One of the goals for our garden is to include plantings to enhance our local biodiversity. To this end, I’ve been doing some research. I found several helpful resources:
- Habitat: A Practical Guide to Creating a Wildlife-friendly Australian Garden by AB Bishop. I borrowed this from my local library. It has lots of in-depth information on what to do, case studies and a plant list divided into levels (canopy, understorey, field and ground layer). With details on flower colour, size, light requirements and whether they provide nectar, fruit, seed, nesting or butterfly hosting.
- Live Bayside Plant Bayside: Indigenous plant guide for Bayside gardens
- Westgate Biodiversity
- Gardening with Angus
Once I had a reasonable idea of the main plants in our area, I took notes as I walked and ran to see how they grow. Some plants I’m thinking of including:
Banksia. Good for birds of all sizes, mammals and butterflies. Large yellow flowers Feb-Jun followed by seed heads.
White Correa. White star-shaped flowers in spring and summer. Good for honey-eaters, small birds and butterflies.
Flax-lily. Blue flowers Sept-Dec. Good for reptiles and butterflies.
Common Everlasting. Yellow flowers in Sept-Dec. Good for small birds, butterflies, and lizards.
Sticky Everlasting
I’m also looking at Cushion Bush, Long Purple Flag, and Billy Buttons. With these, I’ll mix in kangaroo paws, native to Australia but not indigenous to our area, along with some ornamental grasses and grey-coloured succulents.
Comments
2 responses to “Indigenous Plants”
So interesting how different vegetation is at your end of the world. I have never seen any of those plants. I love that you try to incorporate Indigenous in the garden concept. Often times we tend to go the other way and plant what is not native becasue we like looking at it.
My dad does the same. We always wanted a magnolia tree and he never planted one because he said they are not native. he isnt really stricht about it as we have a few exotic plants but mainy it is fruit trees or some evergreens, oak and beech and walnuts. Along with flowers and bushes that bloom.
Looking forward seeing more of your garden when you are at the new place.
Wow, you’re really doing your research and I think it’s great that you’re looking for native plants.