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RE: Australian Natives

Posted 805 days ago

Dwarf-form Banksias in that environment will "flower" most of the year round. Trailng Lotus to fill out the large gaps. (don't believe the label notes. Our's has reached 4M spread and still going but it's non- invasive). A few different native clumping-type grasses here and there. The shade will actually help everything to do well. One application of slow release for natives, water-in with seaweed, mulch well with sugarcane mulch, and that's it. If you're feeling lucky, W.A. natives are really spectacular, but really hard to keep alive anywhere else. Just some suggestions, hope it helps a bit.
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Experience is what you get when you dont read the instructions first.I'm a LEO.I am experienced!

RE: Australian Natives

Posted 804 days ago

Heh heh, I live in WA so I feel pretty lucky in regards to native plants. I haven't had much luck with dwarf banksias. I planted one last summer and made the mistake of over-watering it during a heatwave and it died. They are really susceptible to root-rot so I'd be cautious about planting it into wet clay soil (I live on the Swan Coastal plain so it's mainly sand). On the otherhand, the last time I watered any of my other natives was probably in February/March and they're thriving (with the help of mulch though). I'd suggest a few kangaroo paws. Some have flower stalks up to 2m but there are others with stalks up to 0.6 to 0.8m. They look great planted in a big group and you can get shades of red, yellow, pink, orange and green. The red and green kangaroo paws tend to die off easier but I really like the look of the more colourful "Bush Games". The only two things you have to do is to make sure they aren't damp all the time (they're susceptible to black spot) and to keep the slugs under control (they like to live in their leaves).
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RE: Australian Natives

Posted 804 days ago

Thanks for your replies people.

I really do like the kangaroo paws and will probably give them a try im a bit worried about black spots though as i believe thats what killed a kangaroo paw i had planted many many years ago.

As for banksias i like the look of them however the suberb im in is named after them as they are everywhere in the area so i think i will give them a miss.

Does anyone know of any other Natives i might be able to try or even some non natives that would mix well with the natives and go well in my soil type?

Many Thanks

RE: Australian Natives

Posted 802 days ago

I have also been suggested to try Correa pulchella and Grevilleas, what are your thoughts?

I really like the look of the Correa pulchellas and Grevilleas would be good if they are available in dwarfs.

RE: Australian Natives

Posted 793 days ago

BUMP

Any other ideas guys?

RE: Australian Natives

Posted 788 days ago

Grevilleas are nice and easy to grow. Their flowers are mainly in shades of reds and pinks but they have a range of foliage textures. There are heaps of different types and I have a couple of groundcover Grevilleas such as "Gin Gin Gem" and they grow really well in full sunlight and sand near a limestone wall with no water (couldn't think of anything tough enough to put in that spot that looked nice). I haven't had any experience with Correas but they look pretty. For a climber Hardenbergia violacea is pretty easy to grow and widespread. If you want to fill in gaps you can also plant Swan River daisies (or other similar native daisies) and everlastings from seed. They don't really need water once grown, you just need to control weeds before you sow the seeds.
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RE: Australian Natives

Posted 763 days ago

I had Correas & Grevilleas in a native garden I had when living in Wagga Wagga, the soil wasn't great it ranged from sand to clay depending on where you were on the property but Grevillea Pink Lady was excellent as a ground cover and Correa Christmas Bells. To mix in between I got 'tet a tet' Daff's that came up as a bit of a surprise package in the cooler months,they were sweet. Kangaroo paws & some tall burgundy decorative grasses.The Grevillias really did turn out to be the hardiest along with a few Calistamons.