Hobsons Bay City Council Contents Address: 115 Civic Parade, Altona. Vic 3018 Postal Address: PO Box 21, Altona. Vic 3018 Telephone: (03) 9932 1000 Fax: (03) 9932 1039 Email: [email protected] Website: www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au

Introduction 2 Sustainable Australia (SGA) design 3 Telephone: (03) 8850 3050 Email: [email protected] Soil 5 Website: www.sgaonline.org.au 7 Watering 8 gardening 12 This booklet was produced by Hobsons Bay City Local 19 Council. The original booklet was produced for the City of Darebin with kind permission to modify. Gardening across Hobsons Bay 28 © Sustainable Gardening Australia 2014 Hobsons Bay invasive plants 31 Text by Sustainable Gardening Australia www.sgaonline.org.au Disposing of weeds 37 Photographs by Brian Bainbridge, Russell Best, alternatives 38 Peter Bire, Carmel Carroll, Michael Cincotta, Giorgio De Nola, Craig and Sonya Findlow, Chemicals 39 David Francis, Naina Knoess, Colleen Miller, Helen Moss, Cathy Powers, Elaine Shallue, Sustainable product selection 40 Mary Trigger, Geoff Walker, Scott Watson, Reference 41 Andrew Webster, Ryan Young and Hobsons Bay City Council. Design by www.nainak.com.au Printed on Cyclus recycled paper Vegetable dyes used. Printed in 2014. Disclaimer: Although precautions have been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information, the publishers, authors and printers cannot accept responsibility for any claim, loss, damage or liability arising out of the use of the information published. Introduction It is easy to create beautiful that To design a sustainable garden you need to decide suit our local climate and soil and have a low impact on our . what space is available, how much time you have to Sustainable gardens are low maintenance tend to your garden and what type of garden you as they require less watering, lower application of fertilisers and chemicals, would like to create. and less mowing and . Gardening can have a positive benefit to Do a site analysis: What the health of our environment. When we: • where are your sun/shade areas • use local plants we provide food and in summer and winter? currently shelter for birds and butterflies • do you have any wind tunnels? exists? • conserve water in the garden it helps to • do you have any significant slopes? maintain water levels in our reservoirs; • are there any drainage issues? • where are your water points? • reduce chemical use in the garden there • what are your access issues? will be less chemicals in our creeks and streams; Think carefully about what you would • compost our household and garden like to incorporate in your garden. organic waste it reduces the amount of waste going into landfill and therefore Do you need a shed for tools or cuts the amount of gas firewood, a space for a compost bin, an produced; and entertainment area, a cubby house, a clothesline, a shady space for reading, a • purchase renewable resources for vegie patch or a space to kick the footy the garden instead of non-renewable with the kids? resources, it can help protect our old growth forests and river . What currently exists? Do you have straight garden beds that would be more Gardening is also good for our health and interesting curved? Do you have a slab wellbeing. It provides enjoyment, exercise, of concrete down the back that could be relaxation, fresh, healthy food and can replaced with raised garden beds and provide great spaces for our native flora granitic sand paths? and fauna to flourish. What could be more rewarding? What plants do you have in Further, it is important that we create your garden? beautiful environments through gardening. Remember to look not only at trees, but Thereby establishing interesting, diverse at shrubs and ground covers also. What spaces for our families, and friends to come shade and shelter do they provide from together for work, play or socialising. the sun, wind and frost? Have they been This booklet has been designed to provide grouped according to their water needs? information and inspiration to create your own sustainable garden in Hobsons Bay. 2 Sustainable Gardening in Hobsons Bay Sustainable Gardening in Hobsons Bay 3 Garden design Soil 3 Healthy soil = healthy plants. Soil needs organic 2 matter (leaf litter, compost, manure, grass 1 1 clippings). Worms break down organic matter to 5 make food for plants, and worm burrows allow DRY air into the soil so that roots can breathe. GRAVEL CREEK Organic matter needs to be replaced as plants absorb 5 PATH BED 6 2 nutrients. 4 Soil improvement tips 5 8 • Mulch should be applied 50- • Soil should be damp before you 100mm deep, and will need to be add mulch, generally spring is the topped up every year. Avoid mulch DRY GRAVEL PATH best time to apply mulch, once the 3 from rare forest types like Red CREEK winter rains have soaked in. Gum and recycled wooden pallets. BED 7 • Spreading compost over your soil • Soil improvement using straw- (before mulching) will encourage based mulch placed on the soil INFORMAL 1 Drooping Sheoak worms in your garden. Straw- surface is generally only required GARDEN PLAN (Allocasuarina verticillata) based mulches are a good option if for exotic plants, vegetables and you have not mulched the soil for a 4 2 Gold Dust Wattle fruit trees. Most local and native The famous Australian bush long time as they break down plants like a relatively infertile garden has a relaxed easy- (Acacia acinacea) quickly, returning nutrients to the soil so they prefer a bush mulch or care feel about it. Here a 3 Black-anther Flax-lily soil – excellent for the vegie recycled timber mulch on its own meandering path crosses a (Dianella admixta) dry creek bed. These gardens garden! Bark mulch has very few without soil improvement. nutrients so don’t rely on it to are a haven for wildlife and 4 Common Tussock-grass • When buying new soil for your a great refuge for humans. (Poa labillardieri) improve your soil. 5 garden don’t just buy topsoil, buy With a bit of planning, 5 Austral Indigo • Mulches made from reclaimed a soil that is mixed with recycled you can ensure there is (Indigofera australis) green waste are an excellent organics or compost. something in flower almost choice as they save water, are long all year round. Remember 6 Sweet Bursaria • When watering use a trigger hose lasting and feed the soil when they that mass planting of the (Bursaria spinosa) with a spray setting so as not break down. same species grouped to compact the soil as the water 7 Tufted Bluebell together is very striking. • Don’t cultivate your soil unless it 6 (Wahlenbergia communis) hits. The concentrated pressure is very compacted after building of the water stream can close up 8 Common Everlasting works. Digging destroys the soil valuable air spaces. (Chrysocephalum structure by reducing air pockets apiculatum) and drainage spaces which are For more gardening design ideas to suit your both necessary in healthy soils. space, speak to staff at the nurseries listed 7 8 on the inside back cover of this booklet.

4 Sustainable Gardening in Hobsons Bay Sustainable Gardening in Hobsons Bay 5 Soil

Hobsons Bay soils Compost There is a wide range of soil types the pore spaces and will provide a When food and garden materials are rich in nutrients and are across Hobsons Bay. This includes receptive environment for the are broken down they can excellent for use in the home clay and sandy soils, both of micro-organisms that can ‘unlock’ turn into compost which is an garden. Compost does not have which are predominant across the the nutrients held within the soil. excellent source of free garden to be dug into the soil. Unless the municipality, and both of which You could also build raised garden food and soil improver. soil needs to be improved, the many struggle with. beds, which have the benefit of Compost can be made at home or compost can be laid on top and Clay soils harden when dry and allowing you to purchase high is readily available commercially. simply forked. Mulch layers will become ‘sticky’ and waterlogged quality soil to put in them. Thus, Aged animal manures and also break down over time to add when wet. To improve a clay soil you avoid having to work with clay (worm castings) nutrients to the soil. sprinkle a thin layer of gypsum or sandy soils and you also can be across the surface of the soil. Add certain that no soil contaminants lots of organic matter such as are present. They can also have Add Keep out compost and aged animal manures health benefits as you do not need to to your compost of your compost and dig into the soil. This will open bend over to tend to them, reducing up the soil, allowing oxygen to fill back strain. • Fruit and vegie scraps • Meat and scraps – they can attract vermin • Coffee grounds

• Tea bags • Dairy The benefits of mulch – again they attract vermin • Herbs • Office paper • Leaves – bleached or glossy • Egg shells – crushed • Weed seeds and bulbs Mulch layer breaks down to add nutrients to the soil • Pizza containers – you will only spread (50-100mm depth) them around • Egg cartons your garden Evaporation reduced • Vacuum cleaner dust • Bird, dog and cat poo • Onion – outer skin – can be a health risk Weeds pull out easily • Finely chopped citrus peel • Large tree branches Weed seeds – unless you’ve put them screened from • Grass clippings through a chipper light = less – thin layers 3 to 4cm germination • Citrus fruit • Chopped – okay in small quantities • Weeds • Diseased plants – not bulbs or seed heads – spreads disease • Shredded newspapers

For more information about worm farms or compost, visit www.mysmartgarden.org.au and www.sgaonline.org.au

6 Sustainable Gardening in Hobsons Bay Sustainable Gardening in Hobsons Bay 7 Watering Watering Rainwater tanks Greywater A rainwater tank is a good way Greywater is domestic wastewater, Australia is one of the driest continents on earth. to reduce the amount of mains excluding toilet waste which (drinking) water used on your is sometimes referred to as Water use in the garden is a major contributor to garden. Collecting rainwater from blackwater. Providing care is high water consumption levels throughout Hobsons the roof will provide water for the taken with the products used garden that is not subject to the (eg. low phosphorous and sodium Bay. By improving the soil and using alternative same restrictions as mains water. washing powders) grey water from the laundry (rinse cycles) and water sources for the garden such as rainwater The ideal tank size will depend on bathroom can be used directly in what the water will be used for, the collected in tanks, stormwater directed into the the garden on a temporary basis. size of your roof and local rainfall Continual application of greywater garden, greywater and installing efficient irrigation patterns. In general a tank holding can potentially cause problems 3,000 litres or more is ideal for systems along with good garden design, significant for your garden. Alternate with summer watering. Also consider mains water to flush the soil of any water savings can be made. whether a pump will be needed to greywater build up. Greywater move water around your garden, can contain a number of micro- Water tips as there will be less water pressure organisms such as bacteria and coming from a rainwater tank. • Plant local (indigenous) native • Check and clean your irrigation viruses, and should never be Contact City West Water at plants to reduce water use and system every spring. applied to food . Collect and www.citywestwater.com.au maintenance. • Position irrigation systems so apply greywater according to the • Group plants according to their that water isn’t wasted on paths, EPA regulations. water needs. patios, driveways and buildings. • Water the base of plants, not the • Install garden tap timers to Visit www.epa.vic.gov.au , search ‘greywater’ leaves and use mulch to reduce reduce over-watering. evaporation and run-off. • Use a rain sensor in your garden • Use a drip watering system or so that watering doesn’t occur porous hose which cuts wastage automatically when it is wet. by ensuring that the water only • Check the weather forecast to goes where it is needed. avoid watering before rain. • Avoid micro-sprays. They waste • Stop water evaporating before up to 70 percent water through it reaches your plant roots by drift and evaporation and if the watering in the early morning - soil is mulched, water will not subject to restrictions. penetrate the soil.

Be informed about water restrictions

Details on current water restrictions and permanent water saving rules can be found at www.citywestwater.com.au or call 131 691

8 Sustainable Gardening in Hobsons Bay Sustainable Gardening in Hobsons Bay 9 Watering Watering Passive Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) Raingardens Before urbanisation rainfall would slowly percolate into the soil before Raingardens are a great way to Raingardens should be located in seeping into our waterways through the ground water table. This utilise stormwater, and are often a relatively flat place where it will process slowed down the rate of flow and improved the quality of water planted with species that are used receive runoff. You want to make by removing excess nutrients and pollutants. In modern times much in extreme dry and wet periods. sure runoff flows towards your of our urban landscape has hard surfaces and is impervious to water. Raingardens look great and are raingarden site. However, rain- Consequently when it rains a large volume of water rapidly enters our fantastic for the environment, gardens are NOT a solution to wet stormwater system carrying pollutants, affecting flow rates and often especially our waterways, as they areas with standing water. The resulting in the erosion of river beds and banks. help to clean and slow the rate garden must have good drainage of stormwater entering our local so that water can soak in within With thoughtful consideration and careful planning you can direct a rivers and creeks. Raingardens 24 hours after rain. Your rain- considerable amount of water onto your garden thereby maximising the can be built in any shape or size, garden should be at least 30cm use of this valuable and reducing the volume of stormwater have different layers of sand, and (300mm) away from the house, entering our waterways while improving its quality. often have an inorganic mulch like receive full or partial sunlight small pebbles or stones (available and not be constructed over

Porous paving Landscaping from most gardening and DIY a septic system. If you are putting down paving By introducing gentle slopes across stores). on pathways, driveways, or the surface of patios, driveways and courtyards, consider a porous paths you can direct water onto alternative. Commercial concrete your garden beds. A raingarden is a grid and modular plastic blocks By creating a small swale shallow depression in are available. Consider laying your (vegetated channel) you can also the ground, natural pavers with spaces in between that direct rainwater away from paved will enable water to percolate into or man made, that is areas and onto your garden. the soil. Granitic sand and gravel designed to hold rain paths require more maintenance Consider directing runoff into that would otherwise than pavers, but they look fantastic. a small that can become turn into stormwater a wonderful frog habitat. runoff. spacing between pavers enables water to percolate

into the soil Photos courtesy of Melbourne Water

For further information For further information on raingardens visit: on WSUD visit: www.melbournewater.com.au/wsud www.melbournewater.com.au/raingardens

10 Sustainable Gardening in Hobsons Bay Sustainable Gardening in Hobsons Bay 11 Parrots – Hobsons Bay is home to a Habitat gardening diverse range of parrots such as Rosellas, Rainbow Lorikeets, Attracting native animals to your garden can add extra colour and interest. Cockatoos, and the nationally It can assist pest control by attracting insect predators and contribute to endangered Swift Parrot. These feed keeping native animal viable by providing a pathway for them on the flowers and seeds of to commute between bushland areas. All you have to do is provide your Eucalyptus species and other garden visitors with food, water and shelter. smaller shrub species. Large birds – Magpies and Birds Kingfishers feed on larger insects Magpie Birds are beautiful creatures that are a joy to watch in any garden. and small lizards and skinks. In addition, many birds feed on plant pests such as aphids and scale, Ravens are an opportunistic feeder Please do not feed birds with contributing to non-chemical pest control in the garden! To attract birds that feed on a wide variety of plant bird seed or food scraps. This to your garden consider the following points. and animal material, and food scraps encourages dependence on in urban areas. humans and can lead to disease.

Lizards Most lizards found in the garden are little Grass Skinks that feed on insects and larvae. You may be fortunate enough to encounter a larger

Photo David Francis Photo David lizard such as a Blue-tongue or Shingleback, but these beautiful creatures Red-browed Finch Blue Fairy-wren New Holland Honeyeater are not as common as they used to be.

Shelter: insects and help to keep plant pest Birds need shelter from predators numbers down. Native grasses such as cats and predatory birds. such as Common Tussock-grass Help protect your feathered (Poa labillardieri), Kangaroo-grass visitors by providing prickly or (Themeda triandra) and Wallaby- dense plants at various levels in grass (Rytidosperma spp.) provide your garden. an important source of food for Water: grass seed-eating birds such as A reliable water source, Red-browed Finches. particularly in summer will attract Honey Eating birds – Honeyeaters, birds to your garden. If you install Red Wattlebirds and Eastern Blue-tongue lizard a birdbath, place it near dense or Spinebills are specialist nectar prickly plants to provide birds with feeders. They use their brush-like To create lizard habitat in your • Natural leaf mulch to support the protection from predators. tongues to collect nectar from the garden, provide the following: insects and larvae they feed on. Food: flowers of Melaleucas, Correas, and • Tussock grass and hiding spots Avoid using snail bait as Blue- Small birds – Silvereyes, Blue Banksias. They also like to eat between rocks and logs for tongue lizards will eat the poisoned Wrens, Finches, Fantails and insects as a source of protein. protection snails - use a beer trap instead. Thornbills forage in the lower • A protected sunny spot on a rock, levels of the garden. They feed on log or brick path

12 Sustainable Gardening in Hobsons Bay Sustainable Gardening in Hobsons Bay 13 Habitat gardening Habitat gardening

Butterflies Frogs Butterflies are a welcome addition to any garden and with a few simple What could be more interesting than watching tadpoles grow into frogs design principles are easily attracted. and then being serenaded by their calls at night? Frogs also help control pests in your garden as they eat flies, mosquitoes, slugs, snails and even spiders. In order to enjoy frogs in your garden you will need to provide a with certain features, but you’ll also need to live near a frog to attract them from. Photo Geoff Walker

Altona Skipper Butterfly Gahnia In its caterpillar form, the nectar. Double flowers (multiple Altona Skipper Butterfly, found layers of petals) are difficult for predominantly in Altona, relies butterflies to feed from, but simple solely on the native Chaffy Saw flowers like Daisies, Pelargoniums Water Ribbons Sedge for survival. It’s currently (Pelargonium australe), Bluebells A frog pond can incorporate one Frog-friendly plants: classified as a vulnerable species (Wahlenbergia communis) and or all of the requirements for each Tufting plants – Pale Rush (Juncus and depends on the availability Saltbush plants (Atriplex semibaccata) part of the frogs’ lifecycle: of its native habitat plant — the are more suitable. pallidus) or Black-anther Flax-lily • Damp zone for adult frogs (Dianella admixta). Chaffy Saw Sedge (Gahnia filum), Butterflies use the early Position: • Shallow water zone for laying to survive. Young plants and morning sun to warm themselves Bog plants - Common Sedge (Carex eggs new growth are vital for the and retreat to cooler, shadier tereticaulis), Knobby Club-rush survival of the Skipper. For the places during the heat of the day. • Deep zone of at least 30cm (Ficinia nodosa), Sea Rush (Juncus survival of the food plant (Gahnia Providing a sheltered position that for tadpoles. kraussii) and Bare Twig-rush filum), inundation by water for (Baumea juncea). combines warmth and protection Your frog garden should also have: up to six weeks must take place is ideal. Also consider adding flat Water plants – Common Nardoo to ensure germination of new rocks for butterflies to bask and to • Soft, thick vegetation that droops (Marsilea drummondii), Purple plants. Old plants should be court each other. Mud puddles or into the water, for shelter and Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria), burnt to encourage new growth. a dish of damp sand can provide protection Tassel Sedge (Carex fascicularis) Help increase and stabilise the them with water and salts. • Rocks, logs, bark and leaf litter; and Water Ribbons (Triglochin population of the Altona Skipper • Mostly shade procerum). Butterfly by increasing the number Host plants: Incorporate host • Sloping sides for frogs to of Chaffy Saw Sedge seedlings plants for butterflies to lay eggs. crawl out planted. Caterpillars are generally small and shy, and won’t devastate the • Been made from non-toxic Nectar traps: Colourful, massed garden. Popular indigenous plants materials (concrete will flower beds draw butterflies in and include Sweet Bursaria (Bursaria need to be sealed and plastic keep them happily moving through spinosa) and Spiny-head Mat- ponds be made of food-grade the garden. They are attracted to a rush (Lomandra longifolia), and plastic) large range of coloured flowers, in grasses such as Kangaroo-grass • Food plants for tadpoles (and particular blue, yellow and red. (Themeda triandra) , Wallaby-grass they will eat them, so don’t put Flowers: Simple, flat flowers make (Rytidosperma spp.) and Common your prize waterlily in there). it easier for butterflies to extract Tussock-grass (Poa labillardieri). Spotted Marsh Frog

14 Sustainable Gardening in Hobsons Bay Sustainable Gardening in Hobsons Bay 15 Habitat gardening Habitat gardening

Things to avoid • Allowing floating plants such as Snakes • Fish – most fish will eat tadpoles. Duckweed or Azolla to cover the Snakes play an important part in top of the pond. This can result • Fountain pumps – tadpoles and keeping nature’s balance. They in reduced oxygen levels for eggs can be killed by them help control pests by eating insects, tadpoles rodents and feral animals. They • Cats and dogs – protect the frog • Cleaning out the pond too often thrive in warm weather and are area of your garden with sharp, – tadpoles need some material most active on warm nights. Snakes spiky plants to be breaking down in the pond move to residential areas in hot, dry • Chemicals – frogs eat insects, water to provide food for them conditions usually in search of water, so you don’t want to spray them. • Collecting tadpoles from the food or somewhere to hide. The most Frogs are very sensitive to wild is illegal in most parts of common snake in Williamstown is the chemicals which can be absorbed Australia including Victoria. tiger snake. It’s favourite food is frogs, through their thin skin followed by mice. Tiger Snake Note: Safety barriers are not required for structures not used principally for swimming, paddling or wading (including frog ). Check the full Prevention: A well maintained • When gardening, wear gloves Building Commission Guidelines for further details. garden is less likely to attract and solid footwear for protection. snakes to your property. If you must do any garden work after dark, turn the light on. The elements of a • Long grass attracts mice and lizards; favourite foods for Don’t put your hands into nooks frog-friendly snakes. When cutting grass, start or crannies – it could be a snake’s garden pond or frog bog next to your house and work hiding place. your way out. Vibrations from If you see a snake… Deep Water Zone Damp Zone your mower will alert snakes that 1. Stay calm! Shallow you are there and they should 2. Do not attempt to remove the Water Bog head away from your house. Zone snake yourself. Most people get • Avoid stockpiling materials such bitten trying to do this! Winter Rocks and as tin sheeting, wood piles and 3. Call Hobsons Bay City Council Deep Water Logs for old machinery that can become a Level Shelter on 9932 1000. They will have habitat for snakes. it taken away by a professional Summer • By ensuring there are no gaps wildlife handler. This service is Low Water or holes in your fence and by Level free and is the safest and most extending your fence with effective way to remove a snake. metal or plastic sheeting into Keep an eye on the snake’s the ground, you can reduce the whereabouts while you wait. chance of snakes entering your backyard. • Bird aviaries, pet food & water In Victoria, it is illegal Submerged bowls will attract mice and to kill snakes and a snakes. Also, other water sources Rocks and licence is required to Logs For like ponds may attract frogs, keep or catch them Algal Growth Sand Pond Liner which may in turn attract snakes.

16 Sustainable Gardening in Hobsons Bay Sustainable Gardening in Hobsons Bay 17 Habitat gardening Pest animals Local plants Cats and dogs Secure your cats and dogs, especially at night so they don’t prey on native animals. Work with your neighbours to make sure they also secure their cats and dogs either indoors or in enclosures. Collar bells on cats have limited success.

Foxes A secure fence without gaps that a fox can squeeze through can go a long way to keeping foxes out of your garden. Don’t leave bags of rubbish lying around and make sure your bin lids are closed securely. If necessary, you can put some rocks or bricks on top, which will keep the foxes out. Of course, if you have chooks, make sure they are locked in their runs overnight. Plant selection is a very important Hobsons Bay that are featured in Possums component of the garden design this section of the booklet. Many of us struggle with possums which like to snack which affects how your garden looks There is also a great range of from our garden on a regular basis. However, don’t and also how it contributes to the native and exotic plants available forget that possums are protected native animals and wider environment. Factors that in garden centres but you should need to be treated with care. If you are having problems will guide plant selection for your always avoid using plants that with possums in your garden, you could try some of the garden include soil type, drainage are known environmental weeds. following techniques, recommended by the Department of patterns, aspect (i.e. full sun, part Two thirds of the weeds found in the Environment and Primary (DEPI), including building shade and shade) and local climate. Victoria’s natural environment a floppy fence around your garden bed, using collars to Also consider what you are planting (parks, and along waterways protect your trees or using repellents. for i.e., a shade tree for summer or and coasts) are actually ‘garden Go to www.depi.vic.gov.au for more information. something that will produce fruit. escapees’. Their seeds are spread For best results, plants should be Indian Mynah Birds from gardens by the wind, birds grouped together according to their Indian Mynah birds reduce by competing and animals or by people dumping sun/shade, water and fertiliser aggressively with native wildlife such as Lorikeets, often garden cuttings into the bush and needs. Visit a garden centre to find destroying their eggs and chicks and can even out- waterways. Weeds compete with a plant to suit the position you have compete small mammals like micro-bats. Don’t leave food our local plants for light, nutrients in mind, not the other way round. scraps, bird seed or dog food around to help minimise and water. Before too long they can visits from Mynahs. Local (indigenous) plants are replace local plants, leaving native well suited to the local soil and animals without food or habitat. As Unwanted pets climate conditions, do not require gardeners we need to know which Sometimes people have pets, like cats or dogs, that are no large amounts of nutrients and plants can escape. Refer to page 31- longer wanted so they dump them in natural areas. This is once established, require little 37 for a list of plants considered to be not only cruel and illegal, but can have severe impacts on water. Check that your supplier ‘invasive plants’ in the Hobsons Bay the local fauna in the area. Additionally, domestic ducks has sourced local provenance seed area and consider replacing these should never under any circumstances be released into for best results. There are many with less invasive plants. our natural waterways – creeks, lakes etc. beautiful plants indigenous to

18 Sustainable Gardening in Hobsons Bay Sustainable Gardening in Hobsons Bay 19 Hobsons Bay local plants Small plants Hobsons Bay local plants Name Requirements Features The following list of species make great An excellent rockery plant Common Ever- plants for gardens in Hobsons Bay as they lasting with contrasting 20cm 1m silver foliage. are indigenous to the area and provide (Chrysocephalum Prune regularly apiculatum) Well-drained soil. to encourage new habitat for native wildlife. Indigenous growth. plants are also the most waterwise plants Kidney Plant An excellent lawn for your garden as they have adapted to the substitute in moist, (Dichondra prostrate 30cm shady areas where local climate and soil conditions so require repens) traffic is very light. less maintenance. See the list of nurseries Well-drained soil. stocking plants indigenous to Hobsons Attractive as a Bay at the back of this booklet for a more Running ground cover, Postman prostrate 2m in tubs, hanging baskets, cascading comprehensive range of local species. (Kennedia Accepts most soils, over rocks, walls prostrata) but avoid poor and under trees. drainage.

Grows well in a Basalt Daisy 20cm 1m Key: pots. Fast growing. (Brachyscome Light pruning after Prefers moist soil but basaltica) flowering. Suitable as hedge will tolerate dryness once established. Height

Width Sticky Prune hard in Everlasting autumn to extend 60cm 30cm (Xerochrysum life. Spectacular planted in drifts. Full sun viscosum) Well-drained soil.

Part shade

Full shade Tufted Looks great in Bluebell containers or when Drought tolerant 30cm 15cm (Wahlenbergia planted amongst communis) Well-drained, moist grasses. Needs seasonal water soil.

20 Sustainable Gardening in Hobsons Bay Sustainable Gardening in Hobsons Bay 21 Hobsons Bay Local Plants Hobsons Bay local plants Small plants Grasses and tussocks Name Requirements Features Name Requirements Features

Grows mostly Common Native Flax in the cooler Attractive flower- Sedge 1m 1m (Linum 50cm 30cm months and heads August till dies back after (Carex April. marginale) Moist soils, tolerating Well-drained soil. flowering tereticaulis) occasional inundation. Giorgio De Nola Giorgio

Austral Silky Blue- Look great on Great in Stork’s Bill grass mass. Excellent 50cm 40cm rockeries. 80cm 20cm colonizer for bare (Pelargonium Aromatic leaves. (Dichanthium Prefers well-drained ground or rockeries australe) sericeum) Well-drained soil. soil.

Beautiful in mass plantings. Kangaroo Attractive tufting Dies back Bulbine Lily Grass grass with 40cm 30cm to tuberous 30cm 30cm distinctive flower (Bulbine bulbosa) rootstock in dry (Themeda Adaptable to most spikes in summer. weather to re- triandra) Adapts to most soils. soils. shoot in autumn.

Chamomile Grow well in containers, Pale Flax-lily Sunray 30cm 40cm Hardy, easily rockeries or a (Dianella 80cm 50cm (Rhodanthe maintained plant. Prefers well-drained mass feature in a longifolia) anthemoides) soil and sheltered garden. Well-drained soil. position.

Showy Beautiful Wallaby-grass Tussocky grass Podolepis 60cm 30cm planted in (Rytidosperma 30cm 1m with attractive (Podolepis drifts. spp.) foliage. jaceoides) Prefers well-drained Well-drained soil. soil.

Drumsticks Beautiful large, Mass plantings Spear-grass 30cm 50cm open flowerheads (Pycnosorus look great. 20cm 30cm globosus) (Austrostipa spp.) in summer. Prefers moist, heavy Well-drained soil. soils.

22 Sustainable Gardening in Hobsons Bay Sustainable Gardening in Hobsons Bay 23 Hobsons Bay local plants Hobsons Bay local plants Shrubs Shrubs Name Requirements Features Name Requirements Features

Spreading Gold Dust Eutaxia A good low 1m 1m Prune to create Wattle 2m 2m screening plant. (Eutaxia HHH a bushier plant. (Acacia Suitable for large microphylla var. pots. Well-drained soil. Very acinacea) Adaptable to most diffusa) drought tolerant. soils.

Establishes well Slow growing but under existing Desert Cassia Rock Correa spectacular when HHH 1.5m 2m trees. Responds (Senna 2m 1.5m in flower. Attractive (Correa glabra) well to a light Well-drained soil. artemisioides) seed pods also. pruning. Well-drained soil. Ideal for dry sites.

Sticky Daisy- River Excellent screening Dense rounded bush Bottlebrush shrub. Pruning 2m 1.5m shrub ideal for HHH 10m 4m encourages (Olearia coastal garden. (Callistemon Well-drained sandy flowering. glutinosa) sieberi) Adapts to most soils. soil. Salt tolerant.

Wedge-leaf Very hardy Sweet Hop-bush HHH 2m 1m shrub. Excellent Bursaria Bushy forms make (Dodonaea screening plant. 5m 2m excellent screening (Bursaria viscosa spp. Well-drained soil. Responds well to Well-drained soil. plants. cuneata) Excellent for dry pruning. spinosa) Excellent for dry sites. sites.

Fast growing tree. Pruning while Austral Indigo Needs regular Golden Spray young encourages 2m 2m pruning for 5m 2m (Indigofera (Viminaria denser growth. shaping. australis) Well-drained soil. juncea) Well-drained soil. Good screening and Lime tolerant Excellent for dry sites. wind break.

Shiny Fast growing, Fast growing. Hop Goodenia Cassinia rounded shrub. Responds well to HHH 2m 1m 2m 2m Prune hard after (Goodenia ovata) pruning (Cassinia flowering. Prefers damp soil. longifolia) Well drained soil.

24 Sustainable Gardening in Hobsons Bay Sustainable Gardening in Hobsons Bay 25 Hobsons Bay local plants Hobsons Bay local plants Trees Coastal Name Requirements Features Name Requirements Features

Chaffey Saw- Silver Banksia 10m 5m Bushy forms Tussocky sedge (Banksia make excellent sedge 1m 1m suitable for wet Well-drained soil. screening plants. depressions. marginata) (Gahnia filum) Moist sandy soil. Salt Excellent for dry tolerant. sites.

Red Box Attractive cream Coastal 7-25m 5-15m Densely tufting flowers Sept to Tussock-grass 50cm 80cm (Eucalyptus grass. Requires good Jan. polyanthemos) (Poa poiformis) Well drained sandy drainage. Will tolerate soil. Tolerates salt. poor stony soils.

Common Sea Drooping Container, Sheoak Fast growing, Heath 15cm 1m rockery plant. 8m 6m (Allocasuarina graceful tree. (Frankenia Light pruning Well drained soil. Salt recommended. verticillata) Well-drained soil. pauciflora) tolerant.

Attractive dark green leaves A long-lasting Coastal Blackwood 10m 5m with sliver tree providing Banksia 10m 5m underside. (Acacia Prefers deep, moist good screening (Banksia Well-drained soil, An excellent melanoxlyn) soil, but adaptable and shade. integrifolia) responding to ornamental tolerating dryness summer watering. windbreak.. once established.

Fast-growing Rounded Lightwood Noon-flower 8m 3m tree. Good prostrate 2m Great on (Acacia implexa) screening and (Disphyma embankments. windbreak tree. Reliabe in most soils. Well-drained soil. crassifolium) Excellent for dry sites Salt tolerant. Photo Russell Best Photo Russell Best

Golden Wattle Attractive Coast Flax-lily display of Hardy, easily (Acacia flowers winter- (Dianella 1m 50cm maintained. pycnantha) 8m 4m brevicaulis) spring Well drained soil.

26 Sustainable Gardening in Hobsons Bay Sustainable Gardening in Hobsons Bay 27 Gardening across Hobsons Bay

Places to enjoy local 2 native plants

Newport Lakes Shrubs and Trees

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Kororoit Creek Riparian Vegetation 1 2 3 7 3 Sandy Point McCormack Park Flowering Herbs Scattered Red Gums

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6 Rifle Range Reserve 5 and Jawbone Reserve Coastal Plants Truganina Park Wetland Plants Altona Coastal Park Coastal Plants 28 Sustainable Gardening in Hobsons Bay Sustainable Gardening in Hobsons Bay 29 Hobsons Bay invasive plants The following list of species pose a significant threat to the natural values within Hobsons Bay. These species can smoother, choke, replace and out-compete native vegetation in Hobsons Bay’s environment. Please do not plant these species. If you have them in your garden, we encourage you to remove them and replace them with the alternative suggested on the following pages.

You too can have a beautiful garden using local plants

Agapanthus

30 Sustainable Gardening in Hobsons Bay Sustainable Gardening in Hobsons Bay 31 Hobsons Bay invasive plants Replacement ground covers Ground covers Name Name Features

African Daisy Lobe-seed Daisy Tough and fast growing. (Arctotis stoechadifolia) (Brachyscome dentata)

Butterfly Iris Spiny Mat-rush Hardy and tough. (Dietes grandifolia) (Lomandra longifolia )

Agapanthus Leaves poisonous. Sticky Black-anther Flax-lily (Agapanthus praecox sap can cause mouth (Dianella admixta) subsp. orientalis) ulcers.

Hottentop Fig Forms dense, smothering Coastal Pigface (Carpobrotus edulis) mats. (Carpobrotus rossi)

Morning Glory Fast growing climber that Native Violet (Ipomoea indica) smothers bushland. (Hardenbergia violacea)

Gazania Escapes onto roadsides Cut-leaf Daisy (Gazania spp.) and bushland (Brachyscome multifida)

32 Sustainable Gardening in Hobsons Bay Sustainable Gardening in Hobsons Bay 33 Hobsons Bay invasive plants Replacement grasses and shrubs Grasses and shrubs Name Name Features

Fountain Grass Can grow up to 1m tall. Plume Grass Distinctive flowerheads (Pennisetum setaceum) from Jan-April. (Dichelachne crinita)

Perrenial grass with Couch flat hairy leaves. Grows Australian Salt-grass rapidly and can become (Cynodon dactylon) a problem if cuttings are (Distichlis distichophylla) dumped.

Kikuyu Perennial grass, creeping Weeping Grass stems to 3m long. Easily (Pennisetum edulis) spread from cuttings. (Microlaena stipoides)

Polygala Spreads rapidly in coastal Desert Cassia (Polygala myrtifolia) areas. (Senna artemisioides)

Olive Tree Very long lived. Fruit Silver Banksia spread by birds and (Olea europaea) animals. (Banksia marginata)

Cape Broom Gold Dust Wattle Seeds highly poisonus. (Genista monspessulana) (Acacia acinaceae)

34 Sustainable Gardening in Hobsons Bay Sustainable Gardening in Hobsons Bay 35 Hobsons Bay invasive plants

Large invasive shrubs and trees Disposing of weeds Watch out for these species and remove them as soon as you see them as they are known to cause problems Disposing of invasive plants Hobsons Bay City Council offers a fortnightly green Name Features waste kerbside collection service for garden weeds, grass clippings, pruning and small branches. You can Mirror Bush Evergreen shrub to 8m (Coprosma repens) tall. Shiny green leaves. add noxious weeds to your green waste bin. There are several options when trying to work out what to do with green waste, garden clippings and branches that may become weeds. These include: Prickly Pear Succulent up to 5m tall. (Opuntia spp.) Large spines. Edible fruit.

• Composting- this is only Avoid stockpiling weedy material as appropriate if the material is these weed piles may reshoot and generally free of weed seeds and set down roots again if left. A common Glossy bright green leaves bulbs. technique used in bushland Desert Ash with serrated edges. regeneration is to hang the weedy (Fraxinus angustifolia) Distinctive winged seed • Chicken Feed – chooks will capsules. happily feed on a wide variety of plants in trees or shrubs so that herbaceous weeds. plants dry our and cannot set root again in the ground. Eventually • Solarising – place weedy plants on these weeds will shrivel and die a tarp or sheet of dark plastic in and rot back into the ground. a site that receives full sun. Wrap Monterey Pine Aromatic tree with needle leaves, often sold as a weed plant material up and leave (Pinus radiata) Christmas tree. for several weeks. This action cooks the weedy plants. • Soaking – many people take common garden weed and wrap Dark green leaves, small them up in netting and dunk them Sweet Pittosporum creamy-white flowers. into a large bucket or bin of water, (Pittosporum undulatum) Distinctive, yellow fleshy fruit. creating a ‘weed teabag’. As the weeds break down over several weeks this allows for many of the nutrients and minerals in the plant to be recycled back into the Canary Island Date Spreads slowly and goes garden as liquid fertiliser and a Palm unnoticed until it becomes much smaller volume of green (Phoenix canariensis) a problem. waste to be dealt with.

36 Sustainable Gardening in Hobsons Bay Sustainable Gardening in Hobsons Bay 37 Lawn alternatives Chemicals Traditional turf are often high water users. However if you do , and fertilisers can be prefer a traditional lawn there are drought tolerant mixes available. These may include Kikuyu and Couch but should be avoided if you live next transferred from our home gardens to the natural to a bushland reserve or waterway. If you are looking for an attractive environment. Sprays can drift in the wind and lawn alternative, that can withstand periods of low water supply and less ongoing maintenance, you could consider a range of native grasses or powders wash into waterways. Strong pesticides plants depending on the look you are trying to achieve. and herbicides can kill native insects, plants and

Native grasses – one of the most animals, while the application of too much fertiliser successful native grasses for creating may lead to extra nutrients in our waterways, the look of a traditional lawn is the native Weeping Grass (Microlaena contributing to blue-green algae outbreaks harmful stipoides). It can be mown regularly and to animals and sometimes people. will grow well in a wide range of soils. Weeping Grass is drought, frost and Creating a healthy garden shade tolerant, but does not cope with • Healthy plants can protect • Sharpen your pruning tools so heavy traffic or dog urine. Excellent for themselves, provided they have cuts are clean and bark isn’t torn. a front lawn. Can be grown from seed Weeping Grass a healthy soil, are mulched, not Prune diseased or damaged wood or plugs. exposed to synthetic fertilisers from trees before they cause Ground cover plants - use ground and are regularly watered. bigger problems. cover plants that form dense mats, • Many insects in the garden such • Clean your secateurs by wiping the don’t require mowing and perform as ladybirds are good guys that blades thoroughly with eucalyptus well in shade. Examples include: will eat pests such as aphids. If oil before moving between plants. Dichondra repens Kidney Plant ( ), you overuse chemicals you may Myoporum • Home remedies are often very Creeping Boobialla ( also kill beneficial insects and parvifolium Mentha effective. E.g. Milk spray can be ), Native Mint ( make your pest problem harder to diemenica), and Australian Bindweed used to combat powdery mildew; Kidney Plant control. (Convolvulus erubescens). beer traps for slugs/snails; or • Check the micro-climate. Many linseed oil for earwigs. Native wildflowers – planting out a fungal diseases occur when • Check your garden regularly mass of native wildflowers to create there is too much shade or poor for pests. a meadow look can be spectacular, ventilation due to plants being too particularly in spring and summer. close together. This works very well as a front lawn alternative. Examples include: Tufted • Accept that some losses and Bluebell (Wahlenbergia communis), blemishes are normal in a Chocolate Lily (Arthropodium strictum), chemical free garden. Tufted Bluebells and Straw Flower and Bulbine Lily (Bulbine bulbosa). • Practice a range of techniques – plant companion plants, For further advice about indigenous plants suitable for use as lawns, manually remove weeds and visit the indigenous nurseries listed on the inside back of this booklet. encourage biodiversity in the Ladybird eating powdery mildew garden. 38 Sustainable Gardening in Hobsons Bay Sustainable Gardening in Hobsons Bay 39 Sustainable product selection Reference and further advice

When buying products for the garden, we often don’t think about where For advice on My Smart Garden Program they have come from. With some thought we can support more Register or find out more at environmentally sound practices through the products we choose for our indigenous plants: www.mysmartgarden.vic.gov.au gardens and homes. Here are some tips to start you thinking: Newport Lakes Native Nursery Environment Resource Centre 2 Lakes Drive, Newport Altona Library •Buy the best garden tools you • Avoid sleepers made from native (enter via Newport Lakes Reserve) can afford. They last longer, so Red Gum trees, as their production 123 Queen Street, Altona Open seven days Telephone: 9932 1330 you won’t have to be continually has devastating effects on intricate Telephone: (03) 9391 0044 replacing them which has a high ecosystems that support native http://libraries.hobsonsbay.vic. environmental impact. fauna. Plantation timber sleepers, Saltwater Flora gov.au Williamstown • Make sure you know where rocks such as Hoop Pine or Blue Gum are The Diggers Club Telephone: 0418505120 and pebbles you purchase are a good alternative. Telephone: 5984 7900 Email: [email protected] sourced from. Generally, if they • Outdoor furniture made from www.diggers.com.au are available in bulk they will have Teak or Jarrah is not sustainable. Iramoo Sustainable been mined from an Australian Garden furniture made from Centre quarry without damaging an reclaimed or plantation timber St Albans Further reading: active stream. Pebbles made from has less of an impact on the Telephone: (03) 9919 4000 APS Keilor Plains Group NOW: recycled stone and glass are also environment. (2012) 2nd Edition a good alternative, as is volcanic • Use recycled plastic edging. It comes Plants of Melbourne’s Western rock and granite collected from in a range of colours and lasts a Stay informed: Plains: A ’s Guide to the private land. long time. Avoid Jarrah or Karri Sustainable Gardening Australia Original Flora. • Grass trees, tree ferns and native edging, which are sourced from old free eNewsletter “Cuttings”. Australian Plants Society orchids may have been sourced growth Eucalypt forests. Subscribe at www.sgaonline.org.au Maroondah (2001) Flora of illegally from the forest. Plants Australian Plants Society Melbourne, Hyland House, should be sold with a government (Keilor Plains Group) Melbourne. tag stating that they have been legally collected. www.apskeilorplains.org.au/ Costermans, L.F (2009) Native • When selecting mulch, it’s best to City West Water Trees and Shrubs of South-Eastern choose materials that are from www.citywestwater.com.au Australia, New Holland Publishers Pty Ltd, Australia. plantations rather than from felled Weed Society of Victoria native forests. www.wsvic.org.au Richardson,F.J, Richardson, R.G, Shepherd,R.C.H (2007)Weeds of Living Green in Hobsons Bay and the South-East. An Identification Ranger Ramblings eNewsletters Guide For Australia. Everbest Subscribe at While you’re out shopping, be sure to be as sustainable www.hobsonsbay.vic. Printing Co.Ltd, China. as possible. Don’t forget to bring your own bags, ask gov.au/eNewsletter questions about the source of products and, of course, re-use and recycle items whenever possible instead of buying new products.

40 Sustainable Gardening in Hobsons Bay Sustainable Gardening in Hobsons Bay 41 Photo by Peter Bire

Sustainable Gardening in Hobsons Bay