Live Bayside Plant Bayside Publication
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Live Bayside Plant Bayside Contents 2 Introduction What are indigenous plants? Bayside’s original vegetation communities Bayside’s natural bushland reserves Get involved and learn 8 Bayside City Council Garden Design 76 Royal Avenue, Main considerations Sandringham. VIC 3191. Tel: 9599 4444 Habitat gardening Utilising runoff www.bayside.vic.gov.au Designing with indigenous plants 22 Acknowledgements Planting and Maintenance This booklet was produced by Green Gecko Publications with the kind permission of Plant selection Nillumbik Shire Council to modify Live Local Plant Local: A guide to planting in Nillumbik. Site preparation Photographs by Bayside City Council, Pauline Reynolds, Mary Trigger, Elaine Shallue, Planting technique Naina I Knoess Maintenance Design: www.nainak.com.au 28 Disclaimer: Although precautions have been taken to ensure the accuracy of the Indigenous Plant List information, the publishers, authors and printers cannot accept responsibility for any claim, Creepers and climbers loss, damage or liability arising out of the use of the information provided. Herbs and groundcovers Cover image: Love Creeper Grasses and flaxes This publication is printed on 100% recycled paperstock. Rushes and sedges Small shrubs Large shrubs Trees Pest Plants 61 Further Reading 65 Green Gecko PUBLICATIONS Mary Trigger Tel: 0414 641 337 Email: [email protected] ABN: 90618914198 Indigenous or native plants Many retail nurseries sell ‘native’ When two species crossbreed they plants. This refers to any plant found in can create a third species e.g. Horse x Introduction Australia, as opposed to an ‘indigenous’ Donkey = Mule. Many native Correas plant that is specific to a region e.g. have crossed with indigenous Correas Bayside. Just like plants introduced from to create hybrids that outcompete another country, native plants have the and displace indigenous Correas in potential to become an environmental the natural environment. It is therefore What are indigenous plants? weed. For example the Bluebell important to source your indigenous Indigenous plants are the original flora, or plants that occur Creeper (Billardiera heterophylla) from plants from your local indigenous naturally, in a given location. Because they have evolved to the Western Australia was a popular native nursery that uses locally collected seeds commercial nursery plant that is now or cuttings to ensure the genetic form of conditions within the local environment, indigenous plants are well aggressively invading bushland around the plant is from the Bayside region. adapted to the soils, topography and climate of the local area. Victoria. Hybridization is also a problem. Indigenous species also help to maintain the ecological balance of the local ecosystem, as plants and animals depend upon one Indigenous plants in the garden another for their survival. In many instances, the loss of particular Many of Bayside’s local indigenous plant successfully to create formal, bush-style plants or animals from one area can result in the loss species look great in any garden, or cottage gardens, contemporary providing spectacular displays of colour garden designs or planted out in of other organisms in another. and texture throughout the seasons. containers to create attractive courtyards Indigenous plants can be used or balconies. The benefits of growing indigenous plants are that they: • are perfectly suited to our local soils • reflect Bayside’s natural character, and climate, and will thrive without preserving and enhancing a sense fertilisers or sprays of local identity • can withstand Melbourne’s hot, dry • offer you an opportunity to grow summers and long dry periods with a more sustainable garden little or no watering • contribute to the preservation of • grow quickly and often flower within Bayside’s natural biodiversity the first season of being planted • can strengthen local wildlife corridors • have greater resistance to disease to help wildlife cope with climate • attract and provide food and shelter change. for local native birds, insects and other animals 2 Live Bayside Plant Bayside Live Bayside Plant Bayside 3 Bayside’s original vegetation communities ELSTERNWICK Gl enhuntly The vegetation of Bayside has changed dramatically since Europeans Rd first settled in 1844. Well over 260 species have since disappeared, GLENHUNTLY and many more are now considered rare or threatened. Large tracts GARDENVALE of heathlands and woodlands were progressively cleared to make North Rd way for roads, market gardens, housing and industry. However, ORMOND Bay St geological data, the location of remnant vegetation and historical field NORTH notes has enabled us to determine the location of Bayside’s original BRIGHTON McKINNON vegetation communities. This information provides guidance as to the E s planade ideal location for various indigenous plants to thrive. MIDDLE BRIGHTON BENTLEIGH GLEN EIRA Den dy St N e p e a n H PATTERSON Coastal Dune Grassland/Scrub Sedgy Swamp Woodland BRIGHTON w y BEACH South Rd Coastal Banksia Heathy Woodland Woodland/Dune Scrub MOORABBIN Heathy Scrub/Woodland HAMPTON Swamp Scrub Grassy Woodland Herb-rich Woodland HIGHETT SANDRINGHAM Be Bay Rd a KINGSTON ch Rd d R CHELTENHAM e v d r R e f s f e u l R B Balc ombe Rd This map has been derived from the Victorian Government Department of Environment and Primary Industries Biodiversity Interactive Mapping Tool, pre-1750’s mapping layer accessed on 9/10/2014. 4 Live Bayside Plant Bayside Live Bayside Plant Bayside 5 Bayside’s Natural Bushland Reserves Get involved and learn One of the best ways to find Many of Bayside’s bushland reserves are supported by the local out how indigenous plants ‘Friends of Bayside’. The ‘Friends of Bayside’ are community-based look and the conditions volunteers that meet at reserves to collect seed, plant, and help North Rd they thrive in is to go and protect Bayside’s remnant natural areas. It’s a great way to learn St lda about indigenous plants, help maintain Bayside’s unique vegetation St Ki see them in their natural t S environment. communities and meet wonderful people in your local community. w Ne St n o Visit: www.bayside.vic.gov.au/getting_involved pt m N epea Ha n Es High p la na wa y de • Heathlands Brighton Dunes / Dendy St • Foreshore Bayside Community Jim Willis Reserve • Marine Rd ns South Rd mi um C Plant Nursery t S n to Be ac mp h R Ha d The place to buy healthy Rd uff l Picnic Point B Bay Road indigenous plants for your Hi Heathland Sanctuary ghett Rd Bayside garden. A great Bayside Community range of plants available Nursery Bay Rd as well as expert advice Cheltenham Park Flora and Fauna and guidance on Reserve rve Rd Rese indigenous plant selection and maintenance. Rd f f u George Street Bl Reserve Gramatan Open to the public from 10am to 12 319 Reserve Road Avenue Beac Balcombe Rd noon on Thursdays and Saturdays. h Rd Balcombe Park Heathland Cheltenham Sanctuary The nursery only sells plants from Long Hollow April to October each year as this is Tel: 9583 8408 Donald MacDonald Heathland rve Rd the best time to plant. d Reserve Rese R Beach Ricketts Point The nursery also has a volunteer program that contributes to the propagation Marine Sanctuary and running of the nursery and new volunteers are always welcome. For further information contact the nursery on 9583 8408. Ricketts Point Landside Table Rock 6 Live Bayside Plant Bayside Watkins Bay Live Bayside Plant Bayside 7 Main considerations Garden Design Indigenous plants can be used to beautiful effect in almost any style of garden. When deciding where and what to plant consider the garden as a whole, taking into account such things as: 1. The style of garden you are trying 4. Habitat elements such as bird baths Creating your indigenous garden. to create, and how you would like placed near prickly shrubs (for shelter), If you are starting from scratch or redesigning a garden bed, one of it to fit into your local landscape or nest boxes in large trees, large rocks for neighbourhood. Examples include a lizard lounging, or a pond with refuge the best things you can do is observe your garden for a year. This will bush garden, contemporary garden or logs for frogs. give you an accurate picture of your garden through all the seasons cottage garden. If you already have an 5. The function, mature size and existing garden featuring exotic plants, when light and shade and moisture can vary enormously. Regardless growing requirements of each plant. think about how indigenous species Ideally, plants with similar growing of whether you have the patience to do this or not, the starting point could work with them. requirements should be grouped with garden design is to do a site analysis of your garden. It allows 2. How you use your garden – consider together to maximise growth and you to identify the pros and cons, limitations and possibilities for your including features such as a bench under efficiency of water use. a tree to sit and relax, or a path that garden. It is also important to work with your site. If you know a section meanders through different areas within Before you start to plan your new of your garden is shady and damp, select plants that are suited to those the garden. garden remember to look up for conditions rather than trying to change the site. 3. Design elements such as feature powerlines and check for services trees and the inclusion of different below ground. It may be a wasted layers of shrubs, grasses, flowers and effort to plant extensively in groundcovers. Consider the colours and easements where access for textures of flowers and foliage and how maintenance and other works they will work together in the garden. may be required. Consider the colours Create layers and textures of within your garden to flowers and foliage.