Recently a customer asked me to help her design a native cottage garden.
She had watched an episode of Gardening Australia where they had made a beautiful cottage garden using only Australian native plants.
The problem was this list, like many native plant lists, had native plants that grew better in dry sandy soils not natives that can handle humidity, drought, frosts, black heavy clay soils .... all the things Ipswich can throw at a plant, sometimes at once!
Accepting the challenge, I set out to create a new list of native plants that thrive in Ipswich's variable climate and soils. Special thanks to The Mountain Man for his extensive knowledge of native plants; his input was invaluable in compiling this list.
This list is meant to inspire and demonstrate that anything is possible. It is not exhaustive but serves as a guideline. If it were my garden, I’d incorporate a variety of plants including grasses, groundcovers, shrubs, and flowering annuals. I would also plant trees to provide shade and create spaces for epiphytic plants like orchids and air plants.
Soil improvement would be ongoing, with compost and organic mulch, and I would fertilise with Organic Link at the start of each season, supplemented by regular liquid fertilising. A maintenance program would be essential for trimming and replacing plants as weather conditions change. A native garden still requires care, including fertilising and maintenance.
Australia's diversity means that just because a plant is native doesn’t necessarily make it suitable for every garden, soil, or climate. It's crucial to select the right plants for your specific conditions.
Cottage Garden using Australian Native Plants