lilly pillies and grass trees are popular additions to native gardens.

Preferred growing conditions for native plants

Check the plant’s needs for light and shelter as outlined on the label. Most flowering natives do best in full sun, but there are native plants that can be grown in more shaded situations. Native plants from the tropics or subtropics will need shelter from frost in temperate, cool and inland areas. Frost blankets can be very useful.

The best fertiliser for native plants

Many native plants are not tolerant of high levels of phosphorus. Phosphorus-sensitive plants such as waratahs, banksias, grevilleas and others should be fed with a specially formulated native plant fertiliser such as Neutrog Bush Tucker. Apply in spring according to advice on the container.

 

Wattle and Geraldton wax are two beautiful examples of the sheer diversity of Australian native plants.

 

General pruning advice for natives

Prune after flowering to encourage a dense, bushy shrub. You can cut back native grasses and clumping plants such as kangaroo paw in order rejuvenate growth. In general, light pruning won’t damage a native plant. In fact, it will help to encourage bushy growth while also keeping it looking neat and tidy.

Can I transplant an Australian native plant?

General gardening wisdom is that native plants can’t be transplanted. While some plants fail to relocate successfully, careful digging with minimal root disturbance should allow plants to be transplanted successfully.

 

Add aromatic foliage to your native garden with Philotheca, or a silvery sheen with and Westringia, otherwise known as coastal rosemary.

 

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