Indigenous plants list

By planting indigenous plants, we are able to re-establish native vegetation and the many benefits that natural ecological balance provides.

Plants and animals have an important interrelationship with insects, birds, reptiles and mammals relying on vegetation for food, protection and housing. The plants in turn rely on fauna for pollination, seed dispersal, pest control and population control. Re-establishing indigenous vegetation will encourage wildlife to return to the area by providing habitat and food sources.

Native vegetation plays an important role in stabilising riverbanks, improving water quality through filtration and in improving air quality. In the long-term, this will assist in the maintenance of the natural ecological balance.

Local vegetation types

The pre-European vegetation of Boroondara was predominantly Plains Grassy Woodlands with the waterways generally vegetated with Riparian Woodland running through Riparian Floodplain Woodlands.

Plains Grassy Woodlands

  • Canopy:  River Red Gums with some Manna Gum, Yellow Box and Swamp Gum and the smaller Lightwood, Black Wattle, Golden Wattle, Sweet Bursaria, Burgan and Silver Banksia.
  • Under storey: predominantly Kangaroo Grass, Wallaby Grass and Spear Grass with a range of flowering herbs and lilies.

Riparian Floodplain Woodlands 

  • Canopy: River Red Gum canopy with a dense medium layer of Silver Wattle, Tree Violet, River Bottlebrush, Burgan, Swamp Paperbark and River Tea-tree.
  • Ground storey: Sword Tussock-grass and Common Tussock-grass.

Riparian Woodlands 

  • Canopy: Manna Gum and Yellow Box with a dense medium layer of Silver Wattle, Tree Violet, River Bottlebrush, Burgan and Swamp Paperbark.
  • Ground storey:  Kangaroo Grass, Sword Tussock-grass, Common Tussock-grass with Club-sedge, rushes and Common Reed at the water’s edge.

In your garden

Planting local plants attracts insects and birds. Planting indigenous plants will also assist in conserving water and reducing maintenance costs as they will not require additional fertilizers, soil or water. For further information regarding local plants and animals in your backyard visit our In your garden webpage or download our Backyard Biodiversity booklet. 

Weeds

Weeds or pest plants pose a major threat to our natural environment. Many pest plants are actually introduced from residential gardens. Weeds can be transported by wind or water or by birds and animals and can quickly establish from dumped garden waste. Plants that are not adapted to Australian conditions can rapidly invade and degrade natural bushland and waterways.

It is the responsibility of landowners to remove noxious weeds and to be aware of planting potential pest plants. Our weeds brochure helps identify weeds in your garden and recommends alternative plants to include in your garden.  Download a pdf version of the weeds brochure or collect a hard copy from Council offices and your local library.