Grand Designs Australia – Issue 6.3 – May 2017

TOP PICKS FOR A NATIVE

AUSSIE LANDSCAPE

Where else would you find native flora as uniquely named as in

Australia? Some favourite Aussie natives include the Woolly Bush,

Pigface, Snake Vine and Cousin It. Here are my top picks for your

native garden

WORDS // MATT LEACY

T

he abundance of native fl owers and

plants in Australia can help bring

an outdoor space to life, attracting

birds and using a minimum of water,

all while creating a landscape aesthetic like

nowhere else in the world.

FOR COASTAL/NATURAL VIBES

SCALE AND SCREENING

Banksia integrifolia, often termed the Coast

Banksia, is one of four Banksia species

originally collected by Joseph Banks in the

1700s. It is fast-growing along the east coast of

Australia, off ering beautiful greens, silvers and

fl owers of pale yellow, and coping with salt and

wind, making it a great coastal choice.

Melaleuca quinquenervia (Paper Bark) is one

of the most diverse plant genera in Australia,

with around 250 diff erent species. Growing

in silty or swampy soil along the east coast of

New South Wales and Queensland makes them

suited to the section of the garden with wet soil

or drainage problems. In terms of aesthetics,

it’s covered by a white to grey papery bark,

producing fl owers with short cream and white

bottlebrush spikes.

SHAPING AND FILLING

Westringia fruticosa is an excellent native

choice if you want a shrub that is fast-growing,

durable and capable of year-round fl owering.

It is great for seaside gardens due to its strong

resistance to salt spray and off ers dense, fi ne

leaves and small white fl owers that not only

look beautiful, but also attract a variety of

birds and wildlife. It can be shaped into the

perfect sphere if that look is desired.

Endemic to southern Aussie shores,

Leucophyta brownii or Cushion Bush gives

off a beautiful silver appearance, with white–

yellow fl owers in the summer months. You’ll

often fi nd it along dunes, cliff faces and

seaside gardens and it does not require a lot of

watering once established. In terms of where

to plant it, it’s great for giving shady areas

some light. Mix with deep-green foliage plants

and this plant will come to life.

A native shrub from the south coast of

Western Australia, Adenanthos sericeus

‘Woolly Bush’ is much-loved for its silver

foliage that is so soft you will want to rub your

face in it. It’s a great feature plant, providing

contrast in many gardens, and is relatively

drought-tolerant and low-maintenance in

terms of pruning.

Poa labillardieri ‘Eskdale’ is a native grass

which is perfect for colour contrasting and

softening hard surfaces. It sprouts beautiful,

fi ne, upright blue–green foliage, making it

an ideal choice for mass planting and larger

regeneration projects. In terms of climate,

you’re looking at milder coastal conditions for

the best results.

GROUND COVERS

There are multiple species of Carpobrotus

glaucescens native to Australia, with the

majority growing along the east and south

coasts. Also known as Pigface, these succulents

produce a striking bright pink fl ower, similar

to Daisies, as well as an edible berry-like fruit,

which was used by native Aborigines as a food

source. They can withstand salt spray, salt

soils and dry periods and are perfect for

ground cover.

Hibbertia scandens (Snake Vine) is a

vigorous and adaptable climbing plant that can

be used for ground cover, rock walls, fences or

trellises. It fl ourishes in a variety of conditions,

but fl owers best in full sun, producing large

yellow fl owers throughout most of the year. The

vines are water wise and require occasional

pruning, but they can bring a lush and

tropical feel to an outdoor space. This plant

is a great option for smaller gardens, growing

horizontally with ease.

Native to eastern Australia, the Casuarina is

a popular coastal plant. The Casuarina glauca

‘Cousin It’ is known for its unique appearance

and suitability for ground cover, rockeries and

hanging baskets. If you’re looking to bring

something a little diff erent to your garden, this

is a defi nite winner.

FOR STRUCTURED/ORGANISED

VIBES

SCALE AND SCREENING

The Bottlebrush is one of Australia’s most

loved and recognised native plant species,

and there are plenty of good reasons why.

They are brilliantly adaptable garden plants,

with long lifespans and minimal maintenance

requirements. They work well as both a

hedge or feature tree, and fl ourish primarily

in the east and south-east of Australia.

EXPERT ADVICE

(^) // LANDSCAPING