QUEENSLAND gardeners seeking beauty, resilience and a touch of the wild would do well to turn to native flowering shrubs.
These hardy plants not only thrive in local conditions but also bring vibrant colour and texture to any garden.
Grevillea is a favourite, with its spider-like flowers in shades of red, pink, orange or cream. Ranging from low-growing groundcovers to tall shrubs over 3m, grevilleas love full sun and well-drained soil. They’re drought-tolerant once established and attract nectar-loving birds.
Callistemon, or bottlebrush, features cylindrical blooms in red, pink, white or mauve. It typically grows between 1-4m high and thrives in full sun. Prune after flowering to maintain shape and encourage dense growth.
Melaleuca, known for its fluffy flowers, blooms in white, purple, pink or yellow. Heights vary from compact varieties to small trees. These hardy shrubs tolerate wet or dry conditions and are great for screening or hedging.
Westringia, or native rosemary, offers small mauve to white flowers year-round and grows up to 2m. It’s ideal for coastal gardens, coping well with salt spray, poor soil and pruning.
Caring for these shrubs is simple: plant in a sunny position with good drainage, mulch well, and water regularly during the first year. Once established, they need minimal maintenance and reward you with long-lasting, colourful displays and an abundance of wildlife.
With these Australian natives, your garden can bloom beautifully all year round.
