Native Australian garden design is not just a trend, it’s a sustainable and visually striking approach to landscaping that celebrates our country’s rich botanical heritage.
Here are some of Mosarte’s best ideas for native Australian gardens that will help you transform your outdoor space into a vibrant, eco-friendly space to unwind & relax.
Whether you have a large backyard or urban apartment balcony, these ideas will show you how to include native plants in your design to create a garden that’s both beautiful and environmentally friendly.
Bush Tucker Garden
Embrace Australia’s indigenous food culture by creating a bush tucker garden. This unique approach combines edible native plants with native Australian garden design & other designer elements. Key plants include:
-
- Lemon myrtle (Backhousia citriodora) for its aromatic leaves
- Finger limes (Citrus australasica) for their zesty, caviar-like fruit
- Warrigal greens (Tetragonia tetragonioides) as a native spinach alternative
- Macadamia trees for their delicious nuts
A bush tucker garden not only provides fresh, native ingredients for your kitchen but also serves as a living connection to Australia’s indigenous heritage. It’s a fantastic way to teach children about native plants and their traditional uses. Consider incorporating interpretive signage to educate visitors about the cultural significance and culinary uses of each plant.
Coastal Garden Escape
Bring the relaxed vibe of Australia’s stunning coastline to your backyard with a coastal-inspired native garden. This design works particularly well in sandy soils and areas with salt spray. Key elements include:
-
- Coastal rosemary (Westringia fruticosa) for its silver-grey foliage
- Pigface (Carpobrotus rossii) for ground cover and edible fruit
- Coastal banksia (Banksia integrifolia) for its iconic flowers
- Native grasses like coastal tussock grass (Poa poiformis)
A coastal native garden is perfect for creating a low-maintenance, drought-tolerant landscape that captures the essence of Australia’s beach lifestyle. Add some weathered driftwood or smooth pebbles to enhance the coastal feel, and consider creating meandering paths that mimic the natural contours of sand dunes.
Urban Rainforest Garden
Transform your garden into a lush, green oasis inspired by Australia’s tropical and subtropical rainforests. Tropical garden design is ideal for areas with higher rainfall or for gardeners willing to provide additional water. Key plants include:
-
- Tree ferns (Dicksonia antarctica) for a prehistoric feel
- Native ginger (Alpinia caerulea) for its edible fruits and flowers
- Davidson’s plum (Davidsonia pruriens) for its tart, edible fruit
- Lilly pilly (Syzygium smithii) for its glossy leaves and pink berries.
An urban rainforest garden creates a cool, shaded retreat that’s perfect for hot summer days and provides habitat for native birds and insects. Layer your plants to create a multi-tiered canopy, and consider adding a small water feature to enhance the rainforest ambiance.
The Wildflower Meadow
Capture the vibrant colors of the Australian outback with a native wildflower meadow. This low-maintenance design is perfect for larger spaces and sunny areas. Consider these 4 native plants:
-
- Everlasting daisies (Xerochrysum bracteatum) for pops of color
- Kangaroo paw (Anigozanthos flavidus) for its unique flowers
- Billy buttons (Craspedia globosa) for their cheerful yellow blooms
- Native grasses like kangaroo grass (Themeda triandra) for texture
A wildflower meadow not only creates a stunning visual display but also supports local pollinators and requires minimal water once established. Consider creating meandering paths through your meadow to allow for close-up appreciation of the flowers, and leave some areas unmown to encourage natural seeding and regeneration
Formal Native Garden
Challenge the notion that native gardens must be wild and unstructured with a formal native garden design. This approach combines the elegance of traditional formal gardens with the hardiness of native plants. Key plants ideas include:
-
- Clipped westringia or coastal rosemary hedges
- Symmetrical planting of native grasses or low-growing shrubs
- Formal water features using native aquatic plants
- Structured pathways lined with native ground covers
A formal native garden proves that you can achieve a sophisticated, manicured look using Australia’s native flora, perfect for those who love order in their outdoor spaces.
Use geometric shapes and repeated patterns to create a sense of structure, and consider incorporating native topiary for added formality.
Vertical Native Garden
Maximize space and create visual interest with a vertical native garden. This design is ideal for small urban spaces, balconies, or as a feature wall in larger gardens.
Consider these Australian native garden design plants:
- Native ferns like bird’s nest fern (Asplenium australasicum)
- Trailing plants like native violet (Viola hederacea)
- Compact shrubs like dwarf bottlebrush (Callistemon viminalis ‘Little John’)
- Native orchids for a touch of exotic beauty
Vertical gardens are not only space-efficient but also create a stunning visual impact, turning blank walls into living works of art. Experiment with different textures and colors to create a dynamic, eye-catching display.
Consider a creative use of recycled materials or repurposed planters to add an eco-friendly touch to your vertical garden.
The Native Rock Garden
Be inspired by native Australian garden Design with a native rock garden. This design is perfect for dry, sunny areas and requires minimal maintenance. Key elements include:
-
- Sculptural rocks and boulders
- Drought-tolerant plants like cushion bush (Leucophyta brownii)
- Native succulents like pig face (Carpobrotus glaucescens)
- Small, hardy shrubs like coastal rosemary (Westringia fruticosa)
A native rock garden creates a striking, low-water landscape that evokes the beauty of Australia’s arid regions.
Choose rocks of varying sizes and colors to add visual interest, and consider creating small, dry creek beds to add a sense of movement to your design
Native Australian Gardens For Birds & Butterflies
Design your garden to attract and support local wildlife, particularly birds and butterflies. This approach not only creates a beautiful space but also contributes to urban biodiversity.
-
- Grevilleas and banksias for nectar-loving birds
- Native grasses for seed-eating birds
- Butterfly bush (Buddleja davidii) for butterflies
- Water features for bathing and drinking
A wildlife-friendly native garden brings your outdoor space to life with the sights and sounds of native fauna, creating a dynamic and ever-changing landscape.
Consider adding nesting boxes or insect hotels to provide additional habitat, and create areas of dense planting to provide shelter for small birds.
Native Sensory Garden
Engage all your senses with a native sensory garden.
This design is particularly great for children’s gardens or therapeutic spaces. Our plant ideas include:
-
- Scented plants like lemon myrtle (Backhousia citriodora)
- Tactile plants like lamb’s ears (Stachys byzantina)
- Visual interest with colorful natives like kangaroo paw
- Auditory elements like rustling grasses and water features
A sensory garden creates an immersive experience that connects you more deeply with nature and the unique qualities of Australia’s native plants.
Consider creating defined areas for each sense, and include seating areas that allow visitors to pause and fully experience the garden.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Are native gardens low-maintenance?
A: Generally, yes. Native plants are adapted to local conditions and typically require less water, fertilizer, and pest control than exotic species. However, all gardens need some level of care, especially when first established. Regular mulching, occasional pruning, and some watering during dry spells will help keep your native garden looking its best.
Q: Can I create a native garden in a small space?
A: Absolutely! Many native plants are suitable for Outdoor garden pots or small gardens. Vertical gardens and compact varieties of native plants make it possible to create a native garden in even the smallest Sydney gardens. Look for dwarf varieties of popular natives, and consider using climbing plants to maximize vertical space.
Q: How long does it take for a native garden to establish?
A: Most native gardens take 2-3 years to fully establish. During this time, they’ll need regular watering and care. Once established, they become much more self-sufficient. Be patient during the establishment period, as plants may appear slow-growing at first but will thrive once their root systems are well-developed.
Q: Are native gardens good for Sydney wildlife?
A: Yes! Native gardens provide food, shelter, and breeding habitats for local wildlife, including birds, insects, and small mammals. They play a crucial role in supporting urban biodiversity. Native Australian garden design encourages a variety of plants that flower at different times of the year, you can provide year-round resources for wildlife.
Q: Can I mix native and exotic plants in my garden?
A: While it’s possible to mix natives and exotics, it’s generally best to group plants with similar water and care requirements together. Some exotic plants can become invasive and outcompete natives, so research carefully before mixing. If you do choose to include some exotics, opt for species that complement rather than dominate your native plantings.
Contact the team at Mosarte for stunning Sydney garden design today on PH (02) 9907 2299
