2. Aloe
INTRODUCTION
The West Kimberley region is recognised as one of
the world’s most beautiful, yet harshest environments.
Unchanged for millions of years, the plants and animals
have managed to survive extreme conditions of heat
and cold. Growing a garden in this region can be quite
challenging. The most critical aspect to gardening in
the West Kimberley is maintaining a good supply of
water and local knowledge on how much should be
used effectively.
This brochure has been put together by horticulture
experts to help you make correct choices on plants
for your garden. It explains how to grow a huge array
of plants and grass types by using less water and still
achieve great results.
CLIMATE AND GARDENING ENVIRONMENT
Temperature
Temperatures across the region are consistently high
and summer temperature averages range between 34°C
to 38°C, with the June to August period presenting an
average range of 26°C to 29°C. Extremes in temperature
are regularly recorded between 0°C and 46°C plus.
Rainfall
The climate of the region is arid, semi-desert with
relatively high rainfall between January and March,
reducing to smaller showers between April and June of
around 3mm to 10mm. The rainfall is mostly seasonal,
3. Bougainvillea 'Penelope'
posing significant challenges to gardeners in the months
when there is often no rainfall at all (June-September).
Wind
Wind can play a major role in affecting both plant growth
and the amount of water needed. Winds vary by season
and location in the West Kimberley and the cyclonic
winds experienced between January and March can
significantly set back many plant varieties. It’s wise to
establish wind breaks or barriers to protect plants and
reduce the effects of soil evaporation.
Soil types
Soil types in the region vary, although pindan red loam
and gravel or heavy stone baked loam makes up the
basis of most soils throughout this region. These soils
should be blended using compost and gypsum to make
them suitable for successfully growing plants not native
to the region. Growing local plants is the most effective
way to establish a water-efficient garden.
GARDEN DESIGN AND STYLE
Garden styles can have a major influence on the amount
of water used. Plant selection is also critical and there
are many other regions of the world that experience
similar environmental conditions. Various plants from
these regions have developed adaptations such as
water storage capabilities or hibernation abilities during
extreme conditions, making these plants ideal for the
West Kimberley. When establishing a new garden it is
important to consider factors such as evaporation, wind
4. Bush Poinciana
and soil erosion, water features, mulching, watering
systems and selecting the right plants.
Reducing evaporation
A key factor to any design is the creation of a sun and
wind protected environment. This reduces evaporation
caused by heat and wind and increases humidity,
resulting in lusher and stronger growth. Almost every
garden can achieve this by:
~ Creating large perimeter hedges.
~ Use of trees and palms to shade the garden.
~ The addition of a pergola, shade sails/cloth,
gazebos and patio structures.
~ Placing structures such as sheds around the
outside perimeter of the garden/property to create
protected positions within the garden.
~ Positioning buildings on windward sides of the
property to assist in breaking down the major
prevailing winds.
Styles of garden suitable to this region
Selecting a garden style when planning your new
garden can deliver conformity and structure in its final
appearance. Styles that feature waterwise plants and
water efficient gardening techniques include:
~ Mediterranean
~ Local native plants
~ Tropical and edible plants
5. Crown of Thorns
Many home gardens are a hybrid of different styles and
breaking your garden into segments or mixing styles can
create an aesthetically pleasing blend. However, it is
vital that the plants are grouped together by water usage
requirements to minimise wastage.
Water features
These are becoming a popular component of many
Australian gardens. Positioning your water feature in a
shaded location will assist in reducing evaporation. This
will lower temperatures by as much as 8°C. Whenever
possible, water features, including ponds, should be
filled or topped up with natural rainfall, ideally from
roof overflow or drainage redirection. Keeping the water
surface area to a minimum and including water plants
reduces evaporation.
Retrofitting your existing garden to be waterwise
Consider retrofitting your garden by transplanting
plants into more suitable water requirement groups
and plant others that will assist in the creation of
micro-communities. It is worthwhile replacing your old
reticulation system with a modern watering device that
delivers a precise number of water droplets direct to the
roots of the plant without spray or misting.
Improving the garden environment
While there are a huge range of introduced plant species
capable of growing in the region, the West Kimberley is a
bit more restricted in the varieties suitable for domestic
cultivation. Reducing evaporation through the creation of
6. Hing Kong Orchid Tree
microclimates and extensive use of mulches will reduce
the demand for watering.
Wind protection
Adding wind protection devices such as shade cloth or
hessian wraps around new and establishing trees and
shrubs is critical to encouraging fast initial growth. This also
reduces wind induced evaporation and the need to water.
Soil conditioning
Native species will usually grow in natural soil without
any additional organic matter. When planting exotic
species, adding a composted soil into the planting hole
will greatly benefit the establishment and growth of
the plant. It is important to use a premium quality soil
improver. Look for the Australian Standard's five tick red
mark that identifies premium quality blends.
Where possible, mounding or raising garden beds using
a richly organic soil is beneficial and these types of
garden beds will be less susceptible to saturation during
heavy rains. The open, free-draining nature of the soil
improver mixed at a 50/50 ratio with the garden soil
type will encourage rapid establishment of a deeper root
system requiring less water. Organically enriched garden
soils retain moisture and nutrients around the plant’s
root system longer, resulting in stronger growth.
7. Variegated Pandanus
Mulching
There are many different types of mulches available.
Within densely planted garden beds, it is better to use
composted organic products.
~ Compost - Organic mulches vary by locality and often
by the availability of organic material. Most organic
materials can be successfully turned into compost,
and home scraps and garden vegetation can be
used to create compost suitable for using as surface
mulch. Green waste or shredded tree clippings
make excellent surface mulch for garden beds once
composted. Coco peat, a product derived from
coconut production and available in compressed
blocks from nurseries, is also an economical way to
reduce surface evaporation.
~ Rocks and stones - Stones, pebbles and coarse sand
are also considered as mulch and can be used
in shaded locations. They should not be used as
surface mulch in full sun garden beds. This practise
will intensely heat the soil during the day, causing
rapid drying of the surface of the soil where feeder
roots grow. The rocks will continue to conduct heat
in the evening, maintaining high levels of evaporation
and subsequent watering requirements to sustain
most exotic garden plants.
~ Combination of mulching - Use a 200mm-thick layer
of composted organic matter as a surface cover on
all external garden beds where plants are to grow. In
other areas stones, pebbles, rock, gravel and coarse
sand will look good and smother seasonal weeds.
8. Direct Delivery Watering System
WATER-EFFICIENT PRACTICES AND SYSTEMS
An efficient watering system is vitally important to
deliver water in the appropriate volumes for specific
garden needs. Technology continually improves in direct
delivery irrigation systems and specialist irrigation outlets
offer important advice for anyone considering adding a
watering system to their garden.
Watering for lawns
Lawns are best watered using subsurface irrigation
systems which deliver water direct to the lawn’s root
system. These systems are installed under the turf
before it is laid or can be cut into the surface of existing
lawn areas. If your system uses pop-up sprinklers,
converting to low volume stream sprinklers should be
considered. These sprinklers deliver water in a more
direct manner instead of mist droplets that often blow
away. While lawns are important to a garden’s aesthetic
appeal, they do use large amounts of water. Try to keep
lawn areas to a minimum.
Watering for plants
Plants should be watered using direct delivery irrigation
systems. The most effective garden bed watering systems
for use in the West Kimberley are dribblers, drippers and
subsurface inline irrigators. These sprinklers deliver water
direct to the base of the plant and the water soaks the soil
directly below the plant. This encourages roots to follow
the water down deeply into the soil, reducing the chances
of the plant becoming water stressed when the topsoil
dries on the hottest days.
9. Waterwise Planting
SELECTING PLANTS FOR THE WEST KIMBERLEY
A critical factor when establishing a waterwise garden,
is plant selection and how the plants will be grouped
together. Obtaining advice of a professional gardener or
landscaper will assist in the right plant placement and
structure of your garden.
~ Strategic placement around the garden’s external
boundaries will shield the garden from winds and
cool on hot days, protect plants from the extremes
and create a microclimate where many different plant
species will grow well.
~ Cluster plantings where the same or mixed
varieties are grouped closely together by their water
requirements. A watering system should be designed
to provide different amounts of water to each plant
grouping, reducing the waste that occurs with
over watering.
~ Microclimates are created when plants are grouped
in this way, which assists in reducing evaporation.
These protected mini communities create wind
breaks and raise humidity. Native trees play a critical
role in protecting plants below the canopy from the
harshest of hot days, cooling the garden and also the
home environment, reducing the need for power for
air conditioners.
10. Hibiscus Pendunculatum
PLANTS SUITABLE FOR THE WEST KIMBERLEY REGION
Following is a selection of proven plant species to
consider adding to your garden. Under ‘Water Needs’,
one drop plants are the most water efficient with two
drop plants requiring more water to survive.
More information on these plant varieties can be gained
online by visiting www.watercorporation.com.au
Plant selection
Native/ Water
Common Name Botanical Name
Exotic Needs
Trailing Lantana Lantana montevidensis E 1
Native Jasmine or Pandorea jasminoides N 1
Bower of Beauty
Moses in the Tradescantia spathacea E 2
Cradle
Sago Palm Cycas revoluta E 1
Triangle Palm Dypsis decaryi E 1
Foxtail Palm Wodyetia bifurcata N 2
Palms
Millstream Fan Livistona alfredii N 1
Palm
Cardboard Palm Zamia furfuracea E 1
11. Madagascan Periwinkle
Growth Habit Description
200mm groundcover Available in mauve and white flowering
forms. Hardy, low growing colourful
groundcover for a full sun position.
Vigorous spreader Twining vine with large bunches of pink
to 5m trumpet flowers.
Groundcover Clumping groundcover, ideal for shaded
positions.
Compact Cycad 2m Architectural feature plant, ideal for pots,
full sun or shaded garden positions.
Palm to 7m A full sun, drought tolerant palm with
grey green foliage and an unusual triangle
shaped crown.
Specimen palm An outstanding specimen palm, suitable for
to 10m small or large garden areas. Deep succulent
roots allow it to survive long dry periods with
little ill effect.
Palm to 10m Compact fan palm, capable of growing
through long dry periods without detrimental
effect. Broad fan-shaped foliage.
Clumping cycad 2m Compact clumping cycad, ideal for pots
and full sun garden positions.
12. Moses in a Cradle, Tradescantia Spathacea
Native/ Water
Common Name Botanical Name
Exotic Needs
Golden Cane Chrysalidocarpus E 2
Palm lutescens
Wonga Wonga Pandorea pandorana N 1
Vine
Dwarf Coconut Cocos nucifera E 1
Palm
Climbers and Decorative Foliage
Dwarf Oleander Nerium oleander nana E 1
Oleander Nerium oleander E 1
Fijian Fire Bush Acalypha wilkonsonii E 2
African Daisy Osteospermum ecklonis E 1
Bougainvillea Bougainvillea glabra E 1
Dwarf Bougainvillea glabra E 1
Bougainvillea nana
Geranium Pelargonium zonale E 1
Hybrid Cultivars
Vinca Catharanthus rosea E 1
Hybrid Cultivars
Portulaca Portulaca grandiflora E 1
Hybrid Cultivars
Day Lily Hemerocallis cv. E 1
13. Vinca
Growth Habit Description
Clumping palm 6m Tough palm for full sun or part shade
garden positions.
Vigorous spreader Glossy foliage, small trumpet flowers in
to 6m large bunches. Colours vary from pink
through yellow.
Palm to 5m Smaller growing coconut palm for use in
a full sun position.
Shrub to 1m Very hardy, low growing shrub.
Shrub to 4m Excellent screening or windbreak plant.
Dense growing, extremely hardy with very
low water requirements once established.
Shrub to 3m This plant comes with several different
species and cultivars growing in different
colours and sizes.
Flat growth to 60cm Fast spreading growth, lush green foliage,
brightly-coloured flowers as well as its
drought tolerance make these popular.
Climber to 5m One of the most rewarding, hardiest
flowering climbing plants available to
West Kimberley gardeners.
Shrub to 1m New compact forms of this popular
climber that have a shrub-like habit,
remaining compact and flowering for
9 months of the year.
Upright annual to 1m Many different flower colours available,
this can make a showy bedding plant.
Drought tough.
Upright, small shrub- Heat loving bedding plant in a range of
like plants to 50cm flower colours. Can set own seed or survive
winter to flower again the following summer.
Spreading Summer season annual with flowers in
groundcover to 30cm electric colours.
Grassy-looking plant Drought tough flowering lily that can also
to 40cm handle being inundated for part of the year.
Many colours available in flowers.
14. Pride of Barbados
Native/ Water
Common Name Botanical Name
Exotic Needs
Climbers
Border Silver Dianella ensifolia ‘Border E 1
Dianella Silver’
Blue Garlic Vine Cydista aequinoctialis E 1
Little Jess Dianella Dianella cv. ‘Little Jess’ N 1
Miniature Mat Lomandra cv.‘Tanika’ N 1
Rush
Fig Ficus carica E 1
Carob Ceratonia siliqua E 1
Chinese Date Zizphus jujuba E 1
Jungle Flame Ixora coccinea E 2
Bismarck Palm Bismarckia nobilis E 1
Tress and Shrubs
Hills Fig Ficus hilli E 1
Weeping Fig Ficus benjimina E 2
15. Wattle
Growth Habit Description
Grassy, clumping plant Tough, attractive strap-leaf plant with cream
to 60cm variegation. An excellent border plant.
Tiny purple flower spikes.
Climber to 2m Outstanding flowering climber, producing
mauve-pink flowers with garlic fragrance.
Grassy, clumping plant Rich green foliage and a compact habit make
to 60cm this tough plant a classy choice for a border.
Grassy clumping plant Dwarf grass with bright green fine foliage
to 60cm and white flower clusters. Can handle
seasonal flooding as well as drought times.
Spreading tree to 4m Deciduous tree for tough locations, bearing
fruit in summer.
Spreading tree to 6m Evergreen tree with foliage that can be
stock feed and edible pods in late summer.
Very hardy to 6m Deciduous tree, heat and cold hardy,
bearing olive-shaped fruit in summer with
an apple flavour.
Hedging shrub to 1m A popular sub tropical shrub ideal for
both sunny and semi shaded positions.
Very hardy once established.
Fan palm to 20m A magnificent feature palm, often
producing striking grey-blue foliage.
Producing a deep tap root, this is incredibly
waterwise once established.
Large, spreading tree A grand specimen with deep green foliage
to 20m and a spreading crown. An excellent shade
tree that will dramatically cool the garden.
Large, spreading tree A magnificent weeping foliage tree that
to 18m makes a wonderful feature specimen in a
larger garden. Can also be used as a pot plant
indoors and outdoors, full sun and shade.
16. The Blue Garlic Vine
Native/ Water
Common Name Botanical Name
Exotic Needs
Cotton Wood Hibiscus tileaceous rubra E 2
Firecracker Plant Russellia equisitiformis E 1
Lilyturf Liriope muscari E 2
Evergreen Plumeria obtusa E 1
Frangipani
Red Butterfly Bauhinia galpini E 1
Bush
Golden Trumpet Allamanda cathartica E 2
Crown of Thorns Euphorbia milli E 1
Twin Leaf Corymbia cadophora N 1
Bloodwood
Variegated Pandanus veitchii E 1
Pandanus variegata
Blue Water Lily Nymphaea violacea N
Boab Adansonia gregorii N 1
Purple Mulla Ptilotus exaltatus N 1
Mulla
17. Tropical Grevillea
Growth Habit Description
Small tree to 5m A tough coastal tree, producing burgundy-
red foliage and ideally used as a screening
plant or garden backdrop.
Compact shrub to 1m An excellent cascading growth habit,
with red tubular flowers produced in the
thousands. There is also a cream version
available. Ideal for full sun positions.
Clumping, strap-leaf A very tough strap-leaf plant producing
500mm attractive flowers followed by purple berries.
Small tree to 6m Outstanding flowering tree, with dark green
foliage all year round and white heavenly
fragrant flowers for 10 months.
Spreading shrub to 2m Prolific flowering shrub, with an extensive
deep root system and capable of surviving
long periods without watering.
Shrub to 2m Exceptionally beautiful yellow flowering
climber with lush emerald green foliage.
Succulent shrub Tough compact shrub, ideal for gardens
to 500mm in full sun or pot culture. Flowers all year
round in a range of colours from cream,
yellow to red.
Compact tree to 8m Outstanding broad leaf foliage tree, with
huge clusters of flowers ranging in colour
from pink through to red.
Branching shrub An outstanding feature shrub, with
to 4m magnificent creamy-yellow foliage
variegations. Ideal as a large shrubbery plant.
Pond plant Native water lily, growing best in this climate.
Unique tree The iconic plant of the Kimberley region.
Slow growing but very attractive as an
immature small sized tree.
Herbaceous plant Prolific flowering wildflower that makes a
to 1m max superb display when planted on mass in
January from seed.
18. Waterlily
TURF AND GROUNDCOVERS
Lawn varieties suitable for the West Kimberley
~ Paspalum - a coastal grass which is a succulent,
low-lying, turf type grass that thrives in the warm
season. It’s capable of growing near very salty water
and performs better than most grass types in hot,
humid environments.
~ Couch grass - an ideal grass type for most garden
situations and the toughest varieties are ‘Wintergreen’
and ‘Windsor Green’, with the latter having a
particularly deep and wiry root system.
~ Zoysia grass - fast becoming one of the most popular
turf grasses overseas because of its waterwise
traits. Capable of surviving summer without added
water, it becomes dormant and regenerates with the
first rains.
~ Buffalo grass - is recognised as one of the most
waterwise varieties available to home gardeners.
Best varieties for this region include ‘Palmetto’ and
‘Sir Walter’.
19. Variegated Lily Turf
Groundcovers/grass alternatives
~ Lippia (Phyla nodiflora) - covers the ground like a
mat. It is a perennial, broadleaf herb, with grey-green
leaves 10mm to 20mm long. Each tiny leaf has two
or three serrations on each side. Lippia produces
numerous small, round lilac flowers. The plant has
a taproot up to 2 metres deep, allowing it to survive
long, dry periods.
~ Kidney weed (Dichondra repen) - excellent
groundcover for shaded and sunny positions.
The extensive root system helps the plant survive
drought conditions.
~ Silver falls (Dichondra argentea) - exotic species of
Dichondra capable of growing strongly in a full-sun
position, as well as in semi-shaded gardens.
Best planting seasons
The best time of the year for planting in the West
Kimberley is when the traditional rainy season arrives
(November – February). Planting should be done from
December through to March to get the best from high
soil moisture levels.
20. waterwiseways
We hope this brochure has been helpful in assisting
you with ideas on how to establish and maintain a
waterwise garden.
Remember, the Water Corporation has lots of ways
you can save water, both in the home and around
your garden.
Simply call the Waterwise Infoline on 13 10 39 or visit
our website at www.watercorporation.com.au
