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 debilis Read More »
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.
Glochidion sumatranum (umbrella cheese tree) Read More »
Melaleuca nodosa , commonly known as the prickly-leaved paperbark, is a plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to eastern Australia. It is a shrub or small tree with narrow, sometimes needle-like leaves and profuse heads of yellow flowers as early as April or as late as January (wikipedia) Grows to 7 metres
Melaleuca nodosa (prickly-leaved paperbark) Read More »
Hakea sericea , commonly known as Needlebush or Silky Hakea, is a large species of shrub native to Australia. It is native to New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania but is found outside these states. It grows up to 3 metres (10 ft) as a spreading and bushy shrub, flowering from winter to early spring. Tag
Tree to 20 Metres High with cream fragrant flowers darkening to yellow in autumn through to summer. This one is staying in a pot Bird Attracting Butterfly Attracting Bee Attracting Prune young and regularly for best effect
Hymenosporum flavum (Native Frangipani) Read More »
Herb to 30 cm High Shaded / Semi-Shade Rocks, Moist but not too wet, with ferns Prostrate Clumping Evergreen Perennial Grey-Green soft leaves to 3 cm, Small White flowers on spikes to 13 cm Also suits pots and indoor.
Bush Mint sometimes referred to as “Native Pennyroyal” Mat-forming herb, rhizomatous and often producing ascending to prostrate branches at nodes; branches glabrous or covered with short spreading hairs. Grows in sandy-clay to clay-rich soils, frequently in grassy areas Sun or shade, attracts bees & insects. Tiny, white flowers will attract bees in summer. The plant
Mentha satureioides – Bush Mint Read More »
Common names: Sago Bush, Rice Flower, White Dogwood, Pill Flower Shrub to 2.5 Metres High by 2 Metres Spread Full Sun / Semi-Shade, Adaptable Description: Dense Upright Habit Evergreen Perennial Dark Green aromatic leaves to 15 mm long White flowers in 3 mm clusters of 20 to 100 in Spring to Summer Attracts Australian Painted
Ozothamnus diosmifolius – Rice Flower Read More »
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
Artanema fimbriatum – Koala Bells Read More »
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
Glycosmis trifolata – Pink Lime Bush Read More »
Also known as Tie Bush, Bootlace Bark and Bushman’s Bootlace Evergreen perennial shrub with dense rounded habit to 1.5 Shade / Semi-Shade Soil/Conditions: Adaptable / Moist Dark Green leaves to 6 cm, Dull underneath Green tubular flowers to 7 mm in Spring to Autumn Orange to Red berry fruit to 7 mm – TOXIC Family:
Wikstroemia Indica – Bushman’s Bootlace Read More »
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
Graptophyllum spinigerum “Spiny Fuchsia” Read More »
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 )
Alphitonia excelsa Read More »
Shrub or Tree to 5 Metres (taller than Hakea sericea) Full Sun / Semi-Shade Rounded Open Habit Evergreen Perennial Dark Green needle-shaped leaves to 8 cm White small flowers on branches in Winter Brown woody capsule to 35 mm Very Prickly so Small Bird Shelter Plant Bought Kumbartcho December 2019
Hakea actites – Wallum Hakae Read More »
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
Endemic to Queensland and New South Wales. Common names are Native Broom, Square-stemmed Broom or Bead Bush Evergreen perennial shrub to 1.5 Metres High, Full Sun / Semi-shade Almost leafless with tiny white 5-petalled flowers, orange / red globular fruit most of the year Dry Rainforest said to attract birds but I will be watching to
Spartothamnella juncea Read More »
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
Cissus antarctica (Kangaroo Vine) Read More »
Early this year, I finally got rid of the last bit of the dreaded couch lawn – from both inside the yard and out on the verge. No need for all the mowing paraphenalia. No need for the shed. Then I went to the Nambour Garden Show and saw a stand with Zoysia Nara Native
Reframing Lawn – Zoysia Nara Native Turf Read More »
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
Cyathea Cooperi tree fern Read More »
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
Eremophila oppositifolia “Moonlight” white form of the oppositifolia emu bush Read More »
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.
Goodenia ovata – yellow flowers on an unassuming but attractive plant Read More »
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
Dianella brevipendunctulata – Blue Flax-Lily Read More »
The focal point of our front garden is the Brisbane Wattle. It has birds of all sizes in it every day – fairy wrens, small brown honey eaters, Australasian fig bird, Noisy friarbirds, willy wagtails, all love this tree. In late winter, it has a mass of yellow flowers and is abuzz with bees. 22
Acacia Fimbriata – Brisbane Wattle Read More »
Suggested by a volunteer at Kumbartcho Nursery as a more local Myoporum than the finer leaved ones you buy in the shops, and a very hardy low-growing shrub for the front verge. Small white flowers in Autumn followed by berries. Full sun or semi-shade Grows to approx. 50cm with spread of 1 to 2 metres
Myoporum boninense ssp.australe (Boobialla) Read More »
On Friday, our new street tree was installed in line with the blue dot by two friendly workmen from the BCC. They called it a “Lop Con” short for Lophostemon confertus (Queensland Brush Box), and it’s the same as the others in the street. One neighbour who is also missing a tree has already ordered
Putting the Native Back into Nature Strips Read More »
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
Enchylaena tomentosa – Ruby Saltbush Read More »
Frogsmouth shown here in a pot with some Mazus Pumilio partly submerged in the front pond. It started as a tiny tubestock from the Nambour show and was growing well with many flower spikes about metre long. You can see how it gets its name from the yellow flowers – one just visible in the
Philydrum lanuginosum – Frogsmouth Read More »
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
Graptophyllum ilicifolium – Holly Fuschia Read More »
Scaevola is suddenly fashionable. It’s a pretty plant with flowers that look like half a daisy – hence fan flowers. In the new bed between the tank and the house, I have Aussie Winners – aemula which has larger, softer leaves and larger flowers, and some slightly smaller cheaper versions from Ridgy-Didge. They have morning
Scaevola – Fan Flower Read More »
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
Dichondra repens – Kidney Weed Read More »
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
Austromyrtus tenuifolia & Austromyrtus dulcis – midgen berry Read More »
Herb to 10-70cm tall. Shade. A tufted perennial herb with fleshy tuberous base and mid-green soft felt-like leaves, bears non-aromatic pale blue to violet blue flowers most of the year. Tubestock from Kumbartcho Nursery Planted under Acacia fimbriata 20/12/2016 has spread in front garden
Plectranthus Parviflorus – Cockspur flower, Native Coleus Read More »
Bought as tubestock at Kumbartcho Nursery 10/12/2016 Planted at the base of a birdbath by the back tap. The little birds – fairy wrens, brown honeyeaters and willy wagtails, perch on the bottle tree, take a dip, then back up to dry. The purple-flowered Orthosiphon aristatus doesn’t seem as hardy as the white with purple tips.
Orthosiphon aristatus – Cat’s Whiskers Read More »
commonly known as the Waxvine or Common waxflower Bought as tubestock from Kumbartcho Nursery 10/12/2016 Planted in pot with native violets at base. Wikipedia – Hoya Australis says it is an evergreen climbing vine which may reach 4–10 m (13–33 ft). It has simple opposite glabrous (shiny) leaves 3–6 cm long and 2–5 cm wide.
Bought as tubestock from Kumbartcho Nursery 10/12/2016 Planted toward eastern end of back fence. Sprawling shrub, needs tying to fence. Round, dense shrub to 4m tall. Sun/semi-shade. White flowers in spring. Attracts birds and bees. Leaves aromatic when crushed. ANPSA “Usually found in sandy or sandstone-derived soils but sometimes found in basalt soil or rocks,
Leptospermum polygalifolium – Wild May Read More »
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
Hibbertia scandens Read More »
I call the native violet my weed of choice. This is not meant in a derogatory sense. Bare soil will always be colonised by something so why not encourage this friendly little plant to out-compete less attractive weeds and be the default groundcover. Native Violets grow in all sorts of places from full shade to
Viola hederacea / banksii (Native Violet) Read More »
Stenocarpus ‘Doreen’ – according to its tag is an attractive medium shrub with delicate mid-green foilage and large clusters of creamy flowers in summer. Full sun to part shade, 2m high and 1.5m wide. It has done well but a couple of years later it is more like 4m high and .75 m wide –
Stenocarpus ‘Doreen’ Read More »
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
Backhousia citriodora Lemon Myrtle Read More »
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
Hardenbergia violacea Read More »
Common Name – Swamp Mazus. A native ground cover for wet to waterlogged soils. Rosettes of tiny oak-like leaves. Unusual asymmetrical lilac/blue flowers in Spring-Summer. Grows in full sun or part shade. Low perennial herb forming rosettes connected by rhizomes. Flowering: September–April Bought Native Plant Sale: September 2016 Doesn’t like to dry out. Divides easily.
Attractive, scrambling shrub to 1m. Flowers white or pale mauve from spring to autumn. Sticky fruits adhere to clothing, skins and pets and may be a minor nuisance near walkways or other high traffic locations. (ref) Grows as an understory plant in monsoon forest and vine thickets (ref) Food plant for Zebra Blue butterfly. Bought:
Plumbago Zeylanica Read More »
Eucalyptus curtisii, or Plunkett mallee, is a small tree that is native to Queensland in Australia. It is a mallee eucalyptus that grows from 2 to 7 metres in height and has smooth, grey bark that peels in long strips. The adult leaves are 6 to 13 cm long and 10 to 25 mm wide.
Plunkett Mallee – Eucalyptus Curtisii Read More »
It is a medium to large evergreen tree growing to 30–36 m tall with a trunk up to 1.5 m diameter. The leaves are lanceolate, 5–15 cm long (to 25 cm long on vigorous young trees) and 6–18 mm broad. The seed cones are dark blue-purple, berry-like, with a fleshy base 2-2.5 cm diameter bearing a single oval or
Podocarpus elatus (Brown Pine) Read More »
New plant bought Kumbartcho 5/3/2021 Bought: Nambour Garden Show July 2016 and put in pot. Planted: Against back fence to climb on wires (southfacing, gets sun in summer) Survived for 2 years Links https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pararistolochia_praevenosa http://www.saveourwaterwaysnow.com.au/01_cms/details_pop.asp?ID=291 http://richmondbirdwing.org.au/
Pararistolochia praevenosa – Richmond birdwing butterfly vine Read More »
Bought: Nambour Garden Show July 2016Planted: Against back fence to climb on wires (southfacing, gets sun in summer)Prefers full sun or part-shadePruning after flowering can restrain growth and plants respond well to hard pruning. It is important to note that Pandorea species develop a strong and penetrating root system and should not be planted near
Pandorea Jasminoides – Bower of Beauty Read More »
I planted two Kangaroo Paws in a hurry on the native strip in March 2011 before I went away for 3 weeks. They grew steadily through the winter but were doing nothing much when we went away in early September. Six weeks later (mid-October), we returned to this… and this… It’s a west-facing wall –
Pigface is a bright, cheerful plant I remember from early childhood and when I saw a punnet of seedlings in the nursery, I knew I had to include it. It’s a succulent with the grey leaves and starkly contrasting soft bright flowers. They are so soft that you need to touch them to appreciate it
Pigface Red – Mesembryanthemum Read More »
For me, the first role of the garden is to provide habitat for the many beneficial creatures – from the native bees and lizards to the small birds to the possums. There was a front hedge when we moved in – extremely trimmed lillypilly, now much less formal. It’s on the south border so it
South-eastern Fence Garden Read More »
