Top 10 Native Australian Plants | Plants That Win Your Heart
Australia is home to a ton of different animals and a ton of cool and native Australian plants and shrubs. Plants are at the heart of the four main parts of the ecosystem – the tundra, the grasslands, the desert, and the forest.
In Australia, there’s a ton of amazing flora to explore, and some of it has been around for centuries. Kangaroos love to hang out in the forests and gardens, so it’s important to make sure they feel safe and secure. There exist approximately 24,000 native plants in Australia, and here are the top 10 native Australian plants you might not have heard of.
1. Blue Gum
Blue gum, also known as cider gum, is an Australian native tree that’s easy to take care of and can grow up to 21 meters tall and 5.4 meters wide. It can thrive in any soil, as long as it’s well-drained and moist, but can also thrive in poorly-drained soils.
It likes partial sun and full sun exposure, and prefers acidic or neutral pH. It’s one of the few plants that has evolved independently of the rest of the world, and there are lots of unusual and unique species in a variety of growing conditions. Eucalyptus, on the other hand, is fragrant, flashy, and evergreen, and blooms in the spring with pale blue flowers that draw birds.
It’s also deer-proof and drought-resistant, and can grow anywhere from Melbourne to Sydney.
2. Bottlebrush
Crimson bottlebrush is a gorgeous evergreen bush with arched branches that’s native to New South Wales, Australia. It grows to a height of 3 inches and a width of 3 inches. It’s best grown in soil that’s sandy, clay, or loamy, has a neutral pH, and is well-drained.
It’s full of fragrances, bright green, and is a great way to attract butterflies, hummingbirds, and other species of birds. It flowers in the spring and summer, and in the autumn and winter.
3. kangaroo Paw
Kangaroo Paw is a beautiful and easy-to-care for perennial plant that grows well in neutral or acidic soil. It thrives in full sun and can reach heights of 1-6 inches. It’s drought-tolerant, rabbit- and deer-proof, and loves to attract birds. It’s perfect for patio and container areas, as well as in beds and borders.
4. King Protea
This is the most common type of Protea, and it’s got one of the biggest flower heads out of all the Protea. Once the plant is set up, it’ll produce huge pink flowers that can reach 30cm in size! It’s a great addition to our Manic botanic flower arrangements, and it’s a great focal point.
5. Leukadendron
Leukadendron are like Protea in that they’re actually from South Africa, but they’re grown a lot in Australia too. They’re really popular all over the world because they have a beautiful cone-shaped flower head that’s surrounded by leaf-like coloured bracts instead of petals.
The flower head gets bigger towards the end of the season, and the central big woody cone gets bigger too. The stems of Leukadendrons have a pretty long life, usually around 20 days.
6. Banksia Giant Candles
This amazing banksias has huge flower heads and can grow up to 4-5 metres tall if left alone. It’s probably a hybrid of two other banksias from Brisbane, but it’s really adaptable to different soil types and doesn’t mind not having perfect drainage. You should use low phosphorus plant fertilizers in the fall and spring for the best flower production. Tip-prune the plant right from the start to get a compact, bird-loving plant. It can survive in even the coldest, most tropical Australian weather.
7. Wattle
The wattle tree is one of the fastest growing trees in the world, and it’s known for its gorgeous yellow flower balls. You can grow any kind of acacia tree – there are more than 1,350 species worldwide, and almost 1,000 in Australia – and it’s a great way to provide shelter, food, and a habitat for Australian birds. Plus, it’s a great pollen source, so it’s a popular spot for native bees to hang out.
8. Waratah
The waratah is a big, beautiful flower that’s one of Australia’s most iconic. It’s found in the southeast of the country and blooms bright red flowers, sometimes in different shades of white, pink, or yellow. It’s also popular with native birds. It used to be found in Sydney, but now it’s only found in national parks. It’s also the state emblem of New South Wales.
9. Spider Flower
The spider flower isn’t as intimidating as its name might make it seem. It’s a wide-ranging plant with hundreds of different species, each with its own unique leaves. The flowers come in a range of colors, from red to orange to pink to green to cream and yellow.
Plus, it’s great for attracting all kinds of insects, bees, and butterflies, and it’s a great spot for birds to feed on the nectar.
10. Native Bluebell
These gorgeous royal blue flowers are usually found by the side of the road, and they’re great for attracting bees and butterflies. There are 13 different species of wahlenbergia wildflowers in Australia, and they look great in pots or hanging baskets in light shades – perfect for adding some color to your balcony.
In Conclusion,
There’s so much to love about having a native garden in your home. Native Australian plants are great for beginners or busy people who don’t have a lot of time as they’re super drought-resistant and super easy to take care of.
If you’re looking for a way to add a splash of color to your home, flower plants are probably the way to go. Luckily, Australia is full of beautiful and colorful plants, especially native ones. Planting native plants is better for the environment than non-native ones, and you’ll save more time and effort since most of them don’t need as much maintenance.