Growing native trees in your garden
 

I am planning to plant some native stuff in my garden - geraniums at the bottom to name but one, some bottle brush at the top part of the garden. We have a retainer wall at the top of our garden where I want to grow the bottle brush, would this have a huge effect on the retainer wall?

I suspect I am going to have to go to extreme measures to stop super Kelpie digging them up, he hasnt dug for ages so fingers crossed he may have grown out of it. What native plants do you have growing in your garden? I quite fancy a lemon or lime tree, our neighbour bought a mature one for under 200 bucks.

I know bugger all about gardening but quite keen to learn.:o My friend is going to help me as Mr PP cant do any digging or anything, but I cant wait to have a nice garden.

Re: Growing native trees in your garden
 

I don't know much either BUT...watch the size of what you plant. Some of them get very big.

That said, the debate on pruning natives now seems to have come down on the side of, yes you can prune and yes they actually thrive on it. For years it was held that you shouldn't prune true natives. (plants).

The only downside with natives (I love them) is that generally you only get one colour flowering at a time. Have you noticed all the yellow wattle that comes out? Followed by all red, all purple etc.

Re: Growing native trees in your garden
 

I have an ulterior motive, DEC have this thing going about planting natives for Carnaby's as their habitat is being destroyed and they are running out of feeding grounds. Rather than put bird seed out, DEC are advising to plant native trees/plants so the carnaby's cockatoos have at least another food source.

I was concerned that if they came into my garden they would trash my house/roof but they come in my garden and sit on the roof and dont do any damage anyway.

So I am looking at the stuff they eat and they love bottle brush. I might get a quote from someone and professional advice about the size and potential issues with the retainer wall.

Re: Growing native trees in your garden
 

Citrus fruit are really difficult to grow, I have never been successful with any.
I currently have a mango and avocado tree that are doing well with my neglect and also the passion fruit has taken over my whole back fence think I may have to pull some of it down.

Re: Growing native trees in your garden
 

Most things struggle in our yard, but the wattle has grown really well, and looks lovely.

Re: Growing native trees in your garden
 

I have a grape vine and a passion fruit tree. (The passion fruit tree is yet to grow :blink: it's about a foot and a half and never grew any fruit)

. I have a Barnea Olive tree. (i think anyway :blink:) I also have some Butterfly weed plants tree things!

I have two poinsettia trees out the front of the house which have bright red leaves with the dark green, they look so xmassy!

I also have 3 huge palm trees - 2 in the courtyard at the front and 1 in the front garden. Whatever you do, don't get Golden Cane Palms - they are like weeds of the palm family and are the biggest pain in the arse EVER :thumbdown:

I would LOVE a Jacaranda tree, and some Banksia too! :thumbsup::wub:

Re: Growing native trees in your garden
 

Banksia is another one I am considering.:thumbup:

Re: Growing native trees in your garden
 

I LOVE wattle :wub:

In fact I have decided I want some now :sneaky:

Re: Growing native trees in your garden
 

We got ours from the council nursery, when it was a tiny twiggy thing LOL, it is bigger than me now :thumbup:

Re: Growing native trees in your garden
 

Callistemon 'little John' is a fairly small one, only up to 1m. I really like that one.
There are a lot of nice Grevilleas around too.
The birds seem to go nuts over kangaroo paws too, and they look great.

I LOVE lime trees. I have two of the 'sublime' ones in pots. You can get them from places like Bunnings for around $25, sometimes cheaper. I also have a lemonade tree in a pot, the fruits are lovely!

Re: Growing native trees in your garden
 

A lemondae tree? I have never heard of that:)

I don't know anything about growing stuff so I have alot to learn.:o

Re: Growing native trees in your garden
 

Which one of these is the geranium you are thinking of planting?

http://anpsa.org.au/jpg/960821.jpg

http://oublic.org/allison/pics/Cranesbill.jpg

Re: Growing native trees in your garden
 

I expect you will check anyway but some plants and native plants are poisonous to dogs.My dog has started having fits and on checking the garden I was surprised at how many plants are poisonous like Bird of paradise and Aloe vera.Sue.

Re: Growing native trees in your garden
 

I need to do a search, there was a geranium when we moved in - not sure about that one, Rocky never went near it anyway.

I am deffo going to talk to the guy that does our gardening at work and ask him for his advice. I want the bottle brush high up for the cockies.

Off to do a search now.:huh:

Re: Growing native trees in your garden
 

We had red ones in our garden when we moved in, why oh why did I let Mr PP dig them up :(