Making a list of suitable indigenous plant species might seem daunting but be reassured that there is plenty of support out there to get you started.
Why plant indigenous?
There has been a lot of interest in the last few decades in planting local native plants on rural properties, though cities and towns have been slower to follow. If we want to encourage the return of birds, butterflies and Blue-banded Bees to our urban and rural gardens, there are many good reasons why the local plants are the way to go. Here are a few.
Imagine a new supermarket chain has bought out your familiar old one, and now it sells only brands you've never heard of and worse, they only open at inconvenient times.
In the same way, our wildlife has evolved with the local plants, they know what the nectar tastes like and when its flowing. They know where to find insects under the bark and how to use the bark to build nests. Some wildlife may adapt to the new plants in our gardens, but they may not be as healthy as they would be living off the indigenous plants.
In the birorich design system described in 'Recreating the Country', I recommend planting up to 20% non-indigenous plants for income and personal use. I believe this is an important incentive for landowners to plant the wider, sustainable plantations that wildlife need. It also helps them connect with the beautiful natural places they have planted, as they harvest products and maintain their productive plants. You can read more about adding productivity to indigenous plantations in 'Biodiversity and Profit'.
Why plant indigenous?
There has been a lot of interest in the last few decades in planting local native plants on rural properties, though cities and towns have been slower to follow. If we want to encourage the return of birds, butterflies and Blue-banded Bees to our urban and rural gardens, there are many good reasons why the local plants are the way to go. Here are a few.
- They have successfully grown here for thousands of years
- They have adapted to our climate and soils
- The local insects, birds and marsupials know and depend on the food and shelter they provide.
Imagine a new supermarket chain has bought out your familiar old one, and now it sells only brands you've never heard of and worse, they only open at inconvenient times.
In the same way, our wildlife has evolved with the local plants, they know what the nectar tastes like and when its flowing. They know where to find insects under the bark and how to use the bark to build nests. Some wildlife may adapt to the new plants in our gardens, but they may not be as healthy as they would be living off the indigenous plants.
In the birorich design system described in 'Recreating the Country', I recommend planting up to 20% non-indigenous plants for income and personal use. I believe this is an important incentive for landowners to plant the wider, sustainable plantations that wildlife need. It also helps them connect with the beautiful natural places they have planted, as they harvest products and maintain their productive plants. You can read more about adding productivity to indigenous plantations in 'Biodiversity and Profit'.
Making a list of indigenous plants for revegetation
Reference books
There are many handy reference books and pocket field guides to the plants of your local area. Here are four books that I have found particularly useful and easy to use. I prefer good colour photographs and plain english plant descriptions.
Leon Costermans 'Trees of Victoria and Adjoining Areas' is a pocket-sized field guide which covers trees of Victoria, southern NSW and the eastern part of South Australia. It provides descriptions, line drawings and location maps to identify common native trees.
Costerman's tome, 'Native Trees and Shrubs of South-eastern Australia' includes medium and small shrubs as well as trees, and provides detailed descriptions with photos and line drawings of leaves, fruit/nuts and flowers which helps distinguish between plant species that are similar. The handy maps show where each plant is likely to be found.
'Plants of Melbourne's Western Plains' and 'Flora of Melbourne' are both excellent well illustrated references. (Click on the image to enlarge)
There are many handy reference books and pocket field guides to the plants of your local area. Here are four books that I have found particularly useful and easy to use. I prefer good colour photographs and plain english plant descriptions.
Leon Costermans 'Trees of Victoria and Adjoining Areas' is a pocket-sized field guide which covers trees of Victoria, southern NSW and the eastern part of South Australia. It provides descriptions, line drawings and location maps to identify common native trees.
Costerman's tome, 'Native Trees and Shrubs of South-eastern Australia' includes medium and small shrubs as well as trees, and provides detailed descriptions with photos and line drawings of leaves, fruit/nuts and flowers which helps distinguish between plant species that are similar. The handy maps show where each plant is likely to be found.
'Plants of Melbourne's Western Plains' and 'Flora of Melbourne' are both excellent well illustrated references. (Click on the image to enlarge)
Booklets and Brochures on local flora and fauna
A very convenient resource are the glossy, colour field guides that are produced by local Landcare and Friends groups. They are often free or sold at cost price and provide clear pictures, descriptions and indigenous species lists.
Ask around, there is likely to be one that will suit your location. It won't be a complete list but it is a great start on your journey of discovery and the beginning of your appreciation of the unique and beautiful plants that once grew in what is now your backyard.
A very convenient resource are the glossy, colour field guides that are produced by local Landcare and Friends groups. They are often free or sold at cost price and provide clear pictures, descriptions and indigenous species lists.
Ask around, there is likely to be one that will suit your location. It won't be a complete list but it is a great start on your journey of discovery and the beginning of your appreciation of the unique and beautiful plants that once grew in what is now your backyard.
NatureKit map showing pre 1750 EVC's. The popup information panel is about Melbourne
EVC's
Knowing your EVC or Ecological Vegetation Class will help you choose the plants best suited to your climate and landscape. EVC's is a classification system for the different ecologies found in Victoria (ecology comes from the Greek word for home, 'oikos'). Victoria has a large variety of different homes or ecologies where native plants and animals live. Each EVC describes these natural environments and the unique set of plants that are found there.
These homes/ecologies can be quite different, for example;
The EVC classification system organises these different ecologies and the plants that are usually found there, to help designers select suitable plants for environments that are similar.
You can determine your property's EVC and the plant species that the classification system predicts are likely to grow there by visiting the Victorian State Government's free mapping tool NatureKit.
Here's how to find your Bioregion and EVC using Naturekit
This is the first step to compiling a list of indigenous plants for your property
Knowing your EVC or Ecological Vegetation Class will help you choose the plants best suited to your climate and landscape. EVC's is a classification system for the different ecologies found in Victoria (ecology comes from the Greek word for home, 'oikos'). Victoria has a large variety of different homes or ecologies where native plants and animals live. Each EVC describes these natural environments and the unique set of plants that are found there.
These homes/ecologies can be quite different, for example;
- beside a creek where it's moist and protected
- on the open plains where it's exposed to strong winds
- in a desert where it's dry with extremes of heat and cold
- on the top of a mountain range where it's cool and moist with very little top soil.
The EVC classification system organises these different ecologies and the plants that are usually found there, to help designers select suitable plants for environments that are similar.
You can determine your property's EVC and the plant species that the classification system predicts are likely to grow there by visiting the Victorian State Government's free mapping tool NatureKit.
Here's how to find your Bioregion and EVC using Naturekit
This is the first step to compiling a list of indigenous plants for your property
- Open NatureKit by clicking on the link above: Launch the NatureKit online tool
- Open the panal actions menu (5 horizontal lines to the right of 'Layers') and choose 'Show Layer List'
- Click on the (+) next to 'Vegetation' to open either the '2005 EVC' layer or the original 'pre 1750 EVC' layer
- On the map of Victoria provided select and enlarge your area of interest
- Open 'General Tools' in the tool bar and draw a polygon around this area (its a click and drag process with the mouse). Double-click when you complete the polygon
- Click on your area of interest to generate a popup information panel. This will list your EVC and Bioregion plus occasionally some information on endangered plant & animal species found in your location
- Now that you know your EVC and Bioregion, open the Bioregions and EVC benchmarks link below;
Bioregions and EVC benchmarks explained;
A bioregion is an area of the landscape that has similar climate, geomorphology, geology, soils and vegetation. Each bioregion has many unique ecologies and therefore many EVC's.
There are 28 bioregions in Victoria. Identify your bioregion from the map of Victoria shown on this link and then select it from the list of bioregions below the map. This will take you to a description of your bioregion and different EVC benchmark descriptions. These include big picture EVC descriptions and lists of plants found in each EVC. Click on the top PDF shown for printable and readable EVC descriptions and general plant lists. Scroll through the EVC's until you find a description of the EVC you identified in NatureKit.
The plant species on the EVC benchmark lists are only a broad guide of the common plant species found in each EVC and therefore quite limited and sometimes inaccurate (that's not very reassuring is it). Therefore, it's always good to get a second opinion about the species listed. VicVeg online below will provide a broader list for comparison with the EVC benchmark list.
A bioregion is an area of the landscape that has similar climate, geomorphology, geology, soils and vegetation. Each bioregion has many unique ecologies and therefore many EVC's.
There are 28 bioregions in Victoria. Identify your bioregion from the map of Victoria shown on this link and then select it from the list of bioregions below the map. This will take you to a description of your bioregion and different EVC benchmark descriptions. These include big picture EVC descriptions and lists of plants found in each EVC. Click on the top PDF shown for printable and readable EVC descriptions and general plant lists. Scroll through the EVC's until you find a description of the EVC you identified in NatureKit.
The plant species on the EVC benchmark lists are only a broad guide of the common plant species found in each EVC and therefore quite limited and sometimes inaccurate (that's not very reassuring is it). Therefore, it's always good to get a second opinion about the species listed. VicVeg online below will provide a broader list for comparison with the EVC benchmark list.
To extend the EVC benchmark lists open VicVeg online
- Select Plantscapes
- Choose your CMA, Bioregion and EVC in the boxes provided. (The CMA link above is to a map of Victoria showing the areas covered by the various CMA's)
- Select 'EVC revegetation' in the lower tool bar for a list of plant species that nurseries can provide
- Your plant species list and a typical landscape profile drawing should appear.
The beautiful Gold Dust Wattle is a member of the Mimosa Family.
Local People with local knowledge you can ask:
- A neighbour who has planted trees. You'd be surprised how good local knowledge can be and it could lead to support in other ways such as finding the local nurseries, Landcare groups in your locality and the Council officers that will help
- Indigenous plant nurseries. Nurseries worth their salt will offer free advice because it's also good for business. They may also offer site visits and a design service for a reasonable fee.
Click below for a location map and contact details of the indigenous plant nurseries in Victoria - Plant lists of nature reserves, flora & fauna reserves and national parks near you. Most nature reserves have had plant species lists prepared by paid experts or volunteer experts like a local field naturalist group or friends group. These detailed lists are a wonderful guide to the original plants of a district, ranging from the local grasses and herbs to the shrubs and trees. The local Council or Parks Victoria office would have these lists on file and should print them on request
- Landcare. If you don't know about Landcare, then I would recommend it highly. It has done an enormous amount of the heavy lifting to put trees back on farms Australia wide.
Landcare has provided free advice, equipment and networking over the past 35 years. They have regular meetings with interesting guest speakers, and they're always pleased to meet new people with an interest in the local environment
Geelong Landcare Network is an excellent resource if you are living in the Geelong Region
In a broader context the Victorian Landcare Gateway is very informative and publishes four magazines annually for Landcare members. When you open their website, click on 'find a group' to connect with Landcare near you
Landcare Australia also has a good website that's worth a visit and they publish an informative electronic magazine. They also offer a weekly email update on coming events around Australia and opportunities for project grants through the Landcarer Newsletter. You could send them an email and ask to be put on their mailing list
The dense grey leafed Fragrant Salt-bush is a member of the Amaranth Family.
- Local Councils will have an officer who manages Council owned reserves. They are likely to have the title of 'Natural Resources Officer' or 'Environment Officer' and they are paid to help you and answer your questions
- Friends of a local bushland. The Friends organisation supports groups of community volunteers who want to protect and enhance local reserves. Your local Council should have contact details for local Friends groups in your area and the group members are very likely to know the local plants
The Drooping Sheoak is a member of the Casuarina Family.
- Parks Victoria manage a lot of the parks and reserves in Victoria. Their website is full of information about visiting parks to make your experience safe and enjoyable. The Park Rangers are dedicated people who really love what they do and are keen to help. Their website is worth a visit if you want a brief plant list or you're planning a park visit
The hardy Tree Violet is a member of the Violet Family.
Internet sites you can visit:
- The Greater City of Geelong have a map of vegetation zones for the districts around Geelong on their website and plants list for each zone
- Catchment Management Authorities in Victoria are also an excellent resource. They will direct you to your local Landcare facilitator. They also have lots of knowledgable staff who are involved in putting indigenous plants back on our waterways. They also provide grants for revegetation projects
They offer online resources to help you explore more aspects of your property and surrounding landscapes. For example, the Corangamite CMA have an NRM (Natural Resource Management) portal with mapping options that can be used to produce a printed property report. Click on the 'my property' link to source useful imformation about your location, geology, EVC and vegatation. Allow a little time to familiarise yourself with this mapping program which is similar to the State of Victoria's NatureKit described above
- Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) are also well resourced with knowledgeable people
The Snowy Mintbush is a member of the Mint Family
- Seeding Victoria is the seed bank for indigenous seed for central Victoria. They have an informative website and you can buy seed directly from them if you're planning to direct seed or propagate your own plants
- Victorian Native Seed is a private supplier of rare and native seed. They're website is full of well researched information about native seeds
- Vic Flora Flora of Victoria, a Royal Botanic Gardens site, has an excellent website that offers descriptions of plants and photos. You can narrow your search through various filters
The Grey Everlasting is a member of the Daisy Family
- The Australian National Botanic Gardens website allows you to search for pictures and descriptions if you know the genus and species name of a plant
- The Australian Plant Society are a very active and well informed group of volunteers that publish excellent reference books and provide practical information on their website about plants, what to plant where, garden design and lots more. There are branches in every state and local groups as well. For example the Victorian branch have their own excellent website
- Google maps is also an excellent resource to have a birds-eye view of your property. Did you know that you can measure distances and areas by using the 'right click' button on your mouse? Click on two points across a paddock to get the distance. Go round the paddock clicking to define the shape and make your last click where you started to complete the polygon and an estimate of the overall area. Knowing the area is important when calculating the number of plants needed.
Estimating the plant numbers for a known area:
A quick and accurate estimate of the plant numbers you will need;
1,000 plants/ha when planted at 3m spacing between plants and 3m spacing between the rows of plants.
For this same area planted at an average of 4m spacing between plants and rows you will need 625 plants. If the average spacing is 5m you will need 400 plants.
|
To read more about how much diversity to include in sustainable plantations click here
Photo - The beautiful flower of Kangaroo Apple, a member of the nightshade/tomato family |
|
To read my latest blog on Diversity of families - part 1, which includes a pdf table of common native plants, 24 plant families and thier uses, plus a picture gallery click here
|
Voices of experience
'Patient observations of an area over time periods can inform decisions on revegetation choices & outcomes'.
Joel Bloom, Project Coordinator, Post Office Hill Action Group, Chewton Vic.
Observatons of naturally occurring species in a similar geography nearby lead Joel's group to plant three large wattle species (Blackwood, Acacia melanoxylon, Silver Wattle, Acacia dealbata and Black Wattle, Acacia mearnsii) in a valley where these acacias were absent. These wattles will provide food and habitat for brush-tailed phascogales, krefft's gliders & rose robins.
Stuart McCallum highly recommends 'Woodlands, A disappearing Landscape', by David Lindenmayer, Mason Crane & Damian Michael.
'The authors do stress using local provenance and the habitat principles are ubiquitous.'
This is a very readable reference on the ecology of woodlands looking at the fine details of how they work, including the roles of canopy trees, understorey, the ground layer and importance of natural types of disturbance including fire. The wildlife photos by Esther Beaton and descriptive captions give more fascinating insights into woodland ecology.
'The authors do stress using local provenance and the habitat principles are ubiquitous.'
This is a very readable reference on the ecology of woodlands looking at the fine details of how they work, including the roles of canopy trees, understorey, the ground layer and importance of natural types of disturbance including fire. The wildlife photos by Esther Beaton and descriptive captions give more fascinating insights into woodland ecology.
