Live Local Plant Local live local plant local live local plant local Contents Nillumbik’s natural vegetation Indigenous plants are native plants that occur naturally in a local area. Over 677 different species of Nillumbik’s natural vegetation..............................................................................1 indigenous plants have been recorded within the Shire of Nillumbik. These range from small delicate Using indigenous plants in your garden ..........................................................1 ground covers to an assortment of wildflowers, grasses, sedges, trees and shrubs. Many of these Creating your indigenous garden .......................................................................2 plants are now listed as either rare or endangered under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988. Different plants for different situations .............................................................5 Fire and the environment.......................................................................................8 Pest plants...................................................................................................................8 The Shire of Nillumbik is widely recognised for its significant natural environmental areas. Its rich and Where can I buy indigenous plants?.................................................................9 varied flora has evolved to suit the local environment. Further reading........................................................................................................10 Therefore, indigenous plants are well adapted to the soils, topography and climate of the local area. A snapshot of Nillumbik’s natural landscape Acknowledgement: Thanks to Pat Coupar for supplying many of the photographs in this Planting and conserving indigenous species also helps to maintain the overall ecological balance of publication. the local ecosystem. Plants and animals depend upon one another in an often complicated interrelationship. The loss of particular plants or animals from an area can result in the loss of other page 17 Pelargonium australe - © M Fagg, Australian National Botanic Gardens organisms that are dependent upon them. page 27 Callistemon sieberi - K Thaler © Australian National Botanic Gardens page 31 Gynatrix pulchella - © M Fagg, Australian National Botanic Gardens page 31 Hakea sericea - D Greig © Australian National Botanic Gardens For example: the Eltham Copper Butterfly relies on the indigenous plant Bursaria spinosa (Sweet page 33 Leptospermum horizontalis - © M Fagg, Australian National Bursaria) and a species of native ant to complete its life cycle. Due to the decline in the population Botanic Gardens of this plant the Eltham Copper Butterfly is now a vulnerable species. page 34 Melaleuca ericifolia - M Fagg © Australian National Botanic Gardens Indigenous plant list - Creepers and Climbers...............................................................................11 Using indigenous plants in your garden - Herbs and Groundcovers ..........................................................................13 Many of Nillumbik’s local indigenous plant species make ideal garden plants as they often require - Lilies ...................................................................................................................19 little or no maintenance, have low water requirements and can provide habitat for many of the native - Grasses.............................................................................................................21 animals that inhabit the local area. Dense prickly shrubs and mature trees, such as Acacia verticillata (Prickly Moses) and Eucalyptus melliodora (Yellow Box), provide homes for a large range of insect, - Rushes and Sedges.....................................................................................23 bird and mammal species. - Shrubs...............................................................................................................24 - Trees...................................................................................................................38 Indigenous plants also provide spectacular displays of showy flowers throughout the year. If you plan your garden carefully and select a wide variety of species, you can create a mass of brilliant colours throughout each of the seasons. Pest plant list .........................................................................................................45 Nillumbik’s natural vegetation 1 live local plant local live local plant local It is important when using indigenous plants to select Once you have compiled a plant species list you will need to order your plants from a local those that occur naturally within the Shire (plants that are indigenous nursery, see page 9 for list of suppliers. of local provenance). Many nurseries carry species of indigenous plants that are not grown from locally collected seeds or cuttings. These plants may actually Site preparation: endanger the local genetic stock through interbreeding. When purchasing indigenous plants always make sure Weeds should be controlled prior to planting to reduce competition and post-planting maintenance. you ask where the seed or cutting material was collected – if it’s not from the Nillumbik area, don’t buy it. A good quality mulch should be spread over your garden bed (to a minimum depth of 10cm), this A burst of bush colour in Spring. will assist in retaining moisture in the soil and preventing future weed growth. Ensure that the mulch you select is made from an environmentally friendly resource. Chipped waste wood and green waste Creating your indigenous garden mulches are generally a good option. Always ensure that any green waste has been well composted before use to kill any potential weed seeds. For a list of Planning and good site preparation is the key to a successful planting. local suppliers of environmentally friendly mulches please contact Nillumbik’s Environment and Strategic It is important to firstly consider if you really need to plant an indigenous plant in your garden. If Planning Unit on 9433 3111. pockets of remnant indigenous vegetation already exist you may be able to recruit new plants through natural regeneration. By allowing existing herbs, grasses and shrubs to set seed you will obtain new plants at little or no cost, in a matter of months. Before you start to plan your new garden remember to look up for powerlines and check for services below By fencing existing patches of indigenous vegetation from stock and/or controlling rabbits, new ground. It is pointless to plant extensively in easements plants will often regenerate in a relatively short period of time. Reducing your mowing regime in where access for maintenance and new works may be Mulching assists in retaining moisture in grassy areas that contain some indigenous vegetation can also be an effective way of encouraging required. the soil and preventing future weed growth. the natural vegetation on your property to regenerate. For example: instead of mowing patches of native herbs Planting: and grasses on your property allow them to set seed over spring. This is not only an effective way of collecting Once your site is well prepared you can begin planting. seed but provides food and habitat for local insects, lizards and birds. • The planting hole should be approximately twice the width of the plant container and slightly deeper. Remember to dig your hole into the soil below the mulch – if you plant When it comes to selecting indigenous plants for your straight into the mulch your plant will dry out and die. garden always consider which species are most Lilies, herbs and leaf litter provide habitat • Give your plants a thorough pre-soaking in a bucket of water prior to planting. appropriate for your site. For example, a Swamp Gum is for local insects, lizards and birds. • In dry soils, fill the hole with water and allow it to drain before planting. well suited for planting in a gully situation but would not • Any particularly long or coiled roots protruding through the bottom of the pot can be pruned with do well if planted on a dry hilltop. sharp secateurs before removing the plant from the pot. Some root disturbance is tolerable but be careful not to damage living roots. You should also consider why you are planting a particular plant. For example, do you need tall • Remove the plant from the pot. This is best achieved by turning the pot upside down and screening shrubs, prickly plants to provide habitat for local birds, flowering plants to attract striking the rim gently against a solid object. butterflies or a small tree to provide shade in your garden? • Place the plant into the hole so that the plant is a little lower than the original soil level. Firmly replace the soil around the plant breaking up any lumps. 2 Creating your indigenous garden Creating your indigenous garden 3 live local plant local live local plant local • Water the plant in well. Initially all plants need to be watered individually to settle soil around Different plants for different situations the root system. Plants may require a good deep soaking, once a week, when establishing, particularly during dry periods. Indigenous plants can be used to create a natural garden, arranged formally to enhance a traditional garden, as cut flowers or grown in pots. In fact, there is probably an indigenous plant for every use Generally planting after the first heavy autumn rain is the best time for dry or exposed sites. For frost in your garden.