Eight Australian native plants to swap into your garden

Adding local native plants to your backyard comes with plenty of benefits, including helping your garden become more resilient to weather extremes and attracting more local bugs and wildlife. Here are some like-for-like switches you can make:

• Swap: Pincushion Protea for Banksia
• Swap: Buxus for Star White
• Swap: Daphne for Brown Boronia
• Swap: Agapanthus for Blue Flax Lily
• Swap: Rosemary for Westringia
• Swap: Common Daisy for Cut-Leaf Daisy
• Swap: Jasmine for Australian Clematis
• Swap: Photinias for Lilly Pillies

Replacing introduced plants with local ones can come with many benefits. Australian native plants are often lower maintenance and better suited to our climate. Plus, local birds, bugs and wildlife will love them as much as you do, says Tim Pilgrim, landscape designer and author of Wild by Design. “Adding local species can attract different pollinators, improve soil ecology, provide different habitat options for birds, insects and reptiles, and make your garden more resilient in periods of extreme weather,” he says. And you don’t have to compromise on style – discover easy alternatives for every garden aesthetic.

1. Swap: Pincushion protea for Banksia

If you want a dramatic bloom like the pincushion protea (Leucospermum spp.), horticulturist Tammy Huynh says our native banksia is an excellent substitute. “Its bold flower spikes rise above the foliage like candles, followed by sculptural woody cones,” she explains. “You can find low compact shrubs to small trees, so choose one suited to your space and local climate.”

2. Swap: Buxus for Star white

“There are many native alternatives for topiary,” says Tim. Buxus is an exotic favourite, but low-growing varieties of coastal rosemary (such as Westringia ‘Grey Box’) and Star White (Correa alba) are similar and can be clipped into balls or hedges, perfect for formal or cottage gardens. “Other reliable clipped forms are mint bush (Prostanthera spp.) and cushion bush (Leucophyta brownii),” he says.

3. Swap: Daphne for Brown boronia

Scented flowers like daphne, roses and jasmine are a delight for the senses, but so are our own perfumed beauties. “Brown boronia (Boronia megastigma) is a lovely native alternative with small brown and yellow spring flowers and an exquisite perfume,” says Tammy. ”It’s compact but can be short-lived – it may not suit every climate, but with the right conditions, it’s worth growing.”

4. Swap: Agapanthus for Blue flax lily

Loved for its lush foliage and tall blue flowers, agapanthus is found in many suburban gardens but it’s also considered a weed in some areas. Blue flax lily (Dianella revoluta) looks similar, with strappy leaves and blue flowers. Other natives to try include Kangaroo paw (Anigozanthos spp.) – its sculptural, velvety flowers are great for a sensory garden – and lomandra, an excellent filler plant.

5. Swap: Rosemary for westringia

A soft palette of white, dusty greens and muted purples is synonymous with Mediterranean gardens. To get a similar look with natives, Tim suggests swapping traditional rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) for coastal rosemary (Westringia fruticosa) – a great visual substitute, though unfortunately not edible. You can also swap olive trees for weeping myall (Acacia pendula), and lavender or salvias for digger’s speedwell (Veronica perfoliata).

6. Swap: Common daisy for Cut-leaf daisy

A typical cottage garden sees deep garden beds overflowing with a loose jumble of flowers – the more colourful and floriferous, the better. Inject some native charm by swapping common daisies (Bellis perennis) for cut-leaf daisies (Brachyscome multifida) and yellow buttons (Chrysocephalum apiculatum). Add more bright and dainty blooms like native storksbill (Pelargonium australe) and silky eremophila (Eremophila nivea).

7. Swap: Jasmine for Australian clematis

Wisteria, banksia rose (Rosa banksiae) and star jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides) turn blank bits of fence into walls of living colour. But some of our local climbers are just as stunning. Native clematis (Clematis aristata) has lightly scented starry flowers, akin to star jasmine. Native sarsaparilla (Hardenbergia violacea) delivers masses of lovely purple blooms, while wonga wonga vine (Pandorea pandorana) shine white or gold.

8. Swap: Photinias for Lilly pillies

Photinias are a reliable hedge plant, loved for their vibrant red new growth which native lilly pillies (Acmena smithii) deliver, too. “Some varieties have been bred for fast, dense growth, making them ideal for privacy screens, while many also produce colourful bronze or red new foliage,” says Tammy. “They respond well to clipping, but always check the expected mature height and look for resistance to lilly pilly psyllid.”

What are some Australian native plant alternatives for Christmas?

Bottlebrush: Their bright, brush-shaped flowers act as built-in baubles, while their nectar makes the perfect gift for local wildlife.

NSW Christmas bush: This small tree earns its festive name: the dainty white flowers give way to vibrant pink sepals in time for Christmas.

Woolly bush: A lovely pine-tree alternative, the fine leaves of this native shrub have a silvery cast that’s a little like a dusting of snow.

Keep in mind...

• Planting seasons vary according to region. Check with your local store.
• Take care when selecting your plants as some can be poisonous to children and pets, and check their suitability for your region, as some may be classified as weeds in certain states and territories.
• Wear gloves and a mask when handling mulch, compost and potting mix.
• Store all garden chemicals and products out of reach of children and pets.

Keen to learn how to grow Australian native plants?

Read our article on how to design a thriving native garden.

Photo credit: Adobe Stock, Alamy Stock Photo.