10 Essential Native Plants Every Australian Garden Needs

Australian native plants are perfectly adapted to our climate, require less water, and support local wildlife. Here are 10 essential natives that every Aussie garden should include, from groundcovers to feature trees.

Why Choose Australian Natives?

• Water-wise - Evolved for our climate
• Low maintenance - No need for constant feeding
• Wildlife habitat - Support native birds, bees, and butterflies
• Year-round interest - Many flower throughout the year
• Pest resistant - Few pest and disease problems

1. Kangaroo Paw (Anigozanthos)

Perfect for: WA, SA, and dry areas of eastern states Height: 0.5-2m depending on variety Flowers: Spring to summer

This iconic West Australian native produces stunning bird-attracting flowers. Choose dwarf varieties for pots or borders. They need excellent drainage and full sun.

2. Grevillea (Various species)

Perfect for: All regions with appropriate species selection Height: Groundcover to 4m Flowers: Year-round depending on species

From the groundcover ‘Bronze Rambler’ to the screening ‘Robyn Gordon’, grevilleas offer nectar for honeyeaters and stunning flowers. They’re tough, drought-tolerant, and come in hundreds of varieties.

3. Westringia (Native Rosemary)

Perfect for: Coastal gardens and hedging Height: 1-2m Flowers: Most of the year

This hardy shrub handles salt spray, drought, and pruning. ‘Morning Light’ and ‘Jervis Gem’ are popular cultivars. Perfect as a low hedge or backdrop plant.

4. Lomandra (Mat Rush)

Perfect for: Everywhere - incredibly versatile Height: 0.6-1m Features: Strappy leaves, fragrant flowers

Lomandra longifolia varieties like ‘Tanika’ are virtually indestructible. They handle drought, frost, and even periodic flooding. Excellent for erosion control and mass planting.

5. Callistemon (Bottlebrush)

Perfect for: All regions except tropical far north Height: 1-5m depending on variety Flowers: Spring and autumn

The quintessential Aussie plant! ‘Little John’ stays compact at 1m, while ‘Kings Park Special’ can reach 4m. Birds love the nectar-rich flowers.

6. Banksia

Perfect for: Well-drained soils, especially sandy Height: 1-10m depending on species Flowers: Autumn to winter

From the compact Banksia ‘Birthday Candles’ (50cm) to the impressive Banksia integrifolia (coastal banksia), these plants provide spectacular flowers and seed cones that attract cockatoos.

7. Hardenbergia (Native Wisteria)

Perfect for: Climbing over fences or as groundcover Height: Climbing to 2-3m Flowers: Late winter to spring

This purple-flowering climber is much better behaved than Chinese wisteria. ‘Happy Wanderer’ is the classic variety, while ‘White Out’ offers white flowers.

8. Correa (Native Fuchsia)

Perfect for: Shade to part sun, coastal gardens Height: 0.5-2m Flowers: Autumn to spring

These bell-shaped flowers are loved by honeyeaters. They flower when little else does and handle shade better than most natives. Try ‘Canberra Bells’ or ‘Federation Belle’.

9. Dianella (Flax Lily)

Perfect for: Shade to full sun, all regions Height: 0.5-1m Features: Strappy leaves, blue berries

Modern cultivars like ‘Little Rev’ and ‘Cassa Blue’ offer variegated foliage and masses of purple berries. Extremely tough and great for difficult spots.

10. Leptospermum (Tea Tree)

Perfect for: Screening, coastal gardens Height: 1-3m for garden varieties Flowers: Spring to summer

‘Copper Glow’ has stunning pink flowers and bronze new growth. These plants handle pruning well and can be shaped into standards or hedges.

Planting Tips for Native Success

Soil Preparation

• Most natives prefer well-drained soil
• Don’t over-improve the soil - natives like it lean
• Add coarse sand to heavy clay
• Avoid mushroom compost and manures (too rich)

Watering

• Water well for the first summer
• Once established, most need no supplementary watering
• Avoid overwatering - kills more natives than drought

Fertilising

• Use native plant fertiliser (low phosphorus)
• Feed sparingly in spring
• Slow-release is best

Design Ideas with Natives

Coastal Garden: Westringia, Banksia integrifolia, Lomandra, Correa Bird-Attracting: Grevillea, Callistemon, Banksia, Kangaroo Paw Formal Hedge: Westringia, Lilly Pilly (Syzygium) Shade Garden: Dianella, Lomandra, Correa, Native Violet

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Overwatering - The #1 killer of natives
2. Rich soil - Most natives prefer poor soil
3. High phosphorus fertiliser - Can be toxic to natives
4. Wrong plant for climate - Check origin of species
5. Not pruning - Light pruning keeps plants bushy

Conclusion

Australian natives are beautiful, tough, and perfectly suited to our climate. Start with a few of these reliable species and you’ll soon discover the joy of gardening with plants that actually want to grow here! Your local birds and bees will thank you too.