A wonderful Australian native is the native iris which has beautiful, tiny flowers and soft foliage that would be suitable in a cottage garden.
Plant details
Common name: Native Iris, Purple Flag
Botanic name: Patersonia occidentalis
Climate: Will grow in all areas of Australia.
Good points: Flowers for long periods during late spring to summer.
Comes in purple, pale pink, white or blue three-petalled flowers
Attractive foliage with many stems of flowers that grows well in most situations
Wide-spread species which occurs mainly in coastal and near-coastal areas.
Uses: Border plants in a cottage garden
Add colour to rockeries
Amongst dwarf shrubs in a native garden
Mass planting in drifts
Likes: Semi-shade to full sun
Care: Mulch well, don’t let roots dry out
Availability
Look for native irises at your local native plant nursery. Cost about $6.95 for 15cm (6″) pots. They are available from Kuranga Native Nursery, 393 Maroondah Highway, Ringwood, VIC, 3134. Phone: (03) 9879 4076 or fax: (03) 9870 7301. Orders can be made from the nursery but this price does not include postage and handling. Your local native plant nursery may be able to order plants in for you.