Australian native and indigenous plants, shrubs, trees, flowers are adapted to local climates and soils and create habitat suitable for attracting wildlife to your garden. A useful guide to a range of these plants is on https://www.australianoutdoorliving.com.au/australian-native-plants/

Wildflower gardens – What’s the buzz about?

In the quest for sustainable and environmentally conscious practices, gardening enthusiasts and nature lovers alike are turning to a time-tested…

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Indigenous plants for reducing insect decline

A steep drop in insect numbers since the 1970s has environmentalists very concerned. While we might not miss some species - mosquitoes and termites…

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Top Productive Perennials

Productive perennials provide solutions to many of today's gardening challenges. Top of the list is that they save time! Perennials don't need to be…

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Environmental Weeds: Native Invaders and Eager Exotics

We see them on the roadsides: vigorous, long-flowering, hardy and a splash of colour against the grey-green foliage of the native species. They are…

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Myrtle Rust is a Spreading Problem

Myrtle rust is a spreading problem in Australia.  It is a fungus, Puccinia psidii, which affects plants in the family Myrtaceae. While there are…

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Native Lawns

It may surprise you to learn that not all native grasses are tall feature plants. In fact in parts of Australia, pasture is composed almost entirely…

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Edible and Useful – Walking Stick Palm

With showy spikes of cream flowers and edible red berries, perfect to nibble whilst gardening, the Walking Stick Palm Linospadix monostachyos is a…

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Native Ginger

Native ginger Alpinia caerulea/coerulea is an attractive, easy to grow feature plant  and also a bushfood with a mild, tangy ginger flavour. A…

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A School’s Sustainable Gardening Adventure

One way to teach children about sustainable gardening practices is by developing a community garden on school grounds. An example of this comes from…

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Sea Celery – an Indigenous Edible Plant

When we think about native foods, or bushfood we often miss the nuances of what each one means. Many (if not all) are inextricably linked to…

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Indigenous Plants

What is an indigenous plant? Indigenous plants are not only native to Australia, but they are plants that occur naturally in your local area. Your…

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Albany Woolly Bush – A Home Grown Christmas Tree

Adenanthos sericeus As the festive season approaches, many of you may be considering a Christmas tree for the occasion. Why not break from the…

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Living Mulch: Waterwise, Firewise & Seriously Good Looking

Mulching the garden to cut-back on water-use is enshrined in garden lore. Protecting the soil from direct sunlight prevents it from getting hot and…

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Conserving Indigenous Remnant Vegetation at Heide

“There is a growing and strong, but quite unscientific ‘feeling’ that the bush must be saved and I believe this feeling should be encouraged to the…

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Fan Flower – Fabulous Native Ground Cover

Scaevola – groundcover species What a popular garden plant this has become, and quite rightly so.  The splendid fan flowers that give the genus its…

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