Australian Gardening Style: Learn About Gardening In Australia
Planning an Australian garden design is just like designing a garden area in any other country. Temperature and climate are the primary considerations. Much like the U.S., Australia is divided into hardiness zones. Native plants are an important consideration when planting there.
Australian Gardening Style
Grow an Australian garden in any style you choose. Design your ornamental beds to complement the design of your home. Plant eye-catching shrubs or upright dwarf conifers in available corners. Follow the slope or slant of your property and plant erosion control specimens where needed.
Garden design in Australia may replicate the natural landscape using water features, rocks, and native plants.
About Australia Garden Plants
Plants for gardening in Australia may include a shrub or tree border to add privacy or block the noise of traffic from the street. Shrub borders are often planted for spring blooms. The seasons in Australia are reversed from the Northern Hemisphere. For instance, spring there is from September to November, whereas this is autumn for us.
Guides by the State Flora staff feature a plant by plant description of most herbs and ornamentals. These are sometimes labeled ‘Don’t Plant Me’ or ‘Grow Me Instead,’ making it easier to avoid plants with an invasive spread.
Native plants are often used in groupings when planting in Australia. These include native pelargonium (Pelargonium australe) and native bluebell (Wahlenbergia spp.). The red flowering bottlebrush shrub is a favorite native for those without a green thumb.
Drooping sheoak (Allocasuarina verticillata) and southern cypress pine (Callitris gracilis) are just two of the beautiful native plants beneficial to the endangered wildlife population.
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Gardening in Australia
There is no shortage of interesting plant choices to grow in the Australian landscape. Consider their needs and the curb appeal you wish to display from your garden and use one of the following styles:
- Cottage Garden: Anything goes in the cottage garden design. Tall ornamentals and herbs might grow happily together with an interesting groundcover shading bulbs and roots from the hot Australian sun. Native plants help sustain wildlife.
- Contemporary Garden: Contemporary gardens have a modern design, with an emphasis on texture and contrast. Concentrate on this interesting space for which to choose plants. Natural timber is often used for hardscape features, like decks and patios.
- Family Garden: Inspired by recreation, a family garden may include outdoor rooms. Often there is a pool, grill, outdoor TV, and plenty of seating. This can be a place where the children experiment and learn about planting with a play area nearby. Border shady areas with long-lasting plants, shrubs, and trees from the State Flora guide.
There are lots of options for Australian garden ideas, check them out for design help. Australia is a great place to garden. Choose appropriate plants for your zone.
Becca Badgett was a regular contributor to Gardening Know How for ten years. Co-author of the book How to Grow an EMERGENCY Garden, Becca specializes in succulent and cactus gardening.
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