Many people have been disappointed by Australian native plants in the past, but there is enormous potential to create superb gardens with natives. Don met nurseryman and author, George Lullfitz, who used spectacular Western Australian natives to demonstrate that you can have native plants in flower in the garden all year long.

George thinks that there is no excuse for not growing native plants. They come in a wide range of colours in flowers and foliage, they are ideally suited for water-saving gardens and there are new, improved varieties available. These days we also understand more about their culture. It was previously thought that native gardens were low maintenance. However, when it comes to pruning, some natives (particularly tall-growing grevilleas) should be treated in much the same way as rose bushes! This keeps keep them dense and bushy, and encourages even more flowers. George recommended allowing these types of plants to establish for 1 to 2 years, then pruning off about a third every year.

Year round colour

Here is George's selection of Western Australian natives for flowers in the garden in every season of the year. (If you do not live in Western Australia, you can achieve the same effect by substituting native plants that grow in your area.)

Winter
Red banksia (Banksia coccinea)
Red and green kangaroo paw (Anigozanthos manglesii)
Geraldton waxflower (Chamelaucium uncinatum)

Spring
Banksia spp.
Yellow dryandra (Dryandra polycephala)
Smokebush (Conospermum stoechadis)
Geraldton waxflower (Chamelaucium uncinatum)
Black and green kangaroo paw (Macropidia fuliginosa)

Autumn
Menzies banksia (Banksia menziesii)
Eucalyptus erythrocorys
Grevillea tenuiloba
Scholtzia oligandra

Summer
Red-flowering gum (Eucalyptus ficifolia)
Rose-of-the-west (Eucalyptus macrocarpa)
Red kangaroo paw (Anigozanthos rufus x flavida)
Grevillea spp.
Morrison (Verticordia nitens)

Further reading

'A new Image for Australian Plants' by George Lullfitz. Available for $29.90 (including postage and handling) by writing to:

George Lullfitz
PO Box 34
Wanneroo W.A. 6946
or email: enquiries@lullfitz.com.au

Further information

Ask at your local nursery or specialist native plant nursery (such as the ones listed below) for advice on native plants that are suitable for your climate and situation. No matter where you live, it is possible to have native plants in flower throughout the year!

Native Plant Nurseries:

NSW
Annangrove Grevilleas Native Nursery, Kenthurst. Phone: (02) 9654 1380
Cranebrook Native Nursery, Cranebrook. Phone: (02) 4777 4256
Palm Land & Sydney Wildflower Nursery, Terrey Hills. Phone: (02) 9450 1555
Sydney Wildflower Nursery West, Marsden Park. Phone: (02) 9628 4448
Sydney Wildflower Nursery South, Heathcote. Phone: (02) 9548 2818

QLD
Fairhill Native Plants, Yandina. Phone: (07) 5446 7088
Nielsen's Native Nursery, Loganholme. Phone: (07) 3806 1414

VIC
Kuranga Native Nursery, Ringwood. Phone: (03) 9879 4076
Mt Cassell Native Nursery, Pomonal. Phone: (03) 5356 6351

SA
Nellie Nursery, Mannum. Phone: (08) 8569 1762

WAZanthorrea Nursery, Maida Vale. Phone: (08) 9454 6260

Copyright CTC Productions 2002