Water-Wise Coastal Gardens: A Planting Guide - Sustainable Australia

1. Coastal Gardens
A planting guide
local
style
water-wise
abitat

2. Healthy & attractive Using this planting guide
urban landscapes
This guide provides simple yet inspiring garden advice for people living in the
coastal suburbs of Adelaide and beyond. Water-wise local native plants are Getting started Our gardens are challenged with long-hot-dry summers, drought, water
suggested as attractive replacements for introduced plants that are harmful to restrictions, and a changing climate. As a coastal resident you may also
our local coastal landscapes. have to tackle salt spray, sand blasting, sandy or saline soils.
However, there is good news! You can have a garden that copes with
our tough climate without compromising on style, by using resilient, local
native coastal plants.
1 Using this planting guide
2 Discovering local plants This guide shows you how to utilise the fantastic variety of native plants
4 Garden escapes available to make a stunning garden. Taking you through step by step,
you will learn what plant works best for a given area or need, how to
6 Trees & tall shrubs
incorporate them in different landscaping styles, how to maintain them,
8 Medium shrubs and where to buy.
10 Ground covers, herbs & small shrubs
14 Grasses & sedges You will learn about plants to avoid which are known for becoming serious
weeds in natural coastal environments. When buying future plants, you will
16 Climbers
be prepared to consider natives for the benefits they provide. You may also
18 Natural cottage garden design identify invasive plants growing in your garden and decide to replace them
20 Formal garden design with recommended alternatives.
22 Japanese style garden design
Using local native plants in your coastal garden benefits your wallet. Its an
24 Contemporary garden design
easy, rewarding way to look after our environment. We hope you enjoy
26 Growing local coastal plants discovering local coastal plants. Happy gardening!
28 Sourcing local coastal plants
29 Useful resources
1

3. Discovering local plants
What is a Local plants are species that would naturally occur in your neighbourhood How to use Local plants can be incorporated into your garden the same way as exotic
local plant? so they have evolved to suit local conditions. They are also called local plants plants. They are suited to all landscaping styles, from formal to Japanese,
‘indigenous plants’. contemporary to natural cottage, to courtyards and pots.
Why use Local plants have a huge range of benefits. As you will discover throughout this guide, there is a local coastal plant for
local plants? Low maintenance. most garden situations. Plants featured include striking ground-covers, low
Drought tolerant. shrubs, structured sedges and grasses, flowering creepers and trailers, bird-
Require minimal watering = conserves our water supplies. attracting shrubs and screening trees.
Don’t need fertilisers or pesticides.
Provide habitat, food and shelter for local fauna such as birds, This guide also shows you which local species to use for particular effects,
butterflies and small lizards. and makes friendlier recommendations for replacing plants known to
Save you money and time. become invasive coastal weeds.
Adaptable for various landscaping styles, producing striking results.
Native plants flower at different times of the year so you can have a Information on caring for local plants is provided on pages 26–27.
flowering garden all year round.
Local plants are a great option for residents of coastal areas. They
have adapted to survive the harsh conditions of sand and salt blasting,
prolonged sun exposure, nutrient-deprived soils, and limited water
availability. They are the best plants for your neighbourhood and the
environment.
3

4. Garden escapes
Are you Weeds are plants growing where they aren’t wanted, and they aren’t just You can Have a good look through this guide to check which common garden
harbouring sour sobs and thistles! Some plants escape from gardens and become help! plants are nasties in the coastal environment. You might like to remove any
known serious environmental weeds which pose a major threat to the health and you have and replace them with the indigenous plants suggested. Take this
villains? value of our natural environments. guide with you when you are making new plant purchases and don’t buy
plants which are known to be a problem.
Environmental weeds are trouble!
They threaten our local native plants and environment. Here are some other easy things you can do.
Can reduce habitat, shelter and food for native fauna. Use local native species in your garden.
Can alter soil conditions. Dispose of your garden waste responsibly.
Clog up waterways and effect water quality entering the gulf. Check with your local council before you plant into natural coastal
Harbour pest animals such as foxes, feral cats and rats which prey on environments .
native wildlife. Join a local Coastcare group to learn more about our coast
Can alter coastal dune shape. and lend a hand! Call the NRM Board on 8273 9100 or go to
Garden escapes are very costly to control and take resources away from www.amlrnrm.sa.gov.au for information on how to get involved.
other important issues.
Plants that cause problems often originate from regions with similar
climates, such as the Mediterranean and South Africa. Thriving in similar
conditions, they out-compete local natives as they don’t have the pests and
diseases that controlled them in their original environment.
How do You might not realise you’re harbouring garden escapes, or might not know
garden plants they ‘jump the fence’ to become problems. Garden plants can escape into
become coastal natural environments naturally, accidentally and deliberately:
invaders? Seeds can be spread by birds and other animals, wind, water
(including stormwater) or humans (on clothing, shoes etc).
Dumped garden waste containing seeds or plant cuttings can grow
even several months later.
Sometimes people deliberately plant garden plants in our natural
coastal environments.
Garden plants can grow through fences directly on the coast.
5

5. Trees & tall shrubs
DON’T PLANT a garden escape! GROW ME instead
Western Coastal Wattle Drooping Sheoak Allocasuarina verticillata
Acacia cyclops Tree growing between 5–8 m. Long weeping branchlets, grey-green.
(Far west coast of SA) Interesting cone-like fruit. Well suited to Japanese gardens. Use as feature
Flowers: early spring to late autumn tree or for screening. Birds such as parrots and cockatoos are attracted to
Reproduces: seed pod fruit. Does not tolerate direct coastal exposure.
Century Plant Agave americana Common Boobialla Myoporum insulare
(origin unknown) Large shrub to small tree, grows 2–5m. Thick light green
Flowers: summer fleshy leaves, white flowers winter to spring, purple
Reproduces: seed, vegetative berry fruit. Good screening qualities. Attracts birds and
production butterflies. Full-sun.
Coast Tea-tree Mirror-bush Coprosma repens ^ Mallee Box Eucalyptus porosa
Leptospermum laevigatum (New Zealand) Tree to 10m, usually single stemmed. Bright green ‘gum’ leaves, white flowers
(East coast Australia & Tasmania) Flowers: summer from October to March. Great plant for wildlife, provides food, shelter and
Flowers: August to November Reproduces: orange-red berries nesting sites. Use in natural cottage garden setting. Minimum 3.5m set-back
Reproduces: seed (woody capsule) autumn to winter (seed) from property and sewage pipes. Does not tolerate direct coastal exposure.
White Weeping Broom Sticky Hop-bush Dodonaea viscosa ssp. spatulata
Retama raetam Erect shrub to 3m, bright green sticky leaves. Green
(Mediterranean) flowers in winter turn to striking red seed pods in spring.
Flowers: winter/late spring Great for hedging or screening. Responds to pruning.
Reproduces: seed pods shed late spring to early summer Attracts butterflies in summer. Does not tolerate direct
coastal exposure.
Gorse Ulex europaeus Olive Olea europaea Southern Cypress-pine Callitris gracilis (formerly Callitris preissii)
(Western Europe) (Mediterranean) Cylindrical-shapes tree to 5m. Green foliage. Fruit is a dark brown cone.
Flowers: autumn to spring Flowers: spring Great for formal gardens. Attractive foliage. Use as a replacement plant for
Reproduces: seed Reproduces: dark purple conifers, as singular feature plant, line driveway or for screening. Responds
fruit autumn-winter (seed) well to pruning. Attracts birds. Does not tolerate direct coastal exposure.
Blowfly Bush Rhamnus alaternus Silver Banksia Banksia marginata
(Mediterranean) Feature tree grows 3–5m. Leaves green on top, silver
Flowers: winter to early spring under. Large yellow flowers spring to autumn. Interesting
Reproduces: fleshy black fruits, foliage and seed pods. Attracts birds and butterflies.
will reshoot from base if damaged Full-sun. Does not tolerate direct coastal exposure.
7

6. Medium Shrubs
DON’T PLANT a garden escape! GROW ME instead
Teneriffe Daisy Coast Daisy Bush Olearia axillaris
Argyranthemum frutescens ssp. foeniculaceum Shrub to 3m. Leaves dark blue-green above, white below. White,
(Canary Islands) daisy-like flowers occur along stems in summer and autumn.
Flowers: spring Benefits from pruning. Screening plant, foliage contrast.
Reproduces: seed Full-sun to semi-shade.
Tufted Honey-flower Small-leaved Blue-bush Maireana brevifolia
Melianthus comosus Shrub to waist high. Succulent, small green-red leaves.
(South Africa) Fruit has five paper-like wings. Food source for birds
Flowers: late spring to mid summer and small lizards. Great colour contrast. Tolerates saline
Reproduces: seed conditions, but not direct coastal exposure.
Myrtle-leaf Milkwort Lavender Grevillea Grevillea lavandulacea
Polygala myrtifolia Variable shrub to 1m high. Grey-green foliage resembles lavender, pink to
(South Africa) red flowers produced winter to spring. Suitable for small gardens. Attracts
Flowers: spring birds. Well drained soil. Full-sun to shade. Does not tolerate direct coastal
Reproduces: seed exposure.
Boneseed Cushion Fanflower Scaevola crassifolia
Chrysanthemoides monilifera ssp. monilifera Spreading robust shrub to 1.5m high, 2m wide. Bright
(South Africa) green slightly serrated leaves, flowers bright blue to
Flowers: late autumn to winter pale purple, fan-shaped, occur spring to early summer.
Reproduces: fleshy fruit (seed) Attractive flowers. Full-sun.
Round Leaf Wattle Acacia acinacea
Shrub to 2m. Small rounded green leaves (phyllodes). Bright yellow wattle
flowers from May to September. Provides burst of colour over winter.
Weeping habit, well-suited to Japanese style garden. Lives 8–10 years. Does
not tolerate direct coastal exposure.
9

7. Ground covers, herbs & small shrubs
DON’T PLANT a garden escape! GROW ME instead
Beach Daisy Arctotheca populifolia Austral Trefoil Lotus australis
(South Africa) Spreading herb to 30cm. Pale green leaves, white to pink pea flowers
Flowers: winter to summer occur in clusters, spring to summer. Pretty plant, suits cottage or
Reproduces: seed bushland garden. Can plant in pots. Prune after flowering.
Full-sun to semi-shade.
White Arctotis Arctotis stoechadifolia Coast Bonefruit Threlkeldia diffusa
(South Africa) Small shrub or groundcover to 20cm high, 1m wide.
Flowers: spring to summer Small fleshy leaves, green with purple tinge. Soil
Reproduces: seed stabiliser. Tolerates saline conditions, clay. Full-sun.
Hottentot Fig Carpobrotus edulis Creeping Boobialla Myoporum parvifolium
(South Africa) Ground runner growing shin high to 5m wide. Small green leaves, dainty white
Flowers: late summer to winter or pale purple flowers in spring or summer. Good soil stabiliser. Space filler. Trail
Reproduces: fleshy fruit in summer, down rock walls. Lawn replacement (where no foot traffic). Attracts butterflies,
also spreads by vegetative production provides shelter for small lizards. Does not tolerate direct coastal exposure.
Gazania Gazania sp. Native Bluebell Wahlenbergia sp.
(South Africa) Delicate herb to 30cm, pretty blue flowers in winter and
Flowers: most of year, mainly spring to autumn spring. Dies back over summer. Very pretty, delicate
Reproduces: seed, vegetatively plant. Suitable pot-plant. Great in cottage or bushland
gardens. Can plant in drifts. Responds well to pruning.
Succulents Common Everlasting Chrysocephalum apiculatum (Helichrysum apiculatum)
(tropical & sub-tropical dry regions) Herb to knee high. Silver-grey leaves, clusters of bright-yellow daisy flowers,
Flowers: various October to January. Works well in natural cottage and contemporary gardens.
Reproduces: Most species will also spread Long-lasting flower, looks great as a cut flower, can also be dried. Butterfly
by vegetative growth, some set seed food source. Does not tolerate direct coastal exposure.
11

8. Ground covers, herbs & small shrubs
GROW ME instead
Muntries Kunzea pomifera Woolly New-Holland Daisy Vittadinia gracilis
Ground-hugging shrub with branches extending over several metres. Thick Perennial daisy to 30cm high. Purple, pink or white daisy flowers mainly in
bright green leaves, showy white fluffy flowers in spring and early summer. spring, turn to fluffy seed heads. Pretty flowering plant. Suits small, cottage
Purple berries. Space filler. Suitable for pots and hanging baskets. Full-sun to & bushland gardens. Attracts butterflies. Full-sun to semi-shade.
semi-shade. Ripe fruits are edible.
Cushion Bush Leucopyhta brownii Round-leaf Pigface Disphyma crassifolium
Compact, rounded shrub to 1m. Silver-grey foliage, Succulent ground-running plant. Green leaves round in
pale yellow ball-shaped flowers in summer. Great cross section, bright pink flowers in spring. Attractive
structural form, colour contrast. Responds well to ground-cover, soil stabiliser. Trail over rock walls.
regular pruning. Contrast plant. Full-sun. Tolerates saline soils. Full-sun to shade.
Native Pelargonium Pelargonium australe Ruby Saltbush Enchylaena tomentosa
Herb to knee high. Large green velvety leaves, pale pink flowers with purple Low shrub to 1m. Leaves small, blue-green, fleshy. Yellow to red fleshy fruits
stripe occur spring to summer. Pretty plant, great in cottage or bushland produced through-out the year. Attracts native wildlife. Responds well to
garden. Can plant in pots. Prune after flowering. Full-sun to semi-shade. pruning (can prune seasonally if starts to dominate garden bed). Full-sun to
semi-shade. Ripe fruits are edible.
Native Fuchsia Correa reflexa Running Postman Kennedia prostrata
Small shrub with dark green leaves, pink bell flowers in Prostrate runner to 2m. Leaves pale green, bright red
winter and spring. Attractive flowers, great in formal, pea-flowers winter to summer. Eye-catching flowers,
cottage or bushland garden settings. Attracts birds. Full- use as an attractive ground cover or plant in small to
sun to shade. Does not tolerate direct coastal exposure. large garden pots (looks great in a feature urn). Light-
shade preferred.
Native Pigface Carpobrotus rossii
Thick, fleshy ground cover. Green leaves triangular in cross-section,
large bright pink flowers occur in spring. Attractive ground-cover, soil
stabiliser. Suitable as trailing plant for pots or down walls.
Ripe fruits are edible.
13

9. Grasses & Sedges
DON’T PLANT a garden escape!
Couch Grass Cynodon dactylon Fountain Grass Kikuyu
(tropics world-wide) Pennisteum setaceum Pennisetum clandestinum
Flowers: late spring to early summer (East Africa & Middle (East Asia) Flowers: summer to
Reproduces: sets seed in summer, also spreads East) Flowers: summer to autumn. Reproduces: vegetative
vegetatively (including lawn clippings) autumn. Reproduces: reproduction (eg. lawn clippings)
via seed.
GROW ME instead
Coast Spear-grass Austrostipa spp. Flat-sedge Cyperus vaginatus
Tussock grass species of varying heights, with flowering stems to 1m. Clumped sedge to 1.5m high. Bright green stems with brown flower spikes at
Use coastal species A. flavescens (tall) and A. elagantissima (small and the tip. Elegant plant. Plant in pond or wet areas, can tolerate dry conditions
compact). Plant in clumps, suitable for mass plantings. Showy when in for several seasons. Looks great in clumps or solitary. Suits Japanese style
flower. Fill in spaces or border plantings. Attracts butterflies. gardens. Does not tolerate direct coastal exposure.
Wallaby Grass Austrodanthonia sp. Sword Sedge Lepidosperma gladiatum
Clumping grass to knee high, fluffy white seed heads in Sedge to 1m high with wide, flat leaves (like a gladiator’s
summer. Plant in clumps, good in bush garden setting. sword!) Brown flower heads present winter to summer.
Attracts wildlife including butterflies. Plant in large or small clumps. Good accent plant, use in
borders, foliage contrast. Suitable pot-plant.
Knobby Club-rush Isolepis nodosa Short-stem Flax-lily Dianella brevicaulis
Attractive evergreen clumping plant to 1m high. Leaves dark-green, cylindical Small clumping plant to knee high. Leaves strappy & stiff, blue-green. Blue flowers
& up-right. Flower heads brown ball-shaped, occur all year. Versatile plant. Use produced on narrow stalks within foliage line, spring. Flowers above the foliage
as accent, group plantings, pot-plants, around ponds. Tolerates salt spray & wet line on wiry stalks to 1m (does not tolerate direct coastal exposure). Great for
zones. Attracts butterflies. Full-sun to semi-shade. borders, large or small group plantings, pots & indoors. Full-sun to shade.
Coast Tussock-grass Poa poiformis
Tussock grass growing to knee high. Thin blue-green
leaves, brown-yellow flower heads. Tight foliage. Great in
small or large group plantings, also rockeries, borders.
Good table pot-plant. Full-sun.
15

10. Climbers
DON’T PLANT a garden escape! GROW ME instead
Bridal Creeper Asparagus asparagoides Native Lilac Hardenbergia violacea
(South Africa) Climber or shrub with trailing & twining stems. Dark green leaves,
Flowers: spring clumps of bright purple pea flowers in winter. Attractive climber, trailing
Reproduces: red berries late spring, also pot-plant or small shrub. Attracts butterflies. Full-sun to shade. Does not
spreading underground root system (rhizomes) tolerate direct coastal exposure.
Lavatory Creeper Dipogon lignosus Sweet Appleberry Billardiera cymosa
(South Africa) Climber or small shrub to shin high. Dark green leaves,
Flowers: spring striking purple to blue flowers in spring, red/purple berries
Reproduces: seed pods in summer, also spreads in summer. Attracts butterflies. Full-sun to semi-shade.
by underground root system (rhizomes) Does not tolerate direct coastal exposure.
Bridal Veil Asparagus declinatus
(South Africa)
Flowers: winter
Reproduces: green/blue berries late winter/early spring, also
spreading underground root system (rhizomes)
17

11. Natural cottage garden design
Trees & tall shrubs
A natural cottage garden is easy to achieve with local coastal plants as many species
flower in winter, providing a colourful garden year-round. These gardens are relaxed and
flowing, and are a wonderful place for local wildlife. To achieve a natural cottage garden,
mimic the flow and mix of plant species in natural coastal areas. Allow plants to cascade
over paths and lace through one another. Utilise weaving paths and rustic furniture.
Add bird-baths, hollow logs, and nesting boxes to attract and support local wildlife. Mallee Box Common Sticky Silver
Boobialla Hop-bush Banksia
Medium Shrubs
Bench
Coast Lavender
Daisy-bush Grevillia
Mulch
Ground covers, herbs & small shrubs
Common
Everlasting
White wash
Cushion Native Austral Native
sustainable Bush Fuchsia Trefoil Pelargonium
pebble
Ruby Muntries Woolly New- Native
Saltbush Holland Daisy Bluebell
Flat sleepers Grasses & sedges
set in gravel to
give boardwalk
appearance
Wallaby Short-stem Coast Knobby
Grass Flax-lily Spear-grass Club-rush
Recycled
hardwood Climbers
timber post,
upright 2m high
Swale with 14mm quartzite 0 1 2 3 4 5 m Native
gravel and habitat logs Lilac
19

12. Formal garden design
Trees & tall shrubs
A number of local coastal plants can be grown into clipped hedges or shapes to form
the basis of the formal garden. Sedges and grasses can be used in mass plantings and
accent borders. Use local climbers or trailing plants in a feature urn, terrace or retaining
wall. To achieve a formal garden style, emphasise symmetry and borders and use gravel or
sustainable pebbles to create and highlight landscaping features.
Southern Sticky
Cypress-pine Hop-bush
Medium Shrubs
Mulch
Bench Cushion
Fanflower
110mm x 220mm Ground covers, herbs & small shrubs
linear paver divider
Birdbath feature Ruby Native Native Native
Saltbush Fuchsia Pelargonium Pigface
Grasses & sedges
14mm dolomite
gravel
Sword Sedge Short-stem Flax-lily
500mm x 500mm
charcoal pavers
0 1 2 3 4 5 m
21

13. Japanese style garden design
Trees & tall shrubs
Local coastal plants are well suited to the minimalist style and reflective feeling of
Japanese gardens. Aim to create a garden that mimics the natural balance and flow
of nature. Clumps of local grasses can be used to compliment raked gravel areas.
Incorporate natural elements such as plants with graceful habit, water features, stepping
stones and gravel areas to achieve your Japanese-style garden. Drooping
Sheoak
Medium Shrubs
Mulch
Recycled wooden
bench
Round Leaf
110mm x 220mm Wattle
linear paver divider
Ground covers, herbs & small shrubs
Feature sculpture
Native Cushion Muntries Round-leaf Creeping
Clay or plastic lined Pelargonium Bush Pigface Boobialla
wet/dry stormwater
fed pond coated Grasses & sedges
with quartzite gravel
at a maximum of
200mm depth
Flat Knobby Short-stem Sword Coast
Sedge Club-rush Flax-lily Sedge Tussock-grass
14mm quartzite
gravel
Climbers
Table & chairs
Sweet Native
400mm x 400mm Appleberry Lilac
charcoal pavers
0 1 2 3 4 5 m
23

14. Contemporary garden design
Trees & tall shrubs
Contemporary gardens feature bold modern designs, with an emphasis on contrasts of
colour, texture and form. Many local coastal plants offer excellent colour and texture for
these bold designs. To develop your own contemporary garden, create interesting garden
bed shapes using a mix of plants and landscaping materials that provide strong contrasts.
A simple outdoor setting suits the contemporary garden design.
Southern Sticky
Cypress-pine Hop-bush
Dolomite gravel Medium Shrubs
Cushion Small-leaved
Fanflower Bluebush
Ground covers, herbs & small shrubs
Table & chairs
Common Round-leaf
White wash
Everlasting Pigface
sustainable pebble
Grasses & sedges
110 x 220mm
linear paver divider
Short-stem Knobby
Flax-lily Club-rush
14mm quartzite
gravel
Mulch
800mm x 300mm
paver stepping
stones
0 1 2 3 4 5 m
25

15. Growing local coastal plants
When to plant Planting is best done in the cooler months through autumn and winter. Fertilising Fertilisers aren’t usually needed with local native plants. If you decide to
The ideal time is after the autumn opening rains when the soil is moist, fertilise, seek advice from your local nursery, as products with high levels of
and plants have ample time to establish roots before the warm weather phosphorus can harm some local native plants. You’ll want to avoid rapid
kicks in. growth that makes your local plants leggy, weak and short-lived.
Watering Water-in your new plants. Over the first summer they may need an Maintaining Pruning is beneficial for many local plants. Most species will appreciate
occasional deep watering, but no more than once a week. After their first your local a light trim to keep their shape, promote new growth and encourage
summer, they should cope on rainfall alone. Prior to severe heat waves, give plants flowering. Pruning is best done after flowering, usually late spring or early
your plants a thorough watering, so water penetrates deep into the soil. summer. Young plants can be pruned lightly and regularly. Older plants
can be refreshed with a more extensive prune after flowering. Replace old
Your aim is to establish strong, deep root systems which are water-efficient plants that die or become straggly.
and drought tolerant. Over-watering leaches nutrients from the soil creating
excessive growth, less flowering and shorter-lived plants. Potted local plants need a little more care than those planted out in
gardens. Water your pot plants more regularly in summer, and apply a low-
Be mindful of current water restrictions and the prescribed times allocated phosphorus fertiliser in spring and summer (check with your local nursery
to gardeners for watering. which product is best). Don’t over-apply fertiliser as it can harm local native
plants. Some plants may need re-potting in the future.
Mulch & A layer of mulch added to your garden can reduce evaporative water loss
gravels by more than 70%!1 Organic mulch keeps soil temperatures down, which Sustainable You can help the environment by using sustainable and locally sourced
benefits root density, suppresses weed growth, and helps to promote good landscaping materials, and avoid materials taken from natural ecosystems, such as moss
soil structure and productivity. rocks, river stones, fallen logs and red gum mulch. More information on
sustainable landscaping can be found on the Botanic Gardens website.
Apply 5–10 cm of mulch or gravel, creating a bowl shape around the plant to http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/botanicgardens/programs/
help retain water. To avoid plant disease, keep mulch away from plant stems. landscapes.html
More
information For further information on establishing local native plants and how you
can make your garden wildlife friendly, visit the Urban Forest Biodiversity
Program website www.backyards4wildlife.com.au
1
SA Department for Environment & Heritage – www.backyards4wildlife.com.au
27

16. Sourcing local coastal plants Useful resources
These resources are complementary to this guide. From picturesque images
Unfortunately, not all nurseries around Adelaide stock local coastal plants. of our local coastline, to more in depth gardening resource material, they
Native plant nurseries can be found at www.backyards4wildlife.com.au
may provide further inspiration and information. Happy planting!
Alternatively, contact your local council’s Environmental Officer or phone
the Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges Natural Resources Management
Board on 8273 9100.
Ask your local plant nursery for plants that are of ‘local provenance’
meaning plants grown from seeds or cuttings collected from your local Internet
area, catchment or neighbourhood. These plants have adapted to local Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges coastal photo gallery
conditions, so are the best plants for your garden. ‘the local natives’ www.flickr.com/photos/amlrnrm
Backyards for Wildlife www.backyards4wildlife.com.au
You can often place orders in advance with local nurseries in late spring –
early summer to collect for late autumn planting. Advance orders are Your local council’s website
recommended if you want larger quantities of plants, or don’t want to Garden Plants that are Known to Become Serious Coastal Weeds
substitute if species aren’t available. Many growers are also able to supply www.environment.sa.gov.au/coasts/pdfs/no34.pdf
plants for commercial orders such as councils, schools, other nurseries, Sustainable Landscapes Project
industries and landscapers. www.environment.sa.gov.au/botanicgardens/sustainable.html
Sustainable Gardening Australia website www.sgaonline.org.au
Keep an eye out for local plant giveaways which are sometimes run by your
council in winter – these will be advertised in your local Messenger and are Books
extremely popular! The Native Plants of Adelaide – Phil Bagust and Lynda Tout-Smith
Acknowledgements
The AMLR NRM Board gratefully acknowledges the photographers who donated
their images for this guide: Ron Sandercock, Rata Luckens, Doug Fotheringham, Nick
Fewster, Ben Moulton, Caroline Taylor, Tony Flaherty, Sharn Smith and Bill Doyle.
29

17. Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges
Natural Resources Management Board
Eastwood Office
205 Greenhill Road
Eastwood SA 5063
Phone 08 8273 9100
www.amlrnrm.sa.gov.au
Printed on 100% recycled Australian-made paper
The advice contained in this publication is intended as a source of information only.
While all due care has been taken in compiling this information, contributors to this
publication do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw and therefore
disclaim all liability for any errors or omissions, loss, damage or consequence which
may arise from any information given in this publication.