• vulnerable Epacris purpurascens

    For me this species signifies everything incredible about our local sandstone sclerophyll forest. The extraordinary stems of Epacris purpurascens cover themselves in tiny pinky white flowers and reach for the sun. There is something about them which is delicate but also symbolises endurance, they are a pretty wildflower in our bushland environment which can be…

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  • Bee Friendly Grevillea: Grevillea sericea

    This is a local spider flower Grevillea which has huge ornamental potential and is a master at attracting native pollinator and honey bees to your garden. It is quite a common species on the east coast of NSW and can be found growing naturally from Toronto in the north to Heathcote in the South of…

  • Tough as nails: Actinotus helianthi

    I’ve learnt my lesson, plant them and leave them alone! I planted 5 potted Actinotus helianthi last year in my garden, 1 remains, the others were over loved and over watered I think, or there may have been some trampling going on courtesy of kids playing on the swing. Actinotus helianthi are wildflowers, it can…

  • Dwarf Eucalyptus for small gardens: Eucalyptus citriodora DWARF

    The lemon scented gum is one of my favourite fragrances, that pungent citronella smell released after the rain or at dusk on a summer evening makes me feel all sentimental about our incredible flora.Unfortunately Eucalyptus or Corymbia citriodora doesn’t mix so well with the urban landscape, firstly they get tall, very tall and secondly as…

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  • Happy Wattle Day: Acacia aphylla

    Happy National Wattle Day and the official first day of Spring, although the weather where I live has been behaving more like Summer, which is extremely concerning. Nevertheless I am always happy to celebrate our Acacia species and this one I have been so patiently waiting for it to flower, and finally starting in Autumn…

  • Anigozanthos ‘Landscape Lime’the underdog

    In the next couple of months Kangaroo Paws all over Australia will be stretching their stems for the sun, flaunting their flower ladened spikes for the birds and the bees. But not just for the wildlife, Anigozanthos are undoubtedly one of our nations most iconic genus and with recent breeding in the taller range, they…

  1. I love these banksias. There are a couple at the Pioneer Park entrance to the escarpment track at the back…

  2. Hi Kath, Do you know of any nurseries in Sydney area (or beyond) that may stock Epacris Purpurascens? I’ve been…

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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