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For reliable and authoritative information on Australian Native plants see Jackie Miles' website. on www.thebegavalley.com/300.0html
There are thousands of reasons why you would want to plant Australian natives in your garden. Here are some :
They are very colourful and have delicate perfumes
There are thousands to choose from
They make great floral arrangements which last a long time
They suit our soils and climates
They attract birds and other native animals
You will be contributing to maintaining our native plant heritage
You will be replacing plants lost during land clearing in your area
They can be propagated from seed or cuttings and are easily replaced
They are unique
You will be able to impress overseas visitors with our unusual flora
You will gain great satisfaction and knowledge about our plants
To find out more about Australian native plants you can :
Join the Australian Plants Society-South East NSW Group-use the email contact on the front page-you will learn from other members and speakers and may want to attend plant propagation workshops
Visit the Eurobodalla Regional Botanic Gardens between Mogo and Bateman's Bay
Visit the Australian National Botanic Gardens in Canberra or their website www.anbg.gov.au
Use your local library for magazines and books on native plants
Talk to your local nursery owner and look for Australian native plant nurseries in your area
Refer to Flowers of the Far South Coast and Ranges of New South Wales by Betty and Don Wood for plants indigenous to this area.
CULTIVATION OF AUSTRALIAN PLANTS
PREPARATION
Before planting, group plants according to their aspect and moisture requirements
Raise garden beds for plants requiring a well-drained position
Aerate clay soils and condition with gypsum
Retain moisture in sandy soils by adding old horse or cow manure, peatmoss, cocopeat or compost
PLANTING
Before removing your plant from the pot, water it well
Dig a hole 50cm in diameter and deeper than the container
Carefully remove plant from the pot, place in the hole, infill with soil to the same height on the plant as it was in the container
Water well and repeat twice a week till established
FERTILIZING
When in doubt, don't use fertilizers
Yellowing and dieback can be caused by using unsuitable or too much fertilizer
Low phosphorous Osmocote or Nutricote can be used for pre-planting(rate of 25-30gms per hole, mix with soil from hole)
Soluble fertilizers like sulphate of ammonia, or compost and animal manures can be used sparingly when plants are established
MULCHING
Reduces weeding and root disturbance
Helps retain moisture and regulates soil temperature
Can consist of gravel, river pebbles, sawdust from untreated timber, pine and casuarina needles, wood chips, dried leaves, lawn clippings
Thick layers of newspaper make the best base
Avoid mulching against plant stems
STAKING
Native plants grower stronger without staking
Only stake plants in windy locations
Lightly tip prune rather than staking
Use 3 stakes and tie loosely to support
PRUNING
Tip pruning involves pinching out the growing stems, usually 2 or 3 leaves
Helps develop shapelier, bushier plants
Removing flower spikes prevents plants from becoming woody, increases flowering and promotes foliage growth
PESTS AND DISEASES
Healthy plants resist disease better
Birds, spiders, insects and parasites help reduce disease
Use insecticides sparingly, carefully and according to manufacturer's instructions
SOME AUSTRALIAN PLANTS FOR NSW SOUTH COAST
ACACIAS or wattles are the best known and they form the largest genus. They are quick growing but short-lived and perform the role of“nursery plants” while other plants are developing. Acacia sophorae and Acacia longifolia grow well in the south east.
BANKSIAS have large striking candlestick flowers,forming amazing seed pods, and gnarled trunks. Banksia integrifolia and Banksia serrata are the most common here.
CALLISTEMONS or bottlebrushes have spectacular flowers and are hardy bird-attracting shrubs. Callistemon citrinus and Callistemon rigidus grow well.
GREVILLEAS vary from ground covers to large trees. Birds love the nectar-rich spidery flowers. Grevillea lanigera and Grevillea rhyolitica suit SE gardens
LEPTOSPERMUMS or tea-trees have delicate, small pink or white flowers and are useful hedge plants. Leptospermum rotundifolium and Leptospermum laevigatum being grown extensively in this area.
MELALEUCAS are very hardy, varied plants with mostly fine foliage and delicate pom- pom type foliage.
Melaleuca fulgens has pink, apricot, red and purple flowers while Melaleuca armillaris has white.
OTHER PLANTS FOR THIS AREA
Acmena smithii ( lilly pilly)
Actinotus helianthi (flannel flowers)
Burrawang
Clematis glycinoides, C. aristata
Correa reflexa, C. alba
Daviesia mimosoides, D. corymbosa (egg and bacon)
Hakea dactyloides, H. decurrens, H. sericea
Hardenbergia violacea
Hibbertia obtusifolia, H. scandens
Little Forest Plateau - Mount Bushwalker. | | | | | | Walk: carpark to lookout - 19/09/07 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Acacia elongata | | | Isopogon anemonifolius | | | Acacia sp. | | | Isopogon anethifolius | | | | Acacia suaveolens | | | Kunzea ambigua | | | | Aotus ericoides | | | Lambertia formosa | | | | Astrotricha stellulata | | | Lepidosperma laterale (a form of) | | Baeckea linifolia | | | Leptomeria acida | | | | Banksia ericifolia | | | Leptospermum continentale | | | Banksia paludosa | | | Leptospermum lanigerum | | | Banksia spinulosa var spinulosa | | Leptospermum rotundifolium | | | Bauera rubioides | | | Leptospermum squarrosum | | | Baeckea brevifolia | | | Leptospermum trinervium | | | Baeckea imbricata | | | Lindsaea linearis | | | | Boronia thujona | | | Lomandra sp. (not longifolia) | | | Boronia parviflora | | | Lomatia ilicifolia | | | | Callistemon citrinus | | | Melaleuca capitata | | | | Calytrix tetragona | | | Melaleuca hypericifolia | | | Casuarina distyla | | | Melaleuca squarrosa | | | | Comesperma ericinum | | Patersonia sp. | | | | Cryptandra amara | | | Persoonia levis | | | | Dampiera stricta | | | Persoonia mollis | | | | Darwinia taxifolia | | | Petrophile pedunculata | | | Dendrobium striolatum/?Dockrillia | Philotheca buxifolia (Eriostemon) | | | striolata (Orchid) | | Pomaderris intermedia | | | Dianella sp. | | | Pterostylis sp. (? pedunculata) (Orchid) | | Drosera peltata (complex) | | Selaginella uliginosa | | | | Eucalyptus stricta (forms of) | | Sowerbaea juncea | | | | Gahnia sp. | | | Stylidium lineare | | | | Gleichenia microphyllum | | Tetratheca thymifolia | | | | Glossodia minor (Orchid) | | Thelychiton speciosum (Dendrobium) (Orchid) | Goodenia heterophylla | | Thelymitra ? pauciflora (Orchid) | | | Goodenia sp.(could be one of three) | Tristaniopsis collina | | | | Hakea levipes (H.dactyloides) | | Viola sp.? (probably to be cleistogamoides- | Hakea teretifolia | | | | | under revision) | | Hardenbergia violacea | | Xanthorrhoea resinifera | | | Hibbertia acicularis | | | | | | | | Hibbertia riparia | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Fabaceae and Epacridaceae collected from Little Forest Plateau and used as unknowns in |
| evening activity on learning to use plant identification keys | | | Dillwynia sp. | | | Platylobium formosum | | | Pultenaea daphnoides | | Dracophyllum secundum | | | Aotus ericoides | | | Sprengelia incarnata | | | | Oxylobium ilicifolium | | | Leucopogon ericoides | | | Gompholobium latifolium | | Epacris ? obtusifolia (check with J. K.) | | Bossiaea kiamensis | | | Leucopogon neo-anglicus | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | On route to Pointers Gap Lookout - 19/09/07 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Acmena smithii | | | | | | | | Cyathea australis | | | | | | | | Gleichenia sp. | | | | | | | | Gompholobium latifolium | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Syncarpia Forest - 19/09/07 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Acacia mabellae | | Helichrysum elatum | | Prostanthera violacea | Cassinia sp. | | Lasiopetalum sp. | | Synoum glandulosum | Correa lawrenciana var. cordifolia | Olearia tomentosa | | Syncarpia glomulifera | Elaeocarpus reticulatus | Persoonia linearis | | Zieria caducibracteatas | Eucalyptus pilularis | | Phebalium squamulosum | | | | Glycine clandestina | | Pomaderris multiflora | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 12 Mile Road - 20/09/07 | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | Amperea xiophoclada | | Lomandra obliqua | | | | Astrotricha stellulata | | | Persoonia levis | | | | Astrotricha latifolia (wide leaf) | | Persoonia linearis | | | | Banksia spinulosa | | | Pimelea linifolia | | | | Boronia ledifolia | | | Pultenaea retusa | | | | Conospermum taxifolium | | Pultenaea daphnoides | | | Eucalyptus sieberi | | | Stackhousea viminea | | | | Glossodia major (Orchid) | | Stylidium laricifolium | | | | Gompholobium latifolium | | Syncarpia glomulifera | | | Hardenbergia violacea | | Tetratheca thymifolia | | | | Hibbertia sp. | | | Xanthosia pilosa | | | | Hybanthus monopetalum or vernonii | Zieria pilosa | | | | Lepidosperma europhorum | | Zieria smithii | | | | Lomandra confertifolia ssp. similis | | | | | | Lomandra multiflora | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | From carpark with "boronia garden" to Granite Falls - 20/09/07 | | | | | | | | | | | | | Boronia thujona (incl. white form) | | | | | | Bossiaea kiamensis | | | Hybanthus sp. | | | | Daviesia mimosoides | | | Leucopogon gelidus | | | | Dianella sp. | | | Syncarpia glomulifera | | | Grevillea buxifolia | | | Woollsia pungens | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | From picnic tables and carpark near start of rainforest walk to George Boyd Lookout - 20/09/07 | | | | | | | | | | Acmena smithii | | | | Leucopogon sp. | | | Acronychia oblongifolia | | | Livistona sp. | | | Asplenium flabellifolium | | | Microsorum scandens or diversifolium | Banksia ericifolia | | | | Parsonsia straminea | | | Blechnum cartilagineum | | | Peperomia tetraphylla (probably) | | Ceratopetalum apetalum | | | Pittosporum undulatum | | Citriobatus pauciflorus | | | Platycerium bifurcatum | | Clerodendrum sp. | | | | Platysace lanceolata | | | Cyathea australis | | | | Pyrrosia rupestris | | | Cyathea cunninghamii | | | Smilax australis | | | Darwinia taxifolia | | | | Stenocarpus salignus | | Dendrobium (under revision - probably pugioniforme) | Sticherus sp. | | | | - Dagger Orchid | | | Stylidium sp. | | | Dracophyllum secundum (blooming!) | | Syncarpia glomulifera | | Eupomatia laurina | | | | Synoum glandulosum | | Eustrephus latifolius | | | | Tasmannia insipida | | | Fern similar to Sticherus | | | Tristaniopsis collina | | | Fern, unidentified, but like Davallia | | Viola hederacea | | | Ficus obliqua or rubiginosa | | | Xerochrysum sp. (Helichrysum) | | Helichrysum sp. (see Xerochrysum sp.) | | | | | | Isotoma axillaris | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Heath at and near George Boyd Lookout | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Acacia mabellae | | | Gompholobium latifolium | | | Aotus ericoides | | | Isopogon anethifolius | | | | Baeckea brevifolia | | | Isotoma axillaris | | | | Banksia ericifolia | | | Kunzea ambigua | | | | Banksia paludosa | | | Lasiopetalum sp. | | | | Boronia anemonifolia | | | Leptospermum rotundifolium | | | Caladenia catenata( being revised) | Leucopogon sp. | | | | Calandrinia sp. | | | Melaleuca capitata | | | | Casuarina sp. | | | Philotheca buxifolius | | | | Chloanthes stoechadis | | Platysace lanceolata | | | | Dampiera stricta | | | Rulingia hermannifolia | | | Darwinia taxifolia | | | Tetratheca thymifolia | | | | Dillwynia ramosissima | | Tristaniopsis collina | | | | Eucalyptus stricta | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | South Pacific Heathland Reserve, Dowling St., Ulladulla - 21/09/07 | | | | | | | | | | | | Acacia myrtifolia | | | Kunzea capitata | | | | Acacia sp. (possibly echinula) | | Lambertia formosa | | | | Acacia suaveolens | | | Lasiopetalum (prostrate) | | | Actinotus minor | | | Leucopogon sp. | | | | Actinotus helianthi | | | Lomatia ilicifolia | | | | Allocasuarina paludosa | | Lyperanthus sp.(Orchid) | | | Bossiaea ensata | | | Microtis sp.(Orchid) | | | | Comesperma volubile | | | Monotoca sp. (prob.M. elliptica) | | | Conospermum taxifolium | | Patersonia 2spp.(bluish-mauve including a white form | Correa reflexa (form) | | | | and a deep purple) | | | Dampiera stricta | | | Persoonia mollis | | | | Daviesia (probably corymbosa) | | Petrophile sp. | | | | Eucalyptus sp. - mallee | | Prasophyllum sp. (Leek Orchid) | | | Grevillea ? linearifolia/patulifolia | | Ricinocarpos pinifolius | | | Grevillea barklyana ssp.macleayana | Scaevola ramosissima | | | Hardenbergia violaceae | | Sowerbaea juncea | | | | Hibbertia sp. (possibly stricta) | | | 