• the intrigue of Lythrum salicaria

    This is a very fun native pond plant growing in my garden, currently flowering for its second summer. It’s called Lythrum salicaria, or Purple Loosestrife, and it’s an extremely satisfying species to grow thanks to its long flowering period and deep pink-purple flower spikes. I’m growing it as a pond-edge plant, with its root ball completely…

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  • Planting for pollinators: Pelargonium ‘Applause’

    Put your hands together for this prolifically flowering joyful groundcover; introducing Pelargonium ‘Applause’. This is a between the Australian species Pelargonium australe and P. rodneyanum developed by Peter Ollerenshaw of Bywong Nursery. I have found this native geranium to flower from Spring through to Autumn with a height of its bloom in Summer. I am growing…

  • the festive flowers of Baeckea virgata

    I have been admiring this lovely screening hedge on a busy road for years, always driving by too busy to stop when it is in flower. But at last I made the time to stop and photograph this row of Baeckea virgata in full festive flower last week, I think it rivals NSW Xmas bush…

  • The glossy leafed Eupomatia laurina

    This ancient flowering plant has a fossil record of 120 million years, it’s primitive flowers are a legacy from Gondwana. Isn’t that mind blowing!? The perfumed, glossy green tree with edible fruits is the perfect addition to a bush food garden. My Mum’s Eupomatia laurina is flowering and this is the first time we have…

  • Grevillea anethifolia: Prefectly Prickly

    This Grevillea is commonly known as the ‘Spiny Cream Spider Flower’ and is very aptly named. The leaves have needle like points and the whole plant makes a wonderful dense prickly shelter for small birds. These photos were taken in the Illawarra Grevillea Park, I also have a grafted Grevillea anethifolia growing happily in my…

  • Correa baeuerlenii

    Here is another of my very favourite Correas that is such a useful plant in the landscape. Correa baeuerlenii or Chef’s Hat Correa is found naturally growing on the south coast of NSW on shady, damp sites, therefore it grows happily under large trees and will cope with periods of dry and also light frost.

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  2. Hi Cleo, So lovely to hear that Tony is still working away at the beautiful space he created. Thank you…

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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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