If you are looking for some unique landscaping ideas that include low maintenance, aesthetic balance and hardiness you might want to consider Australian native plants.

The range and variety is pretty incredible, with flowering plants, ground covers, shrubs and trees available that let you design a garden to your exact size, colour and maintenance desires.

Because of our geographic isolation, Australia is home to some unique and iconic plants, like Banksia, Dryandra, Bottle brush, Grevillea, Kangaroo paw, Hakea and Telopea (waratah). This results in an inspiring range of landscape options that can’t be found anywhere else and can really stand out in your garden, especially if your neighbours have all chosen the same European flavour for their gardens

Some of these plants have been used as food sources or medicine for millennia and not just by us, but also by local wildlife. The colours and scents of flowers and berries are deliberately attractive to local wildlife, creating a sustainable ecosystem for butterflies, insects, birds, lizards and small marsupials right on your property.

We’ve put together a list of benefits to choosing native plants to help you decide if some native plants might work best at home for you.

‍1. Low maintenance

‍Garden beds around Australian natives are perfectly matched to wood chip covering or native ground covers, reducing weeds and bald patches that make garden maintenance a pain to keep up with or unsightly to ignore.

2. Drought tolerant

Native plants are already equipped to deal with the dry. Many build deep root systems to find consistent natural water sources below, even small plants and grasses. While you will need to water them well when they are first introduced to your garden to help them establish, soon their roots will take and they can be watered less often than non-native plants.

3. Stunning design options

Native gardens look stunning when paired with slate, stone, metal, and wood, giving you incredible harmony if you want to incorporate a retaining wall, sculpture or emphases your home exterior, gazebo or natural wood veranda pillars.

4. Support native wildlife

With more and more native bush land lost to farming, grazing and dwelling, having a safe and secure place for native animals to eat, sleep, and meet is more essential than ever. Ask at your local plant nursey for the plants best suited to your area that supply nectar to native animals.  

5. Something for everyone

Basically, no matter the size or scope of your garden, whether rundown or pristine, manicured or wild, you’ll be sure to find some truly stunning Aussie plants waiting for you.

No matter what your home exterior style is or what your personal preferences are there is a range of Australian plants that can match. Flowering ground covers, like grevilleas, vivid colour like wattle and texture like banksia.

You can also get incredible scents from something like native mints and boronias. Want an edible garden? Go for finger limes, midgen berries, lemon scented myrtle, and macadamias.

If you don’t have much space you can still make a powerful and beautiful statement with Native orchids that can be mounted on wood and hung in a well-lit area.

6. A talking point

The wildflowers of the West Australian planes are a vivid spectacular that attracts visitors world over. You can create the same effect with a bit of work and the right conditions in your garden with an array of leschenaultias, dampieras, showy banksias and eremophilas.

Selecting the right plants

The best way to select native plants for your garden is to ask the professional at your local nursery. Most cities and large towns offer a specialised native nursery where horticulturists are able to assist you in making the right selections for your soil type, climate, and rainfall. Because of the incredible diversity of Australian climates Australia’s flora range will vary drastically depending on location. For example conditions in Queensland would give you options for tropical fruit trees and palms, Southern Victoria can have a lush rainforest feel with ferns, and South Australia would be ideal for root vegetables.

Be sure to take into consideration if your garden needs to be child or pet-friendly.

Why look elsewhere when Australian plants are already adapted to the conditions, blend beautifully with the environment, and look absolutely stunning.