Mallee Design – Native Plant and Design Resource

Good morning Iris: Orthrosanthus multiflorus

The flower spikes on the morning Iris really do say good morning all through Spring, it is such a luminous shade of deep blue almost purple that is impossible not to notice. The flowers are displayed on upright stems rising almost a metre above the tufted foliage. Orthrosanthus multiflorus can be found growing naturally on…

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…

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Powerful medicinal tree: Pittosporum angustifolium

This is a small native Medicine plant affectionately known as Gumbi Gumbi, it actually has many names as it has many uses. It is also known as Western Pittosporum, Berrigan, Bitter Bush, Cattle Bush, Cheesewood, Butter Bush, Native Willow or Native Apricot. The properties of Gumbi Gumbi are quite potent and only those familiar with…
‘Red Iron Bark’ – Eucalyptus sideroxylon Rosea

I live in Iron Bark territory, on a clay soil, near the coast, the local Iron Barks stand up to the strong coastal winds and often boggy soil. One introduced Iron bark that does very well in my area is Eucalyptus sideroxylon Rosea, this is a stunning medium sized tree, that I gladly recommend for…

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Small Habitat Tree: Corymbia eximia nana

If you are looking for a small feature gum tree in your garden which will offer both a food source and habitat for native fauna, look no further. Corymbia eximia ‘Nana’ is a striking, dwarf form of the Yellow Bloodwood. The gnarly mottled wood and crooked trunk of the dwarf version of Corymbia exima or…

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don’t be confused by Grevillea buxifolia

This is probably Grevillea buxifolia subsp. buxifolia which is not to be confused with Grevillea sphacelata, in the Grevillea bibles by Peter Olde and Neil Marriott sphacelata a “Related or confusing species”. This couldn’t be more apt, I spent some time going down a plant nerd rabbit hole on this. These photos were taken in…