Australian Plants for Revegetation, Forestry & Landscaping

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Our Alphabetical Plant List has recent images of our current stock. The Plant Type List is a list of the plants we produce which is sorted into different size ranges to help with plant selection.

Recording of Banjo Frogs kindly provided by Murray Littlejohn.

Introduction

All creatures great and small need distinct places to live, and they have specific needs which have to be met in order to survive. These habitats need to provide an ongoing supply of varied food sources to maintain their health. People are no different in this need. Unlike most other creatures however, we are able to create or strongly influence the environments for ourselves.

Basic Habitat Requirements

Food & water: All living things need protein and carbohydrates as well as water to survive. This supply needs to be ongoing to be sustainable to any population of plant or animal.

Shelter: - protection from environmental extremes and predators.

Microclimate: - correct balance of moisture, light, temperature.

Size & Connectivity: adequate territorial and breeding resources are necessary. Even though your garden may be small it may be a necessary link to ensure sustainable living conditions for some fauna species. Some creatures will not be attracted simply because they cannot get to your garden.

Basic Fauna Types You Can Attract

Mammals: Koalas, Kangaroos, Wallabies, Possums, Bats & Others

Birds: Honeyeaters, Parrots, Finches, Kookaburras, Water Birds, & Others

Amphibians: Frogs

Reptiles: Lizards

Insects: Butterflies, Moths, Native Bees & many others which are food for larger creatures

Some Garden Design Aspects to Think About

Use your local natural environment as a design model when planning your garden. The more complexity of flora the greater the range of creatures you will attract. Many local plants are less well known, but are very attractive and may be better suited to local conditions.

Flora: – Range to suit the type of creature you wish to attract. Aim for flowering to occur throughout the year to provide an ongoing food source. Also provide a range of plant habits – think about your garden as a multi-storey dwelling. The more complex the structure the more “dwell-ability” it will have.

Water Features / Supply: Water is an important requirement for any living thing. The presence of water in a garden will attract a variety of creatures. They will come just to drink or as a place to live and breed. Why not use a reed bed system as a frog garden.

Rocks & Logs: Hiding places are important for many creatures. Lizards like to sun-bake on rocks or logs close to safe hiding places.

Leaf Litter: Decomposition of leaves, flowers and twigs returns nutrients to the soil and provides sites for soil fauna and flora to live.

Some Things Which Plants Provide

Nectar & Pollen: – Proteas (Grevillea, Banksia, Hakea, Isopogon), Eucalyptus, Leptospermum, Bursaria, Callistemon, Correa, Xanthorrhoea, Anigozanthos, Acacia

Seeds: – Grasses, Acacia, Banksia, Eucalyptus, Callistemon

Nest Sites: – Prickly plants to provide protection; hollow tree limbs or artificial nest boxes; high tree branches for protection.

Protection from Predators: – Particularly prickly plants: Bursaria, some Acacia,

Resting area: – A secluded or protected area.

Shade: – Relief from extreme temperatures and protection from other climatic elements.

Nesting Materials: – Course and fine construction material as well as soft material for lining. The seed of Clematis microphyla has a soft feathery bristle which some birds use as nest lining.

Landscape Design Issues To Consider

Appropriate Size Plant for site: Avoid planting a large plant in a confined space.

Range of Plant Types and Heights / Layers: A range of plant sizes and types provides greater possibilities for habitat.

Soil Types: All plants have specific soil requirements and perform at their optimum when matched accordingly.

Soil Moisture / Waterlogging: As with soil types all plants have specific soil moisture tolerances.

Soil Nutrition: Native plants are generally light feeders, so little or no fertilizer is required once mature. Most native plants prefer low levels of phosphorus and some species are particularly phosphorus sensitive so be careful with these.

Microclimate: Each plant has a distinct set of tolerances to climatic extremes. Within these limits they will thrive. Conversely the further outside these limits the less thrifty the plant will be. Screen plantings can be made with hardier plants to provide microclimates for more tender plants that may not otherwise grow in your area.

Weediness: Some native plants can be considered weeds when planted outside their natural range. Be careful not to plant species which can become invasive.

Want more Information?

... Visit the Flora for Fauna website at http://www.floraforfauna.com.au/
... or ... Join your local Australian Plant Society.

Allansforest nursery produces a large range of local and non-local native plants which are suitable for the native fauna of South West Victoria. Many of these plants are on the Flora for Fauna list of recommended species. Landscape designs can also help reduce energy use in the home. Allansforest can prepare landscape designs which improve household energy efficiency. This can be achieved by strategic placement of appropriate plants for shelter and shade creating more tolerable living conditions in and around the home. This approach can also be used to create microclimates which allow more tender plants to be grown outside their preferred climatic range. You can get more information by contacting Neil Sloan at Allansforest.

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Allansforest Nursery - Putting Habitat Back
4965 Great Ocean Road,
Allansforest, VICTORIA, 3277
Ph: 03 5566 3254
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