Mallee Native Plants

Olearia passerinoides (Daisy Bush)

4 Comments »29th January, 2007; Category: Daisies, Drought Tolerant Plants, Frost Hardy Plants

Olearia passerinoides

Olearia passerinoides flowers during the summer here. The white flowers are about the size of a 10 cent coin. Not spectacular but the white flowers on bright green bushes bring a sense of freshness and coolness to the hot summer days.

This plant is native to the district and is drought and lime tolerant. They are shrubs to about 3 metres tall and 2 metres wide. Not much study has been done on Olearias and their cultivation. The dryland plants need to be pruned to prevent the flowers appearing on the whispy ends of foliage. New growth appears low down in the bush and pruning can be done at these points to force out more dense foliage and create a tidier bush.

Daisy bushes attract butterflies and the birds that chase them. The birds in our yard use the bushes as staging posts to come down to the bird baths.

Eremophila veneta (metallica) and Birds

No Comments »27th January, 2007; Category: Climbers and Ground Covers, Drought Tolerant Plants, Eremophila, Frost Hardy Plants

Eremophila veneta (was metallica)

Most books on plants and birds state that in order to attract birds to the garden one needs to plant red flowering plants. There is no doubt that red flowering plants may well attract honeyeaters but Eremophila veneta (which used to be called Eremophila metallica) is always being investigated by the Honeyeaters. This plant has silvery coloured flowers which blend with the foliage. It is definitely not the colour of the flowers that attracts them. I am convinced that they can smell nectar rich flowers and are attracted by that.

Eremophila veneta is a hardy ground covering plant with silver and green flowers. It grows to about 15-30cm tall by 1-1.5m wide. It thrives in a dry, hot position with good drainage.

I am sure that the Shingle Back Lizards find the water in the bird bath which is on the ground in the same way. I have watched them walk quite a distance in a very purposeful manner, heading in a direct line for the dish.

More information can be found here.

Eremophilas (Emu Bushes) and Birds

No Comments »24th January, 2007; Category: Climbers and Ground Covers, Drought Tolerant Plants, Frost Hardy Plants

Eremophila glabra prostrate, red form

I have been entertained by the antics of the Honeyeaters on the prostrate Eremophila glabra (Emu Bush) which I can see from the table. This red flowered Eremophila has been in flower for a few months and is attracting 5 different species of Honeyeater.

The antics of the New Holland Honeyeater are amusing. There is a daisy bush growing beside this plant and it has light twiggy growth low down in the bush. The New Holland Honeyeaters hang by their claws like a trapeze artist to reach their beaks and long tongues into the flowers. Then they decide that it is just as easy to get at the nectar by hopping all over the plant as the other species do.

This particular plant has made roots along some stems and in doing so collects more moisture. The Eremophila glabra forms are all very hardy but like all plants appreciates water during mid summer. We had 33mm (about an inch and a quarter) rainfall last weekend and everything has perked up even though this rain was sopped up by the ground very quickly.

More information about Honeyeaters can be found at Trevor’s Birding.

Eucalyptus platypus (Moort)

16 Comments »15th January, 2007; Category: Drought Tolerant Plants, Eucalypts, Frost Hardy Plants, Pruning Australian Native Plants

Eucalyptus platypus (Moort)

Eucalyptus platypus is a Western Australian tree 4-10 metres high by 5-10 metres wide. It flowers from spring through to autumn, the flowers being creamy yellow as in the varieties growing around here, to greenish yellow. Apparently there is a red form also which is rare but would be beautiful given how floriferous this plant is.

This tree is fast growing and particularly suited to heavy soils. It tolerates some water logging and is hardy to drought and most frosts. It is highly resistant to smog. The trees respond well to pruning and coppicing. They have many uses including shelter belts and wind erosion control. The foliage grows low down on the plant giving the impression of a large shrubby tree. This aspect makes it a great plant for wind breaks. It is also a good plant for bee keepers.

Eucalyptus platypus (Moort)

1 Comment »14th January, 2007; Category: Drought Tolerant Plants, Eucalypts, Frost Hardy Plants

Eucalyptus platypus (Moort)

I kept seeing the masses of flowers on this Eucalypt and could not think of its name. The flower display had me fooled as I have not seen such a prolific flowering like it is this season. Eucalyptus platypus is a popular tree around here, being used in wind breaks and as screening plants. It wasn’t until I went to photo the tree that I realised what it was.

It is named Eucalyptus platypus because the flower stem and buds resemble the foot and claws of this Australian Native animal.