Southern Tablelands Ecosystems Park Regional Botanic Garden

STEP Forest 20 with demonstration garden The Australian Native The Australian Native Plants

Carpark Society () – ANPSA Society Canberra Region http://asgap.org.au/sgap1a.html http://nativeplants-canberra.asn.au/ Visitors Centre j The Australian Native Plants Society (Australia) - The Australian Native Plants Society Canberra Region h Garden makers ANPSA is the national organisation representing holds two sales a year, in March and in October, the state and regional plant societies including the located in the southern car park of the Australian Molonglo Catchment Group of the Southern Australian Native Plant Society, Canberra Region. It National Botanic Gardens. The sales are very popular, http://www.molonglocatchment.com.au/ caters for people interested in Australia’s native flora and attract thousands of people to the Australian Tablelands Weeds/index.htm whether that interest is simple appreciation of the National Botanic Gardens. beauty and diversity of the flora or whether it extends At the sales you will find a large variety of high When a species invades and dominates the ecosystem, to propagation, cultivation and conservation. quality plants suitable for both new and established habitat changes and so do the species that live in that i k gardens, including local species and cultivars and y The Gallery on the ANPSA website contains over habitat. a w rk forms suitable for the Canberra climate. This website a 700 images of a wide range of Australian native In our landscape and residential gardens, weeds P g includes tips about starting your garden with local n o plants. But it’s not just a simple image gallery - each compete with the naturally occurring plants for water, n a (indigenous) plants. r e plant photo is accompanied by a description which sunlight and soil nutrients. g g Friendly volunteers and growers will answer your u includes a distribution map, botanical features and T The Molonglo Catchment Group website assists home cultivation or propagation notes. questions about Australian native plants and gardening, as well as provide brochures and leaflets owners and residents identify weeds, understand WHY Photo credits The gallery is arranged alphabetically by and a l on native plants and local native plant nurseries. The they are weeds and how they can control or remove Cover: Blue devil (Eryngium ovinum): Andy Russell, Grey fantail (Rhipidura separate native garden gallery is included, illustrating albiscapa): Liz Harman, Golden everlasting daisy (Xerochrysum bracteatum): Society mostly sells small plants with a well developed them. Also included on the website is a comprehensive Linda Muldoon, Brittle gum (Eucalyptus mannifera): Linda Muldoon a range of large and small gardens – to help in root system because these will grow much better and list of indigenous native species. A Australia’s Open Garden Scheme, 2010. Courtesy The Canberra Times: designing your own native garden. Kate Leith faster in your garden than large or fully grown plants. Good garden design can assist you to control weeds, b Grey Ghost ( cytisoides): Janet Russell for example, mulching will inhibit weed growth. c Courtyard: Linda Muldoon m n d Spotted marsh frog: (Limnodynastes tasmaniensis) Geoff Robertson e King Parrot (Alisterus scapularis): Janet Russell g o f Eastern Blue-tongue lizard (Tiliqua scincoides): Andy Russell Australian National Botanic Gardens (ANBG) g Canberra Bells: ACT Government h Long-leaf wax flower (Philotheca myoporoides): Janet Russell http://www.anbg.gov.au/gardens/plantinfo/index.html i Courtyard: Linda Muldoon j Rock isotome (Isotoma axillaris): Janet Russell The Australian National Botanic Gardens (ANBG) is a wonderful living and virtual resource k Moth and flower (Ammobium alatum): Andy Russell for Canberra garden makers. ANBG is a place for recreation, inspiration, science and learning. l Golden everlasting (Xerochrysum bracteatum): Andy Russell Situated on the lower slopes of Black Mountain in Canberra, the ANBG has the world’s m ‘Canberra’ grass (Scleranthus biflorus): Andy Russell most comprehensive display of living Australian native plants. There are many plants of the n Grassy woodland garden: Linda Muldoon Southern Tablelands region included in the collection. o Three gum woodland garden: Janet Russell The Canberra Bells Correa The ANBG website is a scientific and horticultural resource for garden makers. If you would like is the official native plant commemorating the 100th Southern Tablelands Ecosystems Park see an image of a plant that you would like to grow you can look for it on the website on the photo image page. The website also has a map for the ANBG site with a search window so that anniversary of the national capital. PO Box 987, Civic Square ACT 2608 you can search for the name of a plant to find its location in the ANBG. This means that you http://www.canberra100.com.au/ can visit a living specimen growing in the ANBG and get a better of idea of its character and projects/canberra_bells_correa.php www.STEP.asn.au growing needs. a Visitors in the garden Garden Maker’s Guide for Where is the STEP Forest 20 with Our garden Garden makers tips demonstration garden? the Southern Tablelands http://www.aila.org.au/canberragarden/ The STEP Forest 20 with demonstration garden is Our garden was featured in the Australian Open creating/inspiration.htm#attractive This brochure is produced by the Southern Tablelands one of the 100 forests of the National Arboretum Garden Scheme in October 2010. It showcases a Ecosystems Park (STEP) Inc. We are a community Canberra. In contrast to the single species forests in large range of native plants including many plants Consider including some of the following ideas in organisation developing a small botanic garden the Arboretum, STEP Forest 20 with demonstration from the Southern Tablelands. The many species your garden for habitat based on ecosystem ideas: promoting ideas for conservation and landscape garden contains 16 species of southern tablelands’ can be used in different ways to fill distinctive w plant indigenous plants, ie that are local to the restoration within the National Arboretum Canberra eucalypts. They have been planted in groups that d e f landscaping niches. Tall elegant eucalypts, colourful area and suited to the climate, to reduce use of (the Arboretum) at STEP Forest 20 with demonstration reflect their natural place in the landscape. We shrubs, strappy plants, small herbs and groundcovers fertiliser and water Birds, bees and butterflies, skinks, lizards and frogs garden. STEP is a partner of the Arboretum and are gradually planting understorey species so that provide variety and form in a garden in which there w use pebbles, gravel and/or fine eucalypt mulch for can all be attracted to your garden. You will need to we benefit from sharing its education, research, different parts of the site will display some of the is some colour all the year round. design needs and to reduce loss of moisture and design the habitat and use local plant species. horticultural, ceremonial and cultural objectives. shrubs, creepers, vines, herbs, ferns and grasses that are commonly found beneath the forest and The grassy woodland section of our garden faces weed re-growth STEP hopes to encourage garden makers to see grassy woodland canopies. STEP Forest 20 with west towards the street and is a harsh environment w develop small rocky areas or walls that allow a cool Birds in both summer and winter. The eucalypts including plants not just as individual species but as belonging demonstration garden includes a small ephemeral root run for plants needing extra moisture as well http://garden.canberrabirds.org.au/index.htm to a community of plants. There are many local wetland that is a simple water feature to attract frogs brittle gum and Argyle apple provide protection as providing skink and other lizard habitat from the sun as well as shelter for the shrubs and plants that can fill design niches within a garden and birds. It is hoped that visitors to the Arboretum w create a small wetland or a water feature with Birds are most likely to be found in gardens near their ground cover plants in the understorey. landscape and that also are well-adapted to the local will learn more about the key elements of the region’s plantings of local sedges and rushes close by to preferred habitat, or similar to their preferred habitat. ecosystems and biodiversity from our site. environment. By growing local plants garden makers The remaining garden is mainly a shrubbery that attract frogs and birds They also prefer local ecosystems, biodiversity, local can supplement the habitat that our local grassland STEP offers opportunities for volunteers to particiapte screens the fences and provides cover for small birds. w plant trees with a sparse canopy, eg small plant food, water, nesting opportunities and shelter and bushland provide so that the region can support in establishing the garden. Our working bees held More of the less common shrubs such as the Grey eucalypts for dappled shade and protection of from predators. abundant, healthy and vibrant wildlife. every Thursday morning from 8.30 to 11.30 am are Ghost (pictured below) are becoming available to buy plants from frost: dense shade inhibits the growth The Birds of Canberra Gardens website will provide a great opportunity for garden makers to learn by commercially. of plants This brochure can help you to: you with information on how to attract and keep local experience. In the courtyard we have a wonga wonga vine w plant middle storey flowering shrubs for small w create attractive design and habitat features in birds in your garden. growing over the pergola. This is lovely in spring birds including plants with spiny stems and foliage your garden What’s on the STEP website? when it is covered in white tubular flowers. This vine for the birds’ protection w Frogs develop a healthy lifestyle and increase wildlife The STEP website features information on the together with our small collection of potted ferns, w make features of native grasses and daisies to habitat http://www.ginninderralandcare.org.au/ ecosystem-based plant communities of the Southern rainforest plants and other pot plants provide a bring in bees, butterflies and other insects w get to know local plants and their growing needs Tablelands in a series of fact sheets entitled Telling the delightful shady spot on the hottest of days. frogwatch w w manage water flows, soil and plant subsidence Understorey. They include: Greening Australia if needed, employ a landscape specialist to help Andy & Janet with design advice, manage water run-off to The Ginninderra Catchment Group website will and loss of surface moisture w www.greeningaustralia.org.au/ a list of the trees and understorey plants of the five reduce soil erosion and water waste. provide you with information on Canberra and Region w identify and manage weeds principal ecosystems of the region; and frog watch activities. w Greening Australia (GA) has 30 years of experience in appreciate the diversity of colour, height and w a list of the common and scietntific names of the b c protecting and restoring the health and diversity of the Frog are widely recognised as indicators of shade elements in ecosystem plantings region’s understorey plants. w use online resources to view and select the plants Australian landscape assisted by its skilled volunteers environmental health and their presence can you want to grow. The information about the understorey plants is and the general community. It has a strong local indicate good water quality and the availability of divided into six plant categories: trees, shrubs, vines and presence with its regional office and nursery based at high quality habitat. creepers, herbs, ferns, grasses and grass-like plants. Aranda in Canberra. Local seeds collected by volunteers More about STEP When you create your frog habitat try to use local STEP has been developing and utilising these resources are grown in the nursery by other volunteers for use in If you would like to help develop the STEP Forest 20 plants where possible as this helps to conserve local for the garden design ideas and plant selection for our landscape restoration projects. GA is also establishing with demonstration garden, you should consider gene pools. Make sure you find a plant nursery that seed orchards to secure seed supply and allow wider joining STEP. The STEP website has more information own botanic garden at the STEP site. Our research has deals specifically in indigenous plants grown from been funded by a grant from the ACT Government distribution of rare local plants into the community via about STEP including a membership form. local seed stock. You need to decide the type of water entitled Developing Our Natural Capital. its members or through retail outlets. Membership is $20.00 for individuals or families. feature to provide as a breeding place for frogs.