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Private gardens occupy significant land in the urban environment. As such, they offer important habitat for birds and animals. Native plant gardens offer the best refuge and there are over 700 plant species on the Northern Beaches to choose from. This brochure has been produced to give an example of attractive easy-grow natives. The nurseries listed can assist with further selection and growing techniques.
Large Shrubs
1. Angophora hispida-Dwarf Apple Gum
Hardy upright shrub producing spectacular clusters of large cream flowers during summer. Requires an open sunny position for maximum flowering. A terrific plant for attracting nectar feeding birds. Height: to 4 metres.
2. Banksia serrata-Old Man Banksia Great character plant with distinctive serrated leaves and gnarled bark. Soft grey-green cylindrical flower spikes are produced in summer through to winter, hardy in most positions. Best known from the Snugglepot and Cuddlepie book by May Gibbs. Height:
to 6 metres.
3. Banksia ericifolia-Heath Banksia Bushy shrub producing orange cylindrical flower spikes autumn through to winter. Best grown in a sunny position and will tolerate poorly drained soils. A preferred nesting plant for small native birds. Height: to 5 metres.
4. Callistemon citrinus-Red Bottle Brush Stiff leafed shrub producing red bottle shaped flowers late spring, summer and autumn. Requires a sunny position for maximum flowering and will tolerate poorly drained soils. Light pruning will promote a compact shape. Height: to 3 metres.
5. Callicoma serratifolia-Black Wattle Tall shrub ideally suited to shady and poorly drained areas. Produces clusters of cream ball-shaped flowers in spring, the dark green leaves have an attractive silvery underside. Used by our early settlers in wattle-and-daub buildings. Height: to 4.5 metres.
6. Melaleuca ericifolia-Swamp Paper-Bark Bushy upright shrub producing cream bottle shaped flowers in summer. Hardy in most positions and will tolerate poorly drained soils. An ideal fast growing screening plant. Height to 4 metres.
Small Shrubs
7. Acacia linifolia-Flax-leafed Wattle Common wattle of our local bushland producing yellow flower balls in summer. Relatively hardy in most positions and tolerates part shade. A wide selection of additional local wattle species is available commercially. Height: to 1.5 metres
8. Baeckea linifolia Graceful shrub with drooping thin leaves complemented by clusters of tiny white flowers in summer. Grows well in sun or shade position and tolerates poorly drained soils. An ideal plant for screening. Height: to 2.0 metres
9. Banksia robur-Swamp Banksia
Upright shrub with spectacular large toothed leaves produces velvety grey-green flower spikes autumn through winter. Hardy in most positions and tolerates poorly drained soils. This plant is still present on the northern peninsula in small colonies, however has largely
disappeared from the Manly area due to development of its natural environment. Height: to 1.5 metres.
10. Banksia spinulosa-Hair-Pin Banksia Rounded compact shrub producing yellow or orange cylindrical flowers spikes autumn through to winter. Best grown in a sunny position with well-drained soil. Ideal Banksia for the smaller garden. Height: to 1.5 metres.
11. Bauera rubioides-River Rose
Growing usually as a straggling plant in its natural environment this little shrub can be pruned to promote a compact shape if desired. Produces delicate rose-like flowers mainly in spring and summer. Requires permanent root moisture and tolerates part-shade. Height: to 1 metre.
12. Dianella caerulea-Flax Lily Hardy little plant producing sprays of purple flowers in spring and summer, attractive blue berries follow flowering. Hardy in most soils and requires some sun for flowering, an ideal plant for filling in gaps. Suitable for a rockery and narrow garden bed. Additional local forms are available. Height: to 1 metre
13. Epacris longiflora-Native Fuchsia
Small shrub producing rows of tubular crimson and white flowers, often for most of the year. Requires a well-drained position with soil that is constantly moist. Rocks positioned around the base of the plant may assist with this. May be tip-pruned to promote a compact shape. Height: to 0.5 metre
14. Grevillea linearifolia-White Spider Flower Variable open shrub producing clusters of white to pale pink flowers often throughout the year. Hardy in most positions and tolerates part shade. May be lightly pruned to produce a compact shape. Height: to 2.5 metres.
15. Grevillea sericia-Pink Spider Flower
Looking like curled up spiders before opening, the pink flowers of this plant are quite spectacular. Flowering time is mainly spring and over a long period. Requires a sunny well-drained position and may be lightly pruned to promote a compact shape. Flower shades may vary. Height: to 1.5 metres
16. Platysace lanceolata-Native Parsnip Variable little shrub producing compact clusters of white flowers during summer. May be grown in a sunny position if soil moisture can be maintained. Lightly prune after flowering. Height: to 1 metre.
Climbers
17. Hardenbergia violacea (local form) -False Sarsparilla Gentle little twiner producing small sprays of purple flowers during winter. Will behave like a ground cover if has nothing to twine around. Requires a sunny position for maximum flowering and hardy in most positions. A non-local form is available that is more of a twining shrub.
18. Hibbertia scandens-Snake Vine
Sturdy fast growing climber or ground cover producing large yellow flowers often for most of the year. Requires a sunny position for maximum flowering and hardy in most positions. May be grown in a pot. Recommended for covering a small trellis.
Ground Covers
19. Dichondra repens-Kidney Weed
Ground hugging plant requiring shady damp positions. Can be used as a lawn alternative for small low traffic areas or where turf is difficult to grow due to shade. Frog/small lizard habitat
Water-Loving
20. Isolepis nodosus-Knobby Club Rush Tufted dome shaped plant producing nutty brown ball shaped flowers. Grows well in moist sunny positions and looks terrific in a pot as a feature plant. Frog/small lizard habitat.
Grasses
21. Themeda australis-Kangaroo Grass Hardy tufted grass with green leaves often tinged with purple, the flower seeds are borne on long arching stalks. May be grown in a pot and if desired can be pruned back after flowering to promote new growth. Prefers sunny positions. Small lizard-habitat