Drought Tolerant Australian Native Plants For Alkaline Soil
Alkaline soils can be difficult to manage. Most gardening programmes emphasise the use of lime forgetting that many places beyond the east coast of Australia have alkaline soils. This is particularly so in South Australia.
A hint that I was given was to plant in raised beds. As little as 10cm above the surrounding soil will reduce the alkalinity effect. This of course also provides better drainage in heavier soils.
Moderately lime tolerant plants
Prostrate to 1m tall
Acacia lasiocarpa
Acacia pulchella
Acacia rhetinocarpa
Anigozanthos flavidus
Anigozanthos humilis
Baeckia crassifolia
Billardiera heterophylla (also a climber)
Billardiera cymosa (also a climber)
Billardiera versicolor (also a climber)
Boronia caerolescens
Bossiae cinerea
Senna odorata
Chorizema cordatum
Correa decumbens
Correa ‘mannii’
Correa ‘Dusky Bells’
Correa reflexa prostrate forms
Dampiera rosmarinifolia
Dianella laevis
Dianella tasmannica
Dianella revoluta
Dodonaea microzyga
Eremaea violacea
Eremophila densifolia
Eremophila glabra prostrate forms
Eremophila ‘Kalbarri Carpet’
Eremophila metallica
Eremophila veneta
Eremophila weldii
I live in Denham Western Australia. I was enquiring as to what would be suitable tree speciesto plant. Our PH. Levels are between 7.5 – 9.0 with some clay also present. Any suggestions ? CHeers Jack.
Your ph is marginally better than ours (about 10 !!!), and many of the lovely WA trees do well here in similar conditions. Depending on height may I recommend Eucalyptus torquata (Coral Gum), E woodardii, E ficifolia (WA flowing Gum). This one comes in a number of colours, the most spectacular being crimson through to tangerine, plus others, Can’t guarantee colour from seed. There are lots of othet small trees suitable for house yards in your state.