Sugar Glider Petaurus breviceps

Crested Pigeon Ocyphaps lophotes Powerful Owl Ninox strenua

City of Monash

293 Springvale Road, Glen Waverley 3150

380 Ferntree Gully Road, Notting Hill 3168

Enquiries Ph: (03) 9518 3555 TTY: (03) 9518 3655

Website: www.monash.vic.gov.au

Indigenous Plants of

Monash

A guide to native plants suitable for residential

gardens in the City of Monash

Acknowledgements:

Andrea Cehovin assisted with Map Design

Australian Plant Society – Waverley assisted with soil informa-

tion

City of Monash Horticulture services assisted with plant species

selection

Photos provided by:

Australian Native Plants Society www.anps.org.au

Australian Plants www.australiaplants.org

Australian Plants Society Victoria www.apsvic.org.au

City of Whitehorse www.whitehorse.vic.gov.au

Knox Environmental Society www.kes.org.au

National Australian Botanical Gardens www.anbg.gov.au

Swinburne University www.swinburne.edu.au

Yarra Ranges Shire www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au

References:

Australian Plants Society, Victoria – www.apsvic.org.au

Australian Plants Society Maroondah, Inc (2001) Flora of

Melbourne. A Guide to the Indigenous Plants of the Greater

Melbourne Area, Australian Plants Society Maroondah, Inc.

Scott, R., et al (2002) Indigenous Plants of the Sandbelt.

A Gardening Guide for South-eastern Melbourne, Earthcare

St Kilda

Knox City Council, Gardening with Indigenous Plants in Knox,

Knox City Council

Disclaimer:

The information in this brochure should be used as a guide

only. For more information on soil types, indigenous vegetation

communities in Melbourne and Victoria and plant species

consult the references provided or visit the Department of Sus-

tainability and Environment website www.dse.vic.gov.au.

Indigenous Plants of Monash

What are Indigenous Plants?

Indigenous Plants are plants which occur naturally in a specific

area.

Benefits of Indigenous plants and gardens

Indigenous plants are adapted to the local environment

(rainfall, soil and drainage conditions)

They are usually Low maintenance

They have Lower water requirement

Indigenous Plants promote and improve local biodiversity

Provide habitat for local fauna

Strengthen local ecosystems

Pre-Urban Environments of Monash

The City of Monash sits on the boundary of two geological re-

gions in Melbourne, which gave rise to two soil groups which

dominate the area: Tertiary Sands and Silurian-derived Sedi-

mentary Hills (see map).

Tertiary Sands:

Derived from sandstone and wind-blown sand

Soil types: Dark loams, Clays, Local sands, Dark grey sands

over clay, Light grey sands over clay, Deep sands free of lime.

Silurian-derived Sedimentary Hills:

Soil Types: Light grey loams over clay (moist in winter and dry

out in upper layers in summer), Moist dark loams (along water

curses/drainage lines), Clays, Local sands, Gritty dark grey

loams over clay, Red loams.

Soil Properties:

Sands:

Retain some moisture as depth increases

Drainage is excellent

Nutrient-deficient soils

Digging in humus, clay or loam soil will improve water reten-

tion

Soil wetting agents can also be used.

Loams:

Good drainage

Retain some moisture and allow the roots of native plants to

readily penetrate downwards

KEY:

Tertiary Sands

Silurian-derived Sedimentary Hills

Clays

Heavy soils that can retain a lot of moisture

Plenty of plant nutrients.

Add gypsum to make clay soils more friable (1kg per

square metre; repeat at yearly intervals if necessary).

Adding sand and humus also helps improve friability.

Many native plants grow well in clay soils.

Dominant Plant Communities of Monash

The above soil types supported the following dominant plant

communities:

Valley Heath Forest

North-East part of Monash, extending east and southeast in the

vicinity of Dandenong Creek and protruding westward along

Monash Freeway from the corner of Waverley and Blackburn

Roads.

This plant community is dominated by a low, open forest to

15 m tall with a sedgy/grassy understorey with a component of

small ericoid shrubs and grass-trees.

Swampy Woodlands

Along Dandenong Creek

This plant community was dominated by Eucalypt woodland

to 15 m tall with ground layer dominated by tussock grasses,

sedges and herbs. Shrubs are often scattered throughout.

Grassy Woodlands

Across most of Monash including the Tertiary Sand areas.

This plant community is dominated by a variable open

eucalypt woodland to 15 m tall over a diverse ground layer of

grasses and herbs. The shrub component is usually sparse.

These community types are now found only in remnants across

the City of Monash.

What plants should I plant in my garden?

The plants you choose will depend on:

Where you live – large or small garden space and orienta-

tion

What type of garden you want – formal or informal

What the existing Flora is – weedy, native, indigenous, non-

native

The plants in this brochure are representative of soil groups and

vegetation communities (understorey, middle storey and can-

opy) found in Monash.

For advice on plants and garden design visit you local Native

Flora Nursery.

Suppliers of Native Plants

We encourage the purchase of plants and/or seeds from nurs-

eries in your specific soil type area (e.g. Sand-belt or Silurian),

and seeking details of the plant source form your chosen sup-

plier.

Greening Australia www.greeningaustralia.org.au

and

Australian Native Plants Society www.asgap.org.au

provide information on Native Flora Nurseries in the Melbourne

Metropolitan Region.

Common Heath Epacris impressa

Ground Cover

Climbers

Grasses, Lilies & Irises Low Plants

Large Shrubs & Trees

Tips for Gardening

Most Natives prefer well drained soils

Building up of garden beds, or provision of underground drainage,

can be beneficial.

When adding soil, thoroughly mix it into the existing soil

Do not just spread soil on top of the garden.

Eliminate weeds from the planting area

Especially those spreading by underground runners.

Group together plants needing similar conditions

Plants needing full sun rarely survive in shady situations

Avoid over watering

Most grow well without extra fertiliser

High phosphate fertilisers may be harmful.

Use mulches and groundcover plants

They help reduce weed growth and keep the soil cool, moist and

friable.

Lightly prune immediately after flowering

Light pruning promotes compact growth and more flowers. Heavy

pruning kills plants which re-shoot poorly from old wood.

Planning

Having a garden plan is the first step in establishing a native garden.

When starting consider the following:

Site orientation Sun and shade areas

Wet and dry areas Soil conditions

Garden use Amount of space available

Retention of indigenous species and removal of environmental

weeds

Location of plumbing and power/service lines

Weeds of Monash brochure, with information on weeds and their man-

agement, is available form Council.

Preparation

Control of weeds is a key element in successful gardening. Remove

weeds by hand, smothering with mulch or by herbicide application.

Do not dig over the soil before planting as this can promote more

weed growth and make sure that the soil is moist.

Planting

Best time to plant is in autumn and spring when the soil is moist and

the weather mild.

Dig a hole slightly bigger than the pot, gently remove the plant from

the pot by holding it upside down and tapping gently – avoid pulling

the plant out by the stem. Place the plant carefully in the hole and

crumble the soil around the plant, firming the soil as you go.

Water well. All plants need to be watered individually to settle the

soil around the root system. Rain will not provide the same effect.

Place a 10 cm thick layer of mulch in the garden bed, enduring that

the plant stem is kept clear of the mulch as it can cause the stem to

rot. Mulch retains moisture in the soil reducing the need to water,

encourages beneficial soil biota such as worms and suppresses

weeds. Alternatively, pebbles of large rocks can be used instead of

plant based mulch.

Ongoing Care and Maintenance

Watering:

After the initial watering associated with planting, gardens may require

watering once or twice a week during summer and drought periods.

Remember, winter can also have extended periods without rain.

Fertilising:

Some plants may respond to light applications of native plant fertiliser

that is low in phosphorus (K).

Pruning:

Encourages denser growth in some plants and promotes flowering and

new growth.

Weeding:

This is necessary, however mulch and dense plantings of groundcovers

and small plants will minimise weed invasion.

Mulch:

Depending on the type of garden and the type of mulch used, mulch

may need to be topped up every two to five years.

Thin Leaf Wattle Acacia aculeatissima

Creeping Bossiaea Bossiaea prostrata Button Everlasting Helichrysum sorpioides

Billy-Button Craspedia variabilis

Running Postman Kennedia prostrata

Cup-Leaf Daisy Brachyscome multifida

Common Apple Berry Billardiera scandens

Dwarf-Rice-Flower Pilelea Humilis

Erect Guinnea Flower Hibbertia stricta

Showy Bossiaea Bossiaea cinerea Small-leaf Clematis Clematis microphylla

Myrtle Wattle Acacia myrtifolia

Purple Coral Pea Hardenbergia violacea Snowy Daisy Bush Olearia lirata

Mountain Clematis Clematis aristata Dusty Miller Spyridium parvifolium

Silver Banksia Banksia marginata

Black She-Oak Allocasuariana littoralis

Grass Leaf Trigger Plant Stylidium graminiflorium

Wiry Tussock Grass Poa sieberiana

Knobby Club-Rush Isolepis nodosa

Chocolate Lily Arthropodium atrictum

Size:

Description:

Flowering:

Requirements:

Features:

0.2-0.6m H x 1-2m W

Light open sprawling shrub with prickly

phyllodes and yellow balls along wiry

branches

June to December

Dry, well drained soil; Partial sun/shade

Once established tolerates extended dry

periods; Birds - Seeds

Size:

Description:

Flowering:

Requirements:

Features:

1-2m H x 1-2m W

Dense low rounded and spreading shrub

with alternate dull green (bonze new

growth) leaves and profuse single yellow

and red pea flowers

August to December

Dry to moist well drained soil; Prefers dap-

pled shade

Ornamental; May be pruned hard

Size:

Description:

Flowering:

Requirements:

Features:

4-8m H x 2-5m W

Upright small tree with fine branches with

reddish to crimson female flowers and dark

brown pikes as male flowers

March to June

Dry well drained soil; Full to partials Sun

Good wind screen; Old bark is ideal for

growing epiphytic orchids; Birds - seeds

Size:

Description:

Flowering:

Requirements:

Features:

1-10m H x 1-5m W

Variable dense to open shrub with stiff

linear leafs pale to bright yellow flowers

September to April

Dry to moist well drained soil; Full to partial

sun

Attractive new growth encouraged by

pruning; Good wind screen; Birds & Butterfly

- nectar

Size:

Description:

Flowering:

Requirements:

Features:

2-5m H x 2-3m W

Soft open shrub with dark green leaves and

masses of small white flower heads

September to December

Moist well drained soil; Partial to full shade

Excellent shrub brightening a sheltered

position in spring

Size:

Description:

Flowering:

Requirements:

Features:

1-3m H x 1-2m W

Dense upright shrub with heavily veined,

dark green leaves and clusters of small

white flowers

July November

Dry to moist well drained soil; Partial to full

shade

Once established tolerates dryness; Flowers

better in shady areas;

Size:

Description:

Flowering:

Requirements:

Features:

Vigorous Climber

Shiny green leaves, masses of creamy white

starry flowers

August to March

Well drained, dry to moist soils

Grows in all aspects; Male and female

reproductive pats on different plants; At-

tractive feathery seed heads

Size:

Description:

Flowering:

Requirements:

Features:

0.2-0.6m H x 20-30cm W

Basally tufted perennial with green and

grey green grass-like leaves and spikes of

small pale to bright pink flowers

September to December

Moist, well drained soil; Full to partial sun

Tolerates both wet and dry periods when

established

Size:

Description:

Flowering:

Requirements:

Features:

Dense creeper/ wiry scrubber

Fast growing with leathery dark green

leaves and sprays of mauve to purple (to

pink or white) pea

July to November

Dry, well drained soil;

Full to partial sun; Provides Light Screen

Size:

Description:

Flowering:

Requirements:

Features:

Medium sized climber

Dull green leaves with masses of cream

tarry flowers and feathery fruits

June to November

Well drained dry to moist soil; partial sun/

shade

Male and female reproductive parts on

separate plants

Wirilda Acacia retinodes

Size:

Description:

Flowering:

Requirements:

Features:

4-8m H x 3-5m W

Spreading shrub with long, narrow bluish-

green phyllodes and Lemon-yellow balls

Peaking November to July

Adaptable to all soil types; Full to partial sun

Ornamental; Suitable for wind screen; Birds

- Seeds

Size:

Description:

Flowering:

Requirements:

Features:

15-30cm H x 40cm W , stems 0.9m high

Dense green greyish tuft

Spring and summer

Moist, well drained soil; Full to partial sun

Extremely variable and very adaptable;

Grows larger in shade; Birds – Seeds; Butter-

fly caterpillar habitat

Size:

Description:

Flowering:

Requirements:

Features:

0.5-1.5M H x 0.6-2m W

Tall coarse, wiry, densely tufted perennial

rush with clustered brown spikelets

Most of the year

Poorly drained moist soils, Full to partial sun

Once established tolerates dryness; Good

contrast plant

Size:

Description:

Flowering:

Requirements:

Features:

2-1m H x 0.2-0.8m W

Dwarf perennial herb with slightly fleshy

dark green leaves and chocolate or cara-

mel scented, solitary violet flowers

September to December

Dry well drained soil; Full partial sun

Adaptable

Size:

Description:

Flowering:

Requirements:

Features:

1-3m Hight 1-2m Wide

Fast growing rounded or erect shrub with

cream to yellow flower spikes

July to September

Well drained, dry to moist soil; All aspects

Drought resistant once established; Orna-

mental bush; Heavy prune may be benefi-

cial; Birds – Seeds

Size:

Description:

Flowering:

Requirements:

Features:

Light, soft climber

Dark green leaves with wiry margins and

greenish yellow flowers

June to January

Well drained dry to moist soil; Suited to all

light aspects;

Bushier if grown in open aspect; Edible pale

green berries; Birds – Nectar, Berries

Size:

Description:

Flowering:

Requirements:

Features:

Prostrate x 0.5-1.5m H

Spreading or matting ground cover with

grey-green leaves and yellow and brown

pea flowers

October to November

Well drained, dry to moist soils; all aspects

Attractive foliage; Birds - Seeds

Size:

Description:

Flowering:

Requirements:

Features:

Prostrate x 1-2.5m H

Open trailing or densely matted perennial

with crinkly, hairy green-grey leaves and

single scarlet pea flower-heads.

April to December

Dry well drained soils; Full to partial sun

Drought tolerant once established; Butterfly

caterpillar habitat

Size:

Description:

Flowering:

Requirements:

Features:

10-40cm H x 0.2-1m W

Fast growing, low spreading with soft, dark

green leaves and profuse variable lilac-

blue, pink and white flowers

Peaking Spring and Summer

Moist clay soil; full to partial sun

Once established tolerates dryness; Orna-

mental plant; Butterflies – Nectar

Size:

Description:

Flowering:

Requirements:

Features:

10-50cm H x 0.3-1m W

Erect or straggling perennial sub-shrub with

green and grey-green leaves and dense

creamy-white flower-heads

September to January

Moist well drained soil; Full to partial sun

Tolerates dryness once established; Butter-

flies Nectar

Size:

Description:

Flowering:

Requirements:

Features:

0.4-1m H x 0.6-1m W

Rounded to erect shrub with narrow grey-

green leaves and light yellow distinctly

stalked flowers

Peaking August – November

Moist well drained soil; All aspects

Drought tolerant once established; Butterfly

caterpillar habitat

Size:

Description:

Flowering:

Requirements:

Features:

30cm H x 20-30cm W

Woolly spreading perennial herb with vel-

vety/hairy leaves and a single flat yellow

flower-heads per stem

September-December

Dry to moist well drained soils; Full to partial

sun

Dies back after flowering; Butterflies – Nec-

tar

Size:

Description:

Flowering:

Requirements:

Features:

30cm H x 0.5-1m W

Variable tufted perennial herb with rosettes

of board hairy leaves and Yellow single

flowers

September to November

Moist well drained soil (tolerates poorly

drained soil); Full to partial sun

Spectacular in flower; May be grown in

containers; Butterflies – Nectar