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​Australian Natives

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Boronia Heterophylla

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Eriostemon Bournda Beauty

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Eucalyptus Baby Blue

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Eutaxia obovata Nana

Australians ! fair dinkum


Australian native plants are a tough bunch. Having adapted to withstand a harsh climate, they’re some of the most reliable and easy-going plants around.  They bring the beauty of the Australian Native bush to your backyard. If you’re all about waterwise gardening, drought-hardy Australian natives are perfect. They’re also a big hit with native birds and bugs who love to feast on their blooms. 


H​OW TO GROW AUSTRALIAN NATIVES

BIG, bold and gorgeous, Australian Natives are amazing!

Many people think Australian native plants are difficult to grow, but they aren’t really. As with all plants, it mainly depends on matching suitable plants to a particular garden environment.

With their stunning blooms and textured leaves, Australian natives are a knockout in both the garden and in a vase. The most commonly loved cut native flowers include waratahs, banksias and gum blossoms, and kangaroo paws.

In garden centres now there are an incredibly diverse range of Australian native plants cultivated for their unique leaf shapes and colours as well as their striking flowers which of course the birds love. But, even more valuable than that, are their hardiness to cope with our impoverished soils and long, dry summers.

There is an Australian native plant for every part of the garden and although they do require a little bit of maintenance, on the whole, this is far less than most exotic plants.


CARE TIPS FOR AUSTRALIAN NATIVES

Whatever your soil or climate, it's possible to find the right selection for your place.

Australian native plants do respond well to pruning with the best time being after flowering. The rule of thumb is to remove a third of the growth to encourage new shoots and to keep the shape of the plant bushy. This will help stop the ‘legginess’ that can occur over several years of rapid growth and allow even the larger shrubs to be contained to a size to suit a smaller garden.

Some believe that an Australian native garden requires no watering at all but this is in fact rarely true. Most Australian native plants definitely require a different amount of water than that supplied by the rain.

Drip irrigation is the most efficient way to water an Australian native plants but use this to provide deep soakings of water every two or three weeks during Summer, or as required.


Of course, Australian natives that have been newly planted do need regular watering for a few months until their roots have established after which, this can be markedly reduced.

Australian native plants do best with an occasional feed but can’t cope with chemical fertilisers that are high in phosphorus. Feed them twice a year, once in Autumn and once in Spring, with a plant food specifically designed for Australian natives or apply organic based fertilisers such as blood and bone or pelletised chicken manure.


When buying Australian natives, always consider if it needs the same conditions as the other plants in the garden bed where it is to be planted and whether it is suited to the soil and climate conditions of the area. If it is, the result will be a healthy, low maintenance and stunning plant and if it isn’t, choose another Australian plant. 

Remember, there will be one to suit every part of the garden.

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