Browse Forums Landscape & Garden Design 1 Mar 15, 2009 5:28 pm I need some help I know nothing about plants - key word: nothing.
My Dad suggested that I start to collect and pot seedlings now of plants that I want at our house, and nurture them so that when our build is finished they will be fairly mature and we can then transport them to our yard. I quite like this idea as I know mature plants can be a little expensive. My dilemma is that I have no idea what types of plants I should start collecting. I obviously want plants which are fairly drought tolerant and will survive in Melbourne weather conditions. But I dont want anything like a cactus (and this is all my dad and I know!) I know that driving around will give me ideas but I wont know what they are or if they're drought tolerant I want colour so flowers, a hedge-type plant that could possibly be used to define paths/driveways (and I can trim without it looking as though its been trimmed IYKWIM?Something leafy I think?), and some plants which give the luscious green look. Now do you see that Im truly clueless? Does anyone know anything of the sort and have a picture they could post? Or a website with suggestions and pictures? Im assuming that most of these are sold as clippings rather then seeds? Custom European Cabinets - Melbourne Kitchen Specialist PM for business details as website currently being updated! Our Crazy Owner Builder Journey! Re: Drought Tolerant Plants - Melbourne 2Mar 15, 2009 5:37 pm Some shrubs which I have found drought resistant in very dry area of SA - grevilleas, oleanders (available in dwarf variety or full size), wattle, plumbago, diosma, rosemary, lavender.
These are all shrubs with colourful flowers. I would be a bit wary of growing them too large and then transplanting - much higher sucess rate with transplanting shrubs which have not yet grown too mature. Re: Drought Tolerant Plants - Melbourne 3Mar 15, 2009 5:43 pm Machurian Pears are great plants for around fence line. You could buy when bare rooted and pot and then plant when in the house. They grow quickly and we have found then very drought tolerant.
Roses - lots of colour - again you could buy when bare rooted and then pot - replant - SUPER drought tolerant. Surprisingly I have actually found my port wine magnolias to be drought tolerant despite getting sunburnt in our bizarre weather in Jan. Liriope is fantastic and can be bought in mass packs from bunnings and is quick to grow. Even english box I have found to be ok. I have found that all plants seem to need some TLC for the first year in the ground but after that they seem to do well on there own. Hope this helps Re: Drought Tolerant Plants - Melbourne 4Mar 15, 2009 6:04 pm What kind of look do you want, Bam? There are lots of pretty hardy plants, but everyone has their own likes and dislikes.... and you want a cohesive look, not a mish-mash of other people's ideas that may not go together.
Have you seen any gardens that you like the general look of? Some photos would be helpful so that we can make suggestions that are along the lines of what you're thinking. And if you're able to post a picture or two, I'm sure someone can identify the plants for you. Re: Drought Tolerant Plants - Melbourne 5Mar 15, 2009 6:24 pm I thought Cordalyns were supposed to be drought tolerant They arnt i lost most of mine. So i think stay away from them.. Yuccas are good.. different species of grasses Theres another plant ive got in my front yard it survived but cant remember its plant name but they are at nurseries. Go to the plant nurseries you will get ideas there. Re: Drought Tolerant Plants - Melbourne 6Mar 15, 2009 6:40 pm Cordies aren't, they all come from mostly tropical or wet areas. North Qld, New Caledonia, New Zealand.
check this link for some ideas plug in your wish list of requiremants for each bit of the garden and there ya go http://www.watercorporation.com.au/w/wa ... search.cfm Re: Drought Tolerant Plants - Melbourne 7Mar 15, 2009 6:57 pm Thanks everyone!
Fu - that website is great!! Kek, I think Ill do what you say and infd some pics that I like and post them. Probably help narrow it down a little Custom European Cabinets - Melbourne Kitchen Specialist PM for business details as website currently being updated! Our Crazy Owner Builder Journey! Re: Drought Tolerant Plants - Melbourne 8Mar 15, 2009 8:15 pm Ok! Found some that I liked Now, what are they and are they drought tolerant?
Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ The gorgeous purple ones Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Purple ones again Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Some seem to be the same type of plant? But atleast you can get an idea of what I like Are these type of plants I can start growing now? Custom European Cabinets - Melbourne Kitchen Specialist PM for business details as website currently being updated! Our Crazy Owner Builder Journey! Re: Drought Tolerant Plants - Melbourne 9Mar 15, 2009 8:20 pm No idea on name,s but I would suggst you take a print out of those shots to the Palm Place on Mickelham Road in Tullamarine. THey had most of those plants at reasonable prices, were very very helpful, and their prices were quite good. Adrian B Re: Drought Tolerant Plants - Melbourne 10Mar 15, 2009 8:28 pm I suggest going to your local nursery and checking out all the aussie natives - grevillia's, kangaroo paw etc etc and just take a wander around with a camera and a notepad to see what you like the look of 'A bottle of wine contains more philosophy than all the books in the world.' Louis Pasteur Vegie garden: viewtopic.php?f=19&t=27637&start=0 My Backyard Adventure Re: Drought Tolerant Plants - Melbourne 12Mar 15, 2009 9:36 pm nearly all of those are tropical plants. I'd be nervous calling any waterwise. Re: Drought Tolerant Plants - Melbourne 13Mar 15, 2009 10:22 pm 1ST pic. that small plant against corner of the house. i have that in my front yard it didnt do to well in the heat.
Love those purples plants in the pic but think they are tropical. suit shaded areas. Those flaxes in the pond area .they didnt do too well at my place. Re: Drought Tolerant Plants - Melbourne 14Mar 16, 2009 8:36 am Damn, so everything I like will probably end up dying?! Back to the drawing board.... Custom European Cabinets - Melbourne Kitchen Specialist PM for business details as website currently being updated! Our Crazy Owner Builder Journey! Re: Drought Tolerant Plants - Melbourne 16Mar 16, 2009 3:48 pm Adrian B I think not, but I think you need to so some preparation and irrigation work to ensure that they remain healthy. Too right Adrian The single most important thing. The soil quality and delivery of water is what makes a garden tough to the environment, not just the plant choice All is not lost. Make compromises and choose plants similar or that will create a feel to the garden when established. I would suggest a really nice small tree or a few of them. After a few years they will cool your home , keep evaporation down, provide fee mulch once a year and give you the chance to grow the plants you really want with very few hassles. Re: Drought Tolerant Plants - Melbourne 17Mar 16, 2009 9:16 pm Sorry bam i think i made you panic with my post.
I should have said while a small number of my plants died. 95% lived. And we had some unusually high temperatures compared to other years Re: Drought Tolerant Plants - Melbourne 18Mar 16, 2009 9:28 pm Yes, you did!
What would I be looking at in terms of prep and irrigation for those sorts of plants? Are there any type of plants similiar which are drought tolerant but give the same look? I also need some sort of tree/hedging or similiar to go along our side fence near our alfresco - I realised this would be a good idea if I decide not to have curtains on our bifold door but want to increase privacy. Somthing lush and green which will look good as a pool backdrop (as a pool will be between the alfresco and fence). I dont want it to grow 3+meters though like the ones we have now I know I could start growing these now so its mature when the house is finished Custom European Cabinets - Melbourne Kitchen Specialist PM for business details as website currently being updated! Our Crazy Owner Builder Journey! Re: Drought Tolerant Plants - Melbourne 19Mar 16, 2009 9:41 pm If you can take pics of the plants you like down to Aumann's on Plenty Rd, the guys there are pretty helpful. Ask them for their opinion on which are the hardiest, or for suggestions for similar-looking plants that ARE drought tolerant.
Cordylines, NZ Flax (what's its proper name?? ) and yuccas are mostly doing well around here, even after the extreme summer we've just had. Also liriopes, dietes, convolvulus, bird of paradise ....lots of others, if I think of the names, I'll post them. Google those and see what you think. Re: Drought Tolerant Plants - Melbourne 20Mar 16, 2009 9:52 pm Cordylines - I like
NZ Flax - I like Yucca flaccida Golden Sword - I like liriopes - I like' dietes, - I like convolvulus - not really bird of paradise - really like You did well Kek, I like most of them! Ill head to Aumanns over the holidays too Custom European Cabinets - Melbourne Kitchen Specialist PM for business details as website currently being updated! Our Crazy Owner Builder Journey! Murraya could be a great option for you. It creates a great tall screening hedge but doesn't drop fruit like lily pilly. The flowers smell divine. 2 10253 I do enjoy the drama:-D In his latest two videos he has started bringing security guards to site, I am waiting for the punch on to begin lol 6 45560 It's all about wireless, self install now. The cost/benefit of wired setups for the house are no longer what they used to be. Lots of wireless options. Eufy, Arlo and… 2 9797 |