Gardening Tips & Tricks
Plant Natives and Watch Your Garden Come Alive
Attracting wildlife into your garden is one of the true rewards of gardening. There is nothing quite like being in your garden while birds are feeding and playing in the plants. One way to ensure that you always have wildlife in your garden is to plant Australian natives. There is a large variety of native plants available at Boyds Bay Garden World that suit a range of soils and spots in your garden. Available plants include climbers, ground covers, shrubs and trees, each having different foliage and flower colour, growth habits and heights so you are sure to find one or more species to suit your house and garden.
Ground covers such as Brachycome, Scavolea and Grevilla Mt Tamborine, are perfect to add a touch of colour in the garden. Grasses such as Dianella and Lomandra add form and are great for sheltering small wildlife such as finches and lizards. Kangaroo paws are simply stunning and come in colours such as pink, red and yellow. Callistemons, Grevilleas and Wattles grow to a variety of heights and provide nectar and shelter for birds. Tree varieties such as the Weeping Lilly Pilly and the Water Gum provide structure and form in the garden while providing homes for the birds where they can build their nests and nurture their young.
Although natives are low maintenance, they do require annual pruning to maintain shape and to avoid any woody, straggly branches. Make sure that you only prune about a third off the plant as some natives can go into shock if the pruning is too severe. And always prune straight after flowering. Australian soils are naturally low in phosphorous so make sure that you use fertilisers specifically designed for Australian natives. Searles Native Robust slow release is essential to keep your natives healthy and strong. You can use compost, garden clippings and native planting mix but avoid manures as they can burn the plant. Most natives are drought tolerant so avoid planting into heavy clay soils. Add gypsum and coarse river sand to the clay to improve structure and drainage. And always remember to mulch well. This not only looks good but is essential to retain precious moisture.
So come in and see the range of natives available and you will be surprised just how stunning natives can be. Include a birdbath in the garden for the birds to splash around in on warm summer days and they will be flocking to your garden. Our friendly, helpful qualified horticulturalists will provide advice and assistance to help you create a wildlife haven in your very own backyard.
