• The perfect concealer: Aphanopetalum resinosum

    Aphanopetalum resinosum is the answer to many difficult positions in the garden, from dark shady dry corners of the garden to ugly fences or buildings which need to be greened up, Gum Vine may be the solution. This robust native vine has bright green shiny leaves and reddish stems and when it is in flower…

  • Merry NSW Christmas Bush: Ceratopetalum gummiferum

    I am a bit of a Grinch when it comes to Christmas and often one of the things which pulls me our of my un-festive slump is our Ceratopetalum gummiferum or native Christmas Bush. This year I was a little late, as many have finished thier show by the time Christmas actually arrives. However, I…

    3 responses

  • White or Pink? How do you like your Blueberry Ash? or covered in blue berries

    Elaeocarpus reticulatus is one of the Spring flowering native tree species which really knocks itself out during its flowering season. It consistently covers itself in the little white fairy skirt like flowers to the point that it gives the whole tree a light hue. The other time of year this species looks incredible is when…

    6 responses

  • Darwinia citriodora another WA toughie

    To be honest I didn’t realise this lovely medium shrub hailed from the West, silly me. I think I assumed Darwinias were local to coastal NSW due to the prominence of taxifolia and fascicularis when I go bushwalking close to home. They are a stunning Genus, all have intresting leaf structure and get covered in…

  • The oh so fun Leptospermum ‘outrageous’

    Leptospermum ‘Outrageous’ puts on a show of brilliant pink-red flowers in Spring, and it absolutely covers itself as the weeks go on. This medium shrub has delicate weeping branches and it can be pruned into a low hedge or border plant. It is also showy enough to be a great feature shrub even when not…

  • Eye catching Kennedia nigricans

    This is am unusual climber which tends to draw in everyones attention. I use this Western Australian species whenever I need a quick growing cover to screen, suppress weeds or create shade. The large bright green leaves are broad for a Kennedia and the pea flowers hide a little amongst the foliage, but once those…

    6 responses

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providing resources for native plant gardeners and designers.


Mallee Design was created by Kath Gadd in 2012 to document and share her love for native Australian garden design. Her original motivation was to inspire those interested in learning more about native Australian plants. The Mallee Design blog has since grown into a rich resource, used by gardeners, horticulturalists, landscape designers and others.

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