• Bulbine Bulbosa the leek that creeps

    Say hello to this happy little native bulb, this is the native leek or Bulbine bulbosa and I have been using it in designs for the past few years around pond edges and in native cottage style gardens. The bright yellow fragrant flower spikes appear in Spring and when grown in clusters this plant can…

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  • 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…

  • Pomaderris Elliptica: feature screening

    After much sleuthing and a little bit of travel I have finally figured out which Pomaderris I saw flowering its head off in Cranbourne Botanical gardens last year. It only took a quick dash around Hobart Botanical Gardens, a few weeks ago, where I spotted it with a label! I am also guilty of planting…

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  • 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…

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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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