Comments on: What low maintenance plants work well in the Australian summer?

By: #1>tigers_fan

#1>tigers_fan — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 23:27:59 +0000

best plants to grow with low maintenance is native plants they are use to the enviroment. usually when purchasing plants it will tell you on the tag the best area for the plant. planting native plants means you dont need to water them as often and bonus to it will bring in the birds..
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By: Andrea H

Andrea H — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 23:14:59 +0000

Native plants is what you want. They are all low maintenance, need little water and have flowers, which attract native birds. Go to your local nursery for some advice on what's best for your particular area. I live in north Qld, so what does well here might not do so well in NSW, because it does get colder in winter there.
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By: Joseph

Joseph — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 23:03:59 +0000

Weeds!
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By: dronelayer

dronelayer — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 22:15:59 +0000

You can plant diff. type of flowering cactus, roses, daisy, sampaguita, magnolia, marigold and other lovely plants...
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By: gmerrilyne

gmerrilyne — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 21:59:59 +0000

Try Hebes..there are different varities that flower at different times of the year. They are long flowering shrubs that can be easily maintained.They are waterwise too. Mine coped well thru our last heatwave even though they were newly established. If they suffer any stress, just cut them back and they bounce right back !
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By: satanicrites

satanicrites — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 21:50:59 +0000

Try wattles,or acacia they seem to hold out better than any other in this drought we are having, i also live in NSW on the south coast you could also try planting a well established Lavender bush if you are not allergic.
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By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 21:01:59 +0000

Look at the native plants of your area. Australian flora is very beautiful when used creatively.
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By: Gizmo

Gizmo — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 20:52:59 +0000

Pegasus' answer is pretty well spot on. I am from Western Australia and most native shrubs thrive in all conditions. When choosing, just look for the growth details, ie: height etc. An ideal way to start off young shrubs is to plant the shrub and then cut a piece of hose or pipe and push it down towards the roots. This way when the plant does require some water you just pour it down the pipe. This method also gives the shrub a flying start.
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By: anthonyswordgrass

anthonyswordgrass — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 20:06:59 +0000

Someone suggested gazanias. These are strikingly beautiful but if you care about the environment, please don't grow them as they are invasive environmental weeds. The Australian bush is full of weed species which started out as tough garden plants & are helping to push native plant & wildlife species to the brink of extinction. It's great to have tough, low care plants in the garden but please do some research on the weed potential of your intended purchases before buying & planting them.
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By: Artemisia Goldman

Artemisia Goldman — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 19:56:59 +0000

I’m getting ready to do the same but am in Victoria and have had to weed out all the weeds first (which is the entire yard) and clean it all up (mess from previous tenants).
I went to my local garden nursery and asked about drought tolerant plants and screening plants also. Obviously native plants are best and succulents. There’s some good screening plants that are hardy and only maybe need a trim once a year. Because my yard is small i’m planning on planting a couple of dwarfed fruit trees which will grow smaller, can be grown in containers and be more maintainable. Just make sure you don’t plant something that takes over your whole yard. While i’m pulling out the small weedy plants i’ve left a shrub that i think may be a dark star lilac shrub. It’s attracting butterflies already and the flowering is a great blue. Even though you’re looking for low maintenance garden still consider (if you haven’t one already) a compost bin because it will over time save the costs of fertilizers. Also as I’ve found white vinegar very good as an organic and safe weed killer rather than using toxic pesticides.
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