Gardens going native

AUSTRALIA is home to a wide variety of bright and beautiful native plants. Turn your garden true blue with attractive and easy to maintain native plants this summer.
Our country has some of the finest plants in the world, which can provide vibrant colours, delicious aromas and character to gardens, patios and balconies.
Yates horticulturist Angie Thomas said native plants were vital to keeping our landscape unique and would also attract and provide our native birds, animals and insects with an important source of food and shelter.
Ms Thomas said with such an expansive and diverse country it’s no surprise that we have an array of spectacular flora and – so near to Australia Day – this can be just the beginning of growing some of your very own native plants.
“Clever plant breeding and selection over recent years has seen large numbers of new cultivars of Australian native plants released, which have been developed to better suit our modern backyards, including compact and pest resistant varieties,” she said.
“During summer, NSW Christmas bush, waratahs and kangaroo paws create a colourful feature and long lasting cut flowers. There are also native plants that can create a more tropical feel, such as the scented native frangipani, tree ferns, palms and colourful cordylines.”
Ms Thomas said a macadamia tree or a finger lime, which produces fruit filled with an intensely delicious juice ‘caviar’, is perfect for more humid areas.
“Lemon myrtle is a good option too as its leaves provide a wonderful lemon flavour, perfect to add to teas and sweet and savoury dishes. For those in temperate climates, give a native guava or a lilly pilly a go,” she said.
“Regular light pruning is the key to keeping most native plants looking fresh and healthy, as it promotes new growth and flowers each season.”