Plants

Choosing Plants

Our program has a focus on indigenous plants but that doesn’t mean that other plants are not good to have in the garden too. Indigenous plants mix well with exotics and attract more local wildlife such as butterflies and native pollinators.

All plants contribute something to a wildlife garden so don’t worry if you like roses and rhododendrons, you don’t have to rip them out, consider adding some indigenous (local) plants as well. When choosing a plant ask yourself what wildlife will it bring to the garden? See links to suggested plants below. Sometimes it is hard to track down indigenous plants but the more requests there are the more chance nurseries will try and stock them.

The terms indigenous, native, exotic, may be confusing, the photos below give a simple explanation on what the terms generally mean. Some plants exotic and Australian natives, may also be considered weeds in certain situations.

indigenous - is a plant that is naturally occurring in a local area

(Prickly Moses, Acacia verticillata)

native (Australian native) - could be from any area in Victoria or wider Australia

(Banksia blechnifolia)

exotic - plants that are native to other countries

(Dahlias)

weeds – plants growing in the wrong place, listed as noxious or environmental weeds. Some native plants may become environmental weeds. (Billardiera fusiformis Bluebell Creeper)

We highlight the use of indigenous plants for several reasons:

They grow well in our local soils and have adapted to our climate
Indigenous and support a range of local butterflies, birds and insects etc.
Some local wildlife and insects prefer indigenous plants and many plants have adapted to being pollinated by local insects
Many local plants are disappearing from our local area as the size of the city of Ballarat grows.
Growing more local plants preserves and enhances natural genetic diversity
We can make a big difference by including a few local native plants in our gardens
Helps to restore a wider diversity of species to remaining original flora

Find a handy list of local species with photos here - Indigenous Plants for Ballarat Gardens

Check our quick pick list - link

or check our bigger list - link

Chrysocephalum apiculatum

Common Everlasting

groundcover

Dianella revoluta

Black-anthered Flax-lily

clumping plant

Kennedia prostrata

Running Postman

groundcover

Myroporum parvifolium

Creeping Boobialla

groundcover

Where to access local plants

Ballarat Wild Plants is one of the few nurseries that specialises in indigenous plants but the many of the other nurseries do have a range of native plants, see the list below.

As it is difficult to find local plants there are many advantages in learning how to grow your own plants from seeds or cuttings. Local seed may be purchased from Seeding Victoria

Joining a local landcare or friends group is an enjoyable way to learn more about local plants and how to grow them Find a Landcare Group

The Australian Plants Society Ballarat, garden clubs, landcare groups and community houses sometimes run workshops on propagation of native plants or look at Gardening Australia has a range of fact sheets and videos

Pultenea pedunculata

Matted Bush-pea

groundcover

Indigofera australis

Austral Indigo

shrub

Pelargonium australe

Austral Stork's-bill

small perennial

Dodonea viscosa

Hopbush

large shrub

Before you buy

It is reasonably easy and fun to go to a nursery and buy plants. Aside from the soil type, position and whether you want a tree or shrub, there are some other things to consider when buying plants, to ensure the plants you get will attract more wildlife to a garden:

While big showy grevilleas are beautiful, go for smaller flowered ones as the larger flowered ones attract the bigger more aggressive honeyeaters.
Have a balance of flower colours, too many red ones seem to attract bigger honeyeaters which scare away smaller birds.
What many gardens are missing are smaller birds, so look for plants that are prickly to provide shelter and have flowers inside the bush.
Ensure you have plants flowering in all months of the year so there is a constant source of food for wildlife. Visit a nursery in winter to see what is in flower.
Choose open flowered species rather than double frilly hybrid ones, which are more difficult for insects to access
Choose plants in smaller size pots rather than larger advanced plants, not only is it cheaper but there is less chance of the roots being tangled. This is most important with eucalypts as they are fast growing. If they are not re-potted in a timely manner their roots will take on the shape of the pot and not go on to develop a strong spreading root system that will survive in the wind.
Check the root system to make sure the plant is not pot bound. Don't be afraid to trim a few roots if the roots are matted at the bottom of the pot.
Ask the nursery person about the plant’s likelihood to be a weed. A link to an article about plants including wattles that may become weeds
Avoid exotic plants like ivy, cotoneaster and the native Bluebell Creeper that have berries, as birds will spread them into the local bushland