Growing native plants to attract frogs and other water loving animals

Peron’s Tree FrogPhoto: S. Gemmell

Why a Native Garden Native plants which occur naturally in our area are best adapted to local conditions such as soil and climate. With proper planting and care they should require less maintenance than most exotics.

Apart from looking good a native garden greatly benefits the environment. Plants and animals co-exist, each relying on the other for survival, so it is important that your garden attracts a broad range of birds, bees, butterflies, and other wildlife.

Ku-ring-gai Council’s Fauna Friends Starter Packs consist of local plants which are known to attract birds, lizards, frogs, insects and butterflies. We recommend that you supplement the plants in the Fauna Friends Starter Pack with a variety of local native plants. this brochure lists some suggestions.

So, get planting and enjoy your garden’s increased diversity!

Hints for native gardens:

• mulching your garden discourages weed growth and retains water. mulch with leaf litter or prunings.

• encourage wildlife into your garden by providing a range of shelters. these could include hollow logs, overhanging flat rocks, dense shrubs and nesting boxes.

• Don’t use pesticides or snail bait. As well as killing the insects, bees, lizards, frogs and birds which are beneficial to your garden, they are passed up the food chain.

• Cutting off spent flowers from a young plant will encourage bushier growth.

• We recommend limited use of a slow release fertiliser. Frequent use and regular fertilisers help to feed weeds.

• Remember that your plant will grow! Select plants that are suitable to the space available.

Learn more:

Frog and tadpole Study Group of NSW — www.fats.org.auFrogs of Australia — www.frogs.org.au/frogs/ofNSW/SydneyFrogs Australia Network — www.frogsaustralia.net.auWildthings — www.kmc.nsw.gov.au/wildthings

Fauna Friends Starter Packs are available for purchase from Ku-ring-gai Council Nursery

430 Mona Vale Rd, St Ives.Open 9am-5pm Mon-Fri. Tel: 9424 0376

Contact Ku-ring-gai Council818 Pacific highway, Gordon NSW 2072locked Bag 1056, Pymble NSW 2073

T: 02 9424 0000 F: 02 9424 0001E: kmc@kmc.nsw.gov.auwww.kmc.nsw.gov.au

PRiNteD oN 80% ReCyCleD StoCK

Water and wildlifeA source of water such as a pond or creek running through your garden can attract a diverse range of wildlife. Ponds are great habitat for locally native fish species, frogs, lizards, insects and even turtles and ducks! these animals also help to control insect and mosquito numbers.

elements of a frog friendly garden include:• Native plants, especially groundcovers, reeds, ferns

and climbers• Rocks• logs• leaf litter• Water

Create a pondyou can easily create your own water garden or pond for frogs, native fish and other water loving animals. Use material such as sand, gravel, small rocks, logs and plants in and around the pond.

Council can assist you in creating a pond by providing a range of native fish and native aquatic plants. Join Council’s WildThings program for a range of wildlife related activities. For more information please visit www.kmc.nsw.gov.au/wildthings

Glass perchletPhoto: P. ClARKe

How plants attract wildlife• Vegetation in and surrounding a water source provides

shelter and shade for frogs as well as improving water quality.

• Certain native plants provide essential food for frogs and other water loving animals as well as attracting insects for frogs to eat.

• tadpoles will forage through leaf litter which builds up in a pond. on the ground, leaf litter attracts tiny insects which frogs eat.

Plants which attract frogsAquATiC Nardoo Marsilea mutica the floating leaves shade the pond and provide food for tadpoles.

GrouNd CovErs

Scurvy WeedKidney WeedKnobby Club-rushPennywortGeranium

Commelina cyaneaDichondra repensIsolepis nodosaCentella asiaticaGeranium homeanumGeranium solanderi

Groundcover plants provide shelter for lizards and frogs.

GrAssEs/ rusHEs/LiLiEs

Weeping GrassKangaroo GrassWallaby GrassFlax lilySword Grass/ Saw SedgeRushesSpiny headed mat Rush

Microlaena stipoidesThemeda australisAustrodanthonia tenuiorDianella sppGahnia sieberianaJuncus sppLomandra longifolia

Grasses, rushes and lilies provide shelter and habitat for frogs and also attract butterflies and other insects.

CLimbErs False SarsaparillaNative Sarsaparilla

Hardenbergia violaceaSmilax glyciphylla

Climbers provide shelter and attract insects which are another food source.

FErNs elkhorn FernGristle FernRasp FernBracken Fern

Platycerium bifurcatumBlechnum cartilagineum Doodia asperaPteridium esculentum

Dense ferns create shelter for frogs as well as lizards and small birds. Ferns will hold water which creates a damp environment in which frogs can hide.

sHrubs/ smALL TrEEs

Black Wattleheath myrtleWillow-leaved hakea

Callicoma serratifoliaBabingtonia plurifloraHakea salicifolia

these shrubs grow well in damp environments.

TrEEs Sweet PittosporumCoachwoodPaperbark

Pittosporum undulatumCeratopetalum apetalumMelaleuca spp

these trees grow well in damp environments and create good shade over a pond.

Plan your gardenGarden structure is important when encouraging wildlife into your backyard. trees, shrubs, groundcovers and grasses of different heights provide the necessary food, shelter and nesting sites for a range of animals.

�Canopy

middle Layer

Ground Cover

other shelter