There are a number of local community groups that help our local environment through work along the Creeklands and in the remnant bushland areas around town. If you have spare time it is well worth volunteering some of it with these groups. However, there is something you could do at home which would help our local environment – plant a few local native plants in your garden. There are a host of plants suitable for the backyard, virtually on our doorstep. From the lovely Dwarf Boronia, Boronia polygalifolia, often less than 30 cm across with flowers in various shades of pink, to that majestic monster the Manna Gum, Eucalyptus viminalis, towering at up to 50 m tall, or how about a quick growing informal screen? One can be had in just three growing seasons, from seed, with the Red-stemmed Wattle, Acacia rubida, which grows to around 3 m tall and 2 m wide?
The range of local natives is extensive – wattles, tea trees, paper barks, grasses, lilies, mint bushes, bottlebrushes, grevilleas, daisies, correas, boronias, native peas, eucalypts and so on. All of these plants are adapted to the local environment but something not often considered is that the local environment is also adapted to them. The local birds, insects, reptiles and mammals have all evolved along with the local vegetation. They suit one another, go together like peaches and cream. Plant a few, well-chosen local natives and you’ll provide a haven for local wildlife – a bottlebrush or two for the nectar lovers, some grasses for seed eaters and cover for skinks, if space permits, why not a eucalypt or two providing food and shelter for myriad creatures.
Not sure where to start? Have a chat with the staff at the Armidale Tree Group, or the members of the local branch of the Australian Plant Society who have a stall at the monthly Markets in the Mall, or just have a walk around and if you see a native garden, stop and have a chat with the gardener.
Story: Ray South
