native

Groundcover plants are a very effective way of covering bare areas of the garden. They act as living mulch to keep soil and gardens cool, reduce moisture loss and even keep down weeds. Planting a native species can do even more for your garden. Like native shrubs and trees, native groundcover plants improve the environment, attract native species of birds...

A little bit about New South Wales Christmas bush One plant that’s always perfectly dressed to celebrate an Aussie Christmas is the New South Wales Christmas bush. In early summer, this shapely native shrub’s small creamy-white flowers give way to showy red or pink bracts. Together with pretty, shiny, soft foliage, it’s no wonder this plant is a florist favourite...

Geraldton wax (Chamelaucium uncinatum) is a beautiful flowering Australian native shrub that brings colour to gardens from late winter to spring. As the common name suggests, Geraldton wax comes from Western Australia. Its mainly pink or white flowers have small, stiff petals, which give them the description of ‘wax’ flowers. The flowers ooze nectar and are highly attractive to bees...

A little bit about hardenbergia It’s hard not to love this tough, evergreen native. Named after Franziska Countess von Hardenberg, a 19th century Austrian botany patron, a hardenbergia will adapt to almost any spot you put it in. Its deep green, leathery leaves and pea-shaped clusters of flowers are loved by birds and butterflies too.   Botanical name: Australian sarsaparilla...

A little bit about the Alexander palm This hardy, fast-growing native palm is happy as a potted ornamental plant or in the garden. Its lush green foliage features fronds with a silver under surface that catches the light, especially when the sun is low.   Botanical name: Archontophoenix Alexandere Other names: Alex palm, king palm Height: 10 – 24 metres...

A little bit about the Bangalow palm A tough, fast-growing native palm with a dense crown of deep green, feathery fronds and a thin, smooth grey trunk.   Botanical name: Archontophoenix cunninghamiana Height: 9 – 25 metres Width: 4.5 metres Ideal position: Likes part shade and can tolerate light frost.  Suitable spots: Shallow roots make the Bangalow palm safe to plant...

Australia means different things to each of us, but this Australia Day we take a look at three iconic native plants that have shaped the lives of Australians.

There are so many Lilly Pilles on the market these days that it can be absolutely dizzying trying to choose between them.

My two main past times are bushwalking and gardening, so it’s no surprise that I am an avid native gardener. It has always been important to me to bring the beauty of our bush (like native wild flowers) into my backyard. However, as anyone who has tried grow some of Australia's iconic...