SHRUB Indigenous Plants for Ballarat Gardens Photograph: Jenny Sedgewick Tree Violet Melicytus dentatus FAST FACTS Tree Violet (Melicytus dentatus ) is a native Attracts : Small nectar-feeding birds such Shrub understorey shrub from the Ballarat region. as the handsome Eastern Spinebill and Family: Violaceae several local species of honeyeater, Location : Grow in a sunny or lightly shaded Violet treasure this plant for the food, safe refuge position in moist soil. Strong needle-like Size: 3m H x 2m W and nesting sites it provides. If you have spines between the leaves mean it is best Position: Sunny cats in the area and want to attract honey- planted away from walkways. Grow several Soil: Moist eaters to your garden this is the ideal plant. as an attractive hedge and effective security Flowers: Spring screen. Planting : Plant in a hole not much larger Fruits: Pale grey-mauve than the pot within a few days of purchase berries Leaves : Encourage to grow densely with and immediately provide a full bucket of Care: Moderate regular pruning. The dense growth habit and water. maintenance long sharp-pointed spines provide excellent shelter and nesting sites for small birds. Care : Tree Violet is best when grown as a 1.2m x 1m hedge so a regular light prune Flowers : In spring hundreds of pale cream will keep it compact, encourage dense bell-shaped flowers release a beautiful growth, better shelter and more flowers. perfume attracting small nectar-feeding birds Wear gloves to protect your hands when and butterflies. Flowers are followed by pale pruning, and remove trimmings to a safe grey-mauve succulent berries much place. favoured by fruit eaters such as lizards, Rosellas and Currawongs. Propagation : Grow from seed or cuttings. For further information contact Environmental and Conservation Science, Federation University Australia. www. federation.edu.au/ipbg .