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When you think of the Australian landscape, it’s the trees that spring to mind – eucalypts, banksias, wattles and so many more. They look just as fabulous in garden landscapes, too, bringing wonderful shapes, foliage textures and seasonal flowers to the scene, while being easy to grow and supporting a whole range of native wildlife. And you don’t need a large garden to plant native trees – there are many small-sized options that have been specially bred to suit compact backyards.
Native trees have the great advantage of being adapted to local conditions, so they’re easier to grow and less demanding. Most species have low water requirements once established – important in an era of climate change – and they’re also well adapted to Australia’s low-nutrient soils. Then there are the habitat benefits of local flora – just one native flowering tree can support a variety of birds, wildlife and pollinating insects as they leapfrog their way between food sources across the suburbs. Birds, in particular, benefit from these green highways, explains Holly Parsons from BirdLife Australia. “Native trees offer shelter, perfect nesting spots and a delightful feast for our avian neighbours,” she says. “Different trees provide different resources that birds need, so mix it up.”
The best native species to use as feature trees are the flowering types – an explosion of seasonal blooms will grab the eye every time. At the top of the list would have to be the flowering gums (forms of Corymbia ficifolia) which bear stunning summer flowers. ‘Summer Red’, ‘Summer Beauty’ and ‘Baby Orange’ are three lovely smaller forms that grow 3-6 metres tall. For a splash of scarlet red at Christmas time, the NSW Christmas bush is great, too – it forms a shapely tree up to about 6 metres high. If you like your flowers perfumed, consider native frangipani (Hymenosporum flavum), a slender grower with shiny leaves and cream-to-yellow fragrant blooms in spring. The frothy white blooms of Melaleuca linariifolia, known rather romantically as ‘Snow in Summer’, make it another good choice for a native feature tree.
When planting trees as features, get the placement right. Position them on their own in the middle of a lawn, or in a prominent position which puts them front and centre when viewed from the house or a back deck.
The flickering shadows of swaying tree branches look lovely on a lawn and also offer important sun protection. If you’re choosing native trees for shade, think about shape and proportions, and choose species that are within your preferred height range. Eucalypts, with their open branch structure and narrow leaves, provide a light filtered shade, and these days there are many smaller varieties in the 6-10m range. The willow myrtle (Agonis flexuosa) is another lovely shade tree, with a broad head of weeping branches and small white flowers in spring. For something a little larger, try one of the shapely banksias – Banksia integrifolia (coast banksia) is beautiful with its gnarled trunk, silver-backed leaves and lime-green/yellow flower spikes.
To give a garden privacy and create a sense of leafy enclosure, focus on boundaries and fence lines. The ideal trees for these zones are species with dense evergreen foliage which can be pruned back if they get too tall. Lilly pillies can create the effect of a tall hedge and respond well to pruning – there are dozens of forms available. The lemon myrtle (Backhousia citriodora) is another dense-foliaged tree with the bonus of aromatic leaves that can flavour food and drinks. It responds well to trimming, so can be kept to more shrubby proportions. The ivory curl tree (Buckinghamia celsissima) produces a display of cream flowers in summer and autumn, and medium-sized wattles (Acacia species) are great if you’re after quick privacy. Macadamia trees also make an effective screen or windbreak and can be trimmed to a suitable height.
One of the rewards of planting native trees, rather than exotic species, is the fact you’re helping to support native wildlife. Native bees, butterflies and other insects and wildlife have all seen their habitats shrink as cities expand. Planting native species helps redress the balance, explains Holly Parsons. “Picture a city where trees form a leafy network weaving through the urban landscape. This canopy isn’t just pretty, it’s a vital connector for wildlife,” she says. “Birds, insects and other creatures use it as a green highway, allowing them to move freely, find food and create a thriving urban ecosystem. For wildlife, native is best.”
Create an edible native garden with these top 10 bush tucker plants.
Photo Credit: Sue Stubbs, living4media/Friedrich Strauss, John Downs, Reuben Looi
Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.
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