This post is in collaboration with Australian Outdoor Living.
I’m a relatively new gardening enthusiast.
I’ve long enjoyed looking at beautiful gardens – who doesn’t – but what I *didn’t* love was the thought of all the work that went into them. And I certainly didn’t understand how anybody could love that aspect of it!
But somewhere along the line, the gardening bug bit me.
From Fruit and Veges …
It started with a few herbs and veggies, and that was when I discovered the joy of a daily walk in my garden. I loved inspecting my plants for new growth, tip pruning where necessary, squishing tiny grasshoppers and other pests, and watering. It didn’t seem like “hard yakka” at all – and nothing beats “shopping” in your own garden for fresh vegetables for dinner!
To Flowers …
As time went by, my interest expanded further and I added flowering annuals to my garden – and not just for a bit of potted colour. There was a method to my madness! You see, flowers attract bees, to pollinate my various fruit and vegie plants and ensure a bumper harvest 🙂 .
But while annuals are beautiful, they wither and die all too soon. So I moved on to things like miniature roses, flowering shrubs, or plants with beautiful foliage, which were a lot less maintenance and looked a picture all year round.
The Benefits of Australian Native Plants
It’s been a real learning journey, and throughout I have mostly ignored native plants. Maybe because they are so common place – as the old saying goes, “familiarity breeds contempt”. It is only in recent times that I’ve come to appreciate just how much Australian native plants can bring to a garden.
I’ll let you in on a little secret. The hubster and I are in the process of buying a “beach shack” (holiday house) on an island near to where we live, to use as a weekender.
Already I’m planning the garden – and it will have to include plants that can tolerate neglect, as we won’t be there full time. Plants that will not just survive, but thrive in the local climate. Plants that will attract native birds and other wildlife. Plants that don’t need a lot of maintenance, such as pruning, or protection from pests or diseases. You guessed it, I’m ready to embrace native plants and planning an Australian garden!
And so I have started gathering information from guides such as Australian Outdoor Living’s guide to Australian Native Plants, and taking photos of plants I see while out and about. The Middle Aged Mama Facebook and Instagram communities have been a great help in answering my questions on “what native plant is that?” – like with this “Little John” bottlebrush!
Here’s a hot tip – did you know residents are often entitled to a couple of free Australian native plants from their local council? It’s worth checking!
While we are waiting for our beach shack to eventuate, I’m busy taking cuttings from the gardens of families and friends and planting them in pots. And I’m looking forward to going to the nursery to pick out anything else needed to fill out our new garden!
I’m a bit of a slow learner – how long did it take you to discover gardening, and in particular, the benefits of Australian native plants?!
I’m a bit like you, Janet. I’ve come to appreciate the joys of gardening over the last few years. I love this time of year for gardening. It has finally cooled down enough here in central Qld, that I can potter in the garden without getting heatstroke!! As for natives, we have several bottle brush trees in the yard which provide some privacy, help filter dust from the nearby highway and surrounding cotton paddocks, and also attract rainbow lorikeets. Yep, love gardening and appreciate natives : )
I kind of give up on my vegie patch over summer, it’s just too hot for the plants and me! Like you say, NOW is a great time to get out into the garden 🙂
I’d love you to come and visit me, take a look at my garden and help me to plan it. I’m definitely going to fill it with natives. They don’t need as much water and they’ll attract the birds!
Sounds like a great idea Pinky!
I love gardening and am soaking up more and more info about it everyday. We are starting from scratch when we move out to my in-laws farm which is very exciting. Ive already dug up and transferred a heap of Clivias and Camelias already. Im rather impartial to natives as the birds love them. There are so many different types and cultivars now that you can find all types of natives for all different types of gardens. The new pad sounds very exciting indeed!
Thanks Elisha! I can’t wait 🙂