GOING NATIVE
If it’s time to do a bit of backyard remodelling and you’d like to spruce up the garden, look no further than the beautiful flora growing right on your front doorstep. Native Australian plants have a wealth of benefits and bring a special vibrancy to every landscape. Here, Kirrily Ireland speaks with Damien McBride, Managing Director of Tech Scapes Australia Landscaping, about how you can incorporate native plants into your outdoor space.
Written by Kirrily Ireland.
PLAN, PLAN, PLAN
Whether you’re revamping your entire yard or just touching up a small outdoor area, McBride’s advice is to brainstorm first and get organised before you break ground. “If you are looking to do anything at all from major landscaping to just some low-key gardening, always plan,” he says. “Plan and budget and plan some more. Before you start any size of project. It will save you money and time and you will get a far better product at the end of it.”
This plan should include a few things, such as the budget, time, how you’d like the garden to look, which plants it will feature, and whether you plan on doing it yourself or hiring a professional. McBride advises that even if you do decide to DIY, it’s still best to “Consult a designer or a local horticulturist to obtain the best outcome”.
When it comes to allocating resources, McBride notes that, “A cost-effective native garden comes down to time or money. If you do not have the money then buy small plants and allow them to grow, in time this will be more cost effective. If you do not have the time, then you will need to buy bigger plants upfront.” Time constraints also translate to how much time you’ll have to maintain your garden in the long-term, for which there is a solution. “Low-maintenance gardens would include things such as ground covers, along with grasses, trees and hedges that do not need hedging or tidying – trees that you are happy to just let go,” says McBride.
A TOUCH OF LOCAL COLOUR
One of the best parts of going down the native garden path is that local plants are easy to source, since they grow right in our towns, cities and suburbs. This means the options are almost endless. However, it is important to consider your specific location. “Some plants simply will not survive in different areas owr climates, which is why it is always best to buy local,” McBride advises. For instance, “in and around the western Sydney area, plants such as westringia fruticosa [and] the callistemon species are two hardy plants.”
In saying this, McBride suggests to, “[visit] a nursery in your area, because they will generally stock plants that are going to be suited to the area that you live in and will have the greatest chance to thrive.”
EM-BARK-ING ON THE DESIGN
Once you’ve worked out the budget and decided which native flora you’d like to use, it’s time to work out with your landscaper how these plants will be incorporated into your backyard, especially if you have existing landmarks like a deck, pool or spa.
“Always create a theme, make sure the theme ties in with the planting and the planting ties in with the theme. For example, you might have some gardens around the pool, you might have some bush rocks – you’re trying to invite that native Australian environment into your backyard.”
There are many ways you can approach the landscaping design. Again, you’re completely free to give it a go yourself, but landscapers and horticulturalists, such as the experts at Tech Scapes, will take your backyardto the next level thanks to their years of experience. McBride has a few tips for homeowners. “Use native plants but always try and have a feature plant, such as a grass tree or a boab tree.” He also adds, “[native plants] work well with timber decks, and rustic items look fantastic with a native themed landscape.”
PLANTS WITH PERKS
Incorporating native flora into your garden will help it blend effortlessly into your surrounding environment, particularly if you select local flowers, shrubs and other greenery for cohesion. Not only is this visually pleasing, but you’ll also feel as one with the encompassing habitat. “Most native plants will attract butterflies and beautiful native birds and, of course, the bees,” McBride says. Imagine a backyard teeming with lush flora that accommodates the bustling nature around you. You could even include a beehive or birdhouse in your plans.
“The main advantage [of native plants] is [that] they are native to this country; they are helping sustain native vegetation and stop the spread of imported plants into our forests and bushlands,” McBride adds. “[Seeds and other debris] are transported by wind and by birds so planting native flora will always promote a positive outcome to the natural habitat.”
GROW YOUR OWN WAY
Backyards and alfresco areas make perfect retreats – spaces to relax, refresh and escape your everyday stresses – so feel free to express your own tastes and desires as you create your garden. “Colour and choice of plants is a very personal decision,” says McBride. “My advice would be to go somewhere like the botanical=gardens where there are lots of native gardens that have lots of wildflowers and lots of colours, it’s quite surprising what colours can come from native plants.”
If the first thing you picture when you think of Australian plants are dry eucalypts and acacias, which don’t really appeal to you, think again. “There are definitely uncommon natives that can make a space look unique,” McBride explains. “There are many natives that would really surprise people in the way they look, they almost don’t look native… quite green and lustrous looking.” There are plenty of resources online and chatting with an expert never hurts. Do some research and you’re bound to fall for the beautiful flora that graces this great land.
For McBride, it’s simple. “I love natives. I love the look of them, I love what they represent. I love where they come [from], it’s where I come from.”