Grevilleas must have very well drained soil and absolutely hate phosphorus so most fertilizers are out. They don't like root disturbance at all and its not uncommon for slightly pot-bound plants to die when planted out.
Browse Forums Landscape & Garden Design Re: All Australian Native garden - anyone attempted it? 22Oct 14, 2008 7:05 pm Dukekamaya DeeElle Our friend planted a row of Grevilleas. Some of them died despite his best efforts, and they are not low maintenance at all. But they do look great. Grevilleas must have very well drained soil and absolutely hate phosphorus so most fertilizers are out. They don't like root disturbance at all and its not uncommon for slightly pot-bound plants to die when planted out. We have put in a row of grevilleas too, and lost a couple - (though we did have snow a week or so after planting!!) - and still have one or two struggling. Our row of Callisteman (spelling??) is fantastic though - all thriving! Built Porter Davis "Dromana" 2007. Re: All Australian Native garden - anyone attempted it? 23Oct 14, 2008 10:28 pm The only type of fountain grass you should ever plant is the only sterile variety called Pennisetum Advena Rubra or purple fountain grass.
Maggie brought this up the other day that some purple fountain grasses were sold as a not cool variety that looks very similar. I will look into that more too Re: All Australian Native garden - anyone attempted it? 24Oct 14, 2008 10:35 pm Dukekamaya DeeElle Our friend planted a row of Grevilleas. Some of them died despite his best efforts, and they are not low maintenance at all. But they do look great. Grevilleas must have very well drained soil and absolutely hate phosphorus so most fertilizers are out. They don't like root disturbance at all and its not uncommon for slightly pot-bound plants to die when planted out. Agreed there "garden gold" is an excellent fert for them and combine with seasol and powerfeed too All native gardens should be prunned at least twice a year. I was taught that by a native plants genius many years ago. It will ensure that your shrubs give maximum flower and never go woody or straggly. The 70s native gardens ended up a mess because people said low maintenance = no maintenance. they deserve plenty of attention and return the favour with displays of amazing flower and variety of wildlife in the garden. I have formal hedges growing of native plants like Correa duskey bells and some sort of erimophilla that I have forgotten what it is . Formal and native can be combined with incredible results Re: All Australian Native garden - anyone attempted it? 25Oct 14, 2008 10:38 pm not all Australian plants are sensitive to phosphates. It's only the proteacea that are. most others will love regular feeds and clipping. Re: All Australian Native garden - anyone attempted it? 26Oct 15, 2008 12:57 pm From Ozbreed:
Quote: Pennisetum setaceum is the variety you need to be careful of this is a south African form which spreads very easily. Pennisetum alopecuroides is an Australian native many nurseries have supplied pennisetum alopecuroides as pennisetum setaceum with out realizing that is why it has got a bad name. With Purple Lea you are guaranteed that you will be receiving Pennisetum alopecuroides not the invasive weed Pennisetum setaceum. So - as long as you're buying the genuine article you should be safe. After 4 years - we're in! Re: All Australian Native garden - anyone attempted it? 27Oct 15, 2008 6:51 pm Fu Manchu not all Australian plants are sensitive to phosphates. It's only the proteacea that are. most others will love regular feeds and clipping. What about grass trees? The Indigenous Nursery told us not to feed them with any fertilizer and water them sparingly i.e. 1/2 bucket of water a week in dry periods, including the potted ones. Re: All Australian Native garden - anyone attempted it? 28Oct 15, 2008 7:38 pm We have just come across a landscape designer in SA who uses water wise and predominantly native plants. Thought I'd post a few pics. Might not be everyone's cup of tea but we like 'em.
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 ⋅ and we'd like to recreate something like this in the front yard but I'm not sure how much of a challenge it will be. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Re: All Australian Native garden - anyone attempted it? 29Oct 15, 2008 8:19 pm Grass trees are just that very ancient grasses, I think they can take fertilizer ... after they are planted they need huge amounts of water for 12 months, after that you should reduce watering gradually until they can survive on their own with no additional watering but this initial flooding is crucial when they are establishing.
I like those garden DE, go for ... it if it is too difficult get somebody to do the hard scaping for you and choose and plant your plants yourselves. Maggie Re: All Australian Native garden - anyone attempted it? 30Oct 15, 2008 8:44 pm maggie Grass trees are just that very ancient grasses, I think they can take fertilizer ... after they are planted they need huge amounts of water for 12 months, after that you should reduce watering gradually until they can survive on their own with no additional watering but this initial flooding is crucial when they are establishing. I like those garden DE, go for ... it if it is too difficult get somebody to do the hard scaping for you and choose and plant your plants yourselves. Maggie Thanks Maggie. Good tips on the planting + watering. We have one grass tree in the ground and another one in a pot. Several years ago we killed a grass tree with kindness .. so we want to do the right thing this time. Will definitely try to create something this w.e. Re: All Australian Native garden - anyone attempted it? 31Oct 15, 2008 10:44 pm My other half really wants to create something like this for a rain garden (to catch and filter stormwater) in the front garden. I'm worried - can see it not looking particularly good if not done properly! Re: All Australian Native garden - anyone attempted it? 32Oct 15, 2008 10:45 pm DeeElle Fu Manchu not all Australian plants are sensitive to phosphates. It's only the proteacea that are. most others will love regular feeds and clipping. What about grass trees? The Indigenous Nursery told us not to feed them with any fertilizer and water them sparingly i.e. 1/2 bucket of water a week in dry periods, including the potted ones. That is such a cool question Xanthorea are awesome plants. They are plentiful here. They have such a fragile survival mechanism. I may be wrong on this but to the best of my knowledge they need a certain fungus to be in the soil around the roots for its survival. It is something to do with that fungus or bacteria or something that allows it to survive from what the fungus or bacteria produce. They are amazing. When we West Aussies transplant them from the bush to the garden it is always best to get as much of the soil from where they were growing. Or maybe it is microrhiza that does it? I will look into it. Anyway they are all a bit sensitive to the effects of what is in fertilsers at transplant stage. I have seen many of these planted in lawn areas and gardens that get regular fertiliser around them and they do fine. At first you do need to refrain though How good do they look Re: All Australian Native garden - anyone attempted it? 33Oct 15, 2008 10:55 pm Noticed when I visited my parents today that my father had mowed over the young Xanthorea that was re-shooting on the edge of their front lawn. After the initial shock horror I had to laugh - they purchased the house last year and he didn't realise that the tufty thing which I had been admiring for the past few months was anything special.
I had told my mother that if she didn't want it we would dig it up for our garden ... may be a good time now it has had a haircut. Obviously the poor thing has been fully neglected and mown down on multiple occasions with no long term harm. Don't be too precious with your Australian plants - natural selection and some theraputic pruning can work wonders. Re: All Australian Native garden - anyone attempted it? 34Oct 15, 2008 11:11 pm Lyn Noticed when I visited my parents today that my father had mowed over the young Xanthorea that was re-shooting on the edge of their front lawn. After the initial shock horror I had to laugh - they purchased the house last year and he didn't realise that the tufty thing which I had been admiring for the past few months was anything special. I had told my mother that if she didn't want it we would dig it up for our garden ... may be a good time now it has had a haircut. Obviously the poor thing has been fully neglected and mown down on multiple occasions with no long term harm. Don't be too precious with your Australian plants - natural selection and some theraputic pruning can work wonders. too true Re: All Australian Native garden - anyone attempted it? 35Oct 16, 2008 11:13 am I've got a lot of Natives in my garden, Western Australian natives, specifically Perth natives that match my soil type - I've done more of a formal look, with mass plantings and hedges of Agonis Flexuosa nana, callistimons ( Kings park specials), Lomanda's, prostate banskia, ( yes they flower amazingly!!)kangaroo paws and ostiospernams (purple)(sp)
2 extremely large Tuart tree's ( Eucalyptus -------) as features in the back garden, Hardenbergia's ( purple) as a creeper on a fence. Looks stunning when it's flowering... Planting with natives, the modern way, like planting with non natives is all about leaf shape and design. Very important to choose things that are local to your area !! Getting plants grown from seed is one of the most important things also. Be very careful if you are planting gravillia's, alot of people are allergic to them and may get a skin reaction when brushing up against them. - Hives etc. Re: All Australian Native garden - anyone attempted it? 36Oct 16, 2008 3:21 pm Good point Willow, --> match to your conditions ie soil type and climate. Many people think natives can be grown anywhere but Australia is a continent with most of the world climates represented here and what grows well in Perth might not grow in Brissie and also what grows in the Hills of Perth is not happy on Quindalup dunes near the beach vastly different soil types, one based on mineral rock and red clay pH on the acidic side the other crushed coral and highly alkaline >9pH.
Maggie Re: All Australian Native garden - anyone attempted it? 37Oct 16, 2008 3:38 pm Check out http://asgap.org.au/ they also have climate zone by climate zone recommendations and there's some good examples in the gallery. Re: All Australian Native garden - anyone attempted it? 38Oct 16, 2008 6:28 pm ^ Thanks for posting that link. It is awesome. It has helped me out a lot.
I am very excited for Autumn so I can plant up a storm. I have a feeling I won't be able to wait until then!!! Re: All Australian Native garden - anyone attempted it? 39Oct 16, 2008 7:45 pm to_do_list Check out http://asgap.org.au/ they also have climate zone by climate zone recommendations and there's some good examples in the gallery. Which page is it on exactly? I can't seem to find it. After 4 years - we're in! Re: All Australian Native garden - anyone attempted it? 40Oct 16, 2008 10:48 pm stonecutter1309 to_do_list Check out http://asgap.org.au/ they also have climate zone by climate zone recommendations and there's some good examples in the gallery. Which page is it on exactly? I can't seem to find it. Plant Photo Gallery.... http://asgap.org.au/gallery.html Garden Photo Gallery... http://asgap.org.au/gdgall5.html And for less than $20 you can join a local group and find out what really grows...worth the money think I'll be joining... Cheers, Mike Fig Landscapes has produced an e-book and native plant index, available for purchase from their website. It's a great resource, full of inspiration and tips. Another… 1 12255 A question. Im in Queensland and building a new home. We managed to reach practical completion 6 weeks ago but we haven't heard any date for handover yet. Who should we… 0 5807 This is one of the reasons I decided to go overseas for my double glazed windows. As the builder indicated, he's worked on many upmarket builds, these were the most well… 13 19245 |