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Contents Nillumbik’s natural vegetation

Indigenous 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 verticillata (Prickly Moses) and 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.

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• 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. The following list provides examples of how some indigenous plants can be used prone areas spring may be a more appropriate time for planting, try to avoid any planting during the to landscape your yard. summer period.

1. Hedges and borders Other factors to consider before commencing your planting project include: Many indigenous plants are responsive to pruning and can therefore be grown to form a hedge. Suitable species include Bursaria spinosa (Sweet Bursaria), Hymenanthera dentata (Tree Violet), • By selecting a variety of plants you will attract a variety of animals to your garden. Plants that Melaleuca ericifolia (Swamp Paperbark), Pomaderris racemosa (Cluster Pomaderris), Acacia produce flowers and seeds provide food for many of our native birds and mammals whilst acinacea (Gold-dust Wattle) and Spyridium parvifolium (Dusty Miller). Small shrubs such as prickly shrubs provide them with a refuge in which to build their homes or escape from Correa glabra (Rock Correa) and Daviesia latifolia (Hop Bitter-pea) can be pruned to shape to predators. create a dwarf hedge.

• Dead shrubs and trees often provide habitat for many of our native fauna. Before any dead Many indigenous tussock forming species are ideal to use as border plants. Suitable plants may vegetation is removed it’s important to note what wildlife is frequenting your garden, the chances include Dianella longifolia (Pale Flax-lily), Lomandra longifolia (Spiny-headed Mat-rush) and are they may be roosting or obtaining food in the dead vegetation. Poa labillardierei (Common Tussock Grass). Common Tussock Grass should be pruned back after flowering to encourage new green growth. • Leaving a few logs (particularly those containing hollows), sticks and leaves on the ground provides habitat for many local insects and lizards. 2. Creepers and Climbers

• The availability of plant stock from your local Clematis microphylla (Small-leafed Clematis) is a fast growing climber that occurs widely indigenous nurseries may influence your planting throughout the Shire. An attractive, vigorous climber for pergolas and trellises is Pandorea program as many nurseries only grow to order. pandorana (Wonga Vine). When ordering large numbers of plants, stock should be ordered well in advance. Leaf litter, sticks and logs are important habitat for lizards. The local species of Hardenbergia violacea (Purple Coral-pea) can be used as a rambling creeper or climber. Kennedia prostrata (Running Postman) and Convolvulus erubescens (Pink • By controlling and removing weeds in areas of your property that contain indigenous vegetation, Bindweed) are delicate creepers that cover the ground. the competition for water, light and nutrients will be reduced thus helping to enhance the growth of indigenous species.

• Unwanted grazing by stock, kangaroos, wallabies, rabbits and hares can cause problems when trying to establish your new garden. When undertaking a large planting, consider using tree guards to protect your plants until they are established, or a temporary fence to prevent damage from grazing animals.

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3. Colorful flowers 5. Feature trees

To achieve a mass of colour in your garden why not try a few of the following indigenous plants: Some indigenous plants make ideal specimen trees for feature planting in a lawn or garden bed. Where space permits, the mottled bark of Eucalyptus melliodora (Yellow Box) or Eucalyptus Yellow flowers: Chrysocephalum apiculatum (Clustered Everlasting), Chrysocephalum rubida (Candlebark) will form an excellent feature tree. Eucalyptus tricarpa (Red Ironbark) has semipapposum (Clustered Everlasting), Goodenia ovata (Hop Goodenia) and Helichrysum dark fissured bark and forms an excellent specimen in a large garden. scorpioides (Button Everlasting), For the small garden, species such as Acacia melanoxylon (Blackwood), Acacia pycnantha Red flowers: Kennedia prostrata (Running Postman) and Daviesia leptophylla (Narrow-leaf (Golden Wattle), Acacia implexa (Lightwood), Banksia marginata (Silver Banksia), and Bitter-pea) with its orange-red egg and bacon type flowers. Allocasuarina littoralis (Black Sheoke) all perform well as individual trees.

White flowers: Olearia lirata (Snowy Daisy-bush), Spyridium parvifolium (Dusty Miller), Kunzea ericoides (Burgan) and Ozothamnus ferrugineus (Tree Everlasting). 6. Screen plants

Purple flowers: Hardenbergia violacea (Purple Coral-pea), Indigofera australis (Austral Indigo) Screen planting is often necessary to create privacy, conceal undesirable views or buffer wind which has pink-purple coloured flowers, Solanum laciniatum (Large Kangaroo Apple) and and noise. Many of the trees and larger shrubs listed in this booklet are suitable for this purpose. Brachyscome multifida (Cut-leaf Daisy). Some of these include Melaleuca ericifolia (Swamp Paperbark), Prostanthera lasianthos (Victorian Christmas Bush), Allocasuarina species (Sheoke), Solanum laciniatum (Large Blue flowers: Dianella revoluta (Black Anther Flax-lily), Dianella longifolia (Pale Flax-lily) with Kangaroo Apple), Bursaria spinosa (Sweet Bursaria) and Acacia melanoxylon (Blackwood). its interesting violet blue berries and pale blue flowers, Wahlenbergia communis (Tufted Bluebell) and Wahlenbergia stricta (Tall Bluebell). 7. Windbreak/shelter belts and wildlife corridors

4. Groundcovers Local indigenous plants are great to use when creating a windbreak/shelter belt and/or a wildlife corridor. For a windbreak to be effective it should be structured over a wide area with tiers of Einadia nutans (Nodding Saltbush) is a great addition to any landscape with its colourful blue- vegetation (ranging from low to high growing trees and shrubs). A gentle upward slope will green foliage and small bright red berries. Dichondra repens (Kidney Weed) and Viola deflect wind to a higher elevation, while a steep windbreak tends to be less effective. hederacea (Ivy-leafed Violet) are small, spreading groundcovers useful for rockeries and as lawn substitutes, especially in damp shady locations. In many areas, farmers are now dissecting crops and pasture with thickets of indigenous vegetation to reduce evaporation rates and attract insectivorous animals. In turn these animals help to protect crops from insect attack. Many landowners with isolated or small stands of remnant trees on their properties are restoring the understorey vegetation around them to improve the health of these trees, and where appropriate linking these areas with local wildlife corridors.

Viola hederacea looks great in a damp shady spot.

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Fire and the environment Many noxious and environmental weeds exist throughout the Shire of Nillumbik. See page 45 for a comprehensive Fire has been a natural part of ’s ecosystems for thousands of years. Indigenous plants have list or contact Council’s Environment and Strategic successfully adapted to its presence and some species even rely on fire to stimulate reproduction. Planning Section on 9433 3111 for a copy of the Environmental Weeds in Nillumbik Shire poster. Council The need to plan for fire prevention should always be considered when undertaking planting or organises incentive programs, training courses, walks landscaping works, especially in areas that are prone to bushfire. Under the right conditions all and other activities to help residents with pest plant plants, both indigenous and exotic, can be a potential fire risk. All property owners should prepare identification and control. Blackberries smother indigenous flora a fire management plan for their family and home. To obtain further advice on developing a plan, along the Diamond Creek. contact Council’s Emergency Risk Coordinator or your local Country Fire Authority.

The Country Fire Authority (CFA) and Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) have Where can I buy indigenous plants? several publications addressing the issue of vegetation and fire management. The following is a list of local nurseries that specialise in growing plants indigenous to the Shire of For further information visit www.cfa.vic.gov.au or www.nre.vic.gov.au/fire Nillumbik. They also offer advice and guidance on species selection.

Edendale Farm Community Environment Centre (Nillumbik Shire Council) Pest plants Gastons Road, Eltham Phone: 9439 8113 A weed or pest plant is a plant growing where it is not wanted. Pest plants include those that invade and/or degrade natural bushland, agricultural land, waterways and roadsides. Weeds are spread Keelbundora Indigenous Nursery throughout the Shire in a variety of ways. Fruit and seeds can be dispersed by wind, water, animals, Adjacent to Latrobe University Wildlife Sanctuary machinery and dumped garden waste. The major types of weeds that affect indigenous vegetation are: University Ring Road, Bundoora Phone: 9479 2871 • Environmental weeds: plants, which can threaten the values of natural ecosystems.They often invade native bushland and natural areas. Open House Nursery • Declared noxious weeds: plants which are scheduled under the Catchment and Land Protection 320 Arthurs Creek Road, Nutfield Act 1994 and are legally required to be controlled or eradicated. Phone: 9718 2850 Victorian Indigenous Nursery Cooperative Some pest plants are sold in nurseries and at markets, so beware when buying new plants for your Yarra Bend Road, Fairfield garden. It is often a wise decision to research what plants are weeds in your local area before you Phone: 9482 1710 make any new purchases. If the plant is likely to escape into your local bushland, don’t buy it. Warrandyte State Park Nursery Pound Bend Road, Warrandyte Phone: 9844 2659

Wyeena Nurseries 950 Kangaroo Ground – St Andrews Road, Smiths Gully Phone: 9710 1340

8 Fire and the environment & Pest plants Where can I buy indigenous plants? 9 live local plant local live local plant local

Many Landcare and Friends groups propagate their own Indigenous Plant list plants for revegetation projects. To find out more about your local community environment group please contact The following is a list of plants, which you may wish to include in your garden. Some are suitable Nillumbik Shire Council’s Environment and Strategic to use in container plantings or for a mass of colour, while others look great when used in formal Planning section on 9433 3111. designs or as specimen plants.

Creepers and Climbers

Billardiera scandens Common Apple-berry Flowering time: Jun-Jan Further reading Flower colour: Green-yellow Preferred aspect: Well drained soils, semi shade Flora of Melbourne Features: A twiner or soft climber with bell shaped flowers. A guide to the indigenous plants of the Greater Melbourne area. It grows in most soils but requires sunny, open position to Society for Growing Australian Plants, ensure compact growth. Bird attracting. Maroondah, Inc, Hyland House, 3rd ed., 2001. Clematis aristata Native Plants of Melbourne and Adjoining Areas Old Mans Beard David and Barbara Jones, Flowering time: Aug-March Blooming Books, 1999. Flower colour: Creamy white Preferred aspect: Moist well drained soils Native Trees and Shrubs of South Eastern Australia Features: A vigorous, showy climber with sweetly scented star- Leon Costermans, like flowers and attractive, feathery seed heads. A great food Landsdowne Publishing, 1994. plant for seed eating birds.

Bush Invaders of South-East Australia Clematis microphylla Adam Muyt, Small-leafed Clematis R.G. and F.J. Richardson, 2001. Flowering time: July-Nov Flower colour: Cream Environmental weeds - A field guide for SE Australia Preferred aspect: Full/semi sun Kate Blood, Features: Attractive star shaped flowers and fluffy seed heads. Blooming Books, Republished 2003. Similar to Clematis aristata, with smaller, narrower leaves. It is a fast growing climber useful for drier sites.

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Glycine clandestina Kennedia prostrata Twining Glycine Running Postman Flowering time: Oct-Jan Flowering time: April-Dec Flower colour: Mauve Flower colour: Scarlet Preferred aspect: Semi sun/full shade Preferred aspect: Full/semi sun Features: A dainty climber with small pea flowers, it requires moist, well drained soil and tolerates Features: Trailing, hardy and adaptable ground cover with red dryness once established. Food plant for caterpillars. pea shaped flowers and wavy-edged leaves. Prefers dry sites, but can tolerate drought once established. A useful plant for Glycine tabacina hanging baskets. Vanilla (Variable) Glycine Flowering time: Dec-May Pandorea pandorana Flower colour: Blue-purple Wonga Vine Preferred aspect: Full/semi sun Flowering time: Sep-Jan Features: A dainty creeper covered in clusters of attractive pea flowers in spring-summer. It prefers Flower colour: White dry well drained soils. Butterfly attracting. Preferred aspect: Semi sun/shade Features: Dense vigorous climber with dark green leaves and bunches of creamy white tubular Hardenbergia violacea flowers. Great for growing over a pergola. Purple Coral Pea Flowering time: Jul-Nov Flowering colour: Purple Herbs and Groundcovers Preferred aspect: Full/semi sun Features: A showy, wiry creeper with beautiful purple pea Acaena novae-zealandiae flowers and dark green leaves. Prefers well-drained soils and Bidgee-widgee full sun. It is important to plant the local form. Flowering time: Oct-Jan Flower colour: Greenish white Hovea linearis Preferred aspect: All Common Hovea Features: Creeping groundcover that dies back during winter, Flowering time: Aug-Oct and is useful for binding soil. Fruits have barbed spines and Flower colour: Mauve are dispersed by animals and humans. It tolerates wet or Preferred aspect: Semi sun/full shade dry conditions. Features: A dainty little plant, with pea-type flowers and long narrow leaves. It looks attractive when planted amongst small Adiantum aethiopicum plants or under trees where soil is dry and well drained. Common Maidenhair Preferred aspect: Semi sun Features: A very delicate fern found in wet shaded gullies and on streambanks. Forms an expanding clump or open ground cover. Also suited to a container if kept moist and protected from drying winds (dormant during dry warm spells).

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Brachyscome diversifolia Chrysocephalum apiculatum Tall Daisy Common Everlasting Flowering time: Oct-Feb Flowering time: Mainly Sep-Dec Flower colour: White Flower colour: Bright yellow Preferred aspect: Full/semi sun Preferred aspect: Full sun Features: Forms a small creeping clump with daisy flowers. Features: Spreading prostrate herb with clusters of yellow It is endangered in the Melbourne region. Excellent for daisy flowers. Requires well-drained soil and pruning to small gardens, rockeries or containers, provided soil is well encourage new growth. Butterfly attracting. drained. Butterfly attracting. Chrysocephalum semipapposum Brachyscome multifida Clustered Everlasting Cut-leaf Daisy Flowering time: Aug-Mar Flowering time: Year round, peaking in spring and summer Flower colour: Golden yellow Flower colour: Lilac blue, mauve, pink or white Preferred aspect: Full/semi sun Preferred aspect: Full/semi sun Features: The form found locally in Eltham forms tight clumps Features: Ornamental, low spreading perennial which prefers of silvery-green foliage bearing clusters of long lasting, daisy moist soil and will tolerate dryness once established. It may flowers. Grows in dry areas along ridges and rocky outcrops. require a light pruning after flowering. Butterfly attracting. To encourage new growth prune after flowering. Butterfly attracting. Bracteantha viscosa Shiny Everlasting Craspedia glauca Flowering time: Aug-April Common Billy-buttons Flower colour: Bright yellow Flowering time: Sep-Nov Preferred aspect: Full/semi sun Flower colour: Yellow Features: A branched herb with long lasting daisy flowers. Excellent for garden or container planting. Preferred aspect: Full/semi sun Prune in late winter to encourage bushiness and extended life. Butterfly attracting. Features: Spectacular large golden button flowers, this plant suits containers, rockeries or mass plantings in moist well drained soils. Butterfly attracting. Brunonia australis Blue Pincushion Dichondra repens Flowering time: Oct-Jan Kidney Weed Flower colour: Blue Flowering time: Sep-Dec Preferred aspect: Full/semi sun Flower colour: Cream Features: Flowering annual with leaves at ground level and Preferred aspect: Semi sun/full shade dense, blue ‘pin-cushion’ flowers on tall stems. Looks Features: Excellent as a lawn substitute in low use moist attractive when mass planted and grows well in containers shady areas. It has inconspicuous flowers and small in an open sunny position. Butterfly attracting. kidney-shaped leaves.

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Einadia nutans Leucochrysum albicans Nodding Saltbush Hoary Sunray Flowering time: Dec-May Flowering time: Nov-Mar Flower colour: Green Flower colour: Yellow Preferred aspect: Full/semi sun Preferred aspect: Full/semi sun Features: Sprawling or scrambling plant with clusters of greenish flowers followed by succulent red Features: A dense, clumping perennial herb with soft silvery berries. Useful ground cover for dry gardens and rockeries. Berries are a food source for birds. white leaves. It grows well amongst rocks and is suited to rockeries or containers where soil is very well drained. Geranium solanderi Effective when used in mass displays. Butterfly attracting. Austral Cranesbill Flowering time: Oct-Feb Lobelia alata Flower colour: Pink Angled Lobelia Preferred aspect: Semi sun Flowering time: Most of year Features: A creeping, perennial herb with deeply lobed leaves and small pale pink flowers. Requires Flower colour: Pale blue well-drained soils and will tolerate moisture. Forms a dense cover in damp areas. Preferred aspect: Full/semi sun Features: A swamp-loving perennial herb that spreads by layering. It has small, pale blue fan-shaped Helichrysum scorpioides flowers and requires ample moisture. It is suitable for a bog garden. Button Everlasting Flowering time: Sep-Dec Mentha australis Flower colour: Yellow River Mint Preferred aspect: Full/semi sun Flowering time: Sep-Mar Features: A very hardy rockery or bush garden plant with Flower colour: White grey leaves and long lasting flowers. Dies back after flowering. Features: Imparts a delightful mint fragrance. Useful for planting by ponds or pathways, where soil Butterfly attracting. is moist to wet. Attracts insect eating birds. It is a good alternative to introduced mint species.

Pelargonium australe Leptorhynchos squamatus Austral Stork’s-bill Scaly Buttons Flowering time: Oct-Feb Flowering time: Sep-Jan Flower colour: Pink/white with red stripes Flower colour: Yellow Preferred aspect: Full/semi sun Preferred aspect: Full/semi sun Features: Soft sprawling herb with aromatic rounded leaves Features: Low spreading herb with deep green leaves and and clusters of pretty flowers on long stalks. Prefers moist bright yellow button flowers on wiry stems. Requires well drained soils and may die back in summer. moist soil.

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Platylobium formosum Viola hederacea Handsome Flat-pea Native Violet or Ivy-leaf Violet Flowering time: Sep-Dec Flowering time: Jun-Mar Flower colour: Yellow and red Flower colour: Purple and white Preferred aspect: Semi sun Preferred aspect: All Features: Upright or scrambling low growing shrub with bright pea flowers. Prefers moist soil and Features: A great groundcover that forms extensive mats in shady position. damp areas. It has small flowers held above the foliage. Keep moist, in full sun or part shade. It is a great alternative Platylobium obtusangulum to introduced violets. Common Flat-pea Flowering time: Sep-Dec Vittadinia muelleri Flower colour: Yellow/red Narrow-leaf New Holland Daisy Preferred aspect: Full/semi sun Flowering time: Most of year Features: Similar to Platylobium formosum but less vigorous. Flower colour: Blue It has a decorative triangular leaf and prefers drier, Preferred aspect: Full/semi sun well-drained soils. Features: A small, perennial shrub found in the open. It flowers for most of the year.

Pultenaea pedunculata Wahlenbergia stricta Matted Bush-pea Tall Bluebell Flowering time: Oct-Nov Flowering time: Aug-Jan Flowering colour: Yellow/red Flower colour: Light blue Preferred aspect: Full/semi sun Preferred aspect: Full/semi sun Features: Excellent ground cover with typical ‘egg and bacon’ type pea flowers. Useful for soil Features: Dainty erect, clumping herb with masses of bell flowers on slender stems. Will tolerate binding, cascading over rockeries or in containers. Prefers well-drained soils. It is important to plant some dryness and looks great in containers or when planted amongst grasses. local form.

Stylidium graminifolium Lilies Grass Trigger-plant Flowering time: Oct-Dec Arthropodium strictum Flower colour: Pink Chocolate Lily Preferred aspect: Full/semi sun Flowering time: Sep-Dec Features: Fine grass-like foliage with spikes of bright pink Flower colour: Violet flowers in spring-summer. Very attractive when clumped Preferred aspect: Full/semi sun together and provides food for insect eating birds. Features: Flowers emit a pleasant aroma of chocolate in spring. Long slender stems arise from the plant base during late winter. It is dormant after flowering until the following winter. May be hard to establish but will brighten a garden or natural bush setting.

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Bulbine bulbosa Dianella tasmanica Bulbine Lily Tasman Flax-lily Flowering time: Sep-Jan Flowering time: Aug-Feb Flower colour: Yellow Flower colour: Blue Preferred aspect: Full/semi sun Preferred aspect: Full/semi sun Features: Yellow star flowers in spring. It remains dormant Features: Similar to other Dianella species but has larger leaves. Most showy stage is the production after flowering until the following autumn. Prefers moist well of violet-blue berries after flowering. Prefers a moist and cool position but tolerates some dryness drained soils. once established. Looks great in containers.

Burchardia umbellata Milkmaids Grasses Flowering time: Sep-Dec Flower colour: White and red Austrodanthonia species Preferred aspect: Full/semi sun Wallaby Grass Features: Attractive honey-scented star flowers in spring-summer. It remains dormant in summer Flowering time: Oct-Jan after flowering. Best grown amongst other small plants or in containers in a protected position. Flower colour: Mature fluffy cream coloured flowerheads Preferred aspect: Full/semi sun Dianella longifolia Features: Dense tussock grass with fluffy mature flowerheads. Pale Flax-lily or Smooth Flax-lily It makes a good alternative to ornamental grasses. Many Flowering time: Aug-Jan Austrodanthonia species are available. Food plant for grazing Flower colour: Pale blue animals. Preferred aspect: Full/semi sun Features: Flax-like leaves and blue flowers in spring-summer Austrostipa species followed by purple berries. Berries are a good food source Spear-grass for birds. Makes an attractive garden or container plant in Flowering time: Sep-Jan moist well-drained soils. It is a great alternative to the Flower colour: White environmental weed Agapanthus. Preferred aspect: Semi sun Features: A medium tufted grass that adds a graceful accent Dianella revoluta to a bushland garden. Requires hard pruning after flowering Black-anther Flax-lily to maintain vigor. It makes a good alternative to ornamental Flowering time: Aug-May grasses. Many Austrostipa species are available. Food plant for seed eating birds. Flower colour: Blue-whitish Preferred aspect: Full/semi sun Eragrostis brownii Features: Long strap like bluish-green leaves with pale blue Common Love-grass flowers in spring-summer followed by bright purple berries. Flowering time: Sep-Apr Berries are a good food source for birds. It can be grown Flower colour: Olive green-grey in containers. Preferred aspect: Full/semi sun Features: An elegant open grass, adaptable to most soils. It is a decorative grass for rockeries and is suitable for use as a lawn grass in low use areas.

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Joycea pallida Poa morrisii Silvertop Wallaby-grass Velvet Tussock-grass Flowering time: Oct-Jan Flowering time: Oct-Jan Flowering colour: Straw colour with red anthers Flower colour: Green Preferred aspect: Full/semi sun Preferred aspect: Full/semi sun Features: Attractive grass when in flower. It requires well-drained soils in full sun. Food plant for Features: An extremely variable and attractive grass with soft grey weeping foliage, which makes a grazing animals. good alternative to ornamental grasses. It is smaller than Poa labillardierei. Food plant for caterpillars and seed eating birds. Microlaena stipoides Weeping Grass Themeda triandra Flowering time: Sep-Jan Kangaroo Grass Flower colour: Green along arching stems Flowering time: Oct-Feb Preferred aspect: Full/semi sun Flower colour: Glossy brown Features: Prefers moist well drained soils and does well in Preferred aspect: Full/semi sun semi shade. Excellent low maintenance lawn grass. Food Features: Dense, tussock grass with rusty-red flowers held plant for seed eating birds and caterpillars. above the foliage in summer. Adaptable to most soils. It makes a good alternative to ornamental grasses. Provides habitat for insects, lizards and birds. Poa ensiformis Purple Sheath Tussock-grass Flowering time: Sep-Nov Flower colour: Green Rushes and Sedges Preferred aspect: Full/semi sun Features: Vigorous tussock grass suited to moist shaded Carex appressa sites. It has a distinctive purple sheath around lower Tall Sedge leaves and responds well to pruning. Provides habitat for Flowering time: Aug-Jan insects, lizards and birds. Flower colour: Brownish-dull yellow Preferred aspect: Full sun Features: It forms a dense tussock of bright green, sharp- Poa labillardierei edged leaves and is useful for erosion control on stream Common Tussock-grass banks. It may be used as either an aquatic or bog garden plant Flowering time: Oct-Feb and requires ample moisture, tolerating periods of inundation. Flower colour: Green / purple Butterfly attracting. Preferred aspect: Full/semi sun Features: A large tufted tussock grass with rough greyish- Carex fascicularis green leaves. Adaptable to moist or slightly dry soils. It makes Tassel Sedge a good alternative to ornamental grasses and responds well Flowering time: Oct-Apr to pruning. Provides habitat for insects, lizards and birds. Flower colour: Bright green Preferred aspect: Semi sun Features: Common sedge found along watercourses and near swamps with bright green drooping flower heads. It requires moist soil and tolerates inundation. A graceful tussock that looks attractive by pools or ponds.

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Carex iynx Acacia genistifolia Tussock Sedge Spreading Wattle Flowering time: Sep-Nov Height (m): 1-3 Flower colour: Yellow-chestnut Width (m): 1-3 Preferred aspect: Semi sun Flowering time: Aug-Oct/Jan-May Features: This coarse tufted sedge forms large clumps and requires moist soil. It looks attractive in Flower colour: Lemon-cream containers or as a mass planting. Preferred aspect: Full/semi sun Features: A small to medium hardy shrub, which provides a Lomandra filiformis prickly refuge for small birds. It has needle-like leaves and Wattle Mat-rush perfumed balls of yellow flowers on long and slender stalks. Flowering time: Sep-Dec It is very hardy and tolerates a range of soil types, wet/dry periods and frost. Flower colour: Female flowers-yellow, Male-purplish Preferred aspect: Full/semi sun Acacia lanigera Features: Hardy, rush-like perennial herb with flat, bluish-green leaves with blunt tips. A great long- Woolly Wattle or Hairy Wattle lived rockery plant, which tolerates well-drained soils and dry shady situations once established. Height (m): 0.3-2 Width (m): 1-3 Lomandra longifolia Flowering time: May-Oct Spiny-headed Mat-rush Flower colour: Bright yellow Flowering time: Sep-Dec Preferred aspect: Full/semi sun Flower colour: Yellow with purple bases Features: A showy, adaptable species with sharp, slightly curved leaves. It prefers well-drained Preferred aspect: Full/semi sun conditions and is frost tolerant. Bird attracting. Features: Much larger than Lomandra filiformis, this large Acacia paradoxa tussock plant tolerates moisture and well-drained soils. It has Hedge Wattle bright green strap-like leaves and tall spikes of cream/yellow Height (m): 2-4 scented flowers. It is an ideal alternative to the environmental Width (m): 2-5 weed Agapanthus. Butterfly attracting. Flowering time: Aug-Nov Flower colour: Golden yellow Preferred aspect: Full/semi sun Shrubs Features: A fast growing, dense spreading medium shrub covered with thorns. It provides a prickly refuge for small birds. Acacia acinacea Gold Dust Wattle Acacia pycnantha Height (m): 0.5-2.5 Golden Wattle Width (m): 2-4 Height (m): 3-10 Flowering time: Aug-Nov Width (m): 2-5 Flower colour: Bright yellow Flowering time: Jul-Oct Preferred aspect: Full/semi sun Flower colour: Golden Features: A small to medium shrub with masses of yellow flowers in spring. Adaptable to dry or Preferred aspect: Full/semi sun moist, well-drained soils and heavy clay. Often self-seeds in the garden. Bird attracting. Features: A tall, fast growing shrub which makes a good screen plant. Drought and frost tolerant. It is Australia’s floral emblem. Bird attracting.

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Acacia stricta Bursaria spinosa Hop Wattle Sweet Bursaria Height (m): 2-5 Height (m): 2-6 Width (m): 2-4 Width (m): 2-3 Flowering time: May-Oct Flowering time: Dec-Mar Flower colour: Pale yellow Flower colour: Creamy white Preferred aspect: All Preferred aspect: Full/semi sun Features: A fast growing slender shrub with pale green foliage. It prefers moist soil but is drought Features: A tall, spiny shrub with masses of sweet smelling tolerant. Bird attracting. cream flowers and clusters of bronze seed capsules following flowering. Food plant for Eltham Copper Butterfly. Acacia verniciflua Varnish Wattle Callistemon sieberi Height (m): 3-5 River Bottlebrush Width (m): 3-5 Height (m): 3-10 Flowering time: Jul-Jan Width(m): 2-6 Flower colour: Bright yellow Flowering time: Nov-May Preferred aspect: Full/semi sun Flower colour: Cream/pink Features: A slightly weeping open shrub with shiny curved leaves. It is fast growing and adaptable, Preferred aspect: Full/semi sun tolerating wet and dry periods. Bird attracting. Features: An attractive, open to dense weeping shrub with bottlebrush flowers. It is very adaptable but prefers moist-wet conditions. Pruning Acacia verticillata encourages prolific flowering. Butterfly/bird attracting. Prickly Moses Cassinia aculeata Height (m): 2-5 Common Cassinia or Dogwood Width (m): 3-5 Height (m): 2-4 Flowering time: Jun-Dec Width (m): 1-2 Flower colour: Light yellow Flowering time: Nov-Mar Preferred aspect: Semi sun Flower colour: White Features: A fast growing medium size shrub which provides Preferred aspect: Semi sun a prickly refuge for small birds and possums. It is hardy in Features: A medium size shrub with showy clusters of small well-drained soils. flowers that last for a long period of time. An effective screen plant which often colonises a disturbed area. Banksia marginata Silver Banksia Cassinia arcuata Height (m): 1-10 Drooping Cassinia Width (m): 1-5 Height (m): 1-3 Flowering time: Sep-Apr Width (m): 1-2 Flower colour: Pale-bright yellow Flowering time: Nov-Feb Preferred aspect: Full/semi sun Flower colour: Pale brown Features: A slow growing shrub with yellow flowers and Preferred aspect: Full/semi sun narrow leaves which are white underneath. It requires good Features: A medium size shrub with attractive dropping branchlets of small flowers. Leaves have a drainage. Butterfly/bird attracting, spicy aroma. It often colonises a disturbed area and is very adaptable to shallow soils.

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Cassinia longifolia Daviesia leptophylla Shiny Cassinia or Cauliflower Bush Narrow-leaf Bitter-pea Height (m): 2-4 Height (m): 1-2 Width (m): 2-3 Width (m): 1-2 Flowering time: Nov-Mar Flowering time: Sep-Oct Flower colour: White Flower colour: Yellow/red Preferred aspect: Semi sun/full shade Preferred aspect: Full/semi sun Features: Erect medium size shrub with with sticky and Features: Open erect shrub, covered in yellow and red pea aromatic leaves (longer and broader than Cassinia aculeata). flowers in spring. It benefits from annual pruning after flowering. It is fast growing and prefers moist well-drained soils. Dillwynia cinerascens Correa glabra Grey Parrot-pea Rock Correa Height (m): 0.6-1.5 Height (m): 1-3 Width (m): 0.5-1.5 Width (m): 1-3 Flowering time: Jul-Nov Flowering time: May-Aug Flower colour: Yellow/orange Flower colour: Pale green Preferred aspect: Semi sun Preferred aspect: All Features: Attractive small shrub with a display of showy pea flowers and greyish leaves. It is suited Features: An attractive small to medium shrub with dark to a shady, dry position and benefits from annual pruning after flowering. green leaves and bell-shaped flowers. It is easily grown in well-drained soil. Bird attracting. Dillwynia phylicoides Small-leaf Parrot-pea Correa reflexa Height (m): 0.5-1.5 Common Correa Width (m): 1-2 Height (m): 0.3-2 Flowering time: Sep-Dec Width (m): 1-2 Flower colour: Yellow/red Flowering time: Mar-Sep Preferred aspect: Semi sun Flower colour: Light green/red Features: A very hardy and ornamental small shrub which Preferred aspect: All bears clusters of pea flowers and twisted narrow leaves. Features: An attractive upright to spreading medium shrub It responds well to pruning. with bell flowers. It is excellent for dry shady positions under trees. It is important to plant local form. Bird attracting. Dodonaea viscosa ssp spatulata Wedge-leaf Hop-bush Daviesia latifolia Height (m): 1-3 Hop Bitter-pea Width (m): 1-3 Height (m): 1-3 Flowering time: Aug-Nov Width (m): 1-2 Flower colour: Inconspicuous flowers followed by Flowering time: Sep-Dec red-brown seedpods. Flower colour: Yellow/brown Preferred aspect: Full/semi sun Preferred aspect: Full/semi sun Features: An open to dense medium size shrub with wedge- Features: A medium size broad-leaved shrub with showy pea-shaped flowers. It is a useful screen shaped leaves and showy red, blackish-brown capsules with plant and looks effective when mass planted. papery wings. It is hardy but requires well-drained soil. An effective screen plant.

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Einadia hastata Goodia lotifolia Saloop Saltbush or Berry Saltbush Clover Tree Height (m): 0.1-0.2 Height (m): 1-1.5 Width (m): 0.2-0.5 Width (m): 1-5 Flowering time: Dec-Feb Flowering time: Sep-Dec Flower colour: Cream Flower colour: Yellow with red markings Preferred aspect: Full/semi sun Preferred aspect: Full/semi sun Features: Small saltbush with insignificant cream flowers and succulent red berries following Features: A vigorous, fast growing suckering shrub with clover-like foliage and showy pea flowers. flowering. The berries provide a food source for birds. Light pruning promotes dense bushy growth. It requires well-drained soils and pruning to encourage bushiness and suckering. It requires well-drained soils. Gynatrix pulchella Epacris impressa Hemp Bush Common Heath Height (m): 2-4 Height (m): 0.5-1 Width (m): 1.5-3 Width (m): 0.5-1 Flowering time: Aug-Oct Flowering time: Mar-Nov Flower colour: Greenish white Flower colour: White, pink or red Preferred aspect: Semi sun Preferred aspect: Semi sun Features: An open woody shrub with heart-shaped leaves and Features: A slender wiry shrub with prickly, profuse flowers. It prefers well-drained moist soils and sharp-pointed leaves and tubular flowers. It makes an requires regular pruning to maintain vigor. attractive rockery plant, particularly when planted in groups. It is Victoria’s floral emblem. Bird attracting. Hakea sericea Bushy Needlewood Goodenia ovata Height (m): 2-5 Hop Goodenia Width (m): 1-3 Height (m): 1-2.5 Flowering time: May-Sep Width (m): 1-2 Flower colour: Pink Flowering time: Aug-Feb Preferred aspect: Full/semi sun Flower colour: Yellow Features: A fast growing tall shrub with needle-like leaves Preferred aspect: All and masses of small fragrant flowers. It provides a good Features: Fast growing small-medium shrub with ovate low screen and responds well to hard pruning. Bird attracting. leaves and sprays of yellow flowers. It prefers damp soil and tolerates water logging. It also responds well to pruning. Hakea ulicina Furze Hakea Height (m): 1-3 Width (m): 1-2 Flowering time: Jul-Nov Flower colour: White - cream Preferred aspect: Full/semi sun Features: Similar to other Hakea species, with sharp pointed leaves and clusters of flowers. It prefers well drained, dry to moist soils. Bird attracting.

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Hymenanthera dentata Leptospermum continentale Tree Violet Prickly Tea-tree Height (m): 2-4 Height (m): 1-4 Width (m): 1-2.5 Width (m): 1-2 Flowering time: Sep-Nov Flowering time: Oct-Mar Flower colour: Cream Flower colour: White Preferred aspect: Full/semi sun Preferred aspect: Full/semi sun Features: Covered in tiny scented cream coloured bell shaped flowers during spring. This variable Features: A medium size erect shrub with prickly, narrow leaves. plant, ranges from lush, small trees in gullies/on riverbanks to stunted shrubs on more exposed sites. Adaptable and hardy, it also tolerates moisture. Butterfly attracting. It has violet coloured berries and provides excellent habitat for birds and possums. Leptospermum lanigerum Indigofera australis Woolly Tea-tree Austral Indigo Height (m): 2-5 Height (m): 1-2 Width (m): 1-3 Width (m): 1-2 Flowering time: Sep-Jan Flowering time: Sep-Dec Flower colour: White Flower colour: Mauve, pink/white Preferred aspect: Full/semi sun Preferred aspect: All Features: A dense shrub to small tree with attractive grey foliage and masses of white flowers in spring. Features: An attractive small-medium shrub with striking It is useful screen plant that responds well to pruning and prefers moist soil. Butterfly attracting. purple pea flowers and blue-green leaves. It needs regular pruning to retain vigor and is adaptable to well-drained soils. Leptospermum obovatum Butterfly attracting. River Tea-tree Height (m): 2-4 Kunzea ericoides Width (m): 1.5-2 Burgan Flowering time: Nov-Jan Height (m): 2-5 Flower colour: Creamy white Width (m): 1-2 Preferred aspect: Semi sun Flowering time: Nov-Feb Features: A medium to large dense shrub with creamy white flowers. It prefers moist soil and is Flower colour: White frequently found by streams. It is an effective screen plant. Butterfly attracting. Preferred aspect: Full/semi sun Features: A fast growing dense to weeping shrub with masses Lomatia myricoides of white flowers in late spring. It often colonises in wetter, River Lomatia cleared or disturbed sites. Butterfly attracting. Height (m): 2-5 Width (m): 1-3 Flowering time: Dec-Feb Flower colour: Cream Preferred aspect: Semi sun/full shade Features: A slow-growing shrub with long dull-green leaves and perfumed cream coloured flowers in summer. It requires moist, well-drained soil. Bird attracting.

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Melaleuca ericifolia Olearia phlogopappa Swamp Paperbark Dusty Daisy-bush Height (m): 2-9 Height (m): 1-3 Width (m): 3 Width (m): 1-2 Flowering time: Oct-Nov Flowering time: Aug-Jan Flower colour: Cream Flower colour: White pink, mauve or blue with yellow centres Preferred aspect: Full/semi sun Preferred aspect: Full/semi sun Features: A medium-large shrub with flowers in spikes like Features: Fast growing, large dense shrub with grey-green leaves and masses of long-stalked daisy bottlebrushes. It is adaptable but prefers moist or wet flowers. Responds well to pruning. fertile soils. Responds well to pruning. Butterfly/bird attracting. Ozothamnus ferrugineus Olearia erubescens Tree Everlasting Moth Daisy-bush Height (m): 2-6 Height (m): 0.3-0.5 Width (m): 1-3 Width (m): 0.5 Flowering time: Nov-Feb Flowering time: Sep-Nov Flower colour: White Flower colour: White/pink with yellow centres Preferred aspect: Full/semi sun Preferred aspect: Full/semi sun Features: Medium size shrub that prefers moist well drained Features: A small shrub with dark green leaves. It looks good if planted amongst other shrubs in soils. Prune in late winter to encourage bushiness. well-drained soil. Can tolerate dryness once established. Ozothamnus obcordatus Olearia lirata Grey Everlasting Snowy Daisy-bush Height (m): 1-2 Height (m): 2-5 Width (m): 1 Width (m): 2-3 Flowering time: Oct-Jan Flowering time: Sep-Dec Flower colour: Yellow Flower colour: White Preferred aspect: Full/semi sun Preferred aspect: Semi sun/full shade Features: A medium size showy shrub with long lasting clusters Features: Attractive open shrub with masses of white daisy of mustard coloured daisy flowers. Useful in a dry difficult spot. flowers. It is fast growing and tolerates dryness once established. Prune after flowering to encourage bushiness. Pomaderris aspera Hazel Pomaderris Olearia myrsinoides Height (m): 3-10 Silky Daisy-bush Width (m): 2-4 Height (m): 0.3-1.5 Flowering time: Oct-Dec Width (m): 1 Flower colour: Yellow-green Flowering time: Oct-Feb Preferred aspect: Semi sun/full shade Flower colour: White with yellow centre Features: A medium to large shrub with masses of yellow- Preferred aspect: Full/semi sun green flowers in late spring. It requires moist, well-drained Features: Small spreading shrub with shiny, dark green leaves. It has profuse clusters of daisy shady conditions. flowers and requires well-drained soils. Pruning promotes bushiness.

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Pomaderris prunifolia Pultenaea gunnii Plum-leaf Pomaderris Golden Bush-pea Height (m): 1-4 Height (m): 0.5-1.5 Width (m): 1-4 Width (m): 0.5 Flowering time: Oct-Nov Flowering time: Sep-Oct Flower colour: Pale yellow Flower colour: Bright yellow-orange and dark red Preferred aspect: All Preferred aspect: Full/semi sun Features: A medium woody shrub with small clusters of creamy flowers. It requires good drainage Features: Small erect shrub with masses of beautiful pea and part shade and will tolerate some dryness. flowers in spring. It grows well under established trees and dry sites. Pomaderris racemosa Cluster Pomaderris Rapanea howittiana Height (m): 2-5 Muttonwood Width (m): 1-2 Height (m): 3-10 Flowering time: Oct-Nov Width (m): 2-4 Flower colour: Yellow Flowering time: Aug-Feb Preferred aspect: All Flower colour: Pale green Features: Similar to Pomaderris aspera but leaves are smaller. It prefers well drained soils. A slender Preferred aspect: Semi sun/full shade shrub ideal for planting where space is limited. Features: A large shrub with a smooth whitish trunk, shiny leaves and violet bead-like fruits. It prefers a moist, well-drained shaded position. A good alternative to Pittosporum undulatum. Prostanthera lasianthos Victorian Christmas Bush Solanum laciniatum Height (m): 2-8 Kangaroo Apple Width (m): 2-5 Height (m): 1-3 Flowering time: Nov-Jan Width (m): 1-3 Flower colour: White spotted with purple Flowering time: Sep-Mar Preferred aspect: All Flower colour: Blue-purple Features: A medium to tall fast growing shrub. It is useful as Preferred aspect: All a screen plant but needs protection from drying winds. Leaves Features: Fast growing hardy shrub with large leaves. Its produce a mint aroma when crushed. Grows best in shaded orange eggshaped berries provide a food source for birds and protected conditions. possums. It is short lived (approx. 2-5 years). Pultenaea daphnoides Spyridium parvifolium Large-leaf Bush-pea Dusty Miller Height (m): 1-3 Height (m): 1-3 Width (m): 0.5-2 Width (m): 1-2 Flowering time: Aug-Nov Flowering time: Jul-Nov Flower colour: Yellow/ brown Flower colour: White Preferred aspect: All Preferred aspect: Semi sun/full shade Features: Attractive tall shrub with flat, wedge-shaped leaves Features: Attractive dense, upright shrub with dusty white and large pea flowers. It tolerates dryness but appreciates extra leaves. It prefers dry, shady soils. moisture in full sun.

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Trees Acacia melanoxylon Blackwood Acacia dealbata Height (m): 5-30 Silver Wattle Width (m): 4-15 Height (m): 6-30 Flowering time: Jul-Oct Width (m): 5-10 Flower colour: Cream Flowering time: Jul-0ct Preferred aspect: Full/semi sun Flower colour: Lemon Features: An effective screen plant and windbreak. It is a fast Preferred aspect: Full/semi sun growing, long-lived medium to large tree with glossy green Features: Relatively short lived (approx. 15 yr.). A fast growing phyllodes. Food source for birds and caterpillars. tall tree with grey/green feathery foliage. It is often found near streams. Host to Imperial Blue Butterfly, when <3m high. Allocasuarina littoralis Food source for possums, sugar gliders and birds. Black Sheoke Height (m): 4-8 Acacia implexa Width (m): 2-5 Lightwood Flowering time: Mar-Jun Height (m): 5-15 Flower colour: Female-red Male-brown Width (m): 4-7 Preferred aspect: Full/semi sun Flowering time: Dec-Mar Features: Small tree with needle-like foliage bearing red and Flower colour: Cream brown flowers in autumn. Food source for birds. Makes an Preferred aspect: Full/semi sun excellent screen plant and windbreak. Features: A fast growing, long-lived, small tree with curved, sickle-shaped phyllodes (flattened leaf stalks,which replace Allocasuarina verticillata true leaves). Bird attracting. Drooping Sheoke Height (m): 4-11 Acacia mearnsii Width (m): 3-6 Black Wattle Flowering time: Mar-Dec Height (m): 8-25 Flower colour: Yellow brown Width (m): 6-10 Preferred aspect: Full sun Flowering time: Sep-Dec Features: A fast growing small to medium tree, with drooping needle-like foliage and attractive dense Flower colour: Pale yellow bronze-golden flowers. Bird attracting. Makes an excellent screen plant and wind break. It prefers well Preferred aspect: All drained soils. Bird attracting. Features: A fast growing medium to large tree with dark green, feathery foliage and a dark smooth trunk. Can be confused with the environmental weed Early Black Wattle. Food source for sugar gliders and birds.

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Eucalyptus blakelyi Eucalyptus dives Blakely’s Red Gum Broad-leaved Peppermint Height (m): 15-24 Height (m): 8-25 Width (m): 10-15 Width (m): 6-15 Flowering time: Aug-Jan Flowering time: Sep-Dec Flower colour: White Flower colour: White Preferred aspect: Full/semi sun Preferred aspect: Full/semi sun Features: A medium sized, relatively slow-growing tree suited to Features: Effective screen/shade plant. A small low branching and spreading tree with aromatic large suburban gardens. It has a short trunk, dense crown and grey leaves. It prefers dry conditions. Normally confined to the Kinglake area. bark (shed in large sheets or flakes – smooth patchy surface). Butterfly/bird attracting. Eucalyptus goniocalyx Long-leaved Box Eucalyptus camaldulensis Height (m): 8-20 River Red Gum Width (m): 6-15 Height (m): 12-30 Flowering time: Mar-Aug Width (m): 15-35 Flower colour: White cream Flowering time: Nov-Mar Preferred aspect: Full/semi sun Flower colour: White Features: A medium size tree with grey box type bark and long, dark Preferred aspect: Full sun green tapering leaves. It is fast growing and prefers dry well drained Features: Older established trees provide excellent habitat for a variety of native fauna. A large, soils. Food source for birds and caterpillars. spreading, fast-growing tree that prefers deep moist soils and full sun. It has smooth greyish-red ssp. connata bark flakes in late summer. Common along waterways and floodplains. Yellow Gum Height (m): 10-20 Eucalyptus cephalocarpa Width (m): 6-20 Silver Leaf Stringybark Flowering time: May-Sep Height (m): 8-20 Flowering colour: Cream to white Width (m): 5-15 Preferred aspect: Full/semi sun Flowering time: Mar-Aug Features: Medium to large tree with smooth pale bark. It prefers dry Flower colour: White cream well drained soils and is a food source for caterpillars and birds. Preferred aspect: Full/semi sun Commonly occurs in the Plenty area. Features: A medium-sized tree with a dense canopy of grey-green leaves and grey-brown bark. It prefers moist soils and tolerates inundation. Most attractive feature is the young, silver ovate leaves. Eucalyptus macrorhyncha Normally confined to the Kinglake area. Butterfly/bird attracting. Red Stringybark Height (m): 10-35 Width (m): 10-20 Flowering time: Jan-Apr Flower colour: White cream Preferred aspect: Full/semi sun Features: A medium to large tree with fibrous bark that is grey on the outside and red-brown on the inside. It produces cream honey scented flowers in summer-autumn, and prefers dry well drained soil. Food source for butterflies and birds.

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Eucalyptus melliodora Eucalyptus polyanthemos Yellow Box Red Box Height (m): 10-30 Height(m): 7-25 Width (m): 8-25 Width(m): 5-15 Flowering time: Sep-Mar Flowering time: Sep-Jan Flower colour: White cream Flower colour: White cream Preferred aspect: Full/semi sun Preferred aspect: Full/semi sun Features: A medium to large tree with cream honey scented flowers in Features: A fine barked box with attractive blue-grey rounded spring. It has box type lower bark becoming smooth on upper trunk and leaves and profuse cream flowers in spring. It prefers dry, branches. It prefers dry, well drained soils and full sun. Butterfly/bird well drained soils and will tolerate stony soils. Butterfly/bird attracting. attracting. An effective windbreak.

Eucalyptus obliqua Eucalyptus radiata Messmate Narrow-leaved Peppermint Height (m): 4-7 Height (m): 10-30 Width (m): 8-35 Width (m): 6-20 Flowering time: Dec-Mar Flowering time: Oct-Jan Flower colour: White cream Flower colour: White Preferred aspect: Full/semi sun Preferred aspect: Full/semi sun Features: It has dark, glossy, oblique leaves and typical stringy bark. An effective shelter/shade tree, Features: An attractive small to medium tree with very fine box mostly found in northern, higher rainfall areas of the Shire. Butterfly/bird attracting. type bark. It prefers moist well drained soils. Its leaves have Eucalyptus ovata a strong peppermint fragrance. Butterfly/bird attracting. Swamp Gum Height (m): 8-30 Eucalyptus rubida Width (m): 8-20 Candlebark Flowering time: Mar-Jun Height (m): 10-25 Flower colour: White cream Width (m): 10-20 Preferred aspect: Full/semi sun Flowering time: Nov-Feb Features: It prefers moist soils and tolerates waterlogging. A medium to Flower colour: White large tree with glossy leaves which sheds bark in ribbons often revealing Preferred aspect: Full/semi sun a shiny and colourful trunk. Butterfly/bird attracting. Features: A large tree with smooth white bark on upper trunk and branches. Food source for koalas, caterpillars and birds. Eucalyptus pauciflora Prefers dry well drained soil. Snow Gum Height (m): 7-25 Width (m): 5-15 Flowering time: Oct-Jan Flower colour: White to cream Preferred aspect: Full/semi sun Features: Small to medium low branching tree, with white to cream trunk and shiny leaves. It tolerates exposure to extreme cold and is locally restricted.

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Eucalyptus tricarpa Red Ironbark Pest Plant List Height (m): 10-30 Width (m): 10-20 The following is a list of some environmental weeds found throughout the Shire of Nillumbik. Flowering time: May-Dec Flower colour: Cream pink Preferred aspect: Full/semi sun * = denotes noxious weed Features: An attractive deeply fissured, rough, black bark with an open crown of bluish foliage. It grows on dry hilltops and ridges. Food source for birds and butterflies. Botanical Name Common Name Eucalyptus viminalis Manna Gum Height (m): 10-50 Acacia baileyana Cootamundra Wattle Width (m): 8-15 Acacia decurrens Early Black Wattle Flowering time: Jan-May Acacia elata Cedar Wattle Flower colour: White Preferred aspect: Full sun Acacia floribunda White Sallow Wattle Features: A fast growing tall tree often found by rivers and creeks. Sticky Wattle Also naturally occurs in Kangaroo Ground away from waterways. Acacia longifolia var. longifolia Sallow Wattle Bark sheds in long ribbons. It prefers deep moist well drained soils. Important habitat tree for koalas. Acacia pravissima Ovens Wattle Acacia retinodes var. retinodes Wirilda Eucalyptus yarraensis Acacia saligna Golden Wreath Wattle Yarra Gum Height (m): 10-20 Acer negundo Box-elder Maple/Sycamore Width (m): 5-10 Agapanthus praecox sp. orientalis Agapanthus Flowering time: Jan Agave americana Agave, Century plant Flower colour: White Preferred aspect: Full/semi sun Alisma lanceolata Water Plantain Features: It has a short trunk and dense, spreading crown with rough, black bark. It will tolerate heavy Allium triquetrum* Angled Onion soil and limited inundation. It is normally confined to the Yarra Valley. Butterfly/bird attracting. Amaranthus sp. Amaranth Amaryllis belladonna Belladonna Lily Anagallis arvensis Scarlet Pimpernel Please note: All plant sizes mentioned in this publication are approximate. Environmental conditions Asparagus asparagoides Smilax/Bridal Creeper will influence the final height and width of a plant. Asparagus officinalis Asparagus Asparagus scandens Asparagus Fern

44 Trees Pest Plant List 45 live local plant local live local plant local

Botanical Name Common Name Botanical Name Common Name

Aster subulatus Aster-weed Foeniculum vulgare* Fennel Atriplex prostrata Hastate Orache Fraxinus sp Ash Briza maxima Quaking Grass Freesia species Freesia Capsella bursa-pastoris Shepards Purse Fumaria sp. Fumitory Chamaecytisus palmensis Tree Lucerne Genista linifolia* Flax-leaf Broom Chenopodium album Fat Hen Genista monspessulana* Cape Broom/Montpellier Broom Chrysanthemoides monilifera* Boneseed/Bitou Bish Gazania sp. Gazania Cirsium vulgare* Spear Thistle Geranium dissectum Cut-leaf Cranes bill Conium maculatum* Hemlock Gladiolus species Gladiolus Convolvulus arvensis Common Bindweed Hakea salicifolia Willow Hakea Conyza sp Fleabane Hedera helix Ivy Coprosma repens Mirror-bush Hemerocallis fulva Day Lily Cortaderia selloana Pampas Grass Homeria sp Cape Tulip Cotoneaster species Cotoneasters Hypericum androsaemum* Tutsan Crataegus monogyna* Hawthorn Hypericum perforatum* St John’s Wort Crocosmia X Crocosmiiflora Montbretia Ilex aquifolium Holly Cupressus macrocarpa Monterey Cypress Ipomoea indica Morning Glory Cynara cardunculus* Artichoke Thistle Iris species Iris Cynodon dactylon var. dactylon Couch Ixia polystachya Variable Ixia Cytisus scoparius* English Broom Juncus acutus spp. acutus* Spiny Rush Delairea odorata Cape Ivy Kniphofia uvaria Red-hot Poker Dipogon lignosus Common Dipogon Ligustrum species Privet Dipsacus fullonum spp. fullonum Wild Teasel Lonicera fragrantissima Winter Honeysuckle Echium plantagineum* Paterson’s Curse Lonicera japonica Japanese Honeysuckle Egeria densa Dense Waterweed Lycium ferocissimum* Boxthorn Elytrigia repens English Couch Melaleuca armillaris ssp. armillaris Giant Honey-myrtle Erica arborea Tree Heath Narcissus neesiana Chilean Needle-grass Erica lusitanica Spanish Heath Nassella trichotoma* Serrated Tussock Euphorbia sp Spurge Opuntia vulgaris Drooping Prickly-pear

46 Pest Plant List Pest Plant List 47 live local plant local

Botanical Name Common Name

Papaver somniferum Opium Poppy Paraserianthes lophantha Cape Wattle Passiflora caerulea Blue Passion flower Pennisetum clandestinum Kikuyu Pinus radiata Monterey (Radiata) Pine Pittosporum undulatum Sweet Pittosporum Polygala myrtifolia Myrtle-leaf Milkwort Populus alba White Poplar Populus nigra ‘Italica’ Lombardy Poplar Prunus cerasifera Cherry Plum Prunus spinosa Blackthorn Rhamnus alaternus Italian Buckthorn Rosa rubiginosa* Sweet Briar Rubus fruticosus. agg* Blackberry Salix species. Willows Senecio jacobaea* Ragwort Solanum psuedocapsicum Madeira Winter Cherry Sollya heterophylla Bluebell Creeper Stenotaphrum secundatum Buffalo Grass Taraxacum Sect. Ruderalia Garden Dandelion Tradescantia fluminensis Wandering Creeper Typha latifolia Great Reedmace Ulex europaeus* Gorse/Furze Ulmus procera Common Elm Verbascum blattaria Moth Mullein Verbascum virgatum Twiggy Mullein Vinca major Blue Periwinkle Watsonia meriana ‘ Bulbillifera’* Wild Watsonia Zantedeschia aethiopica White Arum Lily

48 Pest Plant List Civic Drive Greensborough PO Box 476 Greensborough 3088 Telephone 9433 3111 Facsimile 9432 9559 Website www.nillumbik.vic.gov.au Email [email protected]

April 2005 Printed on recycled paper.