*Tubada: Callistemon phoeniceus (Lesser Bottlebrush)

Lesser Bottlebrush is an easy-to-grow, small to medium shrub with striking red bottlebrush flowers and attractive blue-green foliage.

• Size: Small to medium shrub with a maximum height up to 6m
• Flower: Red to scarlet
• Flowering Time: Djilba-Birak (Sep-Jan)
• Natural Distribution: Grows in the south-west of WA, often along watercourses
• Position: Suitable for a sunny position.
• Watering: A hardy plant that prefers some moisture, especially while establishing.
• Feeding: Fertiliser generally not required.
• Pruning: Light pruning after flowering can help maintain shape.
• Habitat: Invertebrates, Birds, and Mammals.

References:

Florabase: Taxon Profile of Callistemon phoeniceus Lindl. - Florabase

ANPSA: Callistemon phoeniceus (syn. Melaleuca phoenicea)

Eucalyptus laeliae (Darling Range Ghost Gum)

A medium-sized tree with a lovely smooth white trunk and masses of white flowers in summer.

• Performance: Low maintenance garden, Drought resistant
• Size: Small tree grows around 10-20 metres high and 6 metres wide
• Flower: White
• Flowering Time: Birak – Bunuru (Dec – Feb)
• Natural Distribution: Grows locally in the Perth region
• Position: Suitable for a sunny position.
• Watering: A waterwise, drought-hardy plant.
• Feeding: Fertiliser not required.
• Pruning: Generally, not needed.
• Habitat: Invertebrates, Birds

References:

Florabase: Taxon Profile of Eucalyptus laeliae Podger & Chippend. | Florabase

Gardening with Angus: Eucalyptus laeliae – Ghost Gum | Gardening With Angus

*Grey Cottonhead: Conostylis candicans

Grey Cottonhead is a compact, tufted perennial with soft grey foliage and bright yellow flowers, commonly found in coastal sandy habitats.

• Performance: Easy to grow
• Size: Perennial with a maximum height up to 50cm
• Flower: Yellow
• Flowering Time: Djilba-Djilba (Aug-Sep)
• Natural Distribution: Grows locally in the Perth region
• Position: Adaptable to sunny and light-shade positions
• Watering: A waterwise, drought-hardy plant.
• Feeding: Will benefit from some supplementary feeding.
• Pruning: Generally not needed.

References:

Florabase: Taxon Profile of Conostylis candicans Endl. - Florabase

ReWild: Grey Cottonhead • ReWild Perth

*One-sided Bottlebrush: Calothamnus quadrifidus

One-sided Bottlebrush is an easy-to-grow shrub with distinctive red flowers arranged along one side of the stem and fine, pine-like foliage.

• Performance: Easy to grow
• Size: Medium shrub with a maximum height 2m
• Flower: Red
• Flowering Time: Djilba – Birak (Aug – Dec)
• Natural Distribution: Grows locally in the Perth region
• Position: Adaptable to sunny and light-shade positions
• Watering: A waterwise, drought-hardy plant.
• Feeding: Fertiliser not required.
• Pruning: Tip pruning a couple of times a year.

References:

Florabase: Taxon Profile of Calothamnus quadrifidus R.Br. - Florabase

ANPSA: Calothamnus quadrifidus

*Dwarf Sheoak: Allocasuarina humilis

Dwarf Sheoak is a hardy, low-growing shrub with fine, needle-like foliage and small cone-like fruits, commonly found in sandy and gravelly soils.

• Size: Low-growing shrub typically 0.2–2m high
• Flower: Red to orange-brown
• Flowering Time: Djeran-Kambarang (May-Nov)
• Natural Distribution: Widespread across the south-west of WA
• Position: Suitable for a sunny, well-drained position.
• Watering: Drought-tolerant once established.
• Feeding: Fertiliser not required.
• Pruning: Generally not needed.
• Habitat: Provides shelter and habitat for insects and small birds.

References:

Florabase: Taxon Profile of Allocasuarina humilis (Otto & A.Dietr.) L.A.S.Johnson - Florabase

Melaleuca radula (Graceful Honeymyrtle)

A small to medium-sized shrub with pinkish mauve flowers during winter and spring. A shade-tolerant resprouter that attracts bees and birds.

• Size: Small to medium shrub up to 2.4m high
• Flower: Pinkish mauve
• Flowering Time: Djilba – Kambarang (July – November)
• Natural Distribution: Grows locally in the Perth region
• Position: Adaptable to sunny and light-shade positions
• Watering: A waterwise, drought-hardy plant.
• Feeding: Fertiliser not required.
• Pruning: Generally, not needed.
• Habitat: Invertebrates, and Birds

References:

Florabase: Taxon Profile of Melaleuca radula Lindl. | Florabase

Image by: By MargaretRDonald - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, source

*False Boronia: Lysiandra calycina

False Boronia is a small, delicate shrub with fine foliage and soft white to pink flowers, commonly found in sandy soils across the south-west.

• Size: Small shrub typically 0.2–1.2m high
• Flower: White to cream or pink
• Flowering Time: Makuru-Birak (Jun-Dec)
• Natural Distribution: Widespread in the south-west of WA
• Position: Suitable for a sunny to partly shaded position.
• Watering: Drought-tolerant once established.
• Feeding: Fertiliser not required.
• Pruning: Light pruning can help maintain shape.
• Habitat: Sandy soils and heathlands supporting insects and small fauna.

References:

Florabase: Taxon Profile of Lysiandra calycina (Labill.) R.W.Bouman - Florabase

Florabase (synonym data): Phyllanthus calycinus Labill. - Florabase

Kurulbrang: Anigozanthos manglesii (Kangaroo Paw, Red & Green)

Western Australia's state floral emblem. They are clumping, strap-leaved plants with stunning red and green flowers.

• Size: Annual with a maximum height up to 1m
• Flower: Red/Green
• Flowering Time: Djilba – Kambarang (Sep – Nov)
• Natural Distribution: Grows locally in the Perth region
• Position: Suitable for a sunny position.
• Watering: A waterwise, drought-hardy plant.
• Feeding: Fertiliser not required.
• Pruning: Remove dead or failing flowers.
• Habitat: Invertebrates, Birds, and Mammals

References:

Rewild: Red and Green Kangaroo Paw • ReWild Perth

Waterwise: Waterwise Plant Details

*Teatree: Pericalymma ellipticum

Teatree is an upright shrub with delicate white to pink flowers, commonly found in seasonally wet sandy soils across the south-west of Western Australia.

• Size: Shrub typically up to 3m high
• Flower: White to pink
• Flowering Time: Kambarang-Birak (Oct-Jan)
• Natural Distribution: Widespread in the south-west of WA
• Position: Suitable for a sunny to partly shaded position.
• Watering: Prefers moist soils and can tolerate seasonally wet conditions.
• Feeding: Fertiliser not required.
• Pruning: Light pruning can maintain shape.
• Habitat: Swampy flats and seasonally wet areas supporting insects and birdlife.

References:

Florabase: Taxon Profile of Pericalymma ellipticum (Endl.) Schauer - Florabase

Wikipedia: Pericalymma ellipticum

Image by: Kevin Thiele from Perth, Australia - Pericalymma ellipticum, CC BY 2.0, source

*Pretty Honey-myrtle: Melaleuca trichophylla

Pretty Honey-myrtle is a low-growing to spreading shrub with fine foliage and vibrant pink to purple flower heads, making it an attractive feature plant.

• Size: Low shrub typically 0.15–1.5m high
• Flower: Pink to purple
• Flowering Time: Djilba-Birak (Aug-Dec)
• Natural Distribution: Widespread across the south-west of WA
• Position: Suitable for a sunny, well-drained position.
• Watering: Drought-tolerant once established.
• Feeding: Fertiliser not required.
• Pruning: Light pruning after flowering encourages bushy growth.
• Habitat: Sandplains and hillsides supporting insects and nectar-feeding birds.

References:

Florabase: Taxon Profile of Melaleuca trichophylla Lindl. - Florabase

Wikipedia: Melaleuca trichophylla

Image by: Melburnian - Self-photographed, CC BY 3.0, source