Indigenous plants are those that grow naturally in a particular area. They are native to that area. Are there indigenous plants around your home?
Why are indigenous plants important?
By planting indigenous species, you are protecting local plants (flora) and animals (fauna). The flora provides food and shelter for local fauna such as reptiles, small mammals, insects and birds, all of which may return to your area if you re-establish their natural habitat.
Activity:
With a notepad and pen, take a walk around your home. Write down what animals you see. A bird up on the highest branch of that gum tree. A trail of ants moving along steadily. A spider spinning a web between shrubs. Or maybe you are lucky enough to see a lizard scurrying across. Take a good look at branches, soil, fences and underneath rocks.
Which animals did you expect to see, but didn’t? Maybe you didn’t see any birds or spiders. Write these down too. In a few years’ time, when your native garden has grown and thrived, you can look back at these notes and compare. Perhaps by then you will have a variety of birds and spiders living amongst your new indigenous plants.
Threats to indigenous flora and fauna.
Weeds can choke up your garden. They take up soil nutrients, water and light that your indigenous plants need. Weeds are also less likely to provide habitat for native animals, so it is important to weed your garden.
You can obtain information about local environmental weeds from your council. Sometimes what you think is a weed can actually be a vital indigenous plant!
Weed your garden when the soil is moist, pulling out as much of the root system as you can. By planting indigenous plants and covering weeds with a native mulch or compost, you will help eliminate these weeds for good.
Cats and dogs are also a risk. Keep dogs in the backyard, as they can hunt down or scare off animals, and make sure your cat has bells on its collar to warn the wildlife. Try and keep your cat inside at night, because that is when they like to hunt. A garden full of native indigenous flora will ensure the survival of local animals and plants only if you help fight off their threats.
How do I create an indigenous garden?
Firstly, ask your local council for information. They will have listings of local flora which may even have pictures to help you to identify plants.
It is best to plant a mixture of trees, shrubs, flowers, creepers and grasses. This will help to maintain a healthy interaction between flora, fauna and environment. This interaction is known as an ‘ecosystem’.
Pictured on this page are plants indigenous to parts of the Melbourne area.
Where do I get seedlings from?
You can buy seedlings from an indigenous bush bank (listed on this page). They will be able to answer any questions you may have. Purchase your seedlings close to the time of planting. The best time to plant is autumn or spring. Winter can be too wet and cool. Summer can be too hot. Make sure you find out which conditions suit the plants. Does it need a lot of moisture or can it grow in any type of soil?
I have my seedlings.
What do I do?
Activity:
Planting your indigenous seedlings.
You need:
• A small shovel
• Watering can
• Gloves (optional)
• Old clothes
• Compost (vegetable waste)
1. Find the spot the plant will enjoy most. A dry area or an area that has moisture?
2. Turn the soil over with your small shovel. This will give your soil better drainage and more air
3. Dig a small hole to the depth of your seedling
4. Tip the pot upside-down and gently ease the plant out. If that doesn’t work, squeeze the sides of the pot to break up the roots. Now try easing the plant out of the pot. Try not to pull the plant out of the soil
5. If the soil is very dry, pour water into the hole
6. Put the seedling and soil into the hole you have dug
7. Cover up the hole with the surrounding soil and press it down gently around the base of the plant
8. Spread your compost thickly around the plant. This will provide nutrients, keep the moisture in, control the soil’s temperature and suppress weeds
9. Water your plant
10. Water plant regularly until the plant is established.
As time goes by, you might see some changes. Maybe a bird you’ve never seen before. A skink, an unusual insect, maybe even a native possum. These animals will naturally control any pests around your home. You will also be watering your garden less because these plants have adapted over time to suit local conditions.
Chocolate lily (Arthropodium strictum)
A perennial flower that smells like chocolate. It grows up to 1 m high and prefers moist, well-drained soils either in the sun or part shade. Its underground tubers were used by the local Koori people for food. They can be eaten raw or roasted.
Kangaroo Apple (Solanum laciniatum)
A fast-growing shrub with large green leaves and purple flowers. It prefers full sun or part shade and will adapt to any type of soil. Its fruit was eaten by local Koori people; a green egg-shaped fruit that eventually turns a deep orange. When it is this colour (and only this colour) it is ready to be eaten. Can be used as a substitute for tomatoes.
Tall bluebell (Wahlenbergia stricta)
A beautiful perennial growing up to 40cm with delicate blue flowers. Prefers full sun and dry well-drained soils.
Wallaby grass (Danthonia racemosa)
A dense grass growing up to 60cm. Prefers full sun and well-drained soil.
Running postman (Kennedia prostrata)
A bird-attracting ground cover growing to 1.5m with red pea flowers. Prefers sun or light shade and dry well-drained soil.
Indigenous plant nurseries
in Melbourne
Victorian Indigenous Nursery Co-op (VINC)
Yarra Bend Road, Fairfield 3078
Tel: (03) 9482-1710
Mainly wholesale but will sell retail
Wiltona Nursery
220 Kororoit Creek Road, Williamstown 3016
Tel: (03) 9397-2431 Retail, open 7 days
Kuranga Native Nursery
393 Maroondah Hwy, Ringwood 3134
Tel: (03) 9879-4076 Retail, open 7 days
The Australian Horticultural School is a distance education school established in 1979. They offer over 300 different, practically oriented courses covering both general interest subjects and formal training up to Diploma level for those seeking employment in horticulture, business, photography, journalism or recreation.
Particularly relevant to home-owners, is the four free lessons on designing a garden available online. Check out the web site: http://www.acs.edu.au or email admin@acs.edu.au for information.