Plants
to Plant
Here is the list of species Cambridge Coastcare plans to plant in
winter 2012 - they all make great garden plants, are easy to grow,
waterwise and good for local wildlife including birds, sandgropers
and butteflies. Why not have a go!
Diplolaena
dampieri (Dampier’s
Rose)
Flowering
period: July–November.
Description:
Rounded, bushy shrub 0.5–1.5 m high. Leaves highly aromatic,
elliptic to 40 mm long, green and hairless on upper surface, densely
grey hairy on lower surface. Flowers arranged in a pendulous head
surrounded by a ring of hairy bracts. Flower heads with multiple exserted,
red to orange-red anthers. Seeds produced in individual capsules produced
in clusters within the flower head, with each capsule splitting longitudinally
to release small black seeds.
Pollination:
Open pollinated by a wide variety of insects and can be visited by
nectar-seeking birds.
Distribution: From Yanchep
to Augusta with plants found in secondary dunes and on limestone areas
usually in low heath vegetation. A widespread but not common species
of the Perth coastline.
Propagation:
From cuttings and sometimes seed. Seed propagation can be difficult
as many members of the boronia family (Rutaceae) have deep, intractable
seed dormancy.
Uses
in restoration: Highly useful species for enriching
biodiversity values in restoration sites protected from high winds
and salt. Makes a highly useful focus species in restoration areas
with its decorative flowers that are produced over a long period.
Notes:
A desirable species for the home garden with its attractive flowers
and compact growth form. Prefers full sun.
Hibbertia
subvaginata (Grey-Leaved Coastal Guinea Flower)
Flowering
period:
July–December.
Description:
Erect to spreading, occasionally prostrate, low shrub to 80 cm high
with grey-green, 2–3 cm long, 0.2–0.7 cm wide leaves with
a distinctive dilated base that is stem-clasping.
Flowers 1–3, 2.5 cm wide on short stalks produced in the axils
of the leaves.
Pollination:
Most likely by native beetles that are known to visit other members
of the guinea flower family.
Distribution: Widespread
in stable primary dunes and heathlands in secondary dunes from Geraldton
to east of Albany. In the Perth region often found in low heath in
older dunes and may extend to areas of sand over limestone.
Propagation:
Difficult from cuttings. Strike cuttings during the growing season
and ensure plants are well established before transplanting. Seed
propagation for most species of Hibbertia is difficult as a result
of having deep dormancy in the seeds partially as a result of a small,
underdeveloped embryo in the seed that requires extended periods of
exposure to moisture to enable the embryo to mature.
Uses
in restoration:
Useful species for stabilised dune vegetation in protected, full sun
locations; however, not readily available for restoration. Can be
an attractive species and is useful for increasing the biodiversity
values of dune restoration.
Notes:
Highly attractive species for the home garden with its soft grey-green
foliage off-set by the bright yellow flowers. Ensure full sun situations
and prune out old wood once flowering has finished.
Rhagodia
baccata (Berry
Saltbush)
Flowering
period:
February–May and again in October–December.
Description:
Spreading, much branched low shrub to 1 m high, 2 m wide along the
Perth coast. Leaves fleshy, more so in areas exposed to high winds
and salt spray, 10–40 mm long, 3–8 mm wide with a mealy
undersurface. Flowers small and insignificant in broad, cone-shaped
panicles to 15 cm long, 10 cm wide. Fruit a berry, ripening claret-red,
flattened globular with a single black seed within. Fruit sweet and
often eaten and dispersed by birds.
Pollination:
Most likely open pollinated by a variety of insect visitors.
Distribution:
Widespread and common along west coast from Jurien Bay to Cape Arid
in primary and secondary dunes usually in sites with high impact by
wind and sand drift.
Propagation:
Readily and easily propagated from cuttings taken at any time of the
year. Cuttings root easily if taken during warmer conditions.
Uses
in restoration:
An important pioneer species in dune rehabilitation with rapid growth,
high survival rate and resistance to wind impacts and sand movement.
Being succulent the species copes with limited moisture over summer,
responding to winter rainfall with rapid growth and flowering over
an extended period. Ensure that propagated plants have been grown
in full sun and time propagation so that plants are not over-sized.
Generally 3–4 months will result in good-sized plants for restoration
planting. If plants are over-sized cut back to 15 cm high with hedge
clippers before planting. An excellent species for attracting fruit-eating
birds to restored dunes; however, is attractive to rabbits and requires
protection from grazing.
Notes:
A vigorous species in the home garden particularly if watered and
requires regular pruning and shaping. Useful for attracting fruit-eating
birds with the clusters of decorative, currant-like red berries.
Schoenus
grandiflorus (Flowered Bog-Rush) 
Flowering
period:
January–July, depending upon rainfall events.
Description:
Robust, tufted, rhizomatous perennial sedge to 1.2 m high. Stems stout,
leafy and distinctly 3-angled and up to 5 mm wide. Leaves flat or
folded, 150–400 mm long, 5–15 mm wide, with stout brown
hairs and finely tooted leaf margins. Flowers inconspicuous, contained
in numerous brownish spikelets arranged on the upper part of the stem.
Pollination:
Wind pollinated.
Distribution:
From north of Kalbarri to Israelite Bay. A common species of secondary
dunes and limestone areas on the Perth coast where the plant grows
in heathland and shrubland areas, where it is often conspicuous with
its tall inflorescences.
Propagation:
Difficult from seed with the most reliable method being from division
of mother plants maintained under nursery conditions. Divide into
segments containing at least two years’ growth.
Uses
in restoration:
For planting in stabilised sites or sites protected from direct exposure
to wind or salt spray. Prefers full sun but will tolerate partial
shade. Plant with species of similar size such as Melaleuca systena.
Notes:
Provides a grassy sedge appearance in the home garden. Prune and remove
old flowering stems and dead foliage to maintain a neat appearance.
Good examples of the horticultural use of the large-flowered bog-rush
can be seen in the gardens surrounding the Western Australian Ecology
Centre in Bold Park.
Cambridge Coastcare (Inc)
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