Native plants are a wonderful addition to any garden. From immaculately groomed hedges to free-flowing meadows, there is an Australian native to suit your style. Australian plants are generally drought tolerant, hardy, easy to care for and uniquely beautiful. Local fauna will also be happy to see native plants. It is so special to watch native butterflies dance through your backyard, or to watch honeyeaters dart from flower to flower.
Even though these plants are native, they are often harder to find than introduced species. Walking through Bunnings, you often see shelves full of lettuce and rows of carefully potted roses, but there often isn't a large selection of native plants. It can be hard to find the perfect native plant for your patch, so here are some places to search in Adelaide.
With all seeds and plants, be careful. Take care to not spread disease between different gardens. Over certain state borders it can be complicated to bring plants, so check in advance if getting something from interstate. Do not collect seeds or plants from the wild without a permit.
Local Hardware Stores
There are plenty of hardware stores around, if there isn't a Bunnings near you, Stratco and Mitre 10 are also good. While these places often have a small selection of native plants, there are some great finds. Most hardware stores sell larger plants as opposed to tubestock, which can be more expensive. If you are looking for something common like kangaroo paw,, hardware stores are an easy place to start looking.
Local Gardening Stores
Many gardening centres have better plant selections than hardware stores, though there are less gardening centres, so it can be less convenient. Some wonderful places to search around Adelaide include Karkoo and Henyes, which have large selections. Gardening centres can be great places to find interesting cultivars and hybrids, such as correas with variegated leaves or hardenbergia with pink flowers.
State Flora
Amongst the towering trees of Belair National Park is a true gem, the State Flora Nursery. This nursery is run by the Government of South Australia and sells exclusively native plants. If Belair is not convenient for you, they also have a nursery in Murray Bridge.
The State Flora Nursery is pretty much heaven for native plant lovers. Walking through the many rows of seedlings, it takes a lot of self restraint for me to not come home with a trolley full and an empty wallet. Plants are organised by size, from groundcovers all the way up to trees. They have one of the biggest selections of native plants for purchase in the state, so if you are looking for something rare, this is the place to go. If you are looking for something especially rare and you can't find it in their catalog, you can even request for it to be specially grown for you.
Many of the plants are available as tube stock, which are cheaper. Tube stock plants often establish better than larger plants. Staff are very knowledgeable, and there are also some wonderful planting guides on the State Flora website.
Black Forest Conservancy
I first met the lovely people from Black Forest Conservancy at the Fullarton Market. They sell plants native to primarily the south-east of Adelaide, in an area that was the historical Black Forest. This area, south of the River Torrens, was once covered in a diverse range of flora, but most was cleared for housing. Black Forest Conservancy aim to combat the loss of biodiversity in this area.
Black Forest Conservancy sell many native plants, primarily at the Fullarton Market. They also offer free delivery to homes within the historical Black Forest. Their selection of plants is growing, with grasses, shrubs and trees all available. If you live within the historical Black Forest, I highly recommend you ask them about what would be suitable for your garden. They sell some endangered species that need more love and attention.
Grow Free Carts
Ever wanted free plants? Keep an eye out for Grow Free Carts in your area. These carts are places for locals to exchange plants and garden produce. People leave their spare oranges, extra succulent cuttings or other plants on the cart, and others are free to take them. There are a wide variety of things that can be shared at grow free carts, it often depends on the season and who lives nearby. I have seen native plants on some carts, but unlike going to a nursery, you won't get much choice in what you find.
Growing Native Plants From Seed
If you are confident in your gardening skills, there are some native plants that you can grow from seed at home. Not all plants are easy to grow from seed, and others require special preparation, but nurturing plants from seed can be very rewarding. Do not harvest seeds from the wild, as you require a permit.
Seeds can be purchased at local hardware stores and gardening stores, but online there are also suppliers. I have some paper daisies from the Diggers Club, that I am hoping to grow this year.
Talk to Friends Who Garden
Gardens tend to be very kind and generous with plants and knowledge. I am always sharing seeds and advice with my friends. Even if someone can't give you native plants, they may have suggestions about where to purchase some. If you see a garden on your street that you love, why not stop and chat with the owner?
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