GARDENING WITH NATIVES
A current trend in garden design is to create gardens that have a sense of place. Along Noosa’s Eastern Beaches our “place” is nestled in between a number of different natural habitats that hold a wide diversity of plants.
The easiest way to create a sense of place in a garden is to use plants that grow in the area. This page describes some of the many and varied local native plants that are suitable for gardens.
Fragrant white blooms of the River Lily.
On this page:
The plants are grouped under the following categories for ease of reference. Each plant has photos that were mostly taken in local gardens to spark your imagination. We hope that you find some plants that suit your needs and that you find the details of each plant useful.
Ground covers and climbers
Monkey rope vine (Parsonsia straminea)
Discover the Monkey Rope Vine (Parsonsia straminea), a hardy native climber known for its twisting woody stems and creamy-yellow flower clusters. Learn how this versatile vine supports local pollinators and provides important habitat in Noosa’s coastal and bushland ecosystems.
Native Violet (Viola banksii)
The charming Native Violet (Viola banksii), is a low-growing ground cover plant featuring delicate white and purple flowers that bloom through much of the year. Learn how this hardy, shade-loving indigenous plant makes a fantastic, wildlife-friendly lawn alternative for damp, shaded corners of your garden.
Native Sasparilla (Hardenbergia violacea)
Discover the stunning Native Sarsaparilla (Hardenbergia violacea), a beloved indigenous climber celebrated for its vibrant cascades of purple pea-flowers during winter and spring. Learn how this hardy, versatile vine adds a splash of brilliant color to native gardens while serving as an important food source and shelter for local pollinators.
Yellow Buttons (Chrysocephalum apiculatum)
Yellow Buttons, a pretty non-invasive ground cover with golden yellow flowers throughout the year, grows to 40 cm in height. It can spread to form a clump, but tends to stay small, and is not strong enough to smother more vigorous weeds.
Coastal Jack Bean (Canavalia rosea)
A large trailing or climbing vine found on sandy soils, Coastal Jack Bean has a pretty pink-purple pea-like flower followed by large, flattened seed pods. It has a distinctive compound leaf composed of three leaflets which makes it a particularly attractive addition to the garden.
Pig Face (Carpobrotus glaucescens)
Pig Face is a hardy, sun loving, creeping succulent with stems to two metres that root at the nodes along the stem. The plant has bright deep pink daisy-like flowers blooming mainly from October to January, which is the main growing period.
Twining Guinea Flower (Hibbertia scandens)
Twining Guinea Flower is a weak-stemmed scrambler and climber with a bright yellow flower (5-7 cm) followed by a distinctive red fruit. The individual stems can grow from two to five metres in length.
Tufted plants
Shepherds Crook Orchid (Geodorum densiflorum)
This delightful orchid is making a comeback in the areas where we have cleared asparagus fern.
Christmas Bells (Blandfordia grandifolia)
Discover the beauty of the Native Christmas Bells (Blandfordia grandiflora). Learn about this striking, endangered tufted perennial, its unique bell-shaped flowers, and why controlled burns are vital to helping this slow-growing coastal treasure thrive in our local heathlands.
Frogsmouth (Philydrum lanuginosum)
The Frogsmouth (Philydrum lanuginosum). Aptly named for the unique shape of its vibrant yellow flowers, this “water-loving” perennial is an excellent choice for stabilizing soil around ponds and creeks. Learn why this hardy, woolly-leaved native is a fantastic addition to local landscapes and a vital habitat provider for our local frogs and birds.
Sword Sedge (Gahnia aspera)
Sword sedge is a clumping plant that prefers light shade and requires moisture such as in a bog garden.
Wallum Grass Tree (Xanthorrhoea fulva)
Less common than the forest grass tree, the wallum grass tree is a trunkless plant that grows in waterlogged environments.
Forest Grass Tree (Xanthorrhoea johnsonii)
Forest grasstrees feature tall woody flower spikes that attract birds, butterflies and bees due to their honey scent.
Lomandra confertifolia
With its fine, needle-like foliage and compact tufted habit, Lomandra confertifolia brings a soft, sophisticated texture to garden borders and rockeries. This incredibly resilient native is the ultimate “set-and-forget” plant, thriving in both sun and shade while maintaining its lush, weeping form even through dry spells.
Creek Matt Rush (Lomandra hystrix)
Discover the Creek Matt Rush (Lomandra hystrix), a robust, “no-fuss” native that brings both elegance and utility to the garden. Reaching 1.5m with shiny, weeping leaves and scented spring blooms, this graceful clumper is a standout choice for feature planting or mass displays.
River Lily, Swamp Lily, (Crinum pendunculatum)
With its bold, architectural silhouette and fragrant white blooms, the River Lily is a designer favorite for creating an instant tropical vibe. Perfectly suited for pond edges or damp garden pockets, this native clumper is as rewarding as it is striking.
Kangaroo Grass (Themada traindra)
Kangaroo Grass is ideal for coastal areas along Noosa’s Eastern beaches because it likes acid soils with good drainage and will grow in sand as well as clay. It occurs naturally in the area.
Shrubs
Alpinia caerulea – Native Ginger
Alpinia caerulea, a rainforest understory plant, is a good native plant choice for the gardener wanting to create a tropical look. It grows to three metres and will form a clump, but is not weedy like the yellow-flowered Kahili ginger that is native to India. Our...
Oxylobium robustum or Golden Shaggy Pea
(Ox-ee-LOBE-ee-um: from the Greek word oxys meaning sharp lobos or pod - referring to the small point tip on the seed pods) (ro-BUST-um: Latin – robust, well-developed) Golden Shaggy Pea is a hardy, fast growing bushy shrub 2-3m in height. It...
Plant of the Month – Hakea florulenta
Hakea florulenta (pronounced HAKE-ee-ah flor-you-LENT-ah) is a low growing shrub 1-2m tall. It has clusters of creamy white, pleasantly perfumed flowers in spring, followed by a woody fruit to 25mm. In their natural environment, they often occur...
Plant of the month – Aotus lanigera
Thanks to all the volunteers who have given up their time this year to help the MBBA. Wishing you all a wonderful weed-free Christmas. 2020 is shaping up to be a big, exciting year in the Bushcare world, and I look forward to sharing it with you. Best Festive wishes,...
Native plant of the month – Pultenaea villosa
Pultenaea villosa - HAIRY PEA BUSH Pultenaea (pronounced pul-tah-NEE-ah) named after English botanist and surgeon Richard...
Native plant of the month – Abrophyllum ornans
Abrophyllum ornans/Native Hydrangea (Ab-row-fill-um) from the greek word ‘habros’ gay, phyllon meaning leaf- refers to the large attractive leaves (Or-nans) latin for beautiful- also referring to the leaves. Native Hydrangea is a fast growing...
Native plant of the month – Psychotria loniceriodes
Psychotria loniceroides /Hairy Psychotria Psychotria (si-COT-re-ah) psyche- meaning the soul, treph-to support or nurture (refers to the powerful medicinal properties of some species); loniceroides(lon-iss-er-OIDS-ees) like Lonicera, the honeysuckle....
Native plant of the month -Hibiscus heterophyllus
Hibiscus heterophyllus - Native Rosella Hibiscus (hi, or he,-BIS-cus) Latin name for Marsh Mallow. Heterophyllus (her-er-oh-FILL-us) refers to different leaves on same plant. Native Rosella is a fast growing shrub up to 6 m high and 2 m wide. It has an open...
Plant of the Month – Quinine Berry
Quinine Berry Petalostigma triloculare The name Petalostigma (pet-al-oh-STIG-muh) refers to the stigma which can be flattened like a petal.; and "Triloculare" (trill-OC–yu-lar) is derived from Latin and means three chambers. Petalostigma triloculare is a shrub...
Noosa Native Plants – Cupaniopsis anacardioides
This is the first of a monthly series featuring native plants that grow on the Sunshine Coast. Suitable for growing in home gardens, they are available as tubestock at Coolum Community Native Nursery. The seed is collected locally so by planting them in your...
Native Lassiandra, (Malastoma malabathricum subsp. malabathricum
Native Lassiandra is a rounded shrub that grows to two metres high with beautiful lilac flowers to five cm across, flowering from Spring to Autumn. It has attractive rough textured leaves, and purple stems, making it an ideal feature plant that can be pruned if...
Midyim (Austromyrtus dulcis)
Midyim is a scrambling shrub, often prostate, that grows to 1 m. It flowers from spring to autumn and the white flowers are followed by distinctive edible speckled white berries. The new growth has a lovely red tinge, making it a plant that has interest all year round.
Trees
Native Plant of the Month – Melaleuca viminalis (Formerly Callistemon viminalis)
WEEPING BOTTLEBRUSH Melaleuca viminalis (Pronounced mel-ah-LUKE-ah v im-in-AH-lis) A large shrub or small tree that grows up to 10m, Melaleuca viminalis creates a stunning splash of colour in spring and provides nectar for insects and birds. It is the ideal small...
Native Plant of the Month – Eucalyptus bancroftii TUMBLEDOWN GUM
Eucalyptus (pronounced ewe-cah-LIPT-us) bancroftii (ban-CROFT-ee-eye)Small tree that grows to 10m tall. The attractive crooked twisted trunk, and contorted branches have bark that peels away in bright orange patches gradually becoming grey/brown. Large white...
Horse-tail She Oak (Casuarina equisetifolia)
This graceful drooping tree grows to 6-8 metres and “sings” in the breeze. It produces reddish brown flowers (male and female flowers on the same tree) in March-May, followed by seed pods that attract birds including cockatoos.
Bullock’s Heart (Macaranga tanarius)
Discover the Macaranga tree (Macaranga tanarius), a fast-growing native pioneer species instantly recognisable by its large, umbrella-like rounded leaves and delicate panicles of pale flowers. Learn how this vital rainforest and coastal scrub tree acts as an ecological nurse plant, quickly healing disturbed ground while providing essential food and shelter for local birds and insects.
Black She Oak (Allocasuarina littoralis )
Get to know the Black She-oak (Allocasuarina littoralis), a hardy and iconic feature of our coastal landscapes. With its distinctive needle-like branchlets and cone-bearing habit, this versatile native tree not only adds unique texture to the environment but serves as a crucial food source for the endangered Glossy Black-Cockatoo. Discover more about its role in our local ecosystem and why it is a standout choice for native gardens.
Palms, Ferns and Cordylines
Christella dentata – Binung
Christella dentata (chris-TELL-ah den-TAR-tah) is an attractive, hardy fern to 1m. In nature they grow along rainforest creeks banks or in wetland areas. They prefer shaded or partly shaded sites making them ideal for under decks or as an indoor pot plant. Binung is...
Maiden Hair Fern (Adiantum atrovirade)
With its beautiful lacy foliage and striking glossy stems, the Maidenhair fern adds a touch of delicate, lace-like elegance to any shaded corner or indoor space. It requires consistent moisture so a humid, sheltered spot will keep this classic beauty thriving.
Cabbage Palm (Livistona australis)
A very slow growing single trucked palm eventually growing to 20-30 m. Cabbage Palms grow in the rainforest, wallum woodland and wet eucalypt forest. The leaves have segments that join at the base giving them their round fan-like appearance. Leaves can grow to 1.8 m...
Binung Fern (Christella dentata)
This soft, tufting fern with fronds from 50 cm to 1 m, grows well in partly shaded, sheltered areas. Its natural habitat is on creek banks and swampy areas so it requires moist conditions to flourish. If kept moist, it grows fast and is hardy. Left to its own devices...
Palm Lily, Cordyline, (Cordyline petiolaris)
This Cordyline is a rainforest plant that grows in the understory. It creates an excellent tropical look in shady areas of the garden.
Elkhorn Fern (Platycerium bifurcatum)
The Elkhorn Fern is an epiphyte that grows on the trunks and branches of trees. It consists of a series of plantlets that have fronds of 25-90 cm protruding from the base nest leaf. This nest leaf which is 12-30 cm wide, attaches itself to the tree. Elkhorns require...
Bird’s Nest Fern (Asplenium australasicum)
A very reliable, easily cultivated fern, the Birds Nest Fern prefers moisture, but can tolerate dry spells. The rosette of radiating fronds grows to 1.5 metres in optimum conditions. Like most ferns, the Birds Nest Fern requires a sheltered, shady area away from...