Acacia ‘Little Nugget’ is a dwarf form of Acacia pravissima and is a hardy, small shrub growing to 1.2 metres tall and about the same width, with clusters of ball-shaped yellow flowers during August to September. Or so they say… It must be 4 to 5 metres tall. Provides shade for the bees, popular with [...]

I bought one small Aloe Vera in 2010… From that one, I now have many plants. The aloe vera is the one plant that thrives just about anywhere and can withstand the wind. I plant it anywhere there is a gap so that there is some handy for ant and wasp bites. The flowers are a [...]

Alphitonia excelsa, commonly known as the red ash or soap tree Fast growing, semi-deciduous tree – when planted in a well-drained position it makes a splendid shade tree which can grow to a height of about 21 m in warm moist conditions – keep in pot Food plant for the caterpillars of the moonlight jewel (Hypochrysops delicia ) [...]

Clumping Habit Evergreen Perennial also called Native Ginger, (Blueberry Ginger Grows to 3 Metres High Sun / Semi-Shade Rainforest plant – adaptable / moist soil Green glossy elliptical leaves to 40 cm x 10 cm White tubular flowers to 10 mm on spikes to 30 cm in Spring Blue berry fruit to 10 mm Edible [...]

Perennial, erect stems with dark green leaves and purple/ blue flowers in Spring/Summer. Shade tolerant, moist. Use as hanging basket, pot plant, or in a rockery. Will grow bushier when cut right back after flowering. Herb/Shrub grows to about 1 m tall. Also called Native Snapdragon Said to attract the Blue-banded Bee 3 Tubestock from [...]

I planted this along at the bottom of the eastern fence several years ago but it became overshadowed by a more vigorous westringia. Earlier this year the Westringia went and with the new access to light and space this little shrub has grown well. It is now quite leggy but I read it responds well [...]

Backhousia citriodora (common names lemon myrtle, lemon scented myrtle, lemon scented ironwood) is a flowering plant in the family Myrtaceae, genus Backhousia. (wikipedia) See also http://www.lemonmyrtle.com.au/ Bought at native Plant sale September 2016 Planted against the east fence – south of the pomegranate

Taller baeckea from the BCC free native plant scheme planted along the front internal strip.

Attractive, compact, dense shrub with white flowers that attract small birds and native bees. This one is in almost full shade against the back fence under the Leptospermum – Wild May There are two in the front garden, one on the western side near the verge, and one on the eastern end of the verge. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEnvG5m9vc4 [...]

Small shrub from Mt Barney & Mt Lindesay.  Thin wiry branches are slightly hairy. Whorled leaves. Attractive and prolific pink or purpleflowers with 4 to 10 petals in spring to autumn. Part shade. Moist, well mulched. Attractive to bees and butterflies. Rambling/sprawling shrub to 1.5 metres.  Occurs in wet, shaded areas of New South wales, [...]

Tubestock bought Kumbartcho 27 Nov 2020 https://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/NSWfl.pl?page=nswfl&lvl=sp&name=Blechnum~camfieldii http://www.anbg.gov.au/abrs/online-resources/flora/stddisplay.xsql?pnid=57039

Tubestock from Kumbartcho 1 December 2020 Erect Open Habit Semi-Deciduous to 4 Metres High Full Sun / Semi-Shade Soil/ Conditions: Adaptable / Well-Drained Family: Sterculiaceae Natural Habitat: Dry Rainforest Flowers on bare branches from late winter. Responds well to pruning. Dark Green lobed hairy leaves to 20 cm long Red or Pink trumpet flowers to [...]

Prickly for the birds – full sun to partial shade. Prune to keep bushy. Tubestock from Kumbartcho. Planted in middle bed 3 December 2020 Died after extreme rain even February/March 2022 Links: https://www.gardeningwithangus.com.au/bursaria-spinosa-sweet-bursaria/ “ranging from a prostate shrub to a small tree — in cultivation it is usually grown as a small to medium shrub for garden [...]

Above ground growth needs to be controlled and what that implies for the roots means it’s not really a small garden plant, so it’s in a pot. It’s been shifted around the garden looking for a home, finishing up in the front garden where it can climb the fence. New leaves on the Callerya megasperma. [...]

Matthew Flinders: Supposed to grow less than 1 metre high. Red bottlebrush flowers attract small honey eating birds to your garden.  Flowers are at their peak in late winter and spring but with some scattered flower throughout the year.  Prune after flowering – flowers on new growth Where: – 3 planted on verge in 2020 [...]

The native pigface Carpobrutus glaucescens growing on the verge is popular with the native bees. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=398XCJ47Jkk Very hardy, grows from cuttings.

There is some dispute about its status as a native and the weed potential so I will keep this one trimmed back, and remove flowers. Links: https://www.anbg.gov.au/gnp/interns-2003/cenchrus-purpurascens.html

Host plant for Painted Lady Butterfly Evergreen perennial with prostrate spreading habit Green or Silver Grey Leaves to 5 cm x 25 mm Small Yellow flowers in terminal clusters most of the year. I’ve tried this plant several times as a groundcover without success until one plant in a pot against the back wall was [...]

Tubestock from Kumbartcho Nursery December 2019 Label says: Scrambling / Climbing Woody Vine or Ground Cover to 5 Metres, Evergreen Perennial, Bright Green leaves to 12 cm, Yellowish flowers to 5mm, Purplish-Black grape-like edible fruit Semi-Shade / Shade Soil/Conditions: Moist / Well-Drained Joseph’s Coat Moth Host Plant Bird Attracting Hanging Basket plant Indoor Plant Aboriginal [...]

I have a larger finger lime – CSIRO grafted version – bought a couple of years ago. It’s been moved a couple of times after not being happy in its spot. Finger Limes – tubestock December 2019 I’ve bought two tubestock from Kumbartcho Nursery December 2019 – much cheaper to experiment with. These will take [...]

Citrus Australis tubestock from Kumbartcho 27 November 2020 The Dooja, round lime, Gympie lime, Australian lime or Australian round lime, native to Queensland.  Full sun to part shade. Prune to shape and size required. Like all citruses: attracts Orchard swallowtail, fuscous swallowtail, dainty swallowtail butterflies Links: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citrus_australis https://witjutigrub.com.au/index.php/info-sheets/10-round-lime-gympie-lime-or-dooja-citrus-australis https://www.daleysfruit.com.au/bushfood/roundlime.htm https://sown.com.au/citrus-australis-rutaceae-native-lime-round-lime/

This pale yellow clivia is by the path to the front door. It has moved around a little but seems to have found its niche. Poor clay soil, deep shade in winter, not so deep in summer. I cut off the seed pods after the first show of flowers and sometimes get a second. Plants [...]

Also known as River Lily, this plant is very hard and adaptable – shade to full sun, pots or in the ground, dry to soggy soils.  Strong green strappy leaves with a large, delicate flower, popular with the native bees. The original plant was bought as tubestock from Kumbartcho, and has been moved several times. [...]

Atractive nitrogen-fixing vine with common name of Wild or Native Lucerne Attracts Chequered Swallowtail, Common grass-blue and the Tailed pea-blue butterflies Small purple flowers attract native bees. I got the tubestock from Kumbartcho Nursery and put it in this hanging pot and forgot about it. Transplanted December 2019 in front of pond near the bee [...]

Planted August 2019 in front west garden towards the bottom of the slope. It is shaded by trees above, and most morning sun will be blocked by the westringia. The plan is that it will grow to be an understory plant and get more sun as it is bigger and more able to cope as [...]

Slender flat sedge native to Australia. The species epithet gracilis refers to the graceful form of the leaves. “SEDGE TO 0.3 METRES TALL Densely tufted grass-like plant with slender pale green foliage. Small yellow-green flowers are held on stalks above the foliage in spring & summer. Quite adaptable & hardy once established, often self-sowing around the [...]

Bought from Australian Plants Online July 2020 Planted in front bed

Dianella berries (November 2018) on front verge. Rich purple berries follow delicate flowers. Bought as tubestock (3), Kumbartcho, December 2016. Planted on west side of tank. Bought as tubestock (30), Kumbartcho, December 2016. Planted on south side of verge. Dianella flowering September-October 2022. This is blue tongue territory. Sweet peas in foreground, Doryanthes excelsa – Gymea [...]

Taller than Dianella brevipendunctulata, grows up to a metre high and wide. Also known as blue flax-lily, blueberry lily, or paroo lily 3 x Tubestocks Kumbartcho Nursery December 2019 I have put them against the fence beside the bins – a previously unloved piece of ground, but also on the blue tongue’s pathway from their breeding [...]

Tubestock from Kumbartcho Host plant for Large Dingy Skipper and Yellow-banded Dart Butterfly A shorter dianella- to 50cm tall Dark blue flowers and dark blue / purple berries try in the verge garden bed with the westringia in front of the postie path 1 December 2020 – didn’t survive 10 plants for mass planting along [...]

Creeping herb with green circular leaves. Said to have greenish-white 5 mm flowers in Spring/Summer but I have yet to see any. I find this a useful creeping groundcover in the front lawn, on the verge, on mulched paths.  It dries out quickly in hot sun but usually comes back again when it’s cooler. Mows [...]

Often called blue ginger, but is not really a ginger, and not a native. Given to me by Jeff S. Moved into the new front west garden. Full shade. Discovered by the blue-banded bee on the first day.  

Hard plant to photograph.  Planted several years ago – very hardy, should remember to prune it more often. Good plant for the small birds. Fairy wrens use it to perch and look for food in the mulch below. Links: https://sown.com.au/dodonaea-triquetra-sapindaceae-forest-hop-bush/

First flower winter 2020.  It’s taking so long to open. Once the flower opens it is popular with the native bees and the honeyeaters. This is in the front garden on the mound so well-drained and quite dry. Tussock plant with sword-like leaves to 1 Metre high Aspect: Full Sun / Semi-Shade Soil/Conditions: Moist / [...]

Queensland’s version of the Gymea lily. Tough upright, clumping growth habit with large sword shaped leaves. Grows to 3m high and 3m wide. Suitable for pots. Tubestock from Kumbartcho 27 November 2020 Links: https://www.gardeningwithangus.com.au/doryanthes-palmeri-spear-lily/

Bought as tubestock from Kumbartcho Nursery, December 2016. Planted in south-west corner. Very shaded so plant is quite leggy. Bought a second plant Kumbartcho Nursery, December 2019 for the verge. Shrub to 0.5 Metres High by 1 Metre across Aspect: Full Sun Soil/Conditions: Adaptable / Moist to Sandy Description: Dense Prostrate Habit Evergreen Perennial Grey-Green [...]

Common names winter apple or amulla, endemic to east coast extending from north Queensland to near the border between New South Wales and Victoria in Australia. (wikipedia) It is a prostrate shrub with lance-shaped leaves and white, rarely deep mauve flowers. Spreading weak stems up to 1 metre long. Flowering mainly in spring and summer, [...]

Eremophila oppositifolia is a subtle shrub, not showy like the grevilleas or the wattles, but it is one the draws the most admiration from visitors. This one lives at the top of a slope, with little care and attention. It flowers in late autumn and early spring. The little brown honey eaters hang from the [...]

Wombat berry tubestock fro Kumbartcho 1 December 2020 Planted at base of repurposed pool fence on western wall. Sun or partial shade. Tuberous-rooted, twinning, multi-stemmed scrambling vine climbs up to 6m on a suitable trellis, or forms a clump 3m across without support. Berries attract fruit-eating birds, the tuberous roots attract wombats and other native [...]

Common names: Cheesetree; Pin Flower Tree; Sumatran Buttonwood; Umbrella Cheesetree; Buttonwood White flowers, cheese shaped greenish pink seed capsules & red bird attracting seeds Tree to 15 m high (keep it in a pot) Tubestock from Kumbartcho December 2019. Planted in brown square pot with Brachyscome multifida and Viola banksii below.

Glycosmis trifoliata – known as Òrange Berry or Pink Lime Bush Rounded open habit, evergreen, perennial shrub to 4 Metres Full Sun / Semi-Shade Moist /Well-Drained Green glossy leaves to 15 cm long White flowers to 5 mm in clusters in Spring to Summer Pink soft berry fruit to 12 mm diameter Family: Rutaceae Natural Habitat: Dry [...]

Although Goodenia ovata is often described as a small, open shrub, it grows as a ground cover on the verge. It’s extremely hardy and always seems to have cheerful yellow flowers.The leaves are glossy green with a serrated edge. Bought as tube stock from Kumbartcho Nursery A second Goodenia bought from Plant Shack in August 2018. [...]

Smaller than Goodenia Ovata Tubestocks from Kumbartcho 1 December 2020 to go in bed along north wall. 3 x Goodenia ovata (top) and 3 x Goodenia rotundifolia   We will see which the bees prefer. Links http://www.northqueenslandplants.com/Australian%20Plant%20Families%20G-M/Goodeniaceae/Goodenia/Goodenia%20rotundifolia.html https://gympielandcare.org.au/wp-content/uploads/Goodenia-rotundifolia.pdf https://sown.com.au/goodenia-rotundifolia-goodeniaceae-star-goodenia-round-leaf-goodenia/

Holly Fuschia is a  pretty shrub with leaves that look and feel like holly leaves but red fushia-like flowers rather than berries.  If you have fond memories of holly from the Northern Hemisphere – or associate it with Christmas – this is a good substitute. But it is much more than that. The flowers suit [...]

Also known as Queensland Holly or Veiny Graptophyllum Understory plant in Wet Sclerophyll Forest (Full Shade / Filtered Sun but will tolerate full sun) A compact rounded shrub with attractive dark green leaves, and white flowers in Spring. The fruit is club-shaped and about 1cm. long. Attracts Carpenter Bee, Blue-banded Bee and stingless bees. Tubestock [...]

Hybrid of the Grevillea ‘Honey Gem’, it’s easy to see how this small tree is got its name. As it grows taller, prunning the lower branches provides an attractive view of its twisting trunk. I have/had two, one in the main front garden which gained favourable comments from visitors. A second is near the bins [...]

A prickly grevillea with small pink flowers all year round, much loved by birds of all sizes. The Canberra Gem planted at the front in 2013 has grown to about 3m, although I have seen them kept down to 1 metre in other gardens. In 2017, the double-barred finches made a small, round nest about [...]

A flowering plant in the pea family Fabaceae, native to Australia from Queensland to Tasmania. It is known in Australia by the common names false sarsaparilla, purple coral pea, happy wanderer, native lilac and waraburra. (wikipedia) Hardenbergia violacea is usually a climbing plant whose branches twist around the stems of other plants. It is moderately [...]

Also known as snake vine, climbing Guinea flower or golden Guinea vine Tubestock from Kumbartcho, planted in north-east corner near fence – January 2017 Strikes well from cuttings. One against eastern wall. One growing up dividing fence on western side. And one on the front fence as a backdrop to the verge garden. Here’s a [...]