*Mungite (Poolgarla): Banksia grandis (Bull Banksia)

Bull Banksia is an easy-to-grow, medium tree with showy yellow flowers and attractive foliage.

• Size: Medium tree with a maximum height up to 10m
• Flower: Yellow
• Flowering Time: Djilba-Birak (Sep-Dec)
• 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, Reptiles, and Mammals.

References:

Rewild: Bull Banksia • ReWild Perth

Florabase: Taxon Profile of Banksia grandis Willd. | Florabase

*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

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

*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

Kennedia prostrata (Scarlet Runner)

An easy-to-grow groundcover with attractive, soft, grey-green foliage and showy, red flowers.

• Size: Groundcover spreading to 2m with a maximum height up to 10cm
• Flower: Red
• Flowering Time: Djilba – Kambarang (Aug – Nov)
• 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, Birds, Reptiles, Frogs, and Mammals

References:

Rewild: Running Postman • ReWild Perth

Waterwise: Waterwise Plant Details

Chorizema cordatum (Heart-leaf Flame Pea)

Heart-leaf Flame Pea is a colourful scrambling or climbing shrub with distinctive heart-shaped leaves and vibrant pea-shaped flowers in shades of red, orange and yellow.

• Size: Straggling or climbing shrub, 0.3–1.5m high
• Flower: Yellow, orange and red/pink
• Flowering Time: Jul–Dec
• Natural Distribution: Botanical Province South-West; IBRA Bioregions Geraldton Sandplains, Jarrah Forest, Warren and Swan Coastal Plain
• Habitat: Grey-brown sandy gravel, red-brown sandy loam or clay over granite or laterite; near rock outcrops, on hills, along streams and watercourses, and winter-wet flats

References:

Florabase: Taxon Profile of Chorizema cordatum Lindl. - Florabase

Wikipedia: Chorizema cordatum

Lobelia anceps (Angled lobelia)

A low, spreading groundcover to 0.3m, with small blue/mauve flowers.

• Performance: Easy to grow
• Size: Low shrub
• Flower: Blue/Mauve
• Flowering Time: Summer - Autumn
• Natural Distribution: Grows locally in the Perth region
• Position: Adaptable to sunny and shade positions
• Watering: Requires moist soil in exposed situations.
• Feeding: Fertiliser not required.
• Pruning: Generally, not needed.
• Habitat: Frogs

Additional Information:

Adaptable in soils from sand to loam, peaty sand, and granite.

Great for bog and pond gardens, cottage, and flower gardens.

References:

Florabase: Angled Lobelia • 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

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

*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

*Prickly Moses: Acacia pulchella

Prickly Moses is a small, prickly shrub with fine foliage and bright yellow flowers, commonly used as a dense understorey plant.

• Performance: Easy to grow
• Size: Medium shrub with a maximum height 1.5m
• Flower: Yellow
• Flowering Time: Makuru – Kambarang (Jun – Oct)
• 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.

References:

Florabase: Taxon Profile of Acacia pulchella R.Br. - Florabase

Wikipedia: Acacia pulchella