Perth Local Plants Group
Preserving local species in gardens
 
The bush that grew on your own land

Before land in your neighbourhood was cleared for residential development there was probably bush on it. This bush would have been special to your area and would have depended mainly on the natural soil type.  

In Western Australia, there are a growing number of people recognising the unique beauty of these plants, and working to reintroduce them to our urban and suburban areas.

 More local plants :)
Local plants Would you like to put a bit of bush back onto your land ?
It’s fairly easy.

The Perth Local Plants Group comprises people who have set aside part of their property and are slowly putting back the plants that once grew there. These people range from beginners to experts, and have the pleasure of seeing local species thriving in their natural location - their backyards !
The Group's main activity is collecting small seedlings during winter, with permission from owners of land that is to be cleared, and replanting the seedlings in backyards.

If you would like more information about the Perth Local Plants Group, please contact the coordinator Murray Limb on (08) 9401 2537 (after hours), or at 3 Barque Place, Kallaroo, Western Australia, 6025.
  Good references for interested garden-lovers are:

Powell, R.  and Emberson, J. (1996) Growing Locals - Gardening with Local Plants in Perth,  Western Australian Naturalists’ Club.
Purchasing enquiries to the WA Naturalists' Club on (08) 9228 2495.

This book is an excellent guide to the plants of the Perth region and how they can be established in your own garden.  Features include:

  • colour maps indicating soil-types in the Perth region,
  • a very extensive species list (scientific and common names), grouped by the size of plants and where they occur,
  • advice on how to plan your garden and select the right plants for your area,

  • fascinating short features on plants, insects and small reptiles of Perth’s gardens.

Perth Plants for Your Garden Produced by Dorothy Redreau, Greening Western Australia, 1996.
Available from Greening Western Australia, or email Donna Weston.

This is a great handbook to Perth local plants, with a handy key that indicates preferred positions, soil types, whether the plant attracts birds, butterflies, etc.

This page was updated on 16 February, 2003