Indigenous plants are the plants that are local to Casey and represent the vegetation that grew in the area before European settlement. Native plants refer to plants from Australia. Not all Australian native plants are found in Casey.
By visiting a nearby natural bushland reserve you can see examples of the indigenous plants that are local to the Casey area. These Indigenous plants are grouped into what we call Plant Communities. Your closest local bushland reserve can be found on Council‘s website under Bushland Reserves.
- Benefits of planting indigenous plants
There are many benefits to growing indigenous plants in your garden.
Indigenous plants:
- are suited to the local soils and climate
- are less likely to be attacked by pests and diseases
- can tolerate weather extremes
- are relatively low-maintenance, drought-tolerant
- don't need extra water and fertilisers.
Indigenous plants also:
- provide the kind of habitat that our native animals are dependent on
- are the most likely to attract native birds, insects and wildlife
- provide food for native birds such as honeyeaters, parrots and rosellas
- connect with the cultural history of the land and its traditional owners
- create a landscape's identity and help make an area district provide diverse colours, and textures in your garden contribute to sustainability by creating healthier ecosystems.
If you have an opportunity to include new plants or replace existing plants in your garden space, choosing indigenous plants is a great idea.
The indigenous plants below are encouraged to be planted in Casey gardens to compliment areas of remnant vegetation in Casey and provide additional stepping-stones throughout the municipality for native wildlife to move about, in addition to attracting local wildlife to your garden.
See Gardens for Wildlife if you would like more information and resources on creating a wildlife friendly garden.
- Local Plant Communities – Ecological Vegetation Classes (EVC’s)
Plants are grouped into communities or EVC’s based on their similar needs such as soil type, topography, and climate. The distribution of these EVC’s has been drastically reduced since European settlement.
Some of these EVC’s are no longer represented within Casey due to land being cleared for farming and housing developments. They are referred to as pre-1750 EVC’s.
EVC Descriptions have been taken from the Ecological Vegetation Class bioregion benchmark produced by the Department of Environment Water Land and Planning.
Plants from your local EVC will be well suited to your property’s conditions. To discover which plant community/EVC your property falls in, download the EVC map or visit Environment Victoria.
The following map represents the distribution of the 8 main pre-1750 plant communities across Casey. EVC’s listed in Italics are those not included on the map but were found within City of Casey.
Plant species listed for each EVC are those found on the Casey website or in Casey’s Indigenous Plant guide. For detailed information on these plants including the common name, description, size, care, and uses see the website or download the Plant Guide (previous print version which will be soon updated).
- 132/803 Plains Grassland/Plains Woodland
- 48 Heathy Woodland
- 175 Grassy Woodland
- 53/937 Swamp Scrub/Swampy Woodland
- 914 Estuarine Flat Grassland
- 9 Coastal Saltmarsh
- 125 Plains Grassy Wetland
- 47 Valley Grassy Forest
- How to use this guide
This page features a sample of plants that belong in various categories. To see a larger plant list and find out more information, download the previous Plant Guide. We hope to put together a new version in the future!
- Trees
- Large Shrubs
- Small and medium shrubs
- Herbs Climbers and Groundcovers
- Grasses
- Rushes and Sedges
- Lilys, Irises and Forbs
- Where you can buy Indigenous plants
Nurseries which stock indigenous plants that are suitable for gardens in Casey are listed below:
Trees
Trees add a large structural element to the garden and provide habitat for many different organisms including plants, insects, birds and mammals. They are important for connecting habitat corridors throughout the urban environment, provide shade and assist with cooling our city and filtering the air.
- Lightwood, Hickory Wattle (Acacia implexa)
About
The small upright fast growing tree has rough grey brown bark and sickle-shaped phyllodes (modified stems that look like leaves). From December to March the perfumed creamy ball shaped flowers appear in clustered flower heads. These are followed by pretty twisted seed pods.
Size
Height: 5m - 15m
Width: 4m - 7m
EVC
18, 23, 47, 48, 55, 56, 127, 128, 132/803, 175, 408
Requirements and care
An adaptable plant that tolerates moist and dry soil conditions, including well-draining clay soils. Full sun to part shade.
Uses
Food source for birds.
Indigenous people used the hard wood to make tools and weapons such as spears and clubs. Fibres were used to make twine and the phyllodes and bark for dying and tanning.
A long lived tree that provides shade or can be used as a screening plan
- Blackwood (Acacia melanoxylon)
About
A long living tree with dark bark and deep green foliage (up to 15 cm in length). Displays round, creamy yellow flowers from July to October.
Size
Height: 5m - 30m
Width: 4m - 15m
EVC
3, 16, 18, 23, 47, 53/937, 55, 56, 83, 127, 128, 175, 408, 688
Requirements and care
Favours soil with good drainage. Tolerates mildly saline soil. Does not tolerate pruning. Will sucker if the roots are damaged.
Uses
Food source for caterpillars of the Silky Hairstreak (Pseudalmenus chlorinda) and the Caper White (Belenois java) butterflies. Food source for birds.
Indigenous people used the wood for making weapons and the bark to relieve rheumatism. Seeds can be eaten. Timber is used for making furniture.
- Golden Wattle (Acacia pycnantha)
About
May grow as a small tree and has foliage (up to 20 cm in length) that is long, arched and bright green. In bloom from July to October with fragrant round golden flowers.
Size
Height: 3m - 10m
Width: 2m - 5m
EVC
55, 56, 127, 128, 132/803, 175
Requirements and care
Favours soil with good drainage. Tolerates saline conditions. Full sun or part shade. Moderately frost tolerant.
Uses
Gum is eaten by gliders during winter. Food source for caterpillars of the Common Imperial Blue butterfly (Jalmenus evagoras) and may attract native bees. Seeds provide food for parrots and cockatoos.
Indigenous people made drinks from the gum or ate it on its own. String and medicine were possible uses for the bark.
- Black Sheoak (Allocasuarina littoralis)
About
A tree with dark green needle-like leaves and textured bark. Male and female flowers usually grow on separate plants and appear from March to June. Small red female blooms become bumpy seed cones.
Size
Height: 4m - 8m
Width: 2m - 5m
EVC
3, 47, 48, 55, 56, 127, 128, 175, 408
Requirements and care
Favours soil with good drainage.
Uses
Seeds in the cones are eaten by cockatoos.
Used for firewood and control of soil erosion.
- Drooping Sheoak, Coast Sheoak (Allocasuarina verticillata)
About
With drooping grey-green needle like leaves this small erect tree is an attractive plant. Masses of yellow male flowers gives the tree a golden look from March to December. Textured barrel shaped cones form after flowering.
Size
Height: 4m - 11m
Width: 3m - 6m
EVC
55, 175, 132/803, 897
Requirements and care
Well drained soils. Full sun.
Uses
A food source for birds and caterpillars.
Grow epiphytic orchids in the deeply textured bark.
- Silver Banksia, Warrock (Banksia marginata)
About
This large shrub has spreading branches and may grow as a small tree. Dark green very narrow spiky foliage (up to 2 cm in length) forms star-shaped rings around stems. Displays soft brush-like flowers that are pale yellow from June to December followed by brown hairy seed cones.
Size
Height: 1m - 6m
Width: 1m - 4m
EVC
3, 16, 23, 47, 48, 53/937, 128, 132/803, 175, 688
Requirements and care
Prefers well draining soils. Tolerant of alkaline and wet soil that becomes dry in summer.
Full sun to part shade.
Uses
Food source for birds, butterflies and other nectar eating insects.
Flowers were used by Indigenous people to make a sweet drink.
Suitable for hedging and bog gardens.
- River Red Gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis var. camaldulensis)
About
A magnificent, broad tree with peeling or flaky grey, red and cream coloured bark. In bloom from November to March with many white flowers.
Size
Height: 12m - 50m
Width: 15m - 35m
EVC
18, 55, 125, 132/803, 175, 897
Requirements and care
Favours deep subsoil with good or poor drainage. Tolerates waterlogging and moderately saline soil. Full sun. Not suitable beneath or near power lines.
Uses
Hollows are used by birds, bats and possums. Preferred koala food plant. Attracts native bees and other insects.
These trees marked significant places in the landscape for local Indigenous people. Leaves, gum and strong bark were also used for medicinal uses and tools. Valuable tree for producing honey. Used as firewood and timber.
- Mealy Stringybark, Silver-leafed Stringybark (Eucalyptus cephalocarpa)
About
A tree with grey-green and roundish juvenile foliage and thick textured bark which does not shed. Displays an abundance of white blossoms from March to August.
Size
Height: 8m - 20m
Width: 5m - 15m
EVC
3, 16, 18, 23, 47, 48, 53/937, 83, 127, 128, 175, 408, 688
Requirements and care
Grows in soil with good and poor drainage. Tolerates wet soil that becomes dry in summer. Full sun to part shade.
Uses
Thick fibrous bark provides habitat for micro bats, spiders and other insects. Provides nesting and roosting sites for birds.
- Snow Gum, White Sallee (Eucalyptus pauciflora ssp. pauciflora)
About
An attractive low branching gum with a smooth creamy white trunk, developing red and green shades in cold and wet weather. The leaves are a shiny grey to olive green in colour with long veins. Creamy-yellow gum blossoms appear from December to February followed by the gumnut shaped woody fruit.
Size
Height: 8m - 30m
Width: 6m - 10m
EVC
3, 47, 175
Requirements and care
Well drained soil. Full sun to part shade.
Uses
Attracts birds, caterpillars and butterflies.
Useful for honey production and firewood.
Large Shrubs
Being single or multi stemmed, large shrubs range in size between 2 and 8 meters. They have many benefits and uses in the garden such as being used as feature plants, creating a hedge or screening off an area like hiding a fence. Wildlife also rely on them for food and shelter.
- Spike Wattle (Acacia oxycedrus)
About
An eye catching wattle with beautiful textures. This shrub with teardrop-shaped, spiky foliage (up to 4 cm in length) may grow as a small tree. In bloom from June to November with small bright yellow brush-like flowers.
Size
Height: 1m - 3m
Width: 2m - 5m
EVC
3, 48
Requirements and care
Tolerates both wet and dry soil types. Full sun to full shade. Mildly frost tolerant. Can be pruned at end of its flowering period.
Uses
Attracts birds, bees, butterflies and insects. Ideal for creating a hedge.
- Sweet Wattle (Acacia suaveolens)
About
A fast-growing open spreading shrub. This wattle has bluish green phyllodes (modified stems that look like leaves). From April-October cream ball-shaped flowers are produced followed by purple-blue seed pods.
Size
Height: 1m – 3m
Width: 2m – 5m
EVC
3, 48
Requirements and care
Well drained, dry sandy soil types. Full sun or part-shade.
Uses
Attracts birds, bees, butterflies and insects.
The seeds were eaten by Indigenous people.
- Sweet Bursaria, Blackthorn (Bursaria spinosa)
About
Leaves form in clusters and are dark green and glossy on this shrub that may grow as a small tree. Displays many cream flowers with a sweet scent from December to March, these become seed capsules that resemble small purses.
Size
Height: 2m - 6m
Width: 2m - 3m
EVC
3, 16, 18, 23, 47, 53/937, 55, 56, 83, 127, 132/803, 175, 408, 688
Requirements and care
Favours soil with good drainage. Tolerates wet soil. Full sun to part-shade. Can be shaped by pruning.
Uses
A food source for caterpillars of the Bright Copper butterfly (Paralucia aurifer).
The sweet nectar in flowers was enjoyed by Indigenous people and the timber was used to make tools and weapons.
- Common Cassinia, Dogwood (Cassinia aculeata)
About
Dense-crowned, medium to tall shrub, with dark, often silvery, narrow foliage. Many dome shaped white or pink flower buds are formed on the ends of branches. These open out into dusty pink flower-heads during Summer.
Size
Height: 2m – 4m
Width: 1m - 2m
EVC
16, 18, 23, 47, 48, 53/937, 55, 83, 127, 128, 132/803, 175, 307, 408, 688
Requirements and care
Heavy to moist well drained soils – prefers dappled shade.
Uses
Attracts birds, butterflies and insects.
- Yellow Hakea (Hakea nodosa)
About
A sparsely branched or compact and robust shrub with beautiful flowers and fruits. It has needle-like leaves (up to 4 cm in length) with slightly prickly ends and curved branches. Displays yellow scented flowers spread along branches from April to August, these become textured fruits.
Size
Height: 1m - 3m
Width: 1m - 2m
EVC
3, 16, 18, 48, 53/937, 83, 127, 128, 688
Requirements and care
Grows in soil with good or poor drainage. Tolerates wet soil that becomes dry in summer, but not phosphorous rich soil. Suited to a damp partly shaded area. For a more compact shrub, prune annually.
Uses
Nectar source for native bees and birds. Caterpillars also feed on foliage.
Ideal for bog gardens and hedging.
- Scented Paperbark (Melaleuca squarrosa)
About
This Paperbark has upright branches and teardrop-shaped dark green leaves (up to 1.8 cm length). Fragrant creamy-yellow floral brush shaped flowers are on display from September to February.
Size
Height: 2m - 5m
Width: 1m - 2m
EVC
3, 48, 53/937, 307, 688
Requirements and care
Grows in soil with good or poor drainage. Tolerates wet soil that becomes dry in summer, waterlogging and soil affected by salinity. Full sun to part shade. Responds well after being pruned.
Uses
Flowers attract native bees, birds and butterflies. Caterpillars feed on foliage.
A good plant for growing in bog gardens or in shaded wet areas and for creating a hedge.
Aboriginal people produced spears, digging sticks and clubs from the wood.
- Snowy Daisy-bush (Olearia lirata)
About
Large dense shrub with lush foliage and clusters of small daisy like flowers from Spring through to Summer. The underside of the long slender leaves are greyish and ‘woolly’ with small star-shaped hairs.
Size
Height: 2m – 5m
Width: 2m – 3m
EVC
16, 18, 23, 47, 48, 55, 56, 126, 127, 128, 408
Requirements and care
Prefers moist, well drained clay soil. Tolerates light frost and snow. Semi sun to full shade. To create a leafy shrub trim regularly.
Uses
Attracts bees, butterflies and other insects.
Works well in shaded positions and works as a screen.
- Large Kangaroo Apple (Solanum laciniatum)
About
A short lived shrub with a visible vein pattern on long dark green lobed leaves (up to 30 cm in length). From September to March displays violet star-like blossoms with yellow centres. Fruits that follow are toxic when unripe and should only be eaten when very ripe. Ripe fruit is deep orange.
Size
Height: 1m - 3m
Width: 1m - 3m
EVC
18, 23, 47, 48, 53/937, 55, 56, 83, 125, 127, 128, 175, 408, 688
Requirements and care
Favours soil with good drainage. Full sun to dappled shade. Pruning as a young shrub can prevent the base from splitting which may reduce its life span.
Uses
Fruits are eaten by birds.
This was a valuable food plant for Aboriginal people.
- Golden Spray, Native Broom (Viminaria juncea)
About
A plant with beautiful flowers and a pendulous shape, this fast growing shrub has arched branches and very narrow foliage. Displays yellow pea-flowers that are sprinkled along stems from October to February.
Size
Height: 1.5m - 5m
Width: 1m - 2.5m
EVC
18, 48, 53/937, 55, 56, 83, 127, 175, 688
Requirements and care
Grows in soil with good or poor drainage. Tolerates waterlogging, permanently wet and saline soil and lime. Full sun. Plants will require replacing after 5-10 years.
Uses
Suitable near ponds. A great native substitute for introduced broom species.
Small and medium shrubs
Growing to a height of 2 meters these plants form the mid layer in a plant community connecting the ground layer with the larger shrubs and trees above. They come in a range of colours, shapes and sizes and will each provide different uses for wildlife.
- Green Sheoak (Allocasuarina paradoxa)
About
This dense upright shrub has needle like leaves. Male flowers give the shrub a rusty appearance from September to November. Cones form from the female flowers, and can sometimes occur on the same plant with the male flowers.
Size
Height: 0.5m -2m
Width: 1m -2m
EVC
3, 48
Requirements and care
Well drained sandy soils. Full sun to part shade.
Uses
Seed cones are a food source for birds.
- Coast Saltbush, Grey Saltbush (Atriplex cinerea)
About
This fast growing brittle branched shrub has silver grey leaves. Usually occurring on separate plants the small reddish-purple globular male flowers and cream clustered female flowers appear from September to March.
Size
Height: 1m -2m
Width: 2m -3m
EVC
914
Requirements and care
Well drained sandy soils. Full sun to part shade.
Uses
Edible leaves once cooked.
Can be used as a low screening plant.
- Showy Bossiaea (Bossiaea cinerea)
About
A compact or twiggy shrub whose triangle-shaped leaves (up to 2 cm in length) have a light green underside. Displays many yellow pea-flowers with red detail from August to December, followed by the seed pods.
Size
Height: 1m -2m
Width: 1m -2m
EVC
3, 48, 307
Requirements and care
Favours soil with good drainage. Full sun to part shade. Tolerates light frosts. Can be pruned.
Uses
Food source for caterpillars of the Fringed Heath-blue butterfly (Neolucia agricola agricola).
A shrub with decorative flowers and foliage that creates a striking effect when many are grown together.
- Common Correa, Native Fuchsia (Correa reflexa)
About
A shrub that may spread. Furry teardrop-shaped leaves (up to 5 cm in length) grow in opposite pairs. Displays green, or red and green flowers from March to September.
Size
Height: 0.3m - 2m
Width: 1m - 2m
EVC
3, 16, 23, 47, 48, 127, 128, 175, 307, 408
Requirements and care
Favours compost rich soil with good drainage, some shade and shelter from wind. Tolerates mildly alkaline soil. Sun or Part Shade.
Uses
Rich in nectar, flowers are a food source for native bees as well as birds.
Suitable for growing in pots, beneath established trees and for hedging.
- Grey Parrot-pea (Dillwynia cinerascens)
About
With downy hairs covering the narrow thread like leaves this greyish-green understory shrub has an open spreading or erect form. From August to November clusters of yellow and orange pea flowers gather on the ends of the branches, followed by hairy white seed pods.
Size
Height: 0.6m - 1.5m
Width: 0.5m - 1.5m
EVC
16, 23, 47, 53/937, 55, 127, 128, 175, 408
Requirements and care
Dry soils. Part shade.
Uses
Seeds are eaten by insects.
A pretty, colourful shrub for shady areas.
- Common Heath (Epacris impressa)
About
The floral emblem of Victoria this is a narrow shrub whose stiff green leaves (up to 1.5 cm in length) have pointy ends. Heavy with trumpet-shaped pink, white, or red flowers in long clusters from March to November, especially abundant in winter.
Size
Height: 0.5m - 1.5m
Width: 0.2m - 0.6m
EVC
3, 16, 18, 23, 47, 48, 53/937, 83, 127, 128, 175, 307, 408, 688
Requirements and care
Favours soil with good drainage and a mulch layer to help keep soil and roots cool and moist. Tolerates waterlogging. Part shade.
Can be pruned at end of its flowering period.Uses
Valuable nectar source for birds during winter.
Suitable for growing in rock gardens and pots.
- Hop Goodenia (Goodenia ovata)
About
A tough spreading shrub with lush green foliage with toothed edges. It grows quickly and has bright yellow flowers through Spring and Summer.
Size
Height: 1m - 2.5m
Width: 1m - 3m
Also available in a prostrate form.
EVC
16, 18, 23, 47, 48, 53/937, 55, 56, 83, 127, 128, 175, 408, 688
Requirements and care
Damp soils. Will tolerate waterlogging. Full sun to full shade. Prefers to be protected from wind. Drought and frost resistant and does not need much maintenance but can be pruned to preferred shape.
Uses
Caterpillars, small birds, insects, lizards. Fruit is also eaten by parrots.
- Silky Guinea-flower (Hibbertia sericea)
About
A small erect shrub with thick dark green hairy leaves. Bright yellow flowers from October to December.
Size
Height: 1m - 2.5m
Width: 1m - 3m
EVC
3, 48
Requirements and care
Well drained soil. Full sun to part shade. Prune following flowering.
Uses
Food source for caterpillars. Flowers attract native bees and wasps.
- Austral Indigo (Indigofera australis)
About
An eye-catching shrub with delicate oval leaves and showy pink to purple pea flowers in late Winter-Spring. Shiny green seed pods appear after flowering. Seed can be collected and propagated quite easily.
Size
Height: 1m – 2m
Width: 1m – 2m
EVC
18, 23, 47, 83, 127, 175, 408, 688
Requirements and care
Suitable for most spots. Favours soil with good drainage. Does not tolerate wet soil. Frost resistant. Will need to be watered in periods of prolonged drought. This hardy plant can be pruned to encourage a shrub-like shape or to act as a groundcover.
Uses
Food source for bees and other insects along with nectar-eating birds.
Crushed roots were used for fishing by the Indigenous people and dye was made from the flowers.
- Coast Daisy-bush (Olearia axillaris)
About
The cottony white underside of the fragrant leaves gives this shrub a silvery grey look. It is upright and dense growing. Clusters of creamy yellow florets form close to the stem between December and May.
Size
Height: 1m - 2m
Width: 1m - 2m
EVC
48
Requirements and care
Well drained, sandy, dry soils. Full sun.
Uses
Potential use as a hedge.
Herbs Climbers and Groundcovers
Growing along the ground or scrambling and climbing over a structure these plants have important roles in the natural environment and home garden. They can provide a screen or cover a bare patch of ground at the same time as adding colour and interest in any sized garden, not to mention the benefits to local wildlife.
- Common Apple-berry (Billardiera mutabilis)
About
A sparse climber or scrambling groundcover with curvy-edged light to dark green leaves (up to 5 cm in length). Bell-flowers of greenish-yellow are almost always present, particularly from June to January. Fruits that follow can be eaten when very ripe; this is usually when they fall to the ground.
Size
A low climber
EVC
3, 16, 47, 48, 53/937, 127, 128, 175, 688
Requirements and care
Favours soil with good drainage. Full sun to full shade. Can be pruned.
Uses
Berries are eaten by birds.
Suitable for use in raised pots, for growing around posts and along fences and positioned beneath trees where it can climb through other plants.
- Cut leaf daisy (Brachyscome multifida)
About
This pretty perennial herb has delicate bright to dark green leaflets that form a soft groundcover. Mainly in bloom during spring and summer, it has light purple, white or pink daisy flowers.
Size
Height: 0.1m - 0.4m
Width: 0.2m - 1m
EVC
23, 47, 408
Requirements and care
Favours good drainage, moist soil until established and a sheltered position. Sun or part shade. Prune to promote flowering.
Uses
A useful plant for attracting beetles, butterflies and other insects. Provides shelter for lizards.
Works well in a rockery – will act as a ground cover. Attractive in mass plantings. Will also work well in a pot.
- Ross' Noonflower, Karkalla (Carpobrotus rossii)
About
A ground cover succulent that has fleshy 3-sided bright green leaves. Strikingly bright light pink/purple flowers cover the plant in Spring and Winter. Grape sized red fruits form following the flowers.
Size
Height: prostrate
Width: 2m - 3m
EVC
914
Requirements and care
Moist well drained sandy soil. Full sun to part-shade.
Uses
Attracts birds, bees, insects and lizards.
The leaves are salty and can be cooked or eaten raw like other vegetables. They can also be use like aloe vera. The deep red grape sized fruits can be eaten straight from the plant or used in desert and savoury dishes.
Grows well in a rockery.
- Common Everlasting, Yellow Buttons (Chrysocephalum apiculatum)
About
An attractive perennial plant with light green foliage and golden yellow button flowers which last most of the year.
Size
Height: prostrate to 30cm
Width: 1m - 2m
EVC
23, 47, 55, 132/803, 175, 408, 897
Requirements and care
Prefers a sunny, moist but well drained position. Trim after flowering to encourage growth.
Uses
Attracts bees, butterflies and other insects.
Perfect for borders, rockeries.
- Kidney-weed (Dichondra repens)
About
A mat-forming groundcover with crowded roundish foliage (up to 4 cm in length). Very small green flowers blossom from September to December.
Size
Prostrate spreading
EVC
3, 16, 18, 23, 47, 48, 53/937, 83, 125, 127, 128, 132/803, 175, 408, 688, 897
Requirements and care
Favours soil with good drainage. Part to full shade. Not ideal in garden beds where it can quickly become dominant.
Uses
Suitable for framing paved areas. Can be planted instead of grass in low use areas and does not need frequent mowing.
- Purple coral pea (Hardenbergia violacea)
Other names
False Sarsaparilla, Happy Wanderer, Native Lilac and Waraburra (which comes from the Kattang language)
About
A spreading climber or groundcover whose tough, elongated heart-shaped leaves (up to 10 cm in length) are dark green. Long clusters of purplish pea-flowers with green and white centres cover the plant from July to November.
Size
Climbing or trailing plant – train it along a wall, fence, lattice or pergola. Or allow to grow as a ground cover.
EVC
47, 53/937, 132/803, 175, 408, 897
Requirements and care
Favours soil with good drainage. Full sun to part shade.
Uses
Useful to native bees, tree frogs and Painted Apple Moth (Teia anartoides).
Flowers can be used as a dye and the leaves make a sweet tea.
As a climber needs sturdy support and can grow around thick pillars and trees. As a groundcover it is suitable for erosion control on sloping areas. Grow over an arbour or use as a light screening plant.
- Running Postman (Kennedia prostrata)
About
This perennial plant creates a light or thick groundcover. The leaves are divided into three ripple-edged pale green leaflets (up to 1.8 cm in length). Sprinklings of bright red pea-flowers from April to December.
Size
Height: prostrate
Width: 1m - 2.5m
EVC
3, 47, 48, 55, 127, 128, 132/803, 175, 408
Requirements and care
Favours soil with good drainage. Full sun to part shade. Prune to desired shape.
Uses
A food source for caterpillars of the Pea Blue butterfly and useful to skinks.
Aboriginal people drank the nectar from the flowers and stems were useful as ties.
Suitable for sloped areas, for growing with shrubs and in raised pots or hanging baskets.
- Grass-leaved Triggerplant (Stylidium graminifolium)
About
This perennial herb has upright tufts of grassy leaves (up to 30 cm in length). Flowers from September to December with groups of flowers in shades of pink blossom on long stems.
Size
Height: 0.2m - 0.75m
Width: 0.1m - 0.5m
EVC
23, 47, 53/937, 55, 128, 132/803, 175, 307, 408, 897
Requirements and care
Favours sandy or gravelly soil with good drainage. Full sun to part shade.
Uses
Some insects become part of this plant’s pollination process when a trigger on the flower swings up and covers the insect with pollen when it stops to drink its nectar. This also allows the flower to collect any pollen on the insect deposited by other flowers.
Suited to rockery gardens.
- Native Violet, Ivy-leaf Violet (Viola hederacea)
About
This perennial herb grows as a thick groundcover and has pale green rounded leaves (up to 3 cm in length). Mainly in bloom from June to March, but the purple and white flowers are almost always present.
Size
Height: 0.1m - 0.15m
Width: spreading
EVC
3, 16, 18, 23, 47, 48, 53/937, 56, 127, 128, 175, 408, 688
Requirements and care
Favours soil with poor drainage. Tolerates waterlogging and wet soil that becomes dry in summer. Full sun to full shade.
Uses
Flowers are edible. Suitable amongst shrubs, in rock gardens and as a pot plant and attractive in a position where it can spill downwards.
Grasses
One of the largest groups of plants in the world, grasses are just as important for habitat as other plants. They provide food, shelter and nesting materials for insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. They can be spreading or clumping in their growth and are useful landscaping plants adding different elements such as colour, height and texture.
- Kangaroo Grass (Themeda triandra)
About
Soft tussock forming grass with occasional reddish to purple stems forming in older plants. The leaves are slender and bluish green. Golden brown flower heads form in Spring-Summer.
Size
Height: 0.3m – 1m
Width: 20cm – 60cm
EVC
3, 16, 18, 23, 47, 53/937, 55, 83, 125, 127, 128, 132/803, 175, 408, 688, 897
Requirements and care
Most soils. Full sun to part shade. Prune, cut back dead foliage in tussocks to keep looking fresh.
Uses
Dense cover provides shelter for small mammals such as bandicoots, especially when grown together in large numbers. A food source for caterpillars and provides shelter for insects.The seeds with their long tails were used by Indigenous people to make cakes by grounding them into a flour. The fibres were also used to create fishing nets and bags.
- Prickly Spear-grass, Coast Spear-grass (Austrostipa stipoides)
About
This grass forms large dense tussocks. The leaves are inrolled and can be prickly. Giving it a rush like appearance. From October to March flower and seed heads form which contain long tailed hairy seeds.
Size
Height: to 0.8m
EVC
48, 914
Requirements and care
Sandy well drained soil. Full sun. Tolerates salt spray.
Uses
Provides shelter for lizards and ground dwelling mammals such as bandicoots. Is a food source for seed eating birds.
- Weeping Grass (Microlaena stipoides)
About
Making a good native lawn for shaded sites, weeping grass is a sparse or tufted perennial grass. Has rhizomes which can be a problem if they get into garden beds. The graceful looking seed heads are what gives the grass its name as they arch over in a weeping habit.
Size
Height: varies in height to 1m
Width: 60cm
EVC
3, 16, 18, 47, 48, 53/937, 55, 83, 127, 128, 132/803, 175, 408, 688, 897
Requirements and care
Most well drained soils. Full sun to part shade. Responds well to mowing and will form short leaf blades.
Uses
Caterpillars and insects will feed on and shelter in the grass.
Can be used as a native lawn grass.
- Common Tussock-grass (Poa labillardierei)
About
This attractive grass grows in large dense tussocks. In landscapes where it is grazed by kangaroos, wallabies or wombats, these tussocks may look like small tufts, as the leaves have been trimmed by hungry animals! The leaves are slender and bluish green, aging to a golden grey. Green to purplish flower spikes show in late Spring-Summer.
Size
Height: 0.5m – 1.2m
Width: 0.5m – 1.5m
EVC
3, 23, 47, 48, 53/937, 55, 56, 83, 125, 127, 128, 132/803, 175, 408, 688, 897
Requirements and care
Hardy. Most soils. Full sun to part shade. Prune or cut back dead leaf blades to keep plants looking fresh.
Uses
Dense cover provides shelter for small mammals such as bandicoots, especially when grown together in large numbers. An important food source for birds, caterpillars and insects.
- Common Wallaby-grass (Rytidosperma caespitosum)
About
Dense perennial grass forming tussocks. The blue-green leaves are usually covered in hairs and can be flat or loosely rolled. Flower heads appear from September-December followed by fluffy straw coloured seeds.
Size
Height: 0.9m - 1.2m
Width: 0.4m
EVC
23, 47, 48, 55, 125, 127, 128, 132/803, 175, 408, 897
Requirements and care
Moist well drained soils. Full sun to part shade. Tolerates mowing.
Uses
Birds and caterpillars use the plant for nesting material, food and shelter.
Can be used as a native lawn grass.
Rushes and Sedges
Usually found in wet or swampy areas rushes and sedges are an important habitat plant for aquatic and wetland wildlife such as wetland birds, frogs and mammals. Their flowers are not colourful and showy and will generally be a shade of green, brown or cream. They are great plants to use in a frog bog, around a pond or in a rain garden.
- Tall Sedge, Southern Lofty (Carex appressa)
About
A perennial plant with narrow grassy leaves and triangular shaped stems in coarse tufts. Displays small golden brown flower spikes amongst leaves from August to January.
Size
Height: 0.5m - 1.2m
Width: 0.50m - 1m
EVC
18, 23, 48, 53/937, 55, 83, 125, 132/803, 688, 897
Requirements and care
Favours soil with poor drainage. Tolerates living in shallow water, wet soil that becomes dry in summer and waterlogged conditions. Prefers full sun or part-shade.
Uses
Food source for caterpillars of the Bright-eyed Brown butterfly (Heteronympha cordace). Bandicoots and butterflies love this plant.
The leaves were used by Indigenous people for basket making.
Ideal around the edge of bog gardens and ponds and along watercourses where it can control erosion of banks.
- Knobby Club-sedge (Ficinia nodosa)
About
Deep green cylindrical foliage with unique flower spikes near the tip of each leaf. This plant is extremely hardy and will tolerate wet environments, high wind exposure and frost to -5 degrees. It will also self-seed and establish larger clumps from a single plant.
Size
Height: 0.15m – 1m
Width: 0.6m – 2m
EVC
3, 9, 48, 55, 56, 125, 175, 302, 914, 935
Requirements and care
Suitable for most soils. Full sun to part shade.
Uses
Habitat for frogs, insects and small mammals such as bandicoots.
A wonderful edge plant and a great addition to frog ponds. Provides a contrast in foliage in the garden.
Lilys, Irises and Forbs
This group of plants make great garden plants with their growing form and display of colourful flowers. They also provide an important food source and shelter for insects including native bees and butterflies. A number of the lilies will die back after flowering and shoot again the following year from the fleshy tuberous root.
- Chocolate Lily (Arthropodium strictum)
About
Grass-like plant which has a lovely chocolate scent when in flower. The stems grow up to 1m high in Spring-Summer. It will die back during Summer but resprout the following year.
Size
Height: 0.2m - 1.2m
Width: 0.2m - 0.8m
EVC
16, 23, 47, 48, 53/937, 55, 83, 127, 128, 132/803, 175, 408, 688, 897
Requirements and care
Well drained soils. Suitable for full sun or part shade.
Uses
Flowers attract bees and insects.
The flowers and tubers are edible - these can be roasted or eaten raw.
- Bulbine lily, Wild Onion, Pike (Bulbine bulbosa)
About
A perennial tufting lily with long, lush, greyish-green leaves growing up to 40 cm in length. Flowers from September to January displaying scented starry yellow blooms.
Size
Height: 0.2m - 0.5m
Width: 0.3m
EVC
23, 47, 55, 56, 83, 127, 132/803, 175, 688, 897
Requirements and care
Moist heavy soils with good drainage. Suitable for full sun or part shade. Will tolerate total shade.
Uses
Attracts bees, butterflies and other insects.
Aboriginal people ate the sweet corm at the base of the leaves.
Suited to rock gardens.
- Spreading Flax-lily (Dianella admixta)
About
This spreading dense to open tufted lily has blue green foliage with a reddish base. Leaves are slightly curved under along the edges. Forms a tall flower spike with loose clusters of blue to violet flowers from September to January. Round shiny dull blue berries follow.
Size
Height: 0.3m - 0.8m
Width: 0.5m - 1.5m
EVC
3, 16, 18, 23, 47, 48, 53/937, 55, 56, 83, 127, 128, 132/803, 175, 307, 408, 688, 897
Requirements and care
Dry well drained soils. Full sun to part shade.
Uses
A food source for caterpillars. Berries are eaten by birds, mammals and reptiles.
Berries are edible.
A good plant for growing close to trees.
- Pale Flax-lily, Smooth Flax-lily (Dianella laevis var. laevis)
About
This attractive clumping lily has soft light green leaves and a thick rhizome and tuberous roots. From September to January it produces fragrant pale blue to mauve flowers on a tall stem. Pale blue berries follow the flowers.
Size
Height: 0.3m - 1.5m
Width: 0.5m
EVC
23, 47, 53/937, 55, 56, 83, 127, 128, 175, 408, 688
Requirements and care
Requires well drained moist to dry clay or clay loam soils. Full sun to part shade.
Uses
Berries are eaten by lizards and birds. Provides habitat for insects.
Indigenous people used the plants leaves for weaving and the roots for medicinal purposes.
Good for growing in shady positions under trees.
- Tasman flax-lily (Dianella tasmanica)
About
A perennial plant with tufts of rough, wide, strappy leaves. Delicate mauve flowers with yellow anthers form in clusters and are produced from Spring through to Summer. Flowers are followed by large vibrant blue-to-purple berries.
Size
Height: 0.6 – 2m
Width: 0.5m – 2m
EVC
16, 18, 53/937, 83, 127, 128, 175, 688
Requirements and care
Favours soil with poor drainage, wet soil that becomes dry in summer and a cool semi to full shady area.
Uses
Attracts native birds, insects and lizards.
Suitable for use in pots, rockeries and bog gardens.
Berries are not edible for humans.
- Wattle Mat-rush (Lomandra filiformis ssp. filiformis)
About
A perennial tufting grass like plant whose strappy bluish-green leaves have slightly rough edges. Displays clusters of yellow ball-like flowers nestled amongst the leaves from September to December.
Size
Height: 0.06m - 0.25m
Width: 0.15m - 0.20m
EVC
23, 47, 48, 83, 127, 132/803, 175, 408, 688, 897
Requirements and care
Favours soil with good drainage. Established plants tolerate dry soil. Full sun, to part-shade.
Uses
Attracts birds and caterpillars.
Suitable for growing in rock gardens.
- Spiny-headed mat-rush (Lomandra longifolia)
About
A tussock-forming herb with slender strappy leaves of bright green. Displays fragrant pale yellow flowers in prickly clusters from September to December, these become glossy seed capsules.
Size
Height: 0.5m – 1m
Width: 0.5m – 1.2m
EVC
3, 16, 18, 23, 47, 48, 53/937, 55, 56, 83, 127, 128, 132/803, 175, 408, 688, 897
Requirements and care
Favours soil with good drainage. Full sun to part-shade. Frost resistant once established.
Uses
Food source for caterpillars and butterflies. Useful for frogs when positioned near ponds.
Aboriginal people created mats, baskets and bags from this plant. The young raw leaf bases are edible and taste like peas. Seeds were ground into a flour and made into cakes.
- Long Purple-flag (Patersonia occidentalis var. occidentalis)
About
Vibrant iris-like purple flowers bloom from tufts of grass green foliage. Flowers through Spring and Summer.
Size
Height: 0.2m - 0.8m
Width: 0.3m - 0.6m
EVC
3, 16, 18, 48, 53/937, 55, 56, 83, 125, 127, 128, 688
Requirements and care
Poorly drained areas tolerating wet winter and dry summer soils. Will tolerate light frosts. Full sun, to part-shade.
Uses
Attracts frogs, birds and insects.
Great as a border plant or in a frog bog or other wet area, as it tolerates poorly drained soils.
Bush foods - edible native plants
Discover the flavours of native edible plants by growing your own at home. Many of these plants are not indigenous to the Casey area, however they are fantastic garden plants.
- Pale Vanilla Lily (Arthropodium milleflorum)
About
This annual lily grows from tubers and has strappy and slightly fleshy green leaves. Clusters of vanilla fragranced pale pink, mauve or white flowers with fuzzy purple anthers form from November to February.
Size
Height: 0.3m - 1.3m
Width: 0.3m
EVC
23, 47, 127, 128, 132/803, 175, 897
Requirements and care
Rocky moist well drained soil. Full sun to part shade.
Uses
Tubers can be roasted or eaten raw.
- Murnong (Wurundjeri), Yam Daisy (Microseris lanceolata)
About
Murnong grows from a tuberous root each year. It is a tufted herb with shiny narrow leaves that have narrow lobes or pointed teeth. From July – February a single bright yellow daisy like flower appears followed by straw coloured seed heads.
Size
Height: 15cm - 50cm
Width: 15cm - 25cm
EVC
16, 23, 47, 48, 55, 125, 127, 408
Requirements and care
Well drained, moist soils. Full sun - avoid shady position.
Uses
Butterfly attracting plant.
The edible roots can be roasted or eaten raw.
- Round-leaved Mint-bush, Native oregano (Prostanthera rotundifolia)
About
Also known as Native Oregano because its small round dark green foliage is very aromatic as well as being edible. In Spring there are masses of bright purple flowers.
Size
Height: up to 2m
Width: up to 1.5m
Requirements and care
Requires watering in Summer. Full sun to part shade. Frost tolerant. Prune after flowering to promote new growth and keep bushy.
Uses
Bee attracting plant.
Leaves can be used fresh or dried in place of normal oregano. Thought to also have medicinal properties and was traditionally used to treat colds and headaches and can be made into a tea.
- Warrigal Greens, New Zealand Spinach (Tetragonia tetragonioides)
About
With its dark green fleshy triangular leaves, this spreading succulent type annual herb is found in coastal areas. Small green-yellow flowers grow at the base of leaves and are at their peak from April - December.
Size
Height: prostrate - 0.2m
Width: 1m - 1.5m
EVC
56
Requirements and care
Suited to moist sandy or silty well draining soils. Full sun to part shade. Prune to promote new growth and keep bushy.
Uses
Leaves are edible and can be used in place of spinach. Boil or steam stems and young growth before eating.