Butterfly attracting – Mallee Design

Happy Wattle Day: The Ever useful Acacia fimbriata

The 1st of September is not only the first day of Spring, but it is also National Wattle Day! So if you have any flowering in your garden, cut off a sprig for a jar or pin it to your… Read more ›

31/08/2023

Kath Gadd

Bird attracting, Butterfly attracting, Coastal, Drought hardy, Frost tolerant, Screening plants, Small garden, Small tree, Winter flowering

Acacia fimbriata, bird-attracting, butterfly attracting, Fairy Wren, figbird, fragrant flowers, Honeyeaters, national wattle, National Wattle Day, privacy screen, weeping habit, wind break, yellow flowers

The Mediterranean flavour of Grevillea olivacea

Grevillea olivacea is considered a fast growing native shrub for dry conditions, with its dense habit it is the perfect screening plant to block out any building, street or fence. I use it for its grey foliage and small spider… Read more ›

29/08/2023

Kath Gadd

Bird attracting, Butterfly attracting, Coastal, Drought hardy, Frost tolerant, Hedge, Screening plants, Small tree, Winter flowering

bee attracting, bird-attracting, drought tolerant, fence screening, frost tolerant, Grevillea olivacea Red, Grevillea olivacea Yellow, habitat garden, hedge, Waterwise native, wildlife habitat

Lucious, Shade-loving: Trochocarpa laurina

Note: The photos on this post were originally misidentified as Decaspermum humile. Thanks to @nightjarnatives who corrected the id on instagram! Trochocarpa laurina or ‘Tree Heath’ is a large shrub to small tree which loves the shade. I have recently… Read more ›

06/06/2023

Kath Gadd

Bird attracting, Bush tucker, Butterfly attracting, Hedge, Illawarra natives, Medium Tree, Screening plants, Shade tolerant, Small tree, Tropical garden

bird-attracting, dense habit, heavy shade, moist shade, rainforest species, Reddish foliage, shade tolerant, subtropical species, Trochocarpa laurina, understory planting, weeping habit

Light it up: Grevillea lanigera ‘Mellow Yellow’

I have mass planted Grevillea ‘Mellow Yellow in a semi shaded position in my garden and have been surprised at its tenacity and ability to cover its self in blooms for an extended period of time. The small striking spider… Read more ›

26/05/2023

Kath Gadd

Bird attracting, Butterfly attracting, Coastal, Drought hardy, Frost tolerant, Groundcover, Natives for containers, Naturalistic garden, Winter flowering

Autumn Flowering, bee attracting, clay soils, drought tolerant, frost tolerant, full sun, grey green leaves, ground cover, long flowering period, well drained soil, wind tolerant, winter flowering

Try hedging with something a bit different: Lomatia myricoides

I have already written about this large native shrub Lomatia myricoides or River or Long-leaf Lomatia, please see the link below. This post is not so much about this Lomatia as a specimen plant but about its potential as a… Read more ›

06/04/2023

Kath Gadd

Bird attracting, Butterfly attracting, Drought hardy, Hedge, Screening plants, Shade tolerant

Autumn Flowering, bee attracting, clay soils, fine foliage, heavy soils, large flower, Lomatia myricoides, summer flowering, understory planting, water logged soils, weeping habit, well drained soil, white flower

Walks for winter-spring flowering plants on Dharawal Country

In our temperate climate the winter wildflower season is magnificent making it one of the best times for walking in and around the escarpment – or at least when it’s not too muddy! – and many of the winter flowerers… Read more ›

15/08/2022

Kath Gadd

Bird attracting, Butterfly attracting, Illawarra natives, Winter flowering

Native flowers in the deepest dark of Winter

It has been a long cold, wet Winter here on the southern NSW coast, off and don’t forget windy! In fact my garden experienced a mini tornado a month ago, a micro weather event which sent someones garden shed and… Read more ›

03/08/2022

Kath Gadd

Bird attracting, Butterfly attracting, Coastal, Naturalistic garden, Screening plants, Winter flowering

bee attracting, bird-attracting, birdsinbackyards, clay soils, Epacris microphylla, Eriostemon difformis ‘Star Sprite’, Grevillea 'Orange Marmalade', Grevillea arenaria, Grevillea oleoides, Hakea francisiana Grafted, Phebalium nottii Grafted, Pimelea linifolia, Westringia longifolia, winter flowering

Luscious, Dense and Green: Xanthostemon chrysanthus

This showy small to medium tropical tree was flowering its head off on my recent trip to Brisbane and northern NSW. It was such a welcome sight after the damp, soggy Summer we have had, finally a species revelling in… Read more ›

27/04/2022 1 Comment

Kath Gadd

Bird attracting, Butterfly attracting, Feature shrub, Hedge, Medium Tree, Screening plants, Shade tolerant, Small tree

Autumn Flowering, bee attracting, feature tree, large flower, long flowering period, privacy screen, Quick growing, rainforest species, shade tree, Street Trees, summer flowering, tropical species, Xanthostemon chrysanthus, yellow flowers

Summer Scents: Hymenosporum flavum

The scent of a frangipani marks Summer for many people, when I used to live in Sydney the frangipanis and jasmine filled the inner city streets in Summer giving off a potent scent in the warm weather. What many people… Read more ›

15/02/2022 2 Comments

Kath Gadd

Butterfly attracting, Medium Tree, Screening plants, Shade tolerant, Tropical garden

bee attracting, feature tree, fragrant, fragrant flowers, Hymenosporum flavum, long flowering period, part shade, perfume, Street Trees, summer flowering, yellow flowers

Habitat Gardening

My eye is repeatedly drawn to this delightful photo of a father Tawny Frogmouth and his hatchling. Tawny Frogmouth fathers look after their baby birds until they fledge and require wide branches or large forks in old trees to nest.… Read more ›

18/06/2021

Kath Gadd

Bird attracting, Butterfly attracting, Landscape Design

Portfolio: St Ives Landscape Design

This garden in the leafy north shore suburb of St Ives was designed last year and built only 7 months ago, by Ash from ‘Living on the Hedge’. Part of the brief for this garden was to have plenty of… Read more ›

07/06/2021 7 Comments

Kath Gadd

AILDM, Bird attracting, Butterfly attracting, Groundcover, Hedge, Landscape Design, Medium Tree, Ornamental grass, Portfolio, Screening plants, Small tree, Uncategorized, Winter flowering

The little purple pea that could: Indigofera australis

This is a common medium sized shrub that really can do anything…..it can fill a dark boring corner, it can flower profusely, it can provide lots pf nectar rich flowers for bees and butterflies, it can grow extremely quickly and… Read more ›

11/05/2021 2 Comments

Kath Gadd

Butterfly attracting, Drought hardy, Illawarra natives, Shade tolerant, Small garden

drought tolerant, frost tolerant, Indigofera australis, pink flowers, purple flowers, Quick growing, shade tolerant, spring flowering, understory planting, weeping habit

Happy Eucalypt Day! Eucalyptus pulverulenta ‘Baby Blue’

National Eucalypt Day is an initiative of Eucalypt Australia that aims to raise awareness of Eucalypts and celebrate the important place that they hold in the hearts and lives of Australians. I have taken some photos of one of my… Read more ›

23/03/2021 3 Comments

Kath Gadd

Bird attracting, Butterfly attracting, Coastal, Drought hardy, Feature shrub, Small garden, Small tree, Uncategorized

Autumn Flowering, bee attracting, eucalyptaus, Eucalyptus pulverulenta 'Baby Blue', EucBeaut, feature tree, foliage contrast, grey green leaves, Mallee Eucalyptus, NationalEucalyptDay, native insect attracting, pollination

The very versatile Lomatia myricoides

I have been wanting to tell you all about the River Lomatia for some time but have been waiting to find some fully grown shrubs to photograph and I finally found them on my recent Summer trip to Mount Kosciuszko.… Read more ›

23/02/2021

Kath Gadd

Butterfly attracting, Frost tolerant, Hedge, Screening plants, Shade tolerant, Snow Tolerant

bee attracting, cut flowers, large shrub, Lomatia myricoides, moist shade, moist soil, native bees, small bird attracting, summer flowering, understory planting, weeping habit, well drained soil, white flower

As delicate as a rose: Archirhodomyrtus beckleri

This small feature tree really would fit in nicely in a garden full of roses, lavender and other English cottage style plants. The tiny flowers remind me of the blooms on climbing rose bushes and this pretty rainforest tree has… Read more ›

09/11/2020 2 Comments

Kath Gadd

Bird attracting, Bush tucker, Butterfly attracting, Screening plants

Archirhodomyrtus beckleri, bee attracting, Bush Foods, feature tree, fence screening, fragrant, perfume, privacy screen, rainforest species, Rose myrtle, shade tolerant, small garden, understory planting

Something a little different: Stenanthemum scortechinii

This little low growing native shrub has many common names Cotton Bush, Snow Balls, Corroboree, salt and pepper to name a few …. it is also known as Stenanthemum scortechinii or Cryptandra scortechinii or even Spyridium whatever the name it… Read more ›

04/11/2020 2 Comments

Kath Gadd

Bird attracting, Butterfly attracting, Coastal, Drought hardy, Frost tolerant, Winter flowering

bee attracting, butterfly attracting, cut flowers, dry shade, frost tolerant, long flowering period, native bees, Stenanthemum scortechinii, white flower, winter flowering

Try something exotic! Tecomanthe hillii

How non native does this spectacular flower look?! It is the flower of the Fraser Island Vine or Tecomanthe hillii a gentle climber which is endemic to North Eastern Queensland. Tecomanthe hillii enjoys fun sun to part shade in a… Read more ›

20/10/2020 2 Comments

Kath Gadd

Butterfly attracting, Natives for containers, Shade tolerant, Small garden, Tropical garden

bee attracting, climber, large flower, native bees, pink flowers, shade tolerant, Tecomanthe hillii, tropical species, understory planting, warm climate, well drained soil

The Partying Pea: Chorizema cordatum

This outrageous little pea flower is growing in my daughters primary school, it thinks it is unassuming and doing its own thing, little does it realise what a show off it is! Chorizema cordatum is a wonderful South West Australian… Read more ›

15/09/2020 1 Comment

Kath Gadd

Butterfly attracting, Drought hardy, Feature shrub, Naturalistic garden, Shade tolerant, Small garden, Winter flowering

butterfly attracting, Chorizema cordatum, long flowering period, low spreading habit, orange flowers, part shade, pink flowers, prolific flowers, understory planting, WA, well drained soil

Dainty and Delightful Fringe Myrtle: Micromyrtus ciliata

This sweet little native shrub is in full bloom at the moment, it started in late Winter and can continue until Summer in some cases. Micromyrtus ciliata is one of those species which gets so covered in flowers that you… Read more ›

10/09/2020 5 Comments

Kath Gadd

Butterfly attracting, Coastal, Feature shrub, Frost tolerant, Shade tolerant, Small garden, Winter flowering

bee attracting, fast growing, fragrant, long flowering period, low spreading habit, Micromyrtus ciliata, part shade, sandy soil, understory planting, weeping habit, white flower, wind tolerant

An oldie but a goodie: Thryptomene saxicola ‘FC Payne’

This is a classic 70’s native garden plant, a WA species which doesn’t need to be grafted to grow elsewhere in Australia and for good reason it has stood the test of time. Thryptomene saxicola ‘FC Payne’ is hardy and… Read more ›

18/08/2020

Kath Gadd

Butterfly attracting, Drought hardy, Frost tolerant, Shade tolerant, Winter flowering

butterfly attracting, cut flowers, drought hardy, fragrant, insectivorous birds, long flowering period, native insect attracting, natives for pots, pink flowers, prolific flowers, small bird attracting, understory planting, weeping habit

Pink and Grey: Guichenotia ledifolia

As a colour combination pink and grey is one of my favourites, especially on a plant, grey leaves and a soft pink flower win me over every time! Luckily for me it is a fairly common combination in native Australian… Read more ›

16/06/2019 3 Comments

Kath Gadd

Bird attracting, Butterfly attracting, Drought hardy, Frost tolerant, Shade tolerant, Small garden, Winter flowering

bee attracting, foliage contrast, grey green leaves, Guichenotia ledifolia, long flowering period, pink flowers, understory planting, weeping habit, well drained soil, wildlife habitat

A must have in your habitat garden: Bursaria spinosa

All hail sweet Bursaria! this native plant is a superstar performer in a native habitat garden fulfilling so many critters requirements and needs. I have been collecting images of Bursaria spinosa for about 10 years now, always looking for a… Read more ›

21/04/2019 4 Comments

Kath Gadd

Bird attracting, Butterfly attracting, Drought hardy, Frost tolerant, Screening plants, Shade tolerant, Small tree

bee attracting, Bursaria spinosa, Double-barred finch, fast growing, fragrant, habitat garden, insectivorous birds, native bees, part shade, perfume, Pilotbird, Prickly, prolific flowers, shade tolerant, small bird attracting, summer flowering, white flower, wind tolerant, wrens

Another Callistmon for the resurgence: Callistemon subulatus ‘Brogo Overflow’

I have written before about my love of bottlebrush and how I wish for a resurgence in their use in garden design and the general landscape. There are many new interesting forms and cultivars that are a far shot from… Read more ›

26/02/2019

Kath Gadd

Bird attracting, Bush tucker, Butterfly attracting, Drought hardy, Feature shrub, Frost tolerant, Hedge, Small garden

Autumn Flowering, bee attracting, Callistemon subulatus ‘Brogo Overflow’, clay soils, fast growing, large flower, Red flowers, spring flowering, understory planting, weeping habit, wildlife habitat, wind tolerant

Remember daisies make you happy! Xerochrysum ‘Dargan Hill Monarch’

I need a little cheering up today, and although I have hundreds of interesting plant and landscape design photos from my recent Victorian trip I just need to share some sunny happiness in the form of yellow native daisies, bear… Read more ›

05/02/2019

Kath Gadd

Butterfly attracting, Drought hardy, Feature shrub, Frost tolerant, Groundcover, Natives for containers

bee attracting, carpeting ground cover, Chrysocephalum apiculatum, fast growing, silver foliage, understory planting, Xerochrysum ‘Dargan Hill Monarch’, yellow flowers

Mallee Design

Native Garden Design & Consultation

Category Archives: Butterfly attracting

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Happy Wattle Day: The Ever useful Acacia fimbriata

The Mediterranean flavour of Grevillea olivacea

Lucious, Shade-loving: Trochocarpa laurina

Light it up: Grevillea lanigera ‘Mellow Yellow’

Try hedging with something a bit different: Lomatia myricoides

Walks for winter-spring flowering plants on Dharawal Country

Native flowers in the deepest dark of Winter

Luscious, Dense and Green: Xanthostemon chrysanthus

Summer Scents: Hymenosporum flavum

Habitat Gardening

Portfolio: St Ives Landscape Design

The little purple pea that could: Indigofera australis

Happy Eucalypt Day! Eucalyptus pulverulenta ‘Baby Blue’

The very versatile Lomatia myricoides

As delicate as a rose: Archirhodomyrtus beckleri

Something a little different: Stenanthemum scortechinii

Try something exotic! Tecomanthe hillii

The Partying Pea: Chorizema cordatum

Dainty and Delightful Fringe Myrtle: Micromyrtus ciliata

An oldie but a goodie: Thryptomene saxicola ‘FC Payne’

Pink and Grey: Guichenotia ledifolia

A must have in your habitat garden: Bursaria spinosa

Another Callistmon for the resurgence: Callistemon subulatus ‘Brogo Overflow’

Remember daisies make you happy! Xerochrysum ‘Dargan Hill Monarch’