Not all native plants are waterwise. Some prefer wet conditions, others need regular watering, and a few are
drought-hardy. Our range of waterwise plants includes many which are both drought-hardy and frost-hardy.
Most of the waterwise plants we offer are listed as number 1 for water requirements. This means that,
once established, they only require occasional watering in summer. We also promote the other uses for these native plants.
- Blue hibiscus - Alyogyne huegelii
A medium shrub to 2.5 metres in height with a similar spread. The leaves are bright green, up to 70mm in length
and deeply lobed. The mauve to purple flowers are large (up to 120mm in diameter) and have five, slightly
overlapping petals. The individual flowers last only 1-2 days but new flowers continue to open over a long period,
generally in summer and autumn.
- Currant Bush or Fan Flower - Scaevola spinescens
Drought and frost resistant, prefers dry and well drained soils. Height 1 m and 1 m spread. White flowers,
with purple streaks appearing in autumn and spring. Aborigines burned this plant and inhaled the smoke as a
treatment for colds. Edible berries and has other medical properties.
- Flax Lily - Dianella revoluta variegata
This variety possesses evergreen, blue-green leaves with striking cream edges to 0.5 m.
Blue flowers and purple berry fruit are arranged on a tall (1 m) spike. Tolerant of most soils and
climate conditions. The fruit can be eaten raw, the roots can be pounded, roasted and then eaten while
the leaves are used to make string and cord.
- Grey Cottonhead - Conostylis candicans
Small grass-like perennial to 0.6 m. Grey, woolly, strap-like leaves, and yellow bell-shaped flowers
in globular heads from winter to summer. Prefers light soils. Excellent for rockeries and for foliage
contrast in the garden. Used in soil stabilisation and bush regeneration work as they have an extensive root system.
- Muntries - Kunzea pomifera
Low-lying shrub from the eastern states, useful ground cover with white flowers and edible red fruit (apple-like).
It prefers a well-drained soil and is found spreading over sand or rocks. The fruit is found on the underside of
the shrub. The small fruit literally melt in your mouth.
- Native Apricot or Weeping Pittosporum - Pittosporum phillyreoides
The scientific name for this plant is also spelt P. phylliraeoiodes. A small tree from the central desert which grows to 4 metres.
The gum in the branches is eaten and it is rich in carbohydrates. The fruits are orange and about 2 cm, oval in shape.
The seed can be ground to make an oily paste which is used as bush medicine and rubbed on sore areas of the body to
treat pain and cramps. A compress of warmed leaves is placed on the breasts of new mothers to induce milk flow.
The red seeds are poisonous.
- Native Frangipani - Hymenosporum flavum
Evergreen tree to 6 to 7 m and 3 m spread (a little taller in rainforests). Drought resistant but frost
tender when young. Beautiful, fragrant yellow flowers in terminal clusters in spring, the fruit are flat seed cases.
Tolerates shade.
- Native Hibiscus or Desert Rose - Alyogyne hakeifolia
Both drought and frost tolerant. Evergreen shrub to 3m. Long, linear leaves and large trumpet-shaped
flowers in summer. Hardy in a large variety of soil types. Prune after flowering to maintain compact
shape and to promote more flowers for next season. Available with purple or cream flowers.
- Native or Coastal Rosemary - Westringia fructicosa
A very hardy plant which is both drought and frost resistant. Evergreen shrub to 1.5 m and spread to 2.5 m. Flowers are white with purple spots.
We also offer a variegated form which has purple flowers.
- Salt Blue Bush or Heathy Blue Bush - Maireana oppositifolia
Compact shrub up to 1m high. Tolerates a range of soils including sandy-clay and loamy-clay, and saline flats.
Very drought tolerant, as it survives in inland WA. Small bluish-grey, fleshy leaves.
- Snakebush - Hemiandra pungens
Evergreen prostrate plant with narrow rigid leaves and mauve-pink, red spotted flowers in spring and summer.
Prefers warm, light soils which are well-drained. Tolerates light frost. Pretty groundcover.
- Spotted Emu Bush or Native Fuchsia - Eremophila maculata purpurea
1 1.5 m high and wide shrub. Tolerant of light frosts and extended dry periods. Flowers attract birds and can
be sucked for nectar. Useful for when suffering from a cold. The leaves are covered with water and boiled.
The mixture can then be drunk or rubbed on the body.
- Tarbush - Eremophila glabra
Attractive silver-grey leaves, yellow to orange-red flowers. Tolerates light shade, dry conditions and frost.
Suitable for coastal and inland areas. Bird-attracting. Prune to maintain bushiness.
- Wedding Bush - Ricinocarpus tuberculitis
Shrub to 2.5 m and spread of 2 m. A thick mass of white flowers in spring. Frost tender when young.
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