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

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

*Regelia: Regelia ciliata

Regelia ciliata is a compact shrub with fine foliage and striking red bottlebrush-like flowers, ideal for gardens and attracting pollinators.

• Performance: Easy to grow
• Size: Medium shrub with a maximum height 1.5m
• 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 Regelia ciliata (Benth.) K.Schum. - Florabase

Wikipedia: Regelia ciliata

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

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

*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

*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 shrub with fine foliage and showy pink to purple flower heads, making it an attractive feature plant.

• 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 Melaleuca trichophylla Lindl. - Florabase

Wikipedia: Melaleuca trichophylla