My Local Native Garden A planting guide to promote biodiversity in the Lismore region
~.,._ BIODIVERSITY IYooc 1T1. MANAGEMENT env;mnmental l~S STRATEGY levyatwo,k Acknowledgements Authorised by Lismore City Council Rous County Council and Lismore City Council Printed on Carbon Neutral and FSC (Forest acknowledge Brunswick Valley Landcare for granting Stewardship Council) mixed sources certified paper, Rous County Council and Lismore City Council Lismore City Printery, Lismore, NSW. permission to utilise the information within the above publication. Disclaimer
This document is also available in PDF format Rous County Council and Lismore City Council on the internet at: www.rous.nsw.gov.au and believe My Local Native Garden Guide: A planting www.lismore.nsw.gov.au guide to promote biodiversity in the Lismore Region to be correct at the time of printing and do not accept My Local Native Garden Guide: A planting guide to responsibility for any consequences arising from the promote biodiversity in the Lismore Region (2016). use of information herein. Readers should rely on their own skill and judgement to apply information to Adapted by Rous County Council and Lismore City particular issues. Council based upon the publication. My Local Native Garden Guide: A planting guide to This My Local Native Garden Guide: A planting guide promote biodiversity in the Byron Shire (Brunswick to promote biodiversity in the Lismore Region (2016) Valley Landcare 2011). should not be reproduced without written permission from Rous County Council and Lismore City Council The Byron Shire guide is available in PDF format on except as permitted by the Copyright Act 1968. the internet at: www.brunswickvalleylandcare.org.au © Copyright Rous County Council and Lismore City The original “My Local Native Garden” Team Council 2016 James Mayson – editor Published by Rous County Council 218-232 Mandy Lisson – garden design Molesworth Street, Lismore Andy Erskine – coastal T: 02 6623 3800 | F: 02 6622 1181 Rita De Heer – riverine & alluvial www.rous.nsw.gov.au Angus Underwood – foothills & hinterland [email protected] Jo Green – ridges & ranges Wendy Gibney – aquatic plants, invasive species www.thomasmanguy.com – graphic design Image Credits
And the following people and organisations Andy Erskine, Angus Underwood, Australian National Botanic Gardens, Australian Native Plants Society BRAIN, Black Diamond for their invaluable input: Images, Brian Walters, Byron Backyard, David Taylor, David Tng, Deborah Pearse, Flora Far North Queensland, Friends of the Koala Byron Shire Council & Scott Hetherington Inc., Glen Leiper, Iain Stych, James Mayson, Julie Reid, Lismore Bush Futures Project & Angus Underwood City Council, Lucinda Cox, Mangroves to Mountains, Peter Gibney, Peter Gray, PlantNET, Rainer Hartlieb, Richard Smith, Rita de Heer, Rous County Council and Lismore City Council Robert Whyte, Rous County Council, Save Our Waterways Now, acknowledge Darren Bailey’s invaluable input Terania Rainforest Publishing, The Royal Botanic Gardens and into the Lismore Region edition of the Domain Trust, Vanessa Tallon, Veda Dante, Wendy Gibney. My Local Native Garden guide.
ROUS COUNTY COut«:11.
'ff!' BIODIVERSITY I r~ MANAGEMENT ;~;:onmental - ),,~ STRATEGY levyatwo,k Black Bean Illustration: A Erskine 2 My Local Native Garden 5 Contents INTRODUCTION Welcome 4 Biodiversity in the backyard 5 My local native garden sections 6 How to use this book 7 Vegetation communities 8 Lismore Landscapes 9 LANDSCAPING FOR 12 WATER QUALITY 10
DESIGN Site Analysis 12 Design Process 14 Basic Planting Guide 16 MY LOCAL NATIVE GARDEN 26 COASTAL PLAINS 18 MIDLAND HILLS 22 ESCARPMENT RANGES 26 AQUATIC PLANTS & WATER FEATURES 30
KOALAS 32
18 INVASIVE SPECIES 34
OTHER POINTS FOR CONSIDERATION 36
RESOURCES & REFERENCES 38
My Local Native Garden 3 Introduction
WELCOME TO MY LOCAL NATIVE GARDEN – A PLANTING GUIDE TO PROMOTE BIODIVERSITY IN THE LISMORE REGION.
MESSAGE FROM ROUS All of the key water sources of Rous COUNTY COUNCIL County Council (Rocky Creek Dam, Emigrant Creek Dam and the Wilsons Have you ever stopped to think how River source) are located within the we’ve inherited clean water to drink, Big Scrub landscape. In this way, Rous fresh air to breathe or how our soils water represents ‘water from the Big continue to grow healthy food? The Scrub rainforest.’ The quality of these answer is biodiversity – literally the water sources is dependent upon the variety of plants and animals, their prevailing conditions in these water genetics and the ecosystems they live catchment areas. Management of in. These plants and animals, soils catchments is important for improving and microorganisms all help to ‘filter’ the quality of water flowing from the our water, generate our oxygen and hillsides and into our streams. Protecting provide the gift of healthy soils. We and restoring native vegetation serves need to protect biodiversity for our a range of functions that improve the own health as well as play our part in quality of the catchment, and have a looking after the earth. beneficial effect on water quality, one of When we turn on our taps, the the key management goals of sources within our catchments. In this quality of the water that flows out Rous County Council. way you will be helping to manage water in partnership with nature by has been influenced by these natural Rous County Council encourages all helping to protect the health of our processes. Rous County Council is landholders in our water catchment waterways, for the benefit of our the bulk water supply authority with a areas – whether at an the individual lot local drinking water supply and primary responsibility to level in an urban setting or at a larger the enhancement of biodiversity ‘supply high quality safe drinking scale in our rural areas – to create a in the Big Scrub landscape. water.’ And so how is biodiversity native garden or other natural habitat and our local native gardens involved area to positively influence water in this function? {'!, ,., y),,I 'I. '-.. Scrambling Lily , Illustration: A Erskine .,~ .,,~- - ~ 7. . ' . ,✓ ..._ .\ ..--~:-~--~ ..... - ~ .... -,,.,<_-\ ~
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MESSAGE FROM LISMORE Increased population, dated land CITY COUNCIL management practices and pressure I from agriculture and development have I The Lismore Local Government Area fragmented the original environment { -~ (LGA) is located within the Northern into small ‘islands’ or remnants where Rivers Region and is recognised for its species are vulnerable to weeds, .. . • ·.--~ amazing biodiversity – one of the richest pests and predators. When it comes and most diverse regions for flora and to flora and fauna, we often think of fauna and their associated habitats in an individual species being in danger Australia. The LGA borders onto the of extinction, but the reality is each World Heritage listed Border Ranges individual species depends on a range of National Park and is within the Border other species – a ‘community’ – for their Ranges rainforest region. The LGA also survival. This is the inter-dependence contains fragments of the Big Scrub of ecosystems and why it is important rainforest, which was once Australia’s to protect not just one species, but all Macadamia largest expanse of lowland subtropical species – biodiversity. Illustration: H Bunkers rainforest. The Big Scrub was extensively cleared following European settlement and now less than 1% of its original BY PLANTING A NATIVE GARDEN FILLED WITH extent remains. The high biodiversity LOCAL PLANTS YOU CAN CONNECT YOUR GARDEN is a result of the regions position in the Macleay-McPherson Overlap, where TO THE EXISTING WILDLIFE CORRIDORS AND the southernmost limit of many tropical ENHANCE THE SURVIVAL FOR MANY NATIVE species and the northernmost limit of SPECIES AND THEIR ECOSYSTEMS many temperate species coincide. Within the LGA the biodiversity values This publication hopes to inspire with a range of natural habitats to help include over 1000 vascular plants, 60 you to invite the natural world into support the great diversity of local species of mammal, 236 species of bird, your own backyard. It is an entry point wildlife. By creating a backyard native 33 species of amphibian and 55 species to introduce you to just some of the garden you are helping to protect and of reptile. The Northern Rivers Region incredible variety of local native plants. restore biodiversity; the health of our contains a large number of endemic The guide will assist you to design, waterways and drinking water supply; species and whilst the region occupies plant and maintain your own garden the land, wildlife and people. just 6.3% of NSW, it supports over with species that are local to your 40% of the state’s threatened species, area. By following our basic planting including around 70% of threatened guide, your garden will not only be frogs, 75% of threatened birds, 60% easier to grow and maintain, but it will of threatened mammals and 40% of integrate into the surrounds, linking threatened plants. In addition, one fifth of the State’s threatened ecological communities are known to occur in the Northern Rivers Region.
Wompoo Green Tree Frog (juvenile) Fruit-Dove Leaf-tailed Gecko Photo: W Gibney Photo: D Taylor Photo: R Hartlieb
My Local Native Garden 5 Firewheel Tree Illustration: Andy Erskine My Local Native Garden Sections: AS THERE ARE MANY FACTORS THAT AFFECT AND INFLUENCE NATIVE VEGETATION, IT IS DIFFICULT TO BE PRECISE ABOUT WHAT TYPE OF VEGETATION COMMUNITY WILL THRIVE AT YOUR PLACE. SO TO HELP YOU IDENTIFY WHICH NATIVE COMMUNITIES BEST SUIT YOUR GARDEN WE HAVE DIVIDED VEGETATION TYPES INTO 3 ZONES:
COASTAL PLAINS MIDLAND HILLS ESCARPMENT RANGES RIVERS AND FLOODPLAINS (P 18-21) (P 22-25) (P 26-29)
Bexhill Koonirigan Bentley McLeans Along the ridges Blakebrook Lagoon Grass Blue Knob Ridges and the gullies of: Boatharbour Lismore (South, Bungabee McKees Hill Dorroughby Booerie Creek North, CBD) Caniaba Modanville Mountain Top Booyong Loftville Chilcotts Grass Mountain Top Nightcap Broadwater Monaltrie Corndale Numulgi Nimbin Buckendoon Ruthven Clunes Nimbin Repentance Creek Coraki South Coffee Camp Pearces Creek Terania Creek Corndale Gundurimba Dorroughby Repentance The Channon Dungarubba Spring Grove Dunoon Creek Whian Whian East Coraki Tatham East Lismore Richmond Hill Eltham Tuckurimba Girards Hill Rock Valley Fernside Tuncester Goonellabah Rosebank Green Forest North Georgica Stoney Chute Goolmangar Woodburn Keerrong The Channon Howards Grass Woodlawn Larnook Terania Creek Jiggi Wyrallah Leycester Tregeagle Kilgin Lindendale Tucki Tucki Lismore Tullera Heights Tuntable Creek Marom Creek
6 My Local Native Garden How to use this book 1. Look 2. Check 3. Choose
at the sections opposite (Coastal Plains; the locations under the section from the list of striking native plants in Midland Hills; Escarpment Ranges) – heading– is their one near you? Do your section – ring up your local bush which best describes your property? the soil and landscape descriptions friendly nursery and ask them if they Go to it and view the range of stunning fit your place? If not, look at some have your selection in stock. plants that will enrich your garden. other sections – your garden may draw inspiration from two or more sections*.
* Remember – finding a garden type that resembles your property is a ‘best fit’ – this is a general guide and your garden may 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 an environmental strategies officer at Council.
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Birdsnest Fern Illustration: H Bunkers Photo: R Hartlieb
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~·a,' _.- _...... •------=- -::.:.------=--=--=-----=---- . l- -~:-~ -=----=------..-··. Snake Vine Illustration: A Erskine WHAT IS A ‘PLANT COMMUNITY’? MANY RELATIONSHIPS WITHIN A PLANT COMMUNITY ARE SYMBIOTIC – WHERE THERE IS A RELIANCE OR MUTUAL Plant communities are a unique BENEFIT DERIVED BETWEEN SPECIES – CREATING AN assemblage of flora that have evolved INTERCONNECTED ‘WEB’. ADDITIONALLY, OVERLAPPING as a result of interactions between a AREAS OF COMMUNITIES ARE KNOWN AS TRANSITION variety of factors such as: ZONES OR ‘ECOTONES’, WHICH SHOW A PARTICULARLY HIGH LEVEL OF SPECIES RICHNESS • Geology - underlying rock type and its effect on soils and nutrients • Soil type – whether the soils are Below is a list of just some of the many local ecological communities in free draining (sand based) or the Lismore Region – several of these are listed as threatened under State swampy (heavy clay based); fertile or Federal legislation. or low in organic matter • Elevation – increased altitude usually EXAMPLES OF NATURAL PLANT COMMUNITIES leads to cooler, wetter conditions, it can also affect temperature and Mangroves exposure, (all of which impacts on Swamp sclerophyll forests on coastal floodplains soil types), and can determine if an area is prone to frost Swamp oak floodplain forests • Aspect – particularly on slopes Freshwater wetlands on coastal floodplains where one side has predominantly sun/shade and/or particular winds Subtropical coastal floodplain forests • Distance from the coast – exposure Lowland rainforests on floodplain to salt laden winds or in tidal zones Dry rainforest where only those species that can handle brackish inundation can Wet sclerophyll forest (shrub grass formation) thrive Dry sclerophyll forest (shrubby sub formation) • Temperature– the variation in Riparian rainforest temperature range increases with distance from the moderating Eastern riverine forest influence of the ocean Heath & shrub-lands . -- ..:....._:,-=, •-~:- d!' ,:,·,f..<'-~~,.-?..;. ::.--:--~::.. ,
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Tree Fern Illustration: H Bunkers
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Arrowhead vine Illustration: T Roberts
Landscapes of Lismore
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LANDSCAIPES OOastal Pliuns
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My Local Native Garden 9 Landscaping for Water Quality
DID YOU KNOW THAT LISMORE AND ITS SURROUNDING VILLAGES LIE WITHIN A DRINKING WATER CATCHMENT?
A catchment is an area of land that feeds water to a particular creek, river or other water body. In Lismore, water is pumped directly from the Wilsons River to the Nightcap Water Treatment Plant, for treatment before it is distributed across the region as drinking water.
WHAT WE DO IN OUR CATCHMENT AFFECTS THE QUALITY OF OUR REGIONS DRINKING WATER
In Lismore and our surrounding villages, stormwater flows either directly across the landscape into creeks and rivers, or it travels through a network of drains and underground pipes before it empties into our waterways, carrying with it a range of pollutants and increasing the potential for erosion. When this happens within a drinking water catchment it affects river health and drinking water quality by introducing:
10 My Local Native Garden Landscaping for Water Quality
• Sediments from erosion and runoff improve the quality and quantity of water Water Sensitive Urban that harms aquatic life, clogs entering our local waterways. Design - What you can do! streams and burdens the drinking Incorporating WSUD in backyard water treatment process; There are a number of simple design can: • Pathogens from pet waste and and effective ways you can inadequate septic systems; • Filter pollutants from stormwater implement WSUD in your before it enters our waterways; backyard such as: • Nutrients from lawn and garden
fertilisers that can promote the • Reduce the volume of stormwater • Build a raingarden growth of aquatic plants and cause entering our waterways; • Install a rainwater tank toxic algal blooms; and • Improve the health of our • Use landscaping materials waterways and our local water • Chemicals from garden pesticides, for water quality herbicides, automotive fluids or supply; car washing detergents. • Minimise demand on the reticulated town water supply TECHNIQUES TO HELP system; PROTECT WATERWAYS • Incorporate collection, treatment and/or reuse of stormwater; Water Sensitive Urban Design • Mitigate the impacts of floods; (WSUD) seeks to minimise these • Enhance the beauty of your impacts by using a holistic approach property; to town planning and development, which embraces the management and • Filter sediment, pathogens, conservation of water. nutrients and chemicals; and • Maintain healthy waterways for WSUD can be incorporated in your future generations to enjoy. property design to capture, treat and reuse stormwater. By utilising WSUD at your place, you can help to significantly
My Local Native Garden 11 Design
LISMORE AND ITS SITE ANALYSIS SURROUNDING Site Analysis is a pivotal stage that • Problem areas to address such as VILLAGES HAVE AN lists an inventory of existing and soil quality & drainage OUTSTANDING PALETTE desirable features of the garden that • Fences, overhead power lines & OF INDIGENOUS PLANTS guide the design. Typical features underground cables include: TO CHOOSE FROM. A • Water outlets GARDEN THAT UTILISES • Direction of cooling summer LOCAL SPECIES WILL LOOK breezes and warm winter sun MORE IN PLACE WITH ITS (typically north east) – best to Sadly… we’ve all done it… leave free of obstructions and keep SURROUNDS AND LINK UP excited by a surge of plant plantings low. WITH EXISTING HABITAT impulse buys, we give little TO ‘INVITE’ THE NATIVE • Direction of cold winter winds thought to an overall layout. WILDLIFE TO YOUR PLACE. (typically south west) – best The result: a garden that for larger trees and wind block doesn’t function with the plantings to shelter the property surrounding environment. SUCCESSFUL GARDEN DESIGN • Desirable views to retain and areas Creating an initial design for a BEGINS WITH A SITE PLAN in the garden or rooms of new garden or even renovating - A SCALE DRAWING THAT the house where you wish to an existing garden will give you INCLUDES ANY SIGNIFICANT create privacy an overview of what to aim for, even if funds only allow FEATURES OF THE SITE SUCH • Undesirable views to obscure realising the design gradually AS EXISTING TREES, SHEDS • Pedestrian and vehicle access over time. AND PATHS ETC. • Trees & plants to be retained
Pruned Lilly Pilly hedge with Giant Spear Lily. Photo: V Dante 12 My Local Native Garden SITE ANALYSIS EXAMPLE (Diagram 1)
Cool summer breezes Tree to retain
- · - · - · - · - · - · - · - · 7
Warm winter sun
Dry area under eaves is unsuitable for turf or plants Hot afternoon sun
Area which is easily accessed from kitchen
Tree to remove _,I / o I
Good utility ~I area due to I minimal views Cool winter winds from house I
I N Narrow shady area W E ______J s '
BAR SCAL*E Street
lSI PRIVACY .v1 FOCAL ~---;-7 PEDESTRIAN REQUIRED ~ POINT ~ ACCESS
Illustration: M Lisson My Local Native Garden 13 Hibiscus Harlequin Bug. Photo: L Koesterke
DESIGN • FILTER STRIPS • MATERIALS Once you have considered your Filter strips are a type of backyard Think about all of the hard surfaces existing site analysis, you can think buffer that can be used in a wide that cannot absorb water, such as about your needs and define your variety of places in order to improve driveways, carports, rooftops, patios, objectives, then develop a concept water quality. Examples of filter strips and paths. These areas will increase plan. This is a simple bubble diagram in the backyard include flower beds rainwater runoff rather than absorbing that helps you to consider where with ornamental grasses, perennial it. Use porous materials designed the different functional areas will be gardens, and “no-mow” zones. As to allow water to soak through the located and how they will connect rainwater passes through a filter strip, surface and seep back into the ground. and relate to one another. the low growing vegetation slows the movement of water, allowing sediment This section is designed to help to settle out, and excess nutrients • OTHER you plan a simple and effective and pollutants to be filtered by the CONSIDERATIONS garden landscape for water quality. plants. The plants also help absorb Incorporating these techniques can Structural diversity is a crucial element some of the rainwater, resulting in less filter out pollutants and soak up in creating an assortment of habitats in stormwater from your property. excess water on your property your garden. Try to choose a variety of influencing water sources within our plants and layers, i.e. groundcovers & catchments and helping to protect • RAINGARDENS grasses, vines & scramblers, shrubs & the health of our waterways, our local Raingardens (also known as bio thickets, small and tall trees, that will in drinking water supply, land, wildlife retention systems), are garden beds turn maximise the range of wildlife that and people. that use a coarse or porous soil will come to nest, rest and play in your mixture of sand or gravel beneath garden. ARMED WITH YOUR SITE a bed of native plants to capture, filter and treat stormwater from PLAN AND ANSWERS your driveway or roof. Raingardens TO THE FUNCTIONS OF reduce flooding by sending the water Think about what functions you YOUR GARDEN, START back underground rather than into want your garden to serve. the street. In addition, raingardens DESIGNING WHERE THE promote biodiversity by providing • Is there a place to relax and to FOLLOWING POINTS habitat for wildlife. entertain? • Do you wish to attract birds WILL BE ON YOUR PLAN and butterflies? • RAINWATER TANKS • Do you require children’s play • BACKYARD BUFFERS Installing a rainwater tank is one of areas or outdoor entertaining the easiest ways to reduce the amount areas? Buffers are gardens of densely of stormwater leaving your property, planted native species placed • What about site features such by collecting runoff from your roof between hard surfaces at the as pools, garden sheds or and storing it for later use. Rainwater location where stormwater leaves pergolas? tanks come in all shapes and sizes your property. While the size of • Is low maintenance a priority? and can be simply fitted with a tap buffers can vary, wider buffers • Do you want vegetable and connected to a hose for watering have a greater ability to stabilise gardens and/or chickens? the garden and for washing pets and soils, filter pollutants, and absorb • Do you have pets and will vehicles. Your rainwater tank could stormwater. they need to be fenced? also be connected internally providing water for toilets and laundry.
14 My Local Native Garden GARDEN DESIGN EXAMPLE (Diagram 2)
Dense planting creates privacy to deck and loungeroom windows Low planting allows the deck and lounge to be open Deciduous fruit/nut to summer breezes and and native trees winter sun provide shade from hot afternoon sun in summer, and allow sunlight in winter
Riverstone gravel under eaves
Clothesline
Dense planting creates privacy Rain-garden and protection from cold winter Vegetable garden winds Slim-line tank Wooden screen
Gate 2M fence
Vine grown N along fence maximises space W E and retains machinery s ' access to garden -'.'.<~
BAR SCALE* :ill; ii Ii~!~: i! ~i~t i~f ~l~ i~~~:. _ Porous driveway
Footpath entry
Illustration: M Lisson My Local Native Garden 15 Foambark. Photo: I Stych
BASIC PLANTING GUIDE GETTING HELP Before you plant • Check your soil type – does it Help can be obtained from match the description & type of Lismore City Council, landscape garden & plants in your zone? Does designers, experienced bush the soil need any ‘conditioning’ regenerators, websites and (mulch, fertiliser, organic matter) nurseries. There are also a lot before planting? of great books and gardening • Choose plants – pay attention to magazines out there to help microclimate, (e.g. full sun/shade, design your garden – why not put etc) a scrapbook together of all the • Prepare the site – Preliminary elements you wish to include? weeding, dig all the holes and have Most importantly, spend time fertiliser, mulch and water on hand in your garden, get to know the microclimates and plan your Correct planting technique garden around its strengths and Check with the nursery where you limitations. purchase the plants about specific planting tips for your selected species, e.g. siting of the planting, watering & fertiliser requirements, mulching etc. Reputable online gardening websites can also be a great source of information.
Photos: V Dante, J Mayson and Lismore City Council 16 My Local Native Garden 1 2 3
1. Dig a hole slightly deeper and at 2. Gently remove the plant from 3. Fill back soil, making sure that the least twice as wide as the pot size. the pot or tube and place in the surface root ball is well covered 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 fertiliser and water & fill the hole with water and allow surrounding soil. If the roots are crystals/gel. Press the backfill down both to drain away. If the water pot-bound gently loosen the root with your hands and shape the soil doesn’t drain from the hole you ball and then place in hole. surface slightly to hold water. Do may need additional help with the not place organic matter or too addition of gypsum or build up a free much fertiliser at the base of the draining mound of soil to plant into. hole as this may encourage root rot or fertiliser ‘burn’.
4. Water the plant thoroughly after planting and then once a week for the first few months, (depending on season). Thereafter, water generously when the soil feels dry. 5. Mulch around the plant - 10cm thick with at least a 50cm radius - this will help to retain moisture and discourage weed growth. Avoid placing mulch against the stem of the plant as this may encourage collar rot. 4 5
Planting illustrations: H Bunkers My Local Native Garden 17 Coastal Plains Rivers and Floodplains
LOCATIONS: BEXHILL, BLAKEBROOK, BOATHARBOUR, BOOERIE CREEK, BOOYONG, BROADWATER, BUCKENDOON, CORAKI, CORNDALE, DUNGARUBBA, EAST CORAKI, ELTHAM, FERNSIDE, GREEN FOREST, GOOLMANGAR, HOWARDS GRASS, JIGGI, KILGIN, KOONIRIGAN, LAGOON GRASS, LISMORE (SOUTH, NORTH, CBD), LOFTVILLE, MONALTRIE, RUTHVEN, SOUTH GUNDURIMBA, SPRING GROVE, TATHAM, TUCKURIMBA, TUNCESTER, NORTH WOODBURN, WOODLAWN, WYRALLAH.
he coastal plains, riparian zones communities and sedge-lands thrive the whole length of the waterway. It and floodplains of the Lismore in areas of wetlands, and, in the lower will also encourage the movement of Tregion are some of the most estuary, communities of mangroves all life forms that rely on the coastal altered and disturbed in the Richmond and other salt tolerant plants are found. plains for their survival. Catchment. Settlement and farming on All these species, (except mangroves, the floodplain has changed vegetation which require brackish or salt water) from flood-tolerant native trees, can still flourish near dams, soaks or in shrubs and wetland plants to flood- gardens on the coastal plains. susceptible exotic plants and grasses. Choosing to plant species native to The floodplain is intensively grazed the coastal plain of the Lismore region and cropped for sugarcane, tea-tree will make your property part of a re- and soya beans. gion-wide wildlife corridor. Doing this will invite an incredible diversity of Prior to settlement the coastal plain wildlife and plants into your backyard. supported a rich mosaic of plant communities. Remnants of majestic Dense plantings can slow runoff eucalypt forest still exist in drier areas. and catch silt, which will help prevent Port Jackson Fig Paper-bark tea-tree forest, swamp oak erosion and maintain the health of Illustration: A Erskine
WILDLIFE: ECHIDNAS, POSSUMS, WATER DRAGONS, PLATYPUS, FLYING FOX, INSECTIVOROUS BATS, SWAMP WALLABY, VARIOUS NATIVE FROGS AND FISH, AND A WIDE VARIETY OF BIRDS INCLUDING THE PACIFIC BAZZA
Green Tree Frog Echidna Pacific Bazza Photo: D Kemp Photo: V Dante Photo: D Pierce 18 My Local Native Garden CREATING A CREEK-SIDE fences and pergolas to enjoy their groundcovers, whilst Blue Tongue, RAINFOREST GARDEN showy flowers. Mulch is essential as Breynia and Orange Thorn are all mid- it mimics the original forest’s nutrient sized shrubs and scramblers. Diligent SOIL DESCRIPTION: processing, keeps the soil moist, and weeding of exotic species may even From gravels near the headwaters inhibits the growth of weeds. revive one or two ground orchids. to fine clays near the estuary and EXAMPLES: Currie Park and Wet or boggy ground: A Paper-Bark all the gradations of particle size Pritchard Park in North Lismore. Tea Tree forest will flourish where the in between. ground water is close to the surface Many gardens border creeks, rivers CREATING AN ALLUVIAL or the ground is frequently inundated. and ephemeral watercourses. By PLAINS GARDEN Plant species consist of River She-oaks recreating the structure of the natural and Buttonwood as well as Weeping vegetation communities with trees SOIL DESCRIPTION: Bottlebrush and Paper-Bark Tea Trees. for canopy cover, under-planted Silt-based, usually dark grey clays, Poorly drained soils support a large with shrubs, ferns and sedges, it is tendency to crack if allowed to variety of sedges, rushes and ferns as possible to create your own patch of dry out. well as such beauties as Sundews, riparian rainforest. Karamat and Violets. Depending on their access to Plant tussocky Lomandras mixed moisture, these lands once supported with the beautiful Crinum Lilies to a variety of forests. protect the creek sides from erosion. Interplant with shrubs such as Native Drier ground: The Eucalypt (e.g. E. Mulberry, a butterfly host and Velvet terreticornis) and Angophora (e. g. A. Leaf whose berries attract small floribunda, A. subvelutina) species birds, interspersed with local riparian that once dominated these areas are tree species such as Weeping Lilly potentially very large trees. Due to Pilly and Creek Sandpaper Fig. bushfire constraints and the danger of Finish off with a sward of native falling branches these species are not groundcovers such as Dianella and safe to plant near buildings. However Blue Commelina, which can both there are hundreds of other plants to be mown to help sieve sediments choose from including: River Oak, from runoff before it hits the creek. which when mature will attract the No rainforest garden is complete Black Cockatoo; Native Violet and without a vine or two trained along Pygmy Panic which are low growing
Slaters Creek, Paperbark, Photo: V Tallon Photo: V Dante My Local Native Garden 19 7 6 5 3 2 1 4 8 host; birdattractant flowers; butterfly Robust; scented Silkpod Common and white flower delicate purple groundcover with Sprawling Native Violet Bushfood edible blueberries. purple flowers & leaves, dainty grass. Lush,strappy Great clumping Dianella white flowers Fragrant showy River Lily Swamp or spikes branched flower strappy leaves, Tussock growth, Lomandra ants; butterflyhost banded bees;harvester flowers blue;blue- Easily propagated; Dwarf Panic Pygmy Panic, deep blueflowers Perennial herbwith Commelina Blue rhizomes paperbarks, creeping Swampy, near Fern Swamp Water GROUNDCOVERS Coastal Plains–RiversandFloodplains AND GRASSES SCRAMBLERS SHRUBS TREES VINES AND 10 9 (p24) 22 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 (p28) 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
12 Weeping LillyPilly Willow Bottlebrush Veiny Wilkiea Creek SandpaperFig River Oak Thorny Pea Velvet Leaf Orange Thorn Native Mulberry Breynia Blue Tongue Common Silkpod Maidenhair Fern Climbing Native Yam Vine Birdwing Butterfly Native Violet Dianella Swamp orRiver Lily Lomandra Panic Pygmy Panic, Dwarf Blue Commelina Swamp WaterFern 11 COMMON NAME edible fruitpulp Prolific mauve flowers; Blue Tongue Prefers moistrockeries Dainty fern-likeleaves. Maidenhair Fern Climbing floribunda Waterhousia salignus Callistemon huegeliana Wilkiea Ficus coronata cunninghamiana Casuarina acanthocladum Desmodium pendunculata Callicarpa multiflorum Pittosporum argenteus Pipterus oblongifolia Breynia Melastoma affine straminea Parsonia microphyllum Lygodium transversa Dioscorea praevenosa Pararistolochia Viola hederaceae Dianella caerulea pendunculatum Crinum Lomandra hystrix pygmaeum Panicum cyanea Commelina indicum Blechnum SC NAME HEIGHT 5-10m 1-2m 0.1m 0.8m 0.3m 0.3m 0.5m 30m 10m 15m 35m 8m 2m 2m 8m 3m 2m 4m 4m 1m 1m n/a spreading spreading spreading spreading spreading 20 creeping WIDTH 5-10m 1-2m 10m n/a n/a 2m 6m 8m 1m 1m 5m 2m 2m 1m 1m My Local Native Garden 1m FULL SUN ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
21 TOLERANT
My Local Native Garden FROST ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
TOLERANT FLOOD ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Tiny flowers, redberries; Native Mulberry TOLERANT DROUGHT bird attractant, bird attractant, butterfly host butterfly host ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Edible fruit; Breynia HEAVY CLAY TOLERATES
SOILS ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ 14 13
TOLERATES SANDY SOILS ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ Most ofyear Most ofyear FLOWERS Spring to Spring to Spring to Spring to Summer Summer Summer Summer Summer Summer Summer Summer Summer Autumn All year Spring/ Spring/ Spring/ Spring/ Spring Spring Spring Spring yes Sandpaper Fig Orange Thorn Veiny Wilkiea attracts smallbirds summer towinter; Perfumed white to butterfly attractant Prickly shrubwith on trunk and older on trunkandolder Bottlebrush and female;Food Hairy edible fruit Hairy ediblefruit Thorny Pea Spiny; cover for for Glossy Black for GlossyBlack branches; older to 5cm,bird& Velvet Leaf yellow flowers; branches; birds, delicate purple bird attractant, ie Oak River white flowers, Flower spikes Separate male Separate male Bright berries Lilly Pilly butterfly host butterfly host Weeping edible berry flying foxes, flying foxes, small birds; Cockatoos leaves red Willow Drooping Creek flowers.
18 17 16 15 21 20 19 22 Midland Hills
LOCATIONS: BENTLEY, BLUE KNOB, BUNGABEE, CANIABA, CHILCOTTS GRASS, CORNDALE, CLUNES, COFFEE CAMP, DORROUGHBY, DUNOON, EAST LISMORE, GIRARDS HILL, GOONELLABAH, GEORGICA, KEERRONG, LARNOOK , LEYCESTER, LINDENDALE, LISMORE HEIGHTS, MAROM CREEK, MCLEANS RIDGES, MCKEES HILL, MODANVILLE, MOUNTAIN TOP, NUMULGI, NIMBIN, PEARCES CREEK, REPENTANCE CREEK, RICHMOND HILL, ROCK VALLEY, ROSEBANK, STONEY CHUTE, THE CHANNON, TERANIA CREEK, TREGEAGLE, TUCKI TUCKI, TULLERA, TUNTABLE CREEK.
he midland hills are located The Big Scrub once covered changes from rainforest to wet primarily to the North of Lismore the entire hinterland area (75,000 sclerophyll forest. Tamongst the rolling hills and hectares), however this was almost valleys of the Wilsons River catchment. enti