My Local Native Garden A planting guide to promote biodiversity in

www.tweed.nsw.gov.au Acknowledgements Tweed Shire Council recognises the generations of the Image Credits: local Aboriginal people of the Bundjalung Nation who have lived in and derived their physical and spiritual Alison Ratcliffe, Andy Erskine, Angus Underwood, needs from the forests, rivers, lakes and streams of this Australian National Botanic Gardens, Australian Native beautiful valley over many thousands of years as the Society, BRAIN, Brian Walters, Byron Backyard, traditional owners and custodians of these lands. Council, CRC for Water Sensitive Cities, David Milledge; David Taylor, David Ting, Deborah Tweed Shire Council acknowledges Brunswick Valley Pearse, Flora Far North , Friends of the Landcare Inc. and Council for granting Koala Inc., George Cornacz, Glen Leiper, Hank Bower, permission to utilise the information contained within James Mayson, Jimmy Britton, John Turnbull, Lucinda My Local Native Garden: A planting guide to promote Cox, M Crocker, Mark Evans, Mangroves to Mountains, biodiversity in the Byron Shire (Brunswick Valley Marama Hopkins, Michael Bingham, Nick Sanderson, Landcare 2017). Peter Gibney, Peter Gray, Peter Scholer, PlantNET, Rainer Contents Hartlieb, Richard Smith, Rita de Heer, Robert Whyte, INTRODUCTION The 2017 “My Local Native Garden” Team Rous County Council, Save Our Waterways Now, Steve Alison Ratcliffe – editor and updates Wilson, Susan Allen, Suzi Lechner, Tanya Fountain, T Welcome 4 John Turnbull - editor and updates Trivett, The Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust, Biodiversity in the backyard 5 Jo Green – wildlife in your garden Wendy Gibney, Veda Dante. My local native garden sections 6 Water Quality – Rous County Council & Byron How to use this book 7 Shire Council Disclaimer Vegetation communities 8 Josie Tebo – graphic design Map of landscape zones 9 This publication is based upon information and data Tweed Shire Council would like to thank the sourced from various government departments, websites, DesIgN 10 following people and organisations for their articles, journals and books listed under references. The invaluable input: authors cannot accept any responsibility and disclaims Site Analysis 10 any liability, errors, omissions, or misstatements Design Process & Concept Plan 12 Brunswick Valley Landcare; Byron Shire Council; Rous contained in this publication, which have resulted from Basic Planting Guide 14 County Council; Tweed-Byron Local Aboriginal Land placing reasonable reliance on such information. Council; Lismore City Printers. My LOCaL NaTIve gaRDeN Andy Baker; Andy Erskine; Angus Underwood; Annette © Copyright Tweed Shire Council COasTaL 16 Stanton; Brad Green; Hannah Bunkers; James Mayson; April 2017. Digitally available as a PDF at Jim Olivier; Jude Alcorn; Jude Mason; Lisa Bleakley; Liz www.tweed.nsw.gov.au/NativePlants and RIpaRIaN & aLLUvIaL 20 Gander; Lucinda Cox; Mandy Lisson; Mark Dunphy; www.tweedlandcare.org.au FOOThILLs & hINTeRLaND 24 Pat Skene; Rainer Hartlieb; Richard Smith; Rita De Heer; Rohen Davis; Scott Hetherington; Shannon This program has been assisted by the New South RIDges & RaNges 28 Wales Government through its Environmental Trust Dante; Wendy Gibney. Education Grant Program. aqUaTIC pLaNTs & WaTeR FeaTURes 32

LaNDsCapINg FOR WaTeR qUaLITy 34

WILDLIFe IN yOUR gaRDeN 35

INvasIve speCIes 38

OTheR pOINTs FOR CONsIDeRaTION 40

ResOURCes & ReFeReNCes 42 24

Spinifex Illustration: Andy Erskine 2 My Local Native Garden My Local Native Garden 3 Introduction

BIODIVERSITY IN THE BACKYARD – A NATURAL we often only think of an individual species being in danger of extinction, RESOURCE but the reality is each individual his publication hopes to inspire For those wishing to explore further, species depends on a range of other Have you ever stopped to think how local residents and new arrivals species - a community - for their we’ve inherited clean water to drink, Tto learn a little more about selection information by consulting survival. This is the inter-dependence fresh air to breathe or how our soils our spectacular environment. Most the companion online resource to of ecosystems and why it is important Macadamia continue to grow healthy food? The importantly we want you to invite the this publication, The Native Species to protect not just one species, but all answer is biodiversity – literally the natural world into your own backyard Planting Guide for Tweed and Byron species – biodiversity. variety of plants and animals, their - to share some space with our native Shires www.tweed.nsw.gov.au/ genetics and the ecosystems they live plants and animals. NativeSpeciesPlantingGuide. This in. These plants and animals, soils By planting a native garden filled with local plants interactive online resource will enable users to select local native species you to design, and maintain our water, generate our oxygen and you can connect your garden to the existing your own garden with species that provide the gift of healthy soils. We colour and location requirements, wildlife corridors and enhance the survival for need to protect biodiversity for our environmental needs (e.g. salt hardy, our basic planting guide, your garden own health as well as play our part in vegetation type), availability, etc. many native species and their ecosystems will not only be easier to grow and looking after the planet. maintain, but it will also integrate and produce a personally selected into the surroundings, linking with Increased population, poor The Tweed Shire is recognised as a range of natural habitats to help It will also provide links to images land management practice, and a biodiversity hotspot – one of the support the great diversity of local pressure from land clearing and richest and most diverse regions for wildlife. Central to this idea is to work resources can also be found at the end development has fragmented the with nature, after all our native plant of this publication. original environment into small there are 92 plant and 122 animal communities have already proved their islands or remnants where species are species recognised as threatened, 11 success to be here through millennia most vulnerable to weeds, pests and Endangered Ecological Communities, of evolution. predators. one Endangered Population and one My Local Native Garden is an entry area of Critical Habitat in the Shire. point to introduce you to just some of the incredible variety of local native plants. Ideally we want you to ignore the exotic species and focus on endemic species as these will have food value for native fauna and are less likely to become a bushland weed.

Tuckeroo

Photo: George Cornacz

Leaf-tailed Gecko 4 My Local Native Garden My Local Native Garden 5 My Local Native Garden Sections:

COASTAL RIVERINE & FOOTHILLS & RIDGES & ALLUVIAL HINTERLAND RANGES (P 16-19) (P 20-23) (P 24-27) (P 28-31) How to use this book 1. Look 2. Check 3. Choose

Look at the sections opposite (Coastal; Check the locations under the section Choose from the list of striking native plants in your section, add others from the soil and landscape descriptions the Native Species Planting Guide best describes your property? Go to it database www.tweed.nsw.gov.au/ and view the range of stunning plants other sections – your garden may NativeSpeciesPlantingGuide – contact that will enrich your garden. draw inspiration from two or more your local bush friendly nursery and ask sections*. them if they have your selection in stock.

include sections and plants from one, two or even three zones. If you’re unsure, try visiting your local nursery with a soil sample, get in contact with your local Landcare group or ask advice from Council. Chillingham Couchy Creek Chinderah Crystal Creek Cobaki Cobaki Lakes Eviron Along the ridges and Condong Farrants Hill the gullies of: Casuarina Crystal Creek Cedar Creek Chinderah Eviron Limpinwood Eungella Fingal Head Mooball Glengarrie Hastings Point Nunderi Pumpenbil Hopkins Creek Sleepy Hollow Smiths Creek Numinbah Stokers Siding Tomewin Pottsville Stotts Creek Tomewin Tyalgum Creek Tweed Heads Tyalgum Wooyung

6 My Local Native Garden My Local Native Garden 7 WHAT IS A PLANT COMMUNITY? VEGETATION ZONES AND ELEVATION Plant communities are a unique N as a result of interactions between a variety of factors such as: its effect on soils and nutrients free draining (sand based) or the Tweed Shire – several of these are listed as threatened under State or swampy (heavy clay based); fertile Federal legislation. or low in organic matter EXAMPLES OF NATURAL PLANT COMMUNITIES leads to cooler, wetter conditions. It can also affect temperature and Foredunes exposure, all of which impacts on Themeda grasslands on seacliffs and coastal headlands soil types, and can determine if an Coastal heathland area is prone to frost. Coastal cypress pine forests where one side has predominantly Littoral rainforests sun/shade and/or particular winds Mangroves to salt laden winds or in tidal zones Coastal saltmarshes where only those species that can handle brackish inundation can thrive temperature range increases with distance from the moderating Subtropical, warm temperate and cool temperate rainforest Wet and dry sclerophyll open forest to woodland breezes can moderate the effect of Native Grassland humidity Montane heathland high rainfall favours certain species.

Tree Fern

8 My Local Native Garden My Local Native Garden 9 Design SITE ANALYSIS EXAMPLE

Cool summer breezes Tree to retain TWEED SHIRE HAS AN SITE ANALYSIS OUTSTANDING PALETTE OF Site Analysis is a pivotal stage that INDIGENOUS PLANTS TO lists an inventory of existing and CHOOSE FROM. A GARDEN desirable features of the garden that underground cables THAT UTILISES LOCAL SPECIES guide the design. Typical features Warm WILL LOOK MORE IN PLACE include: winter sun WITH ITS SURROUNDS AND LINK UP WITH EXISTING Sadly… we’ve all done it… Dry area HABITAT TO ‘INVITE’ THE (typically north east) – best to excited by a surge of plant under eaves is NATIVE WILDLIFE TO YOUR leave free of obstructions and keep impulse buys, we give little unsuitable for plantings low. PLACE. thought to an overall layout. turf or plants The result: a garden that doesn’t Hot afternoon sun (typically south west) – best function with the surrounding SUCCESSFUL GARDEN DESIGN for larger trees and wind block environment. Creating an initial BEGINS WITH A SITE PLAN plantings to shelter the property design for a new garden or even Area which is - A SCALE DRAWING THAT renovating an existing garden easily accessed INCLUDES ANY SIGNIFICANT will give you an overview of from kitchen house where you wish to create what to aim for, even if funds FEATURES OF THE SITE SUCH privacy only allow realising the design AS EXISTING TREES, SHEDS gradually over time. Tree to remove AND PATHS ETC.

Good utility area due to minimal views Cool winter winds from house

Narrow shady area

Street

Pruned Lilly Pilly hedge with Giant Spear Lilly. Photo: Veda Dante Illustration: Mandy Lisson My Local Native Garden My Local Native Garden GARDEN DESIGN EXAMPLE

Dense planting creates privacy to Hibiscus Harlequin Bug. Photo: L Koesterke deck and loungeroom windows Low planting allows the deck and lounge to be open Deciduous fruit/nut DESIGN Armed with your site to summer breezes and and native trees Lower plants soften hard edges and winter sun plAn And Answers to the provide shade from create great habitat for frogs and you can start to develop a concept functions of your gArden, lizards. They also add to the garden hot afternoon sun in summer, and allow helps you to consider where the stArt designing where the different functional areas will be sunlight in winter located and how they will connect following points will be and relate to one another. on your plAn Lawns create a sense of space and Effective landscape design is about are great open areas to play or context, balance and proportion. entertain in. They are, however, labour A good design has a few focal points Riverstone gravel A garden that relates to the scale intensive, so reduce their size or of the surrounding buildings and under eaves house into the landscape. Choosing are the best locations to place striking the right plants is about both the Clothesline features? Plenty of plain, green, bushy Choose a position that is easily vital habitat for native wildlife. Native grown vegies will cut down on size Dense planting creates privacy gardens. Many local shrubs respond Rain-garden Structural diversity is a crucial to well to pruning and will develop and bats? and protection dense regrowth – providing better creating an variety of habitats. from cold winter Vegetable garden Choose a range of plants and layers, winds Slim-line tank where possible. Porous surfaces allow and tall trees. This will increase the water to soak into the ground rather Think about what functions than hard surfaces that create large nest, rest and play in your garden. you want your garden Wooden screen to serve. Gate 2M fence design. Be considerate of neighbours Densely planted native species relax? - one property’s southwest is another’s in buffer strips and raingardens Vine grown along fence areas or outdoor entertaining and habits as you can, including root maximises space areas? and retains trees into the design and they will Installing a rainwater tank is one machinery provide vital habitat stepping-stones shed or pergola? of the easiest ways to reduce the access to garden for wildlife. water feature? Porous driveway shapes and sizes and the water can Shrubs and groundcovers establish be used for watering the garden and washing vehicles. The tank can also Footpath entry gardens and/or chickens? toilets and laundry. they need to be fenced? prickly growth for protection.

Illustration: Mandy Lisson My Local Native Garden My Local Native Garden

GETTING HELP Before you plant council, landscape designers, experienced bush regenerators, the soil need any conditioning websites and nurseries. There are also a lot of great books and before planting? to help design your garden – why not put a scrapbook together etc). weeding, dig all the holes and have 1 2 3 garden around its strengths and Correct planting technique 1. Dig a hole slightly deeper and at 2. 3. least twice as wide as the pot size. the pot or tube and place in the surface root ball is well covered Check with the nursery where you Loosen the soil around the sides of planting hole - the top of the and include a little slow release the planting hole. Water the plant root ball should be level with the native plant fertilizer and water planting tips for your selected species, surrounding soil. If the roots are both to drain away. If the water pot-bound gently loosen the root with your hands and shape the soil ball and then place in hole. surface slightly to hold water. Do Reputable online gardening websites can also be a great source or fertilizer ‘burn’.

4. Water the plant thoroughly after planting and then once a week for on season). Thereafter, water generously when the soil feels dry. 5. discourage weed growth. Avoid collar rot. 4 5

Planting illustrations: Hannah Bunkers My Local Native Garden My Local Native Garden CREATING A LITTORAL

SOIL DESCRIPTION: Sandy loam to sandy clay In its natural state, such as at Fingal Head, you’ll see a compact forest blown into a wedge shape capable providing a surprising amount of Coastal shelter beneath. Few of us will have CREATING A HEATH GARDEN the opportunity to achieve this complexity in our own yards but LOCATIONS INCLUDE: SOIL DESCRIPTION: there are some very useful species to , CABARITA BEACH, CASUARINA, CHINDERAH, FINGAL HEAD, HASTINGS POINT, Low nutrient sand and sandy clay employ in the home landscape. Utilise KINGSCLIFF, KINGS FOREST, POTTSVILLE, TWEED HEADS, WOOYUNG the sculptural forms of Pandanus, The heath garden would be well suited , Palm, Ginger, to a highly exposed site or to frame Dianella and Hoya Vine. You’ll notice a view. The small leathery leaves that these are all lineal plants, which look or those of us lucky enough On the foredunes, spinifex grass of water table variations, the type of feature in this broad grouping are salt best with similar shaped and textured to live in close proximity to slows and traps the wind-blown sand, predominant vegetation could be lit- tolerant and once established can be plants. Lilly Pillies and other small Fthe sea, gardening on sandy allowing enough security for the low toral rainforest, melaleuca wetland or trained through pruning and require rainforest species can provide useful soils in salt laden winds can be coastal wattle to establish. This in turn no irrigation. Small shrubs and trees hedges and background. Few of these challenging - until you learn the provides shelter to the hind dunes and that are fairly nondescript for much of secrets of our local plants. a complex root system that secures the The advantages of using local coastal the year will reward you with vigorous coast against wave attack. In the lee plants in the landscape are salt and as opportunity allows. Before our coastline was cleared for of this, small, salt tolerant trees and drought tolerance, and an ability to heath species such as Lemon Scented sand mining and coastal development, leathery vines form a dense barricade thrive in low nutrient sandy soils – a Tea Tree (Leptospermum liversidgei) a diverse ecosystem thrived in a suc- and beyond a complex littoral rainfor- selection of these plants are detailed in contain natural insect repellents. This EXAMPLES: cession of plant communities that each est can establish. Depending on the the species list that accompanies this garden will look particularly good with Head and Cabarita Headland CREATING A WETLAND lent protection to the next. soil type (sand or clay), and proximity section of your guide. well placed rocks - make them look GARDEN natural in their setting and try to leave a few caves and crevices for our blue- SOIL DESCRIPTION: WILDLIFE: tongue lizards. Peaty sands PHEASANT COUCAL, BUSH TURKEY, SWAMP WALLABY, WHITE BELLIED SEA EAGLE, OSPREY, The key species…Banksias, Grass If you live in the low-lying parts of the TERN, GULL AND VARIOUS REPTILES, AUSTRALIAN PELICAN, BRAHMINY KITE, BUSH STONE- Trees, Leptospermum, Leucopogon, Shire, the water table may be close CURLEW, CORMORANT, EGRET, FLYING FOX, KINGFISHER, SPOONBILL, SWAMPHEN, WATER Baeckea, sedges and local Peas. You to the surface and wet sclerophyll plants will best suit your garden. If DRAGON, GOANNA can even replace the lawn with a low growing form of Kangaroo Grass. you have a really boggy section some of the plants that will happily occupy it and turn it into a feature include: EXAMPLES: Bogangar (south of Paperbarks, Banksia robur, Blueberry Primary School) and NR Ash, Cordyline, strappy grasses, N.B. It should be realised before ferns and sedges – all can be used embarking on the heath garden that to great effect and will require little many of these plants are volatile; a maintenance. Plant in groups and use buffer zone should be established your taller species in the background and maintained in areas prone to to maximise the impression of space, whilst encouraging the pioneer species are heath plants that are non-volatile that may volunteer to add complexity to the theme. Visit the section on water information can be sourced from the features and aquatic plants (p32) for more ideas. EXAMPLE: Stotts Island NR and West Pottsville Coastal Heath (top left) Photo: Tanya Fountain Wetland West Byron (top right) Photo: Hank Bowers Littoral Rainforest - Bush Stone-Curlew Swamp Wallaby & joey Eastern Water Dragon Brays Beach (centre) Photo: David Taylor Photo: T Trivett Photo: M Crocker Photo: Peter Scholer 16 My Local Native Garden My Local Native Garden 17 7 6 5 3 2 1 4 8 bright purplepea like Dark, glossyleaves with Wanderer Happy screening scrambler summer –excellent large golden-yellow Well behaved vinewith Guinea Flower pots Suitable forhanging small white fragrant Thick leaved, stunning Hoya a bottlebrush trunk anddelicate Grass treewithno Tree GrassCoastal tufting grass with Low maintenance GrassKangaroo habit to increasebushy throughout theyear. An elegantwhite Flannel Flower delicate purpleand groundcover with Sprawling Native Violet Bushfood & edibleblueberries. Lush, strappy leaves, Great clumpinggrass. Dianella GROUNDCOVERS For morespeciesseetheNative SpeciesPlantingGuidefor Tweed &ByronShires atwww.tweed.nsw.gov.au/NativeSpeciesPlantingGuide SCRAMBLERS & GRASSES EPIPHYTES SHRUBS & VINES/ PA TREES M 14 LMS 20 19 18 17 16 15 13 11 10 12 5 4 3 7 6 2 9 8 1 Coastal Grass Tree Kangaroo Grass Flannel Flower Guinea Flower Hoya Native Violet Pandanus Celery wood Bennetts Ash Blueberry Ash Broad-leaved LillyPilly Wallum Banksia Cabbage Palm Plum Myrtle Midgen Berry Snow insummer Swamp Banksia Happy Wanderer Dianella Clumping Palm Lily 10 9 COMMON NAME attractive paperbarktrunk Striking masses ofwhite summer Snow in lasting months fruits inautumn/winter small tree/shrubwith A dramatic &sculptural Swamp Banksia Coastal Botanic Xanthorrhoea macronema Themeda australis Actinotus helianthi Hibbertia scandens Hoya australis Viola hederaceae Pandanus tectorius Polyscias elegans Flindersia bennettiana Eleaeocarpus reticulatus Acmena hemilampra Banksia aemula Livistona australis Pilidiostigma glabrum Austromyrtus dulcis Melaleuca linariifolia Banksia robur Hardenbergia violacea Dianella caerulea Cordyline congesta SCIENTIFIC NAME 18 My Local Native Garden 30m 30m 30m cultivation) cultivation) cultivation) EGTWDHSNSAEWTDRY WET SHADE SUN WIDTH HEIGHT 0.5m .mspreading 0.2m 0.1m .mspreading 0.1m 1.5m 1.5m .mspreading 0.8m 1.7m 10m 20m 6m 3m 2m 2m na na na 19 My Local Native Garden (less in (less in (less in spreads Clumping Palm Lily 0.5m 0.3m 1.5m 1.5m 10m 6m 8m 8m 8m 5m 8m 2m 2m na na na berries. Wildlife attractant Graceful linearplantwith sprays ofbright red fruit panicles. Birdattractant in spring/summerwith Low shrub–informal purple spottededible Midgen Berry 12 11 M. TO M=Medium H=high Protect from L=Low LERANT LERANT SALT wind M M M M M M M M H H H H H H H H H H H winter. Smalldark-purple spring/summer, globulous followed by small, round blue fruit.Birdattractant 5-winged seedcapsule umbrella-like crown of Attractive red-pink new spikes insummer. Red Tall, graceful treewith tree withlargeclumps fruit. Wildlife attractant with white or pink bell An attractive medium distinctive proproots Cabbage PalmCabbage Blueberry Blueberry Ash An elegant small tree autumn/winter, then fruit turningblack – Sculptural treewith leaves. Small,dark- fruit. Birdattractant growth habit.Large (female only),large Broad-leaved ornamental woody Bennetts Ash strappy leaves and Pretty foliagewith small pear-shaped Robust, sculptural Celery woodCelery tree withirregular foliage with cream Plum Myrtle Broad fanleaves. large orange fruit bird attractant Pandanus Lilly Pilly woody fruit Banksia purple fruit Wallum 14 13 16 15 18 17 20 19 Riverine and Alluvial LOCATIONS INCLUDE: CHINDERAH, COBAKI, COBAKI LAKES, CONDONG, CRYSTAL CREEK, EVIRON, MURWILLUMBAH, NUNDERI, SLEEPY HOLLOW, SOUTH MURWILLUMBAH, STOTTS CREEK, TUMBULGUM, TWEED HEADS WEST

he riparian zones and alluvial require brackish or salt water) can still encouraging the movement of all plains of Tweed Shire are life forms that rely on the rivers and Tsome of the most altered and on the riverine plains. disturbed areas of the north coast. Prior to development they supported By choosing from the plant a rich mosaic of plant alliances. communities native to the riparian and Remnants of majestic eucalypt-based alluvial plains of Tweed Shire, you can forest still exist in drier areas. Broad- make your property part of a region- CREATING A CREEK-SIDE complete without a vine or two Paper Daisies which are low growing leaved paperbark forest, swamp oak wide wildlife corridor. Doing this, you RAINFOREST GARDEN trained along fences and pergolas groundcovers, whilst Blue Tongue, communities and sedge-lands thrive will invite an incredible diversity of Breynia and Orange Thorn are all mid- in areas of wetlands, and, nearer the SOIL DESCRIPTION: is essential as it mimics the original sized shrubs and scramblers. Diligent estuary, communities of mangroves Planting in swathes, to slow runoff and From gravels near the headwaters forest’s nutrient processing, keeps weeding of exotic species may even and other salt tolerant plants harbour catch silt, will help prevent erosion the soil moist, and inhibits the revive one or two ground orchids. exceptional biodiversity. All of these that in turn helps maintain the health growth of weeds. Port Jackson Fig A broad- species, (except mangroves, which of the whole length of the waterway, Illustration: Andy Erskine in between EXAMPLES: leaved paperbark forest will Many gardens border creeks, adjoining Stotts Island NR close to the surface or the ground WILDLIFE: streams and ephemeral watercourses. By recreating the structure of the CREATING AN ALLUVIAL is frequently inundated. Plant ECHIDNA, POSSUM, WATER DRAGON, PLATYPUS, FLYING FOX, INSECTIVOROUS BAT, natural vegetation communities with PLAINS GARDEN species consist of River Oaks and SWAMP WALLABY, VARIOUS NATIVE FROGS AND FISH, AND A WIDE VARIETY OF BIRDS trees for canopy cover, under-planted Buttonwood as well as Weeping INCLUDING THE PACIFIC BAZZA with shrubs, ferns and sedges, it is SOIL DESCRIPTION: Bottlebrush and Paperbark Tea Trees. possible to create your own patch of Poorly drained soils support a large riparian rainforest. variety of sedges, rushes and ferns as well as such beauties as Sundews, Plant tussocky Lomandras mixed Karamat and Violets. with the beautiful Crinum Lilies to Depending on their access to protect the creek sides from erosion. moisture, these lands once supported EXAMPLES: Pottsville Environment Interplant with shrubs such as Native a variety of forests. Leaf whose berries attract small The Eucalypt species birds, interspersed with local riparian (e.g. E. terreticornis) that once tree species such as Weeping Lilly dominated these areas are potentially Pilly and Creek Sandpaper Fig. Finish off with a sward of native constraints and the danger of falling groundcovers such as Basket Grass branches these species are not safe to and Native Commelina, which plant near buildings. However there can both be mown to help sieve are hundreds of other plants to choose sediments from runoff before it hits from including: Black She-Oak, the creek. No rainforest garden is which when mature will attract the Black Cockatoo; Kangaroo Grass and

Green Tree Frog Echidna Photo: Rainer Hartlieb Photo: Deborah Pearse Photo: Deborah Pearse Coopers Creek, Paperbark, Photo: Alison Ratcliffe Photo: Byron Shire Council 20 My Local Native Garden My Local Native Garden 21 7 6 5 3 2 1 4 8 white, yellow, pink Vigorous; tubular Wonga Vine host; birdattractant Robust; scented Silkpod Common Fragrant showy white River Lily Swamp or spikes strappy leaves, Tussock growth, Lomandra harvester ants, banded bees, Easily propagated; Karamat Flower spikes; Grass Kangaroo rhizomes paperbarks, creeping Swampy, near (Fern) Bungwall Paper Daisy Everlasting or GROUND- GRASSES SHRUBS COVERS SCRAM- BLERS TREES VINES AND AND For morespeciesseetheNative SpeciesPlantingGuidefor Tweed &ByronShires at 17 19 18 20 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 5 4 6 3 7 1 9 8 2 Sandpaper Fig Creek Bottlebrush Weeping Veiny Wilkiea Pilly Weeping Lilly Black She-Oak Velvet Leaf Orange Thorn Mulberry Native Breynia Blue Tongue Lomandra Karamat Fern Maidenhair Climbing Lily Swamp orRiver Kangaroo Grass Silkpod Common Paper Daisy Everlasting or Zig Zag Vine Wonga Vine Bungwall (Fern) COMMON NAME 10 9 Ficus coronata viminalis Callistemon huegeliana Wilkiea Waterhousia littoralis Allocasuarina pendunculata Callicarpa Pittosporum argenteus Pipterus oblongifolia Breynia Melastoma hystrix Lomandra angustifolia Hygrophila microphyllum Lygodium pendunculatum Crinum australis Themeda straminea Parsonia bracteatum Xerochrysum leichhardtii Melodurum pandorana Pandorea indicum Blechnum moist rockeries Dainty fern-like leaves. Prefers Maidenhair Fern Climbing as ashrub;perfumed Vigorous, prunetokeep Zig Zag Vine SCIENTIFIC NAME Riverine andAlluvial pt m1m Up to1m pt mspreading Up to1m EGTWIDTH HEIGHT 0m30cm 30cm -m3m 5-7m .m1m 1.5m 5 6m 15m 0 10m 30m m2m 8m m3m 6m m1m 2m m1m 2m m2m 8m m2m 1m 3m 2m 1m 1m m1m 1m / na n/a n/a / n/a n/a / n/a n/a n/a n/a FULL SUN 22

My Local Native Garden PA SHADE RTIAL SHADE FULL 23

My Local Native Garden TO FROST LERANT

TO FLOOD LERANT TO DROUGHT Blue Tongue edible fruitpulp LERANT bird attractant, Breynia CLAY SOILS TOLERATES HEAVY 12 11

SANDY SOILS TOLERATES FLOWER SEASON Winter to Spring to Spring to Spring to Spring to Summer Summer Summer Summer Summer Summer Summer Autumn Autumn All year Spring/ Spring/ Winter Spring Spring Spring Spring Spring Spring n/a n/a n/a Native Mulberry Sandpaper Fig Orange Thorn Veiny Wilkiea attracts smallbirds summer towinter; Perfumed white to on trunk and older Bottlebrush Hairy edible fruit and female; food Edible fruit;bird Flower spikesto Spiny; cover for for GlossyBlack branches; older Velvet Leaf branches; birds, bird attractant, 10 cm,bird& Separate male Bright berries Lilly Pilly Weeping Weeping She-Oak edible berry small birds; Cockatoos leaves red Drooping Creek Black

14 13 16 15 18 17 20 19 Foothills Photo: Jimmy Britton

CREATING YOUR OWN RAINFOREST and Hinterland planting design and careful species selection is essential. A full description of this process is beyond the scope of this LOCATIONS INCLUDE: book but here is a brief overview. , BILAMBIL, BURRINGBAR, , CHILLINGHAM, COUCHY CREEK, CRYSTAL CREEK, CUDGERA CREEK, EVIRON, FARRANTS HILL, KUNGHUR, LIMPINWOOD, lived in terms of a rainforest (10-30 years). Plant the pioneers 3-4m apart to form a canopy in 2-5 years depending MOOBALL, PUMPENBIL, SMITHS CREEK, STOKERS SIDING, TOMEWIN, TYALGUM, URLIUP on the site and conditions. Interspersed through these pioneer trees, secondary and mature phase trees are planted. These are slower to establish but can live for hundreds of years and in time will form the rainforest habitat. Once the Where possible, try to source the species that grow naturally in your area – talk to your local native nursery and he ‘foothills and hinterland’ remaining small isolated remnants often transitions to wet sclerophyll vegetation zone includes the of rainforest are now protected as an forest. Sub-tropical rainforest forms a Theavily eroded near coastal Endangered Ecological Community dense canopy of large trees above mid Over time you will notice trees and other plants regenerating naturally. These are brought in by birds and the wind hills and undulating lower slopes of and under storey layers of dense lush and germinate in the favourable conditions provided by the forest canopy. the Tweed River catchment below The elevation of the zone ranges foliage. The range of plants present More information about planting a rainforest can be found in the book published by the Big Scrub Landcare Group the upper elevations of the Caldera is extremely diverse and includes Subtropical Rainforest Restoration. This book is essential for anyone looking at undertaking this process, providing a ranges and ridges. The high rainfall at Mooball, Stokers Siding and trees, shrubs, vines, palms, orchids, detailed overview of the many factors to consider, as well as a list of appropriate species to plant. and rich soils of this zone create the Tumbulgum, which may register winter epiphytes, fungi and groundcovers. perfect conditions for rainforest plants frosts, up to 300m around Bilambil, This layered canopy structure creates a to thrive. Previously the vegetation Terranora, Chillingham, Burringbar, cool, moist, shady microclimate which CREATING A Finger Lime and Midgen Berries to Mulch is an important component comprised wet sclerophyll forests and Eungella and Uki. Above this height reduces light and wind intensity, and RAINFOREST GARDEN provide food and occasional colour. If of a rainforest garden and mimics the lowland subtropical rainforest. The soil type may change and rainforest evaporation. you need a hedge, Scrub Cherry can SOIL DESCRIPTION: be a good choice with dense foliage The decomposing organic matter forms Deep, well-structured red/brown that can be pruned and it also provides the basis of the garden ecosystem by krasnozems, high clay content, tasty pink berries. Lomandra can form adding nutrients to the soil, holding WILDLIFE: a dense edge that helps keep your moisture and providing habitat for soil WOMPOO PIGEON, ROSE-CROWNED FRUIT DOVE, BROWN CUCKOO DOVE, FIGBIRD, addition of gypsum or lime garden weed-free. Vines such as the microbes and invertebrates, which CURRAWONG, BAR-SHOULDER DOVE, EMERALD DOVE, FAIRY WREN, SILVER EYE, VARIOUS Bower Vine and Purple Coral Pea can in turn provide habitat and food for HONEYEATER, GREEN TREE FROG, PERONS TREE FROG, ROCKET FROG, MICROBAT, SOOTY A rainforest garden in a moist grow in a sunny spot and both have a lizards and birds. Many rainforest sheltered part of your property can plants have a network of surface roots OWL, VARIETY OF LIZARDS AND INSECTS produce a cool, lush oasis full of that rely on the nutrients and moisture verdant foliage. Create a multi-layered provided by the mulch. rainforest structure by grouping partial shade and provides essential together a range of trees, shrubs, palms habitat for the amazing Birdwing EXAMPLES: Mt Warning NP, and groundcovers sheltered from full Hogan’s Scrub NR, Upper sun, frost and prevailing winds. as Narrow-Leaf Gardenia and Hairy Durobby and Limpinwood NR For a smaller garden, trees such as a can provide a shaded ground layer Macaranga or Native Frangipani and a where Native Violets will spread few large Bangalow Palms can provide rapidly and display small purple shade. If space is at a premium, plant utilising the shade from your house or fence line. Within this Large feature trees may include shelter, dense, mass plantings of large Flame Tree, Coolamon and Native glossy-leaved species such as Native Ginger, Cordyline and Cunjevoi look displays. Always ensure large trees are impressive, interspersed with Dianella. positioned well away from buildings.

Rose Crowned Fruit dove Sooty Owl Green Tree Snake Photo: David Taylor Photo: David Taylor Photo: Rainer Hartlieb Photo: Rainer Hartlieb

24 My Local Native Garden My Local Native Garden 25 11 6 9 8 7 4 2 1 autumn after hatching. Flowers summer/ leaves andlarvae eat theleaves Essential habitat forBirdwing direct sunlight grown in moist position receiving Bushfood. Attracts wildlife. Best edible raspberries in summer. Spiky spreading shrub producing Native Raspberry green leaves andsmall scrambler withshiny Unique-looking Ground Lily on thenewgrowth Attractive clumping Soft Water Fern position likes amoistshady delicate foliagethat Attractive fernwith Fern Maiden Hair hystrix more shade. The largerLomandra other Lomandra species preferringspring. Attracts wildlife. Smaller than Native clumping grass with cream Rainforest Lomandra plant ispoisonousifingested. fruit insummer. Warning: this leaves withawhite/yellow Huge succulent,glossy Cunjevoi Lily arundelliana alsoavailable Small variety Alpinia summer. Attracts wildlife. berries. Flowers in spring/ large foliageandbrightblue Lush clumpingplantwith Native Ginger couldalsobeused. For more species see the Native Species Planting Guide for Tweed & Byron Shires at www.tweed.nsw.gov.au/NativeSpeciesPlantingGuide GROUNDCOVERS EPIPHYTES GRASSES SHRUBS VINES/ PA TREES & LMS 10 (p30) 12 (p30) 3 (p18) 5 (p18) Foothills &Hinterlands 11 17 16 13 15 14 24 23 22 19 18 20 21 1 4 2 9 8 7 6 Native Ginger Rainforest Lomandra Dianella Cunjevoi Lily Native Raspberry Ground Lilly Soft Water Fern Maiden HairFern Native Violet Basket grass Birdnest Fern Vine Tree Fern Broad-leaf Palm Lilly Bower Vine Finger Lime Gardenia Narrow-leaved Glossy Laurel Scrub Cherry Flame Tree Hairy Bolwara Bangalow Palm Walking Stick Palm OMNNM CETFCNM EGTWDHSUN WIDTH HEIGHT SCIENTIFICNAME COMMON NAME 14 13 spring. Attracts wildlife Narrow leaves andfragrant Gardenia Narrow-leaved wildlife. Frost sensitive summer. Attracts showy white/pink Great climberwith Bower Vine Alpinia caerulea Lomandra spicata Dianella caerulea Alocasia brisbanensis Rubus rosifolius Tripladenia cunninghammii Blechnum cartilagineum Adiantum aethiopicum Viola hederacea Oplismenus aemulus Asplenium australasicum Pararistolochia praevenosa Cyanthea sp Cordyline petiolaris Pandorea jasmenoides Citrus australasica Atractocarpus chartaceus Cryptocarya laevigata Syzygium australe Stenocarpus sinuartus Psychotria loniceroides Eupomatia laurina cunninghamiana Archontophoenix Linospadix monostachya 26 My Local Native Garden pt m 1m Up to5m -m1.5 2-5m -m1m 2-3m .mspreading 0.8m .mspreading spreading 0.4m spreading 0.5m spreading 0.2m 0.1m 0 4m 10m 5 4-10m 8m 25m 25m 0 4m 20m . 0.8 0.5 m1m 2m . spreading 0.2 m1.5m 1m mspreading 1m mspreading spreading 1m 3m mspreading 3m m2m 3m m2-6m 6m 2m 2m 3m 3m 27 My Local Native Garden Large lushleaves andbright red berryinsummer. Bird attracting fruit. Bushfood Edible citrus,greatin Finger Lime Broad-leaf PARTIAL SHADE Palm Lily Bushfood SHADE 16 15 TOLERATE WET SOIL TOLERATE DRY SOIL and largewoody capsules sporadically throughyear. bright redfruitinautumn. Bird attractant andamust palm withbrightredfruit for any rainforest garden Hairy PsychotriaHairy Semi-deciduous feature Classic localpalmwith Distinctive understorey edible fruitinautumn/ Bangalow Palm in spring.Bushfood. with delicate,shady be prunedtoshape. Edible pink/redfruit tree withshowy red as afeatureplantin Spectacular species Glossy Laurel Walking Stick Scrub Cherry glossy foliageand foliage oftenused Shrubby tree with Great hedge.Can winter. Bushfood. in summer. Fruit large redfruitin Heavily scented Attracts wildlife Attracts wildlife Attracts wildlife Attracts wildlife Flame Tree spring/summer. Tree Fern attracts birds. landscaping Bolwara Palm 18 17 20 19 22 21 24 23 Ridges FEATURE PLANTS FOR RIDGES AND RANGES Planting in clumps provides a variety of textural accents to your and Ranges garden. By including structural diversity in your design, (different LOCATIONS INCLUDE: layers of heights and plants), you CEDAR CREEK, EUNGELLA, GLENGARRIE, HOPKINS CREEK, NUMINBAH, TOMEWIN, will create ample habitat for local wildlife and draw the eye to focal TYALGUM CREEK, UPPER BURRINGBAR AND points. Try using some of these feature plants, either en masse or as a point of interest, to create a he spectacular ranges, ridges temperate rainforest, dry rainforest The plant communities of this zone spectacular local native garden. and gullies of the upper Caldera and montane heath also occur at have developed to handle unique Tslopes provide distinctively these elevated sites. environmental conditions including Bird’s Nest Fern Cliff Bottlebrush different vegetation communities exposure to wind, extremes of cold Cycad Giant Spear Lilly to elsewhere in the Shire. Tall open The eucalypt-dominated wet and heat, moisture laden cloud Grass Trees Hovea forests in this zone are dominated sclerophyll forests, overlap with shrouding, and periodic drought and Coast Banksia Narrow-leaved by Eucalypt, Turpentine, Casuarina rainforest communities, especially in Hairpin Banksia Palm Lily and Brushbox, supporting a well- the gullies or on the red volcanic soils. Australian bush but it is a delicate Flooded Gum Tree Fern developed often moist mid storey of Native orchids can be found on trees balance – while it can stimulate tree ferns, rainforest and sclerophyll and rocks in and around wet sclerophyll germination and growth of new forest. On the exposed ridges the CREATING A and an understorey of lush ground soil layer is often very thin and only property and in some cases, reduce RIDGE-TOP GARDEN Gum are beautiful in wet gullies and from lignotubers (e.g. some Banksias). ferns. On drier north facing sites low, tough-leaved heath shrubs grow the diversity of native species and Tallowwood are a favourite for koalas. Rainforest plants are good to include, Grass trees, cycads and grasses may comfortably, providing an occasional promote weeds recruitment in their SOIL DESCRIPTION: A smaller canopy of trees could especially climbers such as Bower dominate the under storey. Cool place. Red/brown soils, well-drained include the Mountain Bottlebrush, vine (Pandorea jasminoides) and Snake and often gravelly, slightly acidic vine (Hibbertia scandens), which are and often leached of humus from ash – all will provide colour, and a effective weed barriers for edges of the high rainfall, runoff and exposure range of foliage and shade for the garden. WILDLIFE: to wind. The addition of mulch is understorey to establish. Try planting always helpful to retain moisture, masses of ground ferns interspersed Space taller plants further apart and OWL, BARKING OWL, GLOSSY BLACK COCKATOO, YELLOW-TAILED BLACK COCKATOO, LACE add organic matter and keep with a variety of shrubs such as Grass don’t allow taller shrubs and trees to weeds under control. Trees, Hovea, Narrow-leaved Palm hang over the roof and gutters. Keep Lily, Tree ferns, Cycads or Giant Spear gutters clear of leaves and branches. The major consideration in designing Lily to provide a contrast of foliage. Carefully arrange the taller plants a ridge-top garden is to avoid creating Shaded or moist spots with rocks may to avoid a continuous canopy, thus help to establish native Orchids, Bird protection zone (APZ) is essential though a dense canopy is a feature of the natural environment. Use Sweet your ‘assets’, (house, shed etc.) and EXAMPLES: Mt Warning and Mt. Pittosporum (Pittosporum undulatum) ‘fuel’, (vegetation). Check Planning Jerusalem National Parks for low cover and shade. Position lawns, garden walls, paved areas, swimming Council for recommended setbacks. Factors to consider near your house: such as water features and ponds nearer Although most Eucalypts are not the house or on the side closest to the suitable near the house, a ridgeline Do not plant garden adjacent to garden can provide a shady cooling built structures which may transmit (Oplismenus spp.) make excellent lawns environment. If you have the space in shady places when mowed regularly. and can set back far enough from the Eucalypts, in the house garden. Avoid Use mulches that break down quickly house, Eucalypts do make spectacular that can be trimmed and that resprout

Koala Lace Monitor Photo: Rainer Hartlieb Photo: Rainer Hartlieb Photo: Rainer Hartlieb Photo: Rainer Hartlieb 28 My Local Native Garden My Local Native Garden 29 7 6 5 3 2 1 4 8 Shiny leaved climber, good screen Grape Ivy superbum). is theStaghorn(Platycerium reptiles. A striking alternative habitat for frogs, lizards and other Can grow on ground or be Bird’s N mowed and canbelightly groundcover. Softleaf Great native Basket Grass understorey. ideal toplantasaseaof (Hypolesis muelleri)are Many native fernssuch as Ground cover, lushfoliage. Rainbow Fern and species includeLomandra Great edgeplant.Other Dwarf tussock-like Lomandra G Kangaroo blue berries.Bushfood. Great clumpinggrass. Edible Blue FlaxLily blue berries. Attracts wildlife. Lush clumpingplant.Bright Native Ginger est Fern rass

PA VINES/EPIPHYTES GROUNDCOVERS SCRAMBLERS LMS/PALM LIKE GRASSES SHRUBS PLANTS TREES & & 13 17 16 15 14 18 19 20 10 11 12 1 6 2 9 7 3 8 4 5 Narrow-leaved Palm Lily Shining Burrawang Spear Lily Grass Trees Native Ginger Basket Grass Hairpin Banksia Weeping Pea Tree Blueberry Ash Snake Vine Kangaroo Grass Grape Ivy Pointed-leaf Hovea Lomandra Cliff Bottlebrush 10 OMNNM CETFCNM EGTWDHSNSAEWTWELL- WET SHADE SUN WIDTH HEIGHT SCIENTIFICNAME COMMON NAME 9 Ridges andRanges Pointed-leaf Hovea fence lines. groundcover oron hardy plant.Large Twining shrub-like Snake Vine

Calochlaena dubia Lepidozamia perroskyana Doryanthes palmeri Xanthorrhoea johnsonii Alpinia caerulea Oplismenus aemulus Banksia spinulosa Daviesia arborea Eleocarpus reticulatus Allocasuarina torulosa Hibbertia scandens Asplenium australasicum Themeda australis Cissus antactica Lomandra Callistemon comboynensis Cyathea australis. My Local Native Garden 2-4m m2m 3m 3m 2m 3m 3m 2m 2m 2m alClimbing tall My Local Native Garden Spreading Spreading Spreading Clumping 2-3m 2-3m 2m 4m

throughout year. Attracts www.tweed.nsw.gov.au/NativeSpeciesPlantingGuide Cliff Bottlebrush Cliff New foliagepinkwith Small bushy tree2m. Tall fernforfeature Tree Fern plantings. wildlife. Illustration: Tim Roberts Arrowhead vine, 12 11 DRAINED FLOWER SEASON Summer seedheads Autumn toSummer Spring/Summer Spring/Summer Spring/Summer Spring/Summer Spring/Autumn Spring/Autumn Winter (cones) Winter/Spring Summer Summer Summer All year Spring Spring Spring n/a n/a Shining Burrawang Attractive white ‘lilyofthe Weeping Pea Tree Very attractive palm-like and fragrant yellow pea Hairpin Banksia Major foodtree forthe growing featureplant. foliage. Slow growing Showy yellow/orange and brightredberries specimen withglossy colour. Attracts birds. with tallspikes.Slow Narrow-leaved with droopingleaves Blueberry Blueberry Ash specimen forwinter Attractive grass tree endangered Glossy in summer. Attracts Shrub orsmalltree Shiny greenleaves clumps orasingle feature specimen. with tallspikesof Grass Trees Black Cockatoo Forest Oak Attracts birds. Spear Lily feature plant. Palm Lily birds. 13 16 15 14 18 17 20 19 Jointed POND MANAGEMENT often visit small ponds, and if you are lucky, frogs may even Aquatic Plants breed in your pond. However be careful that you are not breeding cane toads. 6 There is a fact sheet to keep toads out of your pond at www.tweed.nsw.gov.au/CaneToads Although it is great to invite frogs to come to your pond to breed Common you are not permitted to move or breed frogs without a license. Ponds, Dams and Wetlands This is to ensure that diseases are not spread through our native Thin cylindrical Ponds, dams, wetlands and raingardens enhance the beauty of your frog populations. garden and supplement its habitat values. This section lists some of Visit: www.frogs.org.au for more information. Another Water the more common and accessible local native plants that are suitable consideration is that an overabundance of plants can cause 7 to grow in and around your water feature. Aquatic plants may be the water to deoxygenate, so you may need to install an aeration system. Tassel Sedge tolerate being partially submerged. 1 COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME HABIT SUN REQUIREMENTS WATER REQUIREMENTS

8 1 Nymphoides indica Nardoo Water 2 Nardoo Marsilea mutica Primrose 3 Azolla 2 4 Lemna 9 Azolla 5 Philydrum lanuginosum Smartweeds or Knotweeds 6 Baumea articulata 3 7 Eleocharis acuta 10 8 Carex fasicularis Ludwigia peploides 9 montevidensis 10 Persicaria . 4

SAFETY & HEALTH Whenever installing ponds, dams or wetlands make sure they are safe, especially for young children. Details on 5 safety and water bodies can be obtained from state and local government agencies. Another health consideration is to ensure that mosquitoes are not breeding in your pond.

32 My Local Native Garden My Local Native Garden 33 Landscaping Wildlife in for Water Quality your Garden

Why our gardens matter for KOALAS ARE AN ICONIC Where Does Your Drinking the future… THREATENED SPECIES Water Come From? Koalas are now vulnerable to ur gardens are all part of the weed Shire supplies bulk extinction. activities and biodiversity water to all urban areas via its habitat destruction are their greatest treatment plants at Uki and Bray detergents. O threats. Many of the remaining T plant adds to a bigger picture of Park on the Tweed River and Tyalgum eucalypt corridors along traditional KOALA RESCUE connectedness for our wildlife. Adding on the . It maintains a large koala routes are severely fragmented TECHNIQUES TO HELP plants to your garden that provide impoundment at . by development. This increases koala PROTECT WATERWAYS food and shelter for native fauna susceptibility to disease, motor vehicle Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) can help to create habitat stepping accidents and dog attacks. Our koalas WHAT WE DO IN OUR stones connecting isolated islands of CATCHMENT AFFECTS THE seeks to minimise these impacts by are under great stress because food is using a holistic approach to town retention & soil bushland. Biologists call these wildlife QUALITY OF OUR REGION’S planning and development, which corridors and they are critical for our more time on the ground as food trees IS THAT KOALA SICK DRINKING WATER. embraces the management and gravel are further apart. OR HEALTHY? breeding opportunities they need to conservation of water. WSUD can Healthy koalas: have a thick grey and be incorporated in your property to the landscape into creeks and rivers, small, becomes part of the solution. HOW CAN YOU HELP? white coat; a full rounded belly; bright or through stormwater drains and capture, treat and reuse stormwater. alert eyes; are responsive when startled; By doing this you can: By creating and restoring koala habitat. underground pipes into our waterways, Remove weeds such as lantana and and spend most of their time in trees. carrying a range of pollutants and Jabiru invasive vines that can inhibit koalas Sick koalas: have a brown, dry increasing the potential for erosion. Photo: Deborah Pearce We are lucky enough to live in a pathogens, nutrients and chemicals accessing food and shelter trees. If matted coat; crusty, red or pussy This not only affects river health but biodiversity hotspot – an area that is from stormwater; you live in koala habitat and have eyes; and dirty or wet bottoms. They within a drinking water catchment, incredibly rich in its variety of plants enough clear land to accommodate tall often remain fairly low in a tree for a this affects drinking water quality by and animals. We live in the wet growing species, plant food and shelter number of days, are unresponsive and introducing: Water Sensitive Urban trees that create corridors. These are and our local water supply; Design - What You Can Do! the four local preferred food trees: the highest diversity of marsupials and harms aquatic life, clogs streams and bats of all Australian bioregions. We tereticornis listings, refer to the resources section. burdens the drinking water treatment town water supply system; also have the equal highest diversity of – coastal, ridges and ranges process; frogs and the second highest diversity Eucalyptus microcorys – of birds. The area is also of major hinterland, ridges and ranges inadequate septic systems; Eucalyptus robusta future generations to enjoy. nectar and pollen when food resources aquatic plants and cause toxic algal Eucalyptus are scarce elsewhere. blooms; and propinqua – northern ridges. Half of the Shire (68,571 ha) is covered Secondary browse trees and shelter by bushland of which 80% has high trees are also important in corridors. CREATING A RAINGARDEN conservation status. When planting koala food trees, it’s important that they are grown from seed collected locally and preferably from trees known to be eaten by koalas. Photo: Steve Wilson Koala mother and joey (top right) Photo: Michael Bingham Albert’s Lyrebird (bottom right) Illustration: Suzi Lechner

34 My Local Native Garden My Local Native Garden 35 How can I attract Wildlife to my Garden?

NATIVE WILDLIFE ARE WELCOME VISITORS TO OUR GARDENS AND CHOOSING NATIVE PLANTS THAT PROVIDE FOOD AND PROTECTION IS A GREAT START. HERE ARE SOME SIMPLE IDEAS TO MAKE OUR GARDENS EVEN MORE WELCOMING FOR ANIMALS, BIRDS, FROGS, LIZARDS, BUTTERFLIES AND OTHER INSECTS.

CREATING STRUCTURAL NEST BOXES HABITAT FOR NATIVE BEES HABITAT FEATURES Native bees are an important part of Features such as logs, rocks, leaf litter gap where there are no tree hollows. our ecosystems as they are a major and ponds create important structural They can encourage many birds to pollinator of many of our food plants features that will make your garden your garden and can give your local as well as native plants. Bees, along more inviting to a range of wildlife. possum an alternative home to your with all pollinators, are under threat Mulch, leaf litter, sticks and bark forms roof. At least 10 mammal, 15 bird from newly arrived pests and diseases, the basis of the food pyramid in the and 8 microbat species as well as habitat loss and chemical pollution. ecosystem of your garden. They provide some reptiles have been recorded More information on how to attract habitat for worms and insects and these using nest boxes in . Many of pollinators to your garden, what trees in turn provide a food source for lizards, these species play an important part and plants to conserve and plant birds, frogs, bandicoots and echidnas. in our ecosystem through pollination on your property, and when plants of plants, dispersal of seeds and produce nectar and pollen to provide Logs and rocks placed in protected Whiteroot Pratia purpurescens and regulating insect populations. Did food for native bees is contained in the FUNGI IN THE GARDEN NATIVE LAWNS AND areas will provide a home for frogs Pennywort Most of you know a microbat can eat 500 resources section. UNDERSTOREY and lizards while a rock placed in the Fungi are a little known but vital these can be easily spread by dividing mosquitoes in 1 hour! morning sun will be appreciated by component of all local ecosystems. In Many local species are suitable as up clumps and replanting. Other the local skinks. A birdbath placed in When deciding what sort of box to Grey-headed Flying Fox any forest system, fungi rot down wood ground covers and for creating a lawn grass species are Weeping Meadow an open sunny spot with clean water install, identify what hollow-using Photo: Tanya Fountain and leaf litter making nutrients available that can be mown. Often native species Grass Microlaena stipoides and Wiry will attract birds and provide them with fauna occur in your area and use Blue Banded Bee Photo: James Mayson for plants to grow. It is estimated 80- come up self–sown after the removal Panic, Bordered Panic Entolasia spp.. somewhere to cool off in summer. A this to guide what type of box is Barn-Owl Photo: Deborah Pearse 90% of all plants form mycorrhizal of more competitive exotic lawns Most of these plants will grow in shrub located nearby will provide a safe appropriate. It is not recommended partnerships with fungi – a mutually such as buffalo, kikuyu and carpet drier conditions, though their vigour retreat from predators. And it’s not just to provide homes for some animals grasses and increase the biodiversity in and habit may be reduced. In drier birds that require water! Water bowls within urban areas and near busy can acquire moisture and minerals your garden. Native grasslands in the conditions: Kangaroo Grass Themeda placed on the ground will provide water roads, due to the possibility of road kill sooner from fungi than they could wild are often a “matrix of herbs and australis, Flax Lily Dianella sp., and Mat for lizards, mammals and even bees. and attacks by domestic pets. In these grasses”, so a native lawn can include Rushes Lomandra spp. Remember to add some rocks or logs areas bird and bat nest boxes located shelter in the tree roots – both a critical low growing sedges, grasses and herbs. so that if an animal falls in they can high in trees are a good option. Refer survival strategy during droughts. More Many native grasses and herbs have WILDLIFE FRIENDLY FENCING climb out again (see pond management to the resources section for more information on Australian fungi is in the page 33). Retain important habitat trees, information. resources section. interesting effects can be achieved by Consider wildlife and only fence where especially any with hollows or that leaving areas of your lawn unmown needed or change your type of fencing. produce fruit and nectar. to create a colourful meadow (much www.wildlifefriendlyfencing.com less work!). They are also an important Yellow Tail Black Cockatoos Squirrel Gliders food for wallabies and pademelons, LAND FOR WILDLIFE Photo: Byron Shire Council Photo: Mark Evans & Nick Sanderson The Land for Wildlife program is a controlling insects. voluntary property registration scheme for Different plants will do well in landowners who wish to manage areas different positions in your garden. In for biodiversity and wildlife habitat. moist, shady conditions: Basket Grass www.tweed.nsw.gov.au/Wildlife Oplismenus aemulus, O. imbecilis form great lawns and respond well to mowing. Other species include Pygmy Panic Panicum pygmaeum, Pademelon Grass Ottochloa gracillima, Native Mt Chincogan Kidney Weed Dichondra repens, Native Photo: Alison Ratcliffe Viola Viola hederacea, Centella Centella Coral Fungi asiatica, Speedwells Veronica plebia, Photo: Rainer Hartlieb 36 My Local Native Garden My Local Native Garden 37 WHAT CAN YOU DO TO STOP THE SPREAD OF ENVIRON- MENTAL WEEDS? Invasive 1.Learn which plants are environmental weeds. 2.Don’t plant environmental weeds and gradually remove weeds. Species 3.Plant local native species. 4.Buy plants from Bushland friendly nurseries. INVASIVE SPECIES ARE WHAT IS AN 5.Carefully dispose of environmental INTRODUCED SPECIES THAT ENVIRONMENTAL WEED? weeds and their seeds. HAVE NATURALISED AND 6.Join your local Landcare or Some of the most invasive Indian Myna HAVE AN ADVERSE EFFECT Dunecare group. Cane Toad species with the biggest impact Photo: Wendy Gibney ON NATURAL ECOSYSTEMS. on our native bushlands have Photo: Wendy Gibney MOST PEOPLE KNOW THAT escaped from gardens. These CAMPHOR LAUREL space. Invasive vines such as FOXES, RABBITS, CANE plants are environmental weeds Camphor laurels have become very Morning Glory, Madeira Vine and TOADS AND INDIAN MYNAS and Australia’s 2011 State of the common in our region. Camphors WEEDS – THE GOOD NEWS Cat’s Claw Creeper are some of the ARE ALL INVASIVE SPECIES now serve a role in our environ- Nature doesn’t like gaps. Wherever there is space to grow, worst environmental weeds as they BUT INVASIVE SPECIES ALSO Weed invasion to be a threatening ment - many rainforest birds have smother native plants, completely INCLUDES PARASITES, FUNGI, process for one-third of rare adapted to feed on the seeds and role in binding the soil together and providing habitat for native species in Australia. blocking photosynthesis and INSECTS AND WEEDS. local wildlife, including koalas, species. There is nothing as bad as bare soil – this is an invitation can grow thick enough to break Environmental weeds are plants use them for shelter and step- for loose precious topsoil and the runoff can lead to pollution branches and bring down entire growing outside of their natural ping stones to move across the trees and shrubs. INVASIVE FAUNA distribution that have a negative landscape. If all the camphors are Indian mynas and cane toads impact on the natural ecosystems HOW DO THE PLANTS ESCAPE removed on a property at once, imperative to have a plan when attacking weeds. are two of the most destructive and the plants and animals within FROM GARDENS? without a seed bank being present, invasive species and may be found those ecosystems. These weeds then you will probably end up with in your garden. There are several are introduced into new areas by Garden waste dumping is a serious an even worse weed problem than HOW TO TACKLE WEEDS? human activities. Sometimes this is threat to native bushland as weeds when you started. However if you things you can do to help limit the Each site is different and will have How am I going to manage and accidental such as via transport but are directly spread into new areas. kill an area of camphors that are populations of toads and mynas. a different weed story. Look and maintain the site? How much most often, plants are bought for But environmental weeds may also surrounded by native bush us- think which are your biggest weed time do I have available? 1.Grow your lawn longer because the home garden and then escape. be spread indirectly. Seeds can be ing a camphor conversion tech- priorities. Start small and watch Is there something I can do to toads and mynas love short In fact one hundred and twenty dispersed by birds or bats, some nique, then amazing results will and learn what nature does on your give nature a hand – broadcasting manicured lawns. four environmental weed species may be wind-blown or spread by be achieved. Camphors on creek site. Good questions to ask are: local seeds, controlling annual 2.Don’t feed these pests; this are still being sold in nurseries water and still others have sticky banks are not ideal as their roots Does the weed strangle or weeds, mulching plantings? includes not leaving unattended across ! seeds that cling to clothing, pets or do not hold the banks together. How can I get more light and pet food outside. even vehicles. Plants such as the Native species such as watergum, smoother? heat into my site to improve 3.Toad proof your ponds and dams. HOW CAN MY GARDEN Madeira Vine spread vegetatively What is going to happen when I native seed germination. 4.Join the Indian Myna trapping PLANTS THREATEN and even a small leaf is enough remove all these weeds? program. BIODIVERSITY? to start a new infestation. So able to withstand the large pres- Examples of exotic garden escapees that have become serious 5.Join a toad buster group. no matter how careful you are, Some introduced plants have a environmental weeds in your environmental weeds. Photos: Byron Shire Council. PETS direct impact on native animals. garden can still spread to natural For example the introduced It is important to remember that ecosystems. It’s best not to have species Dutchman’s Pipe has pets such as cats and dogs are very similar leaves to the native introduced species and need to Richmond Birdwing Vine. When be managed in a way that doesn’t NOT ALL INTRODUCED adversely affect our native fauna. SPECIES ARE A PROBLEM accidentally lays its eggs on the Don’t let your pets roam freely exotic plant the caterpillars are Many exotic species of plants from and keep cats in the house, poisoned. other parts of the world pose no especially at night. threat at all. Roses, gardenias and Most environmental weeds azaleas are all exotic plants but simply out-compete native plants none of these have the potential to for light, water, nutrients and become invasive species. Small-leaved Morning Glory Maderia Vine Cat’s Claw Privet Buddleja Glory Lily

38 My Local Native Garden My Local Native Garden 39 Other Points seed may be spread into the bush. PLANT HEALTH Our favourites include: Midgen Berry, Macadamia Nut Tree, some of our local native species Brush Cherry, Native Raspberry, for Consideration Davidson’s Plum, Native Tamarind nurseries due to myrtle rust. Myrtle & Finger Lime. The Internet is a great CULTIVARS genetic characteristics (resilience) to rust (Puccinia psidii) is a fungal resource for recipes – just search survive over time; frost hardiness or disease which infects plants in When a naturally occurring plant for ‘Bushfood’ or the plant of your drought tolerance may be reduced. the Myrtaceae family. Common has been selected or changed by Davidson’s Plum choice into your search engine. Mulch We ask you to please consider Australian Myrtaceae species the intentional actions of , Black Diamond Images Photo: Rous County Council the importance of the natural include eucalyptus, willow myrtle, it is called a cultivar (under the ecology and genetic integrity when turpentine, bottlebrush, paperbark, International Code of Nomenclature designing your garden. tea tree and lilly pilly. Myrtle rust for Cultivated Plants). Humans in preserving the genetic SOIL have been ‘improving’ nature by resources of our native bush. 2010 and has since spread across cultivation for thousands of years; The condition and type of your soil PLANT PROPAGATION & SEED More information can be found the eastern Australian landscape orange trees, tomatoes and wheat will impact on what plants grow best. PROVENANCE on the Florabank website and and is now widespread. As with any are good examples. It is important Soil texture – tested by taking the Australian National Botanic plants with diseases, all affected to recognise that cultivated native Growing your own native plants a handful of soil from various Gardens Website – details in the material should be removed and plants are not the same as local can be immensely rewarding and spots in your garden. Gradually Resources section. disposed of. An effective way to natives or naturally occurring cost saving. Many Australian seeds wet each soil sample and work prevent the spread of diseases, pests species. it in your hand until it forms a they will germinate. Care should BUSH FOOD and weed seeds is to hot compost. ball. It should be just drier than Cultivars often have fancy be taken when collecting seeds to Tweed Shire Council’s green the point at which the soil sticks What could be more logical than names like Callistemon Perth propagate, that they are collected organic bin undergoes this process planting endemic species that Pink, which is a selected form from a nearby, existing, healthy area so it is safe to dispose of infected soil if it becomes too sticky. provide food for wildlife and of Callistemon salignus, a local of native vegetation. Provenance material and weeds in your green Slowly squeeze the soil out people? Local plants are adapted CLIMATE CHANGE native plant. Cultivars can be is based on the idea that local organics bin. Always practice good to form a sausage-like ribbon. to the conditions and rarely need plants are genetically adapted to A predicted increase in extreme hygiene when working with native Clay soil fertilisers, pesticides or additional ‘cv’ is used. They are often bred to local environmental conditions. weather events in the form of plants and general nursery stock. that will bend like clay. Sandy water once established. Some more severe droughts, more Clean equipment such as containers soil crumbles and you can see people like to dot their bushfood natives and if they are not sterile, across different species. This means and secateurs after use. See: and feel sand. Loam soil holds plants around the garden so they may produce viable seed. For this seed should always be sourced of greater variations in rainfall www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/biosecurity/ together but is still slightly can have a nibble as they potter, reason, cultivars should never be from a large, healthy population patterns, may lead to increased plant/established-plant-pests-and- crumbly. others prefer to create a food forest reintroduced to bushland situations, even if this means sourcing seed stress on plants and animals as diseases/myrtle-rust Soil pH – test kits are widely where all the edibles are clustered or used in revegetation. If you live from a larger population that is they become progressively isolated available and inexpensive, as are in one area for ease of harvesting. near natural bush, be aware that the further away but from a similar in remnants of vegetation (CSIRO products to adjust your soil’s pH. Please note the previous section cultivars and exotics in your garden environment. Local nurseries that 2007). All the more reason why Organic matter – regularly on cultivars when choosing plants collect and grow wild seed are it is critically important to protect adding compost and manure can where there is a possibility their through the spread of seeds by birds performing a valuable service existing remnants and expand local help improve the soil structure or seedlings over time. wildlife corridors to allow species and its ability to store moisture to move across the landscape. This Cultivars are very popular and nutrients. will offer some refuge and provide for gardens as they are seen as Organic Mulch – regular our endemic plants and animals a improvements to the wild species. applications of a 5cm thick layer chance to adapt to these evolving However they have potential to of mulch (sugarcane waste, hay, conditions. hybridise or cross with the native straw, chipped bark, tea tree species, thus changing the genetics mulch, or sawdust) placed over Land Mullet (left) forever. The dangers in this are that the soil helps to reduce water Photo: Rainer Hartlieb the new species may not have the loss and insulates plant roots Myrtle Rust (centre top) against extremes of heat and Photo: Dr. L. Moran (CSIRO) cold. It also helps prevent weed Native Landscaping Myrtle Rust (centre bottom) Photo: Alison Ratcliffe growth and releases nutrients as Photo: NSW I&I it decomposes.

40 My Local Native Garden My Local Native Garden 41 RefeRences & ResouRces online ResouRces WILDLIFE EMERGENCY NUMBERS local nuRseRies (Bush-fRiendly) Australian Seabird Rescue 02 6686 2852

A Field guide to Australian Ferns 2002. Chaffer, NATIVE FLORA Friends of the Koala Rescue 02 6622 1233 We would like to thank the following nurseries C., Natureview Publications. Tweed Valley Wildlife Carers 02 6672 4789 Australian Fungi: www.anbg.gov.au/fungi for their support in publishing this book: A Field Guide to Australian Frogs 1995. Barker J. Australian Plant Image Index: Grigg G.C. Tyler, M.J., Surrey Beatty & Sons. www.anbg.gov.au/plantinfo/index.html PEST ANIMALS A Field Guide to Reptiles of New South Wales 2004. Burringbar Rainforest nursery Caldera Fungi: www.calderafungi.blogspot.com Tweed Shire Council - Invasive/Pest animals: Swan G. Shea G. Sadlier R., Reed New Holland. www.tweed.nsw.gov.au/InvasiveAnimals www.burringbarrainforestnursery.com.au Florabank - native species seed management: Common Weeds of Subtropical Rainforests of Wild Dogs, Foxes and Cats Local Land Services: Ph: (02) 6677 1088 Eastern Australia - A practical manual for www.northcoast.lls.nsw.gov.au/biosecurity/pest-control 2008. Big Scrub 380 Burringbar Road, Upper Burringbar, Landcare Group. www.fungimap.org.au NSW 2483 WEEDS & BUSH REGENERATION 2005. Jordan, F. & Schwenke, How to Propagate Australian Plants: www.anbg.gov. [email protected] H., Earthling Enterprises. au/PROPGATE/plant01.htm Australian Association of Bush Regenerators: www.aabr.org.au Grasses of Subtropical Eastern Australia 2008. Elliot firewheel Rainforest nursery M., Nullum Publications. Threatened Species: www.environment.nsw.gov.au/topics/ Big Scrub Landcare Weeds and Restoration animals-and-plants/threatened-species Guidelines for the Translocation of Threatened Manuals – available for purchase from: Plants in Australia 2004. Australian Network for Plant PlantNET- NSW Flora Online: www.plantnet.rbgsyd. www.bigscrubrainforest.org.au/?post_type=product Ph (02) 6689 5246 | 0427 008 522 Conservation, Canberra nsw.gov.au Bushland Friendly Nursery Scheme brochure: 387 Dorroughby Road, Dorroughby NSW 2480 Available from Tweed Shire Council Healthy Catchments, Healthy Water - Managing Rainforest Plants of Australia - Rockhampton to land within drinking water catchments - A practical Victoria: Interactive USB key and information system guide for NSW landholders 2016. Rous Water and the (2014) www.rainforests.net.au/product/rainforest-plants-of- Water Directorate. australia/ Tweed Shire Council Bushland Regeneration Mullum creek nursery information: www.mcnativenursery.com.au 2003. Ramsey, C. & Rudolph, L., CSIRO Publishing. NATIVE FAUNA www.tweed.nsw.gov.au/BushlandRegeneration Ph (02) 6684 1703 Mangroves to Mountains 2009. Logan River Branch Atlas of Living Australia: www.ala.org.au/ Weeds of the North Coast of NSW: free to download S G A P (Qld Region) Inc. from www.brunswickvalleylandcare.org.au/weeds available 110 Yankee Creek Road, NSW 2482 Backyard Buddies - creating a habitat haven in for a donation from Brunswick Valley Landcare 6626 7028 [email protected] Nest Boxes for Wildlife - A practical Guide 2006. Alan your backyard: www.backyardbuddies.org.au and Stacey Franks, Blooming Books. Biodiversity in my Backyard (by Rita de Heer): Plants of the Forest Floor 2008. Watsford, P. and Elliot, www.mullumyard.blogspot.com LOCAL ORGANISATIONS Ragged Blossom native nursery M. (CD with colour photos), Nullum Publications. Birdlife Northern NSW: www.birdlife.org.au/locations/ Big Scrub Landcare: www.bigscrubrainforest.org.au www.raggedblossom.com.au Soil Landscapes of the Murwillumbah – Tweed Heads birdlife-northern-nsw Brunswick Valley Landcare: 1:100 000 Sheet Report 1996. Morand D.T., Department of Ph: 0403 720 950 Birds in Backyards - online Bird Finder: www.brunswickvalleylandcare.org.au Land and Water Conservation, Sydney. Bangalow NSW 2479 www.birdsinbackyards.net Caldera Environment Centre: Rainforest Trees of Mainland South-eastern calderaenvironmentcentre.org [email protected] Australia 2008. Floyd, A.G., Terania Publishing Lismore. Build your Own Nest Box booklet: www.brunswickvalleylandcare.org.au/resouces Department of Primary Industries - Biosecurity: Rainforest Climbing Plants www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/biosecurity 2007. Harden, G., McDonald, B., Williams, Flora for Fauna: J., Gwen Harden Publishing. Frogs Australia: www.frogs.org.au/frogs/ofNSW/The_ Landcare Australia: www.landcareonline.com.au Rainforest Trees and Shrubs North_Coast Landcare NSW: www.landcarensw.org.au 2006. Harden G., McDonald, B., Williams, Hollow Log Homes nest boxes: www.hollowloghomes.com National Parks: www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au J., Gwen Harden Publishing. Native Bees: www.sugarbag.net North Coast Local Land Services: Subtropical Rainforest Restoration 2005. Big Scrub Reptiles: www.northcoast.lls.nsw.gov.au Landcare Group. www.reptilesofaustralia.com The Atlas of NSW Wildlife- BioNet search: Tracks, Scats and Other Traces - A Field guide Heritage: www.environment.nsw.gov.au/topics to Australian Mammals 2004. Triggs, B., Oxford www.bionet.nsw.gov.au University Press. Tweed Shire Council - Koala Info: Rous County Council – weed biosecurity: www.rous.nsw.gov.au Waterplants in Australia - www.tweed.nsw.gov.au/Koalas 2003. Sainty, G and Jacobs, S., Sainty and Associates. Tweed Shire Counci - Wildlife Info: Tweed Landcare Inc. - tweedlandcare.org.au www.tweed.nsw.gov.au/Wildlife Tweed Shire Council biodiversity information: Wildlife Friendly Dams: www.waternsw.com.au/water- www.tweed.nsw.gov.au/Biodiversity Invertebrates Club Inc., Qld.’ quality/catchment/living/managing-land/farm-dams & www.murraywildlife.com.au/farm-dams/ Banksia Illustration: Andy Erskine

42 My Local Native Garden My Local Native Garden 43