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TRANSCRIPT
Coastal GardensA planting guide
water-wise
design
loca
l
habi
tat
1 Usingthisplantingguide
2 Benefitsoflocalplants
4 Gardenescapes
6 Trees&tallshrubs
8 Mediumshrubs
10 Groundcovers,herbs
&smallshrubs
Healthy&attractivelandscapesThisguideprovidessimpleyetinspiringgardenadviceforpeoplelivinginthecoastalregionsoftheSouthEastofSouthAustralia.
14 Grasses&sedges
16 Climbers
18 Naturalcottagegardendesign
20 Formalgardendesign
22 Japanesestylegardendesign
24 Contemporarygardendesign
26 Growinglocalcoastalplants
28 Sourcinglocalcoastalplants
29 Usefulresources
Ourgardensarechallengedwithlong-hot-drysummers,drought,waterrestrictions,andachangingclimate.Asacoastalresidentyoumayalsohavetotacklesaltspray,sandblasting,sandyorsalinesoils.
However,thereisgoodnews!Youcanhaveagardenthatcopeswithourtoughclimatewithoutcompromisingonstyle,byusingresilient,localnativecoastalplants.
Thisguideshowsyouhowtoutilisethefantasticvarietyofnativeplantsavailabletomakeastunninggarden.Takingyouthroughstepbystep,youwilllearnwhatplantworksbestforagivenareaorneed,howtoincorporatethemindifferentlandscapingstyles,howtomaintainthem,andwheretobuy.
Youwilllearnaboutplantstoavoidwhichareknownforbecomingseriousweedsinnaturalcoastalenvironments.Whenbuyingfutureplants,youwillbepreparedtoconsidernativesforthebenefitstheyprovide.Youmayalsoidentifyinvasiveplantsgrowinginyourgardenanddecidetoreplacethemwithrecommendedalternatives.
Usinglocalnativeplantsinyourcoastalgardenbenefitsyourwallet.Itsaneasy,rewardingwaytolookafterourenvironment.Wehopeyouenjoydiscoveringlocalcoastalplants.Happygardening!
Usingthisplantingguide
Getting started
1
Localplantsarespeciesthatwouldnaturallyoccurinyourneighbourhoodsotheyhaveevolvedtosuitlocalconditions.Theyarealsocalled‘indigenousplants’.
Localplantshaveahugerangeofbenefits. Lowmaintenance. Droughttolerant. Requireminimalwatering=conservesourwatersupplies. Don’tneedfertilisersorpesticides. Providehabitat,foodandshelter,attractingnativefaunasuchasbirds,
butterfliesandlizards. Savesyoumoneyandtime.Usingwaterwiseplantscansaveyouupto
50%ofyourgardenwateruseeachyear. Adaptableforvariouslandscapingstyles,producingstrikingresults. Nativeplantsfloweratdifferenttimesoftheyearsoyoucanhavea
floweringgardenallyearround.
Localplantsareagreatoptionforresidentsofcoastalareasandidealforweekenderswhoarelookingfor“easycare”gardens.Theyhaveadaptedtosurvivetheharshconditionsofsandandsaltblasting,prolongedsunexposure,nutrient-deprivedsoils,andlimitedwateravailability.Theyarethebestplantsforyourneighbourhoodandtheenvironment.
What is a local plant?
Benefitsoflocalplants
Why use local plants?
Localplantscanbeincorporatedintoyourgardenthesamewayasexoticplants.Theyaresuitedtoalllandscapingstyles,fromformaltoJapanese,contemporarytonaturalcottage,tocourtyardsandpots.
Asyouwilldiscoverthroughoutthisguide,thereisalocalcoastalplantformostgardensituations.Plantsfeaturedincludestrikingground-covers,lowshrubs,structuredsedgesandgrasses,floweringcreepersandtrailers,bird-attractingshrubsandscreeningtrees.
Thisguidealsoshowsyouwhichlocalspeciestouseforparticulareffects,andrecommendsenvironmentallyfriendlyalternativestopotentiallyinvasivecoastalweeds.
Informationoncaringforlocalplantsisprovidedonpages26–27.
How to use local plants
3
Weedsareplantsgrowingwheretheyaren’twanted,andtheyaren’tjustsoursobsandthistles!Someplantsescapefromgardensandbecomeseriousenvironmentalweedswhichposeamajorthreattothehealthandvalueofournaturalenvironments.
Environmentalweedsaretrouble!
Theycompetewithlocalnativeplantsandenvironment. Canreducehabitat,shelterandfoodfornativefauna. Canaltersoilconditions. Clogupwaterwaysandeffectwaterqualityenteringtheocean. Canaltercoastalduneshape. Gardenescapesareverycostlytocontrolandtakeresourcesawayfrom
otherimportantissues.
Plantsthatcauseproblemsoftenoriginatefromregionswithsimilarclimates,suchastheMediterraneanandSouthAfrica.Thrivinginsimilarconditions,theyout-competelocalnativesastheydon’thavethepestsanddiseasesthatcontrolledthemintheiroriginalenvironment.
Youmightnotrealiseyou’reharbouringgardenescapes,ormightnotknowthey‘jumpthefence’tobecomeproblems.Gardenplantscanescapeintonaturalenvironmentsnaturally,accidentallyanddeliberately:
Seedscanbespreadbybirdsandotheranimals,wind,water(includingstormwater)orhumans(onclothing,shoesetc).
Dumpedgardenwastecontainingseedsorplantcuttingscangrowevenseveralmonthslater.
Sometimespeopledeliberatelyplantgardenplantsinournaturalcoastalenvironments.
Gardenplantscangrowthroughfencesdirectlyonthecoast.
Are you harbouring known villains?
Gardenescapes
How do garden plants become coastal invaders?
Haveagoodlookthroughthisguidetocheckwhichcommongardenplantsarenastiesinthecoastalenvironment.Youmightliketoremoveanyyouhaveandreplacethemwiththeindigenousplantssuggested.Takethisguidewithyouwhenyouaremakingnewplantpurchasesanddon’tbuyplantswhichareknowntobeaproblem.
Herearesomeothereasythingsyoucando.
Uselocalnativespeciesinyourgarden. Disposeofyourgardenwasteresponsibly. Checkwithyourlocalcouncilbeforeyouplantintonaturalcoastal
environments. Joinalocalenvironmentalgrouptolearnmoreaboutourcoastand
lendahand!CalltheSENRMBoardon87246000orgotowww.senrm.sa.gov.auforinformationonhowtogetinvolved.
You canhelp!
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DON’T PLANTagardenescape!
Shiny Leaf Coprosma repens (NewZealand)Flowers:summerReproduces:orange-redberriesautumntowinter(seed)
Coast Tea-tree Leptospermum laevigatum(EastcoastAustralia&Tasmania)Flowers:AugusttoNovemberReproduces:seed(woodycapsule)
English Broom Cytisus scoparius (Europe)Flowers:latespringReproduces:seedpodsejectseedsinsummer
Italian Buckthorn Rhamnus alaternus(Mediterranean)Flowers:wintertoearlyspringReproduces:fleshyblackfruits,willreshootfrombaseifdamaged
Trees&tallshrubs
Cotoneaster Cotoneaster sp. (China)Flowers:spring/summerReproduces:clustersofsmallberriesinautumn/winter
phot
oby
Joh
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nn
GROW ME instead
Silver Banksia Banksia marginataFeaturetreegrows3–5m.Leavesgreenontop,silverunder.Largeyellowflowersspringtoautumn.Interestingfoliageandseedpods.Attractsbirdsandbutterflies.Full-sun.Doesnottoleratedirectcoastalexposure.
Drooping Sheoak Allocasuarina verticillataTreegrowingbetween5–8m.Longweepingbranchlets,grey-green.Interestingcone-likefruit.WellsuitedtoJapanesegardens.Useasfeaturetreeorforscreening.Birdssuchasparrotsandcockatoosareattractedtofruit.Doesnottoleratedirectcoastalexposure.
Common Boobialla Myoporum insulareLargeshrubtosmalltree,grows2–5m.Thicklightgreenfleshyleaves,whiteflowerswintertospring,purpleberryfruit.Goodscreeningqualities.Attractsbirdsandbutterflies.Full-sun.
South Australian Blue Gum Leucoxylon megalocarpa Aspreadingtree,4to10mhigh.Dark,glossygreenleaves,white,pinkorredflowersfromMarchtoDecember.Suitableforcoastalexposure,anddroughtresistant.Moderatelyfastgrowerandrespondswelltopruning.
Dryland tea tree Melaleuca lanceolata Mediumsizedsmalltreeto7mhigh,greennarrowleaves.Whitetocreamflowersinabottlebrushshapeduringsummer.Fruitasphericalshape4-5mmlong.
Sticky Hop-bush Dodonaea viscosaErectshrubto3m,brightgreenstickyleaves.Greenflowersinwinterturntostrikingredseedpodsinspring.Greatforhedgingorscreening.Respondstopruning.Attractsbutterfliesinsummer.Doesnottoleratedirectcoastalexposure.
7
DON’T PLANTagardenescape!
Teneriffe Daisy Argyranthemum Frutescens Ssp.foeniculaceum(CanaryIslands)Flowers:springReproduces:seed
Myrtle-leaf Milkwort Polygala myrtifolia(SouthAfrica)Flowers:latewintertospring.Reproduces:seed
New Zealand Karo Pittosporum crassifolium (NewZealand)Flowers:springReproduces:flowersdevelopintoseedpodswhichreleasestickyseedsinautumn.
Tufted Honey-flower Melianthus comosus (SouthAfrica)Flowers:latespringtomidsummerReproduces:seed
Boneseed Chrysanthemoides MoniliferaSsp.monilifera(SouthAfrica)Flowers:lateautumntowinterReproduces:fleshyfruit(seed)
MediumShrubs
GROW ME instead
Round Leaf Wattle Acacia acinaceaShrubto2m.Smallroundedgreenleaves(phyllodes).BrightyellowwattleflowersfromMaytoSeptember.Providesburstofcolouroverwinter.Weepinghabit,well-suitedtoJapanesestylegarden.Lives8–10years.Doesnottoleratedirectcoastalexposure.
Sea Box Alyxia buxifolia Shrubto2mhigh,thickgreenleavesandwhiteflowersbetweenspringandautumn.Toleratescoastalexposure.
Coast Daisy Bush Olearia axillaris Shrubto3m.Leavesdarkblue-greenabove,whitebelow.White,daisy-likeflowersoccuralongstemsinsummerandautumn.Benefitsfrompruning.Screeningplant,foliagecontrast.Full-suntosemi-shade.
Coast Beard-heath Leucopogan parviflorus Denselyfoliatedshrubto2mhighwithdarkgreenoblongleavesandwhiteflowersfromJulytoSeptember.Fruitround,whiteandedibleduringspringandsummer.Toleratescoastalconditions.
Holly Grevillea Grevillea aquifolium Variableinsizeoccuringasscramblingplantorshrubreachingabout1to2mhigh.Foliagehassharppointsandred,greenish/yellowflowers“toothbrush”shaped.Honeyeatingbirdsareattractedtotheflowers.
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DON’T PLANTagardenescape!
Beach Daisy Arctotheca populifolia(SouthAfrica)Flowers:wintertosummerReproduces:seed
Gazania Gazania Sp. (SouthAfrica)Flowers:mostofyear,mainlyspringtoautumnReproduces:seed,vegetatively
Hottentot Fig Carpobrotus edulis(SouthAfrica)Flowers:latesummertowinterReproduces:fleshyfruitinsummer,alsospreadsbyvegetativeproduction
White Arctotis Arctotis stoechadifolia(SouthAfrica)Flowers:springtosummerReproduces:seed
Succulents (tropical&sub-tropicaldryregions)Flowers:variousReproduces:mostspecieswillalsospreadbyvegetativegrowth,somesetseed
Groundcovers,herbs&smallshrubs
GROW ME instead
Austral Trefoil Lotus australisSpreadingherbto30cm.Palegreenleaves,whitetopinkpeaflowersoccurinclusters,springtosummer.Prettyplant,suitscottageorbushlandgarden.Canplantinpots.Pruneafterflowering.Full-suntosemi-shade.
Seaberry Saltbush Rhagodia candolleana Spreadingshrubtoseveralmetreswidewithfleshygreenleavesandsmallclustersofwhiteflowers.Fruitripenstoadeepredfromsummertoautumnandareglobular.
Thyme Rice Flower Pimelea serpyllifolia Small,compactshrubtoabout50cmhigh,smallandcrowdedfoliage.Flowersaregreenishyellowhiddenamongstleaves.
Coast Bonefruit Threlkeldia diffusaSmallshruborgroundcoverto20cmhigh,1mwide.Smallfleshyleaves,greenwithpurpletinge.Soilstabiliser.Toleratessalineconditions,clay.Full-sun.
Creeping Boobialla Myoporum parvifoliumGroundrunnergrowingshinhighto5mwide.Smallgreenleaves,daintywhiteorpalepurpleflowersinspringorsummer.Goodsoilstabiliser.Spacefiller.Traildownrockwalls.Lawnreplacement(wherenofoottraffic).Attractsbutterflies,providesshelterforsmalllizards.Doesnottoleratedirectcoastalexposure.
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Native Pelargonium Pelargonium australeHerbtokneehigh.Largegreenvelvetyleaves,palepinkflowerswithpurplestripeoccurspringtosummer.Prettyplant,greatincottageorbushlandgarden.Canplantinpots.Pruneafterflowering.Full-suntosemi-shade.
Native Pigface Carpobrotus rossiiThick,fleshygroundcover.Greenleavestriangularincross-section,largebrightpinkflowersoccurinspring.Attractiveground-cover,soilstabiliser.Suitableastrailingplantforpotsordownwalls.Ripefruitsareedible.
Muntries Kunzea pomiferaGround-huggingshrubwithbranchesextendingoverseveralmetres.Thickbrightgreenleaves,showywhitefluffyflowersinspringandearlysummer.Purpleberries.Spacefiller.Suitableforpotsandhangingbaskets.Full-suntosemi-shade.Ripefruitsareedible.
Cushion Bush Leucopyhta browniiCompact,roundedshrubto1m.Silver-greyfoliage,paleyellowball-shapedflowersinsummer.Greatstructuralform,colourcontrast.Respondswelltoregularpruning.Contrastplant.Full-sun.
Native Fuchsia Correa reflexaSmallshrubwithdarkgreenleaves,pinkbellflowersinwinterandspring.Attractiveflowers,greatinformal,cottageorbush-landgardensettings.Attractsbirds.Full-suntoshade.Doesnottoleratedirectcoastalexposure.
Groundcovers,herbs&smallshrubs
GROW ME instead
Paper Flower Thomasia petalocalyx Smallshrubto25cm,soft,furryappearancewithlilaccup-shapedflowersfromOctobertoJanuary.Requireslittleattentiononceplantisestablished.
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Sand Ixodia Ixodia achillaeoides Ssp. (Arenicola) Low,recliningshrub35to55cmhigh.Flat,darkgreenleavesandwhite,paperyflowersduringsummer.IsratedasvulnerableunderCommonwealthlegislation.
Running Postman Kennedia prostrataProstraterunnerto2m.Leavespalegreen,brightredpea-flowerswintertosummer.Eye-catchingflowers,useasanattractivegroundcoverorplantinsmalltolargegardenpots(looksgreatinafeatureurn).Light-shadepreferred.
Dune Fan-flower Scaevola calendulacea Sprawlingleafycreeperwiththickandhairyfoliage.Fanshapedflowerswith5petals,palebluecolourmostoftheyearandapurplecolouredberry.
GROW ME instead
Couch Grass Cynodon dactylon(tropicsworld-wide)Flowers:latespringtoearlysummerReproduces:setsseedinsummer,alsospreadsvegetatively(includinglawnclippings)
Fountain Grass Pennisteum setaceum(EastAfrica&MiddleEast)Flowers:summertoautumn.Reproduces:viaseed.
Kikuyu Pennisetum clandestinum(EastAsia)Flowers:summertoautumn.Reproduces:vegetativereproduction(eg.lawnclippings)
Pampas Grass Cortaderia selloana (SouthAmerica) Flowers:duringautumnReproduces:seedsareproducedduringwinterandspring.
Buffalo Grass Stenotaphrum secundatum (SouthernU.S.A.)Reproduces:rhizomesandtrailingstemsproduceroots.
Grasses&Sedges
DON’T PLANTagardenescape!
Coast Tussock-grass Poa poiformisTussockgrassgrowingtokneehigh.Thinblue-greenleaves,brown-yellowflowerheads.Tightfoliage.Greatinsmallorlargegroupplantings,alsorockeries,borders.Goodtablepot-plant.Full-sun.
Coast Spear-grass Austrostipa spp. Tussockgrassspeciesofvaryingheights,withfloweringstemsto1m.UsecoastalspeciesA. flavescens(tall)andA. elagantissima(smallandcompact).Plantinclumps,suitableformassplantings.Showywheninflower.Fillinspacesorborderplantings.Attractsbutterflies.
Spiny-head Mat-rush Lomandra longifolia Leavesareglossygreenandflatgrowingupto1mlong.Creamyyellowflowerclustersinlatewinterandspring,fruitingoccurs1to2monthsafterflowering.Veryhightolarencetodryness.
Knobby Club-rush Ficinia nodosaAttractiveevergreenclumpingplantto1mhigh.Leavesdark-green,cylindical&up-right.Flowerheadsbrownball-shaped,occurallyear.Versatileplant.Useasaccent,groupplantings,pot-plants,aroundponds.Toleratessaltspray&wetzones.Attractsbutterflies.Full-suntosemi-shade.
Blue Flax-lily Dianella Revoluta Var. brevicaulis Growstoabout1mhighwithlong,greenleaveswithwiryflowerstalksrisingabovethefoliage.Flowersfromspringtosummerwithdeepbluetopurpleflowerheads.Veryhardywithawidemoistureandtemperaturerange.
Wallaby Grass Austrodanthonia sp.Clumpinggrasstokneehigh,fluffywhiteseedheadsinsummer.Plantinclumps,goodinbushgardensetting.Attractswildlifeincludingbutterflies.
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GROW ME instead
DON’T PLANTagardenescape!
Bridal Creeper Asparagus asparagoides (SouthAfrica)Flowers:springReproduces:redberrieslatespring,alsospreadingundergroundrootsystem(rhizomes)
Lavatory Creeper Dipogon lignosus(SouthAfrica)Flowers:springReproduces:seedpodsinsummer,alsospreadsbyundergroundrootsystem(rhizomes)
Bluebell Creeper Sollya heterophylla (WesternAustralia)Flowers:springtosummerReproduces:translucentgrey-greensausageshapedberriesformanddarkenastheyripen.
Bridal Veil Asparagus declinatus(SouthAfrica)Flowers:winterReproduces:green/blueberrieslatewinter/earlyspring,alsospreadingundergroundrootsystem(rhizomes)
English Ivy Hedera helix (Europe)Flowers:AutumnReproduces:small,blackberriesduringwinterandhorizontalstemsrootatnodeswhentheycontactthesoil.
Climbers
GROW ME instead
Native Lilac Hardenbergia violaceaClimberorshrubwithtrailing&twiningstems.Darkgreenleaves,clumpsofbrightpurplepeaflowersinwinter.Attractiveclimber,trailingpot-plantorsmallshrub.Attractsbutterflies.Full-suntoshade.Doesnottoleratedirectcoastalexposure.
Old Mans Beard Clematis microphylla Scramblingvineorclimberwhichcoversotherplants.Flowersaregreenishcream,producedfromAugusttoSeptember.Atmaturityfruitshavealongtailofsilkyplumegivingasoft,cottonappearance.
Bower Spinach Tetragonia implexicoma Scramblingshrubwhichoftenclimbsoverothervegetation.Succulentleaves5cmlong,flowerssmallandyellowduringAugusttoNovember.Fruitsareroundandorangetored,ripeningtoblack.
Sweet Appleberry Billardiera cymosa Climberorsmallshrubtoshinhigh.Darkgreenleaves,strikingpurpletoblueflowersinspring,red/purpleberriesinsummer.Attractsbutterflies.Full-suntosemi-shade.Doesnottoleratedirectcoastalexposure.
Climbing Lignum Muehlenbeckia adpressa Climberorcreepercoveringlargeareasofground.Lightgreenegg-shapedleaveswithcrispmargins,smallgreenflowerclusters.
17
Naturalcottagegardendesign
Anaturalcottagegardeniseasytoachievewithlocalcoastalplantsasmanyspeciesflowerinwinter,providingacolourfulgardenyear-round.Thesegardensarerelaxedandflowing,andareawonderfulplaceforlocalwildlife.Toachieveanaturalcottagegarden,mimictheflowandmixofplantspeciesinnaturalcoastalareas.Allowplantstocascadeoverpathsandlacethroughoneanother.Utiliseweavingpathsandrusticfurniture.Addbird-baths,hollowlogs,andnestingboxestoattractandsupportlocalwildlife.
Swalewith14mmquartzitegravelandhabitatlogs
0 1 2 3 4 5m
Mulch
Flatsleeperssetingraveltogiveboardwalkappearance
Recycledhardwoodtimberpost,upright2mhigh
Whitewashsustainablepebble
Bench
Trees & tall shrubs
Medium Shrubs
Ground covers, herbs & small shrubs
Grasses & sedges
Climbers
BlueGum Common Sticky Silver Boobialla Hop-bush Banksia
Coast Holly Daisy-bush Grevillia
Cushion Native Austral Native Bush Fuchsia Trefoil Pelargonium
Wallaby Blue Coast Knobby Grass Flax-lily Spear-grass Club-rush
Coast Muntries Sand Seaberry Fan-flower Ixodia Saltbush
NativeLilac
ThymeRiceFlower
19
Formalgardendesign
Anumberoflocalcoastalplantscanbegrownintoclippedhedgesorshapestoformthebasisoftheformalgarden.Sedgesandgrassescanbeusedinmassplantingsandaccentborders.Uselocalclimbersortrailingplantsinafeatureurn,terraceorretainingwall.Toachieveaformalgardenstyle,emphasisesymmetryandbordersandusegravelorsustainablepebblestocreateandhighlightlandscapingfeatures.
0 1 2 3 4 5m
Mulch
Bench
110mmx220mmlinearpaverdivider
Birdbathfeature
14mmdolomitegravel
500mmx500mmcharcoalpavers
Trees & tall shrubs
Medium Shrubs
Ground covers, herbs & small shrubs
Grasses & sedges
DrylandTeaTree
CushionFanflower
StickyHop-bush
Coast Native Native Native Fan-flower Fuchsia Pelargonium Pigface
Spiny-head BlueFlax-lily Mat-rush
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Japanesestylegardendesign
LocalcoastalplantsarewellsuitedtotheminimaliststyleandreflectivefeelingofJapanesegardens.Aimtocreateagardenthatmimicsthenaturalbalanceandflowofnature.Clumpsoflocalgrassescanbeusedtocomplimentrakedgravelareas.Incorporatenaturalelementssuchasplantswithgracefulhabit,waterfeatures,steppingstonesandgravelareastoachieveyourJapanese-stylegarden.
0 1 2 3 4 5m
Mulch
Recycledwoodenbench
110mmx220mmlinearpaverdivider
Featuresculpture
Clayorplasticlinedwet/drystormwaterfedpondcoatedwithquartzitegravelatamaximumof200mmdepth14mmquartzitegravel
Table&chairs
400mmx400mmcharcoalpavers
Trees & tall shrubs
Medium Shrubs
Ground covers, herbs & small shrubs
Grasses & sedges
DroopingSheoak
CoastBeard-heath
Native Cushion Muntries PaperFlower CreepingPelargonium Bush Boobialla
Knobby Blue Spiny-head Coast Club-rush Flax-lily Mat-rush Tussock-grass
Sweet OldMans Appleberry Beard
Climbers
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Contemporarygardendesign
Contemporarygardensfeatureboldmoderndesigns,withanemphasisoncontrastsofcolour,textureandform.Manylocalcoastalplantsofferexcellentcolourandtextureforthesebolddesigns.Todevelopyourowncontemporarygarden,createinterestinggardenbedshapesusingamixofplantsandlandscapingmaterialsthatprovidestrongcontrasts.Asimpleoutdoorsettingsuitsthecontemporarygardendesign.
0 1 2 3 4 5m
Dolomitegravel
Table&chairs
Whitewashsustainablepebble
110x220mmlinearpaverdivider
14mmquartzitegravel
Mulch
800mmx300mmpaversteppingstones
Trees & tall shrubs
Medium Shrubs
Ground covers, herbs & small shrubs
Grasses & sedges
DrylandTeaTree
CushionFanflower
ThymeRiceFlower
BlueFlax-lily
StickyHop-bush
SeaBox
PaperFlower
KnobbyClub-rush
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Plantingisbestdoneinthecoolermonthsthroughautumnandwinter.Theidealtimeisaftertheautumnopeningrainswhenthesoilismoist,andplantshaveampletimetoestablishrootsbeforethewarmweatherkicksin.
Water-inyournewplants.Overthefirstsummertheymayneedanoccasionaldeepwatering,butnomorethanonceaweek.Aftertheirfirstsummer,theyshouldcopeonrainfallalone.Priortosevereheatwaves,giveyourplantsathoroughwatering,sowaterpenetratesdeepintothesoil.
Youraimistoestablishstrong,deeprootsystemswhicharewater-efficientanddroughttolerant.Over-wateringleachesnutrientsfromthesoilcreatingexcessivegrowth,lessfloweringandshorter-livedplants.
Alayerofmulchaddedtoyourgardencanreduceevaporativewaterlossbymorethan70%!1Organicmulchkeepssoiltemperaturesdown,whichbenefitsrootdensity,suppressesweedgrowth,andhelpstopromotegoodsoilstructureandproductivity.
Apply5–10cmofmulchorgravel,creatingabowlshapearoundtheplanttohelpretainwater.Toavoidplantdisease,keepmulchawayfromplantstems.
1SA Department for Environment & Heritage – www.backyards4wildlife.com.au
Growinglocalcoastalplants
When to plant
Watering
Mulch & gravels
Fertilisersaren’tusuallyneededwithlocalnativeplants.Ifyoudecidetofertilise,seekadvicefromyourlocalnursery,asproductswithhighlevelsofphosphoruscanharmsomelocalnativeplants.You’llwanttoavoidrapidgrowththatmakesyourlocalplantsleggy,weakandshort-lived.
Pruningisbeneficialformanylocalplants.Mostspecieswillappreciatealighttrimtokeeptheirshape,promotenewgrowthandencourageflowering.Pruningisbestdoneafterflowering,usuallylatespringorearlysummer.Youngplantscanbeprunedlightlyandregularly.Olderplantscanberefreshedwithamoreextensivepruneafterflowering.Replaceoldplantsthatdieorbecomestraggly.
Pottedlocalplantsneedalittlemorecarethanthoseplantedoutingardens.Wateryourpotplantsmoreregularlyinsummer,andapplyalow-phosphorusfertiliserinspringandsummer(checkwithyourlocalnurserywhichproductisbest).Don’tover-applyfertiliserasitcanharmlocalnativeplants.Someplantsmayneedre-pottinginthefuture.
ForfurtherinformationNRMFLORAisadatabaseofplantsnativetotheSouthEast.Itissearchablebyeitherplantname,use,orgeographicsuitability,andprovidesbothfullcolourpicturesanddetaileddescriptionsofeachplant,theircharacteristicsanduses.Visitse.nrmspace.com.au
Fertilising
Maintaining your local plants
More information
27
Unfortunately,notallnurseriesaroundtheSouthEaststockavarietyoflocalcoastalplants.Askyourlocalplantnurseryforplantsthatareof‘localprovenance’meaningplantsgrownfromseedsorcuttingscollectedfromyourlocalarea,catchmentorneighbourhood.Theseplantshaveadaptedtolocalconditions,soarethebestplantsforyourgarden.
Youcanoftenplaceordersinadvancewithlocalnurseriesinlatespring–earlysummertocollectforlateautumnplanting.Advanceordersarerecommendedifyouwantlargerquantitiesofplants,ordon’twanttosubstituteifspeciesaren’tavailable.Manygrowersarealsoabletosupplyplantsforcommercialorderssuchascouncils,schools,othernurseries,industriesandlandscapers.Alternatively,contacttheSENaturalResourceManagementBoardon87246000.
Sourcinglocalcoastalplants
Usefulresources
Theseresourcesarecomplementarytothisguide.Frompicturesqueimages
ofourlocalcoastline,tomoreindepthgardeningresourcematerial,they
mayprovidefurtherinspirationandinformation.Happyplanting!
Internet NRMFlorase.nrmspace.com.au
www.senrm.sa.gov.au
Yourlocalcouncil’swebsite
GardenPlantsthatareKnowntoBecomeSeriousCoastalWeedswww.environment.sa.gov.au/coasts/pdfs/no34.pdf
SustainableGardeningAustraliawebsitewww.sgaonline.org.au
Books WhatSouthEastNativePlantisthat?-NevilleBonney CommonNativePlantsoftheCoorongRegion-NevilleBonney WhatSouthEastPlantisThat?-NevilleBonney
Acknowledgements.TheSouthEastNaturalResourceManagementBoardgratefullyacknowledgestheAMLRNRMBoardaswellasthefollowingpeoplefortheirinputandphotographs;SkyeMcPherson,CathyAshby,PeterFeast,SharnSmith,JeremyFreeman,CraigBillows,JasonQuinnandRonSandercock.
29
South EastNatural Resources Management Board
Mount Gambier Office9WehlStreetSouthMountGambierSA5290www.senrmb.sa.gov.au
Printed on 100% recycled Australian-made paper
Theadvicecontainedinthispublicationisintendedasasourceofinformationonly.Whileallduecarehasbeentakenincompilingthisinformation,contributorstothispublicationdonotguaranteethatthepublicationiswithoutflawandthereforedisclaimallliabilityforanyerrorsoromissions,loss,damageorconsequencewhichmayarisefromanyinformationgiveninthispublication.