Browse Forums Landscape & Garden Design Re: Nature strips without lawns 109Dec 02, 2011 3:00 pm For info on our build: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=43093 Built the McLaren by Dechellis - slab down 22 Feb - handover 30 Aug 2011 - and gardens finished 9 Dec 2012!! Re: Nature strips without lawns 117Dec 10, 2011 2:27 pm jzell67 The snails got my plants... They've got two little leaves left on each plant. Bastards!!!! Yeah, it happens. it won't mean the plants are dead and done for though. Get some pet friendly snail bait. They will be Iron based and not chemical based (such as those containing Metaldahyde- check the small print). The iron will be of some benefit to the soil and equally effective at killing the snails. Also when birds or lizards eat the snails we won't be killing them either. Re: Nature strips without lawns 118Feb 19, 2012 9:13 pm Just read through this entire thread (minus all the links!) We are on 2 acres & although we're not planning to landscape it all I want a large area around the house to be nice & lush seeing as where we live is a dry, brown, dustbowl in summer Anyway, I was considering some nice desciduous trees around the place but I think I'm almost converted to going for natives. But I don't really know where to start? Are natives easy to grow? Say in a large garden bed, can I just bunch an assortment together or does it require more planning? (Clearly I have no idea!!) My biggest concern is snakes, brown snakes are fairly common around here (SA) & I'm paranoid they'll be attracted to all these low growing, bushy shrubs. I don't want to stick my hand in to pull out a weed & get attacked!! Also, my neighbours have a nice looking gum tree which they call a "ghost gum" it has a very straight trunk with very little bark. Does anyone know what it's proper name is? And would a couple of those provide nice shade on our future back lawn? Or can anyone suggest something better? Glad I saw this thread, it's given me plenty of inspiration Building our custom design "Dream Home" Follow my Build - viewtopic.php?f=31&t=46820 Contract Signed - 28/04/11 Siteworks Commenced - 20/06/11 Re: Nature strips without lawns 119Feb 22, 2012 3:15 am Ghost gum could be anything white barked. It might even be a bloodwood or Angophora from NSW. One usually coined "ghost gum" was the Manna gums of Victoria and central highlands of NSW.
RE: Snakes - use low growing covers like prostrate grevilleas (Honey gem) or Erimophila (broad leaf) which will grow very well in SA. There is also the chance to use fan flowers - Scaevola sp - from WA. (http://www.gardenexpress.com.au/scaevol ... e-fanfare/) Myoporium is also excellent. These are very hardy and will tolerate extended dry periods. Use taller Erimophila or a more open grevillea to lift the garden so that you can see the snakes. Erimophila and Myoporium ground covers are very tough and hardy. They tend to grow slowly for about 2 to 3 years then they just grow into something the diameter of a truck wheel or bigger. You just need a little patience for these but the reward is a great looking garden that in most cases will never require water or maintenance of any kind but will be a supply for more cuttings and floral decorations. Myoporium the darker broad leaf var is so easy to propagate its just a matter of cutting a stem and sticking it in the ground a little deep, around the length of a tent peg - it's that simple. You could buy one and let it grow out until the stems reach around 20cm. Then you can cut 30 or 40 plants from that and within a year you will have an entire nature strip done in Myoporuim. They have tiny white and lilac flowers in spring. Looks like grass from the distance. Clumping a silvery plant like cushion bush or Dichondra silver falls in the middle or here and there will contrast nicely with the dark green hues of Myoporium. The fan flower is also just as easy but best done in pots using a quality mix. Again a good size cutting or clump deep into a pot and water regularly. After about 15 weeks they are ready to plant out. Re: Nature strips without lawns 120Feb 22, 2012 3:23 am Dichondra (kidney plant) is tough as nails. I thought it would struggle in summer but its growth has continued where others have died back. A great lawn alternative. Hardy as hell, tough and rugged. These have had wheelie bins rolling over them and no watering at all and now without help have covered the entire pathway. Prep was original soils + 30% sand and 50% wood shavings topped off with composted mulch to provide a harder, already walkable relief surface with pockets as places for the plants to be protected. Eventually that will break down but by then the dichondra will have established and stabilised. Elvis has left the building... The site supervisor quit after 2 month on the project. I guess he was just instructed to bark at people, but didn't like when he was… 26 21657 Hi, I contracted a Builder to do a Garage to Bedroom + ensuite conversion (Class 1a), the Builder engaged the Certifier and Engineer and received BDA from the Certifier… 0 5673 |