The aim of this page is to provide information on the indigenous found in the Echuca area.
There are links to other sites which provide information about indigenous plants.
Why grow native?
Local species are adapted to the soils and climate of this region. They require less attention, are less likely to become environmental weeds and are less likely to fail than many introduced plants. Growing local plants helps preserve them and preserves the countryside's "Australian" character and provides food for native birds and other animals.Growing native helps keep our environment in balance. Roger Oxley gives the example of boxthorn. "The white flowers of native blackthorn (Bursaria) attract certain parasitic wasps in late summer. These wasps lay their eggs in, and subsequently kill, the grubs of Christmas beetles that can cause terrible damage, and even death, to our gum trees This rather ordinary, straggly shrub also plays a vital role in the survival of Australia's rarest butterfly, the Bathurst copper butterfly, which relies on a small black ant for care for its caterpillars. The ant, in turn, depends on the boxthorn. Some birds use the boxthorn for protection from predators.
To grow local native plants successfully, fertilisers need NOT be added to the soil. Mulching with leaves and red gum chips will help deter weed growth. An occasional good watering is advisable in dry weather.
Tim Barden of Ko-warra transplants is propagating a variety of Weeping Grass (Microlaena stipioides) which has great potential for lawns, requiring only about half as much water as conventional lawns. He is also propagating an even hardier native grass, Redgrass (Bothriochloa macra).
Before choosing a plant for a site, consideration should be given to the width and height a mature plant will attain. It is not wise to plant trees close to your house or, in the case of town properties, close to the neighbour's fence. Trees such as Red Gums and Box are too large for the typical town block.
Farmers can encourage natural regeneration by fencing around existing trees to keep out stock and rabbits: it's much cheaper and easier than tree planting. Maintaining roadside and remnant native vegetation helps keep a seed bank for future revegetation projects. It also helps native fauna to survive.
The farm trees which are planted should relate to the soil type. For example, Grey Box can be planted on unirrigated clay soils which do not flood. Black Box can withstand occasional flooding. Callitris Pine demands sandy soil. Buloke prefers unirrigated soils which do not flood.
Planting trees alone is not a good idea. In order to obtain nitrogen, some eucalypts grow best if there are wattles growing amongst them. A wide range of other shrubs should be planted, e.g. Native Blackthorn, Hop Bush and Cassia. Then there are the native grasses and lillies.
As far as farm trees and shrubs are concerned, it is best to obtain advice from an expert, e.g. Drew Gailey of Rochester Nursery (Northern Highway) or John McKindlay of Riverine Nursery (Perricoota Rd).
Recent studies by Deakin University researchers suggest that at least 30% of indigenous plant cover needs to be retained and/or enhanced (e.g. in an area 10km by 10km) in order to meet the habitat requirements of the majority of native birds. Whilst 10% cover is the minimum threshold for the majority of native birds and mammals, many require at least 30% cover and large bushland blocks.
Other great local plants include:
- Mallee Wattle (Acacia montana),
- Grey Mulga (Acacia brachybotra),
- River Bottlebrush (Callistemon sieberi),
- Sweet Bursaria (Bursaria spinosa) ~ see Roger Oxley's comments above,
- Cat's Claw Grevillea (Grevillea alpina) and
- Pink Velvet Bush (Lasiopetalum behrii).
Should any of these (or another indigenous plant) be elevated to the top ten and, if so, which plant should they replace? Email your opinion to stocky at mcmedia dot com dot au
Links
Australian National Botanic Gardens
~ Notes by Keith Stockwell ~
Indigenous plantsof
Northern Victoria and Southern NSW
suitable for cultivation
Click here to see a detailed list of plants from our region which are suitable for cultivationClick here to download the information on this page as a pdf
Many plants native to northern Victoria and southern NSW are suitable for cultivation. Those who live in this region might consider planting them (either with introduced plants or in preference to them) in gardens or reserves, or on farms.By planting plants of our own region we are providing a habitat for native birds and insects, and maintaining something of the character of the region. This is particularly important on farmland and near bushland. By "planting local" we are also helping maintain the balance of nature. Local plants are usually resistant to local insect pests and may therefore be easier to grow. Furthermore, local plants cannot become garden escapes, environmental weeds, which may be costly to remove from riversides and bushland. Some introduced plants, even some from other parts of Australia, can become environmental weeds or may demand precious water and fertilisers. Growing indigenous plants helps conserve biological diversity. Most urban gardens consist almost entirely of non-local plants: continue to grow attractive introduced and non-local plants by all means but consider changing the blend to include at least some plants of your local area.
Top ten Echuca-Moama and District plants suitable for cultivation 1 Gold Dust Wattle (Acacia acinacea)
• Gold Dust Wattle (Acacia acinacea) in the author's Echuca-Moama garden Gold Dust Wattle usually grows to about 2 metres in height and width although a prostrate form from Wychitella is available from Goldfields Regeneration Nursery in Mandurang. It grows in Victoria Park Echuca, Horseshoe Lagoon Bicentennial Park Moama and in Banyula Forest and in bushland throughout northern and central Victoria. Frequent light pruning is recommended. Water occasionally during dry spells. Despite common belief, wattles do not cause or aggravate hay fever (introduced grasses, house mites, cats and horse hair are more likely culprits).
2 Eremophila (Eremophila longifolia)
Eremophilas (Eremophila means 'desert loving') are one of Australia's most common inland shrubs but, possibly because they dislike the climate of Melbourne and Sydney , aren't as widely grown in local gardens as they deserve to be. Eremophilas come in many forms. A farmer near Piangil had a huge arboretum of Eremophilas. A nursery at Pooncarie 'near' Broken Hill propagates lots of different ones.
• Eremophila longifolia Eremophila longifolia is indigenous to the Echuca area but, locally, there are only a handful of plants remaining in the wild, e.g. in the pioneer section of the Echuca Cemetery). It grows up to two metres and about a metre wide. Eremophila nivea is not a local native but grows really well in Echuca-Moama gardens; it has silver leaves and mauve-red flowers. A ground-cover with green leaves and yellow or red flowers, Eremophila maculata is another worthy of a place in your garden!
3 Desert Cassia (Senna artemisioides)
Growing along roadsides north-west of Echuca-Moama, this shrub may be mistaken for a wattle because yellow flowers cover it in Spring. But the flowers are larger and of a different shape. A hardy, compact shrub, it grows to a metre or so in height. It can be pruned. Water young plants a few times at increasing intervals. Very hardy once established.
• Desert Cassia ~ resembles wattle from a distance
4 Hop Bush (Dodonaea viscosa)
Hop Bush is an interesting plant insofar as it appears to turn red or brown during the spring. There are several forms available from local native plant nurseries; subspecies spatulata is the variety found in local bushland. Hop Bush grows about two metres high and a metre wide. It is important to water the plant occasionally during dry spells.Having said that, this shrub is common around Bourke and Cobar but not popular with graziers because it is not palatable to stock.
5 Weeping Pittosporum (Pittosporum angustifolium) (formerly Pittosporum phyllarioides)
Most people are familiar with Pittosporum undulatum or Mock Orange which is regarded as a weed in local bushland (it comes from the east coast). Our local Pittosporum is a much more attractive tree, thinner, with drooping branches. Weeping Pittosporum grows over two metres high. Initially, it is not very wide but suckers may grow, giving it more width. Can be grown alongside a boundary fence or as a feature tree. This small tree grows in Victoria Park and near Mitiamo Rock. But it can also be found growing in the Mallee national parks and in 'dongas' (depressions) on the Nullarbor Plain!6 Old Man Saltbush (Atriplex nummularia)
Old Man Saltbush is used by many sheep farmers for fodder. It grows about two metres high and can spread up to four metres, making it a good screening plant. It can hide a back fence. Saltbush tolerates heavy soils and salty soils. Once established, it is tough as nails.
Its silver foliage provides a good contrast and it is fire retardant. It can be used as a hedge.
Old Man Saltbush screening a back fence in the author's Echuca-Moama garden
7 Kangaroo Grass (Themeda triandra)
Kangaroo Grass is an interesting plant which can be grown near the front of a garden (or in a container). It is hardy. 200 years ago, it was common across our region. Today, because it has been heavily grazed and because of ploughing, it is only found in a few places locally e.g. along the railway line in Moama. It is, however, still common in some parts of Australia.
Left: Kangaroo Grass in an Echuca school's garden
8 Common Fringe Myrtle (Calytrix tetragona)
Common Calytrix grows over much of south-eastern Australia. It grows on the sandhills of Gulpa Island, e.g. along the erroneously named Tea Tree Road. It grows about one and a half metres high and about a metre wide. Pink stars cover this fine-leaved plant in Spring. This plant prefers sandy loam rather than clay.
Above: Common Fringe Myrtle
9 Hakea-like Wattle (Acacia hakeoides)
Some wattles are short-lived. No this one. Some plants near Womboota Village are over 50 years old. This small tree, which resembles a Hakea, grows about three metres high and a few metres wide. Unless lightly pruned from time to time, it may get leggy/woody. Don't plant it where the leaves can fall into spouting. Most impressive when in flower.Right: Hakea-like Wattle
10 Many-flowered Mat Rush (Lomandra multiflora)
Lomandra is a type of lily which can be grown in a medium-large container, at the front of a garden or in a narrow garden bed. There are several species: L. multiflora is one of them.There are several species of Dianella native to our area. They are of similar appearance.
Left: Many-flowered Mat Rush
Don't fall into the trap of planting too many trees and large shrubs, especially near fences and the house! Big trees on town blocks may mean costly tree-removalists may have to be employed one day. Leave room for the small, hardy, colourful ones. Native grasses can add interest to your garden but introduced weeds will need to be weeded or kept at bay with mulch, e.g. sawdust or red gum chips. Using pavers and red gum chips can create a professional effect as the following picture the author took in a Brisbane public garden indicates:
Indigenous Plant Nurseries: Most plants listed above are available for sale at Goldfields Revegetation, Tannery Lane MANDURANG 5439 5384 (open 7 days), Neangar Nursery (McClelland Drive, EAGLEHAWK 3556 ~ P O Box 166, EAGLEHAWK 3556 ~ Ph. (03) 5446 9260 ~ Mobile: 0419 712 701 ~ Fax: (03) 5446 8875 ~ Email: neangarnursery@bigpond.com) and Rochester Native Nursery, Northern Highway (north of Rochester).
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