Muddy Boots How-to: Mixing Natives and Exotic Plants in your Garden

Today we explore the world of native and exotic plants. What is a native plant? What is an exotic plant?  How can we integrate these different designs into our garden spaces?

Keith outlines some of the benefits of growing natives and exotics in the one garden. These include:

• Ability to grow different combinations by creating micro climates from exotic tree canopies
• Aesthetic appeal - creating colour combinations of both foliage and flowers
• Seasonal appeal - creating colour and interest throughout the year. Eg Casuarina glauca (Cousin It) and Ligularia reniformis and Miscanthus Sinensis “Flamingo”
• Deter pests - plants like rosemary and passionfruit both deter possums!
• Attract beneficial insects
• Less maintenance generally with native plants
• Many hybridized varieties of natives including Acacia Cognata “Mini Cog”, Westringia “Aussie Box” and “Grey Box” and grafted forms of Western Australian flowering gum

Learn how to avoid exotic varieties becoming invasive! Eg Bamboo and Rice Paper Plant

Phosphorus toxicity? Avoid any type of chicken manure. Keith recommends Neutrog’s Bush Tucker

Hear Keith’s ideas on the importance of foliage, form and colour!

Good luck with your new eclectic mix of natives and exotics!

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