EXPERT ADVICE
(^) // OUTDOOR SPACES
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.