Planting natives can be great for many reasons. Natives are generally pretty hardy plants that are well-equipped in dealing with Australia’s harsh climate. This can be beneficial if you are in an area that experiences water restrictions, as once established, these plants will often require less water than exotic alternatives.
Many also have brightly-coloured flowers and can be great for attracting native wildlife such as birds and butterflies!
Below is a list of four Australian natives that you can incorporate into your garden:
Golden Wattle
The golden wattle is the national flower of Australia. With bright yellow flowers and a sweet fragrance, it’s no wonder the plant is so popular (we even have a national day for the plant – Wattle Day is September 1st). Also referred to as Acacia pycnantha, golden wattle plants bloom in Spring, and occur naturally in the drier areas of Australia.
If you choose a Golden Wattle tree for your garden, be mindful of space as these plants can grow up to eight metres tall!
Kangaroo Paw
These distinct plants are only native to Western Australia (and are the official flower of the state), although you will find them in pots and flowerbeds throughout the country. Named as such because the flowers resemble a kangaroo paw, the colour of the flower differs depending on the species, with options including red, yellow-green and apricot.
The flowers require birds for pollination which means they can also attract native birds to your garden. Plant kangaroo paw in a well-drained, sunny position for best results.
Lilly Pilly
Lilly pillies are hardy plants and can make great screens and hedges on a property. There are lots of variations of the trees, and some can grow taller than 12 metres, so it’s worth considering the amount of space you have before deciding on the right kind for you.
Some variations include the lilly pilly ‘Tiny Trev’ (Syzygium australe ‘Tiny Trev’), which grows up to about two to three metres with few flowers, or the small-leafed lilly pilly (Syzygium luehmannii) which grows up to fifteen metres and has edible fruit in the autumn.
Tea trees
Another hardy plant is the Australian tea tree. The tea tree plant is found natively in Australia, South East Asia and New Zealand, and can be grown in low nutrient soil. The oil from the tea tree has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, making it a popular natural remedy for afflictions such as acne.
The tea tree is part of the myrtle family, of which there are more than 200 species. Some varieties can grow up to 30 metres tall, while others are around two metres. The flowers of the tree vary too, from red to pink to yellow or white.
Australia has a wide variety of gorgeous native plants, with many offering hardy, colourful additions to a garden. With such a range of unique options to choose from, native plants can be a fantastic, low-maintenance, native animal-friendly choice for your next plant purchase! Get in touch with Jim’s Gardening on 1300 975 430 or Book Online.
