Coastal Gardens

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!

5

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

nTa

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


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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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


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


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


Grasses & sedges

DrylandTeaTree

CushionFanflower

StickyHop-bush

Coast Native Native Native Fan-flower Fuchsia Pelargonium Pigface

Spiny-head BlueFlax-lily Mat-rush

21

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


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

23

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


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.

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South EastNatural Resources Management Board

Mount Gambier Office9WehlStreetSouthMountGambierSA5290www.senrmb.sa.gov.au

Printed on 100% recycled Australian-made paper

Theadvicecontainedinthispublicationisintendedasasourceofinformationonly.Whileallduecarehasbeentakenincompilingthisinformation,contributorstothispublicationdonotguaranteethatthepublicationiswithoutflawandthereforedisclaimallliabilityforanyerrorsoromissions,loss,damageorconsequencewhichmayarisefromanyinformationgiveninthispublication.

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