Acacias in every shade of yellow, getting caught in sudden downpours, and hayfever… Spring has finally arrived.

Spring is all about change, growth and new beginnings, and nowhere is this more apparent than in the garden. In just a few short weeks, many of our landscapes have completely transformed. What was once a sea of calm green or bare tree limbs is now exploding with colour and abuzz with insects.

We invite you take a closer look at the beauty of native plants as we spotlight local wildflowers and grasses, plants for pollinators, and flowering native trees.

You can also follow us on Instagram where we will dive deeper on the species in Phil’s garden, ‘Saltbush on the Bellarine’.

For now read on to discover a few of our favourites from this diverse project.

Blooming Wildflowers and Grasses

With warmer temperatures and increased rainfall, flowers are appearing in shades of purple and yellow across the garden. Native grasses like Themeda triandra (Kangaroo Grass) and Poa labillardierei (Common Tussock Grass) are also beginning to flower, providing food resources for our native butterflies and moths.

Combining native grasses and wildflowers creates a light, airy effect as the flowers appear to float through and above the tussocks in naturalistic swathes. Grass seedheads catch sunlight and throw shadows against hard surfaces, softening the edges of the garden.

Feeding the Birds and the Bees

With flowers comes a whole host of beneficial insects and pollinators. Encouraging diverse insect life can keep pest populations down, pollinate flowers and fruit, and support larger animals such as birds and amphibians. While any kind of flowering plant will benefit insects, native plants have evolved to provide the best nesting, safety and food opportunities for our beloved local critters.

One of our favourites is Hardenbergia violacea (Purple Coral Pea). Many pollen foraging insects love the pea flowers of Hardenbergia. You may also see an Eastern Spinebill feasting on the nectar. Hardenbergia is a vigorous climber found most commonly in open forests along the coast and mountains of Eastern Australia.

Native Flowering Trees

In inner-city and suburban gardens where space is at a premium, it can feel daunting to plant trees. The right tree species, however, can offer shade, shelter and food for native birds, and aesthetic value while flourishing in a small block.

Local Banksia species like Coast Banksia (Banksia integrifolia) and Silver Banksia (B. marginata) have truly unique flowers and are excellent choices for Victorian soils.

In other news…

We are excited to announce the opening of our second studio in Newtown, Geelong. This studio will support our growth along the Bellarine Peninsula and beyond, as we continue to work with beautiful gardens across Australia.

Contact us if you would like to chat about your project no matter where it is.