Kennedia prostrata (Running Postman)
Kennedia prostrata
This species grows in acid to alkaline conditions, is moderately frost tolerant, and can be trimmed if necessary. It flowers from winter through to early summer, depending on the area. More information can be found here and here.
Kennedia prostrata
Prostanthera aspalathoides (Mint Bush)
Prostanthera aspalathoides (Mint Bush)
This photo was taken in Little Desert National Park. It grows in the mallee sands and there- fore needs good drainage. The occasional trim after flowering is useful for keeping the bush compact. Nectar feeding birds, like Honeyeaters, love the nectar filled flowers.
This is a species that grows in acid to highly alkaline soil, and is drought and frost hardy. It is suitable for second line coastal planting, and grows to .7m high.
Prostanthera aspalathoides, yellow form (Mint Bush)
Dampiera rosmarinifolia
Dampiera rosmarinifolia
Dampiera are suckering plants which form clumps, increasing from an underground root stock from which new growth arises. When this happens is a good time to prune out old growth and tidy the clump. This photo was taken in Little Desert National Park in Western Victoria and I suspect it is a subspecies of Dampiera rosmarinifolia. I will check that when I get access to my reference books again.
This is a hardy plant and has grown very well in our 350 mm of rain which we usually get in the winter. It flowers in the spring with these dark purple flowers. We have a pink and a mauve version of this also. It needs well drained soil which can be achieved by mounding the soil. Even as little as 10 cm will improve drainage.
Acacia pulchella (Western Prickly Moses)
No Comments »26th July, 2008; Category: Acacia, Drought Tolerant Plants, Hardy Australian Native PLants
A variable shrub, spreading, can be dwarfed or up tp 1.5m tall by 1-2 wide. Pulchella means beautiful, and to prolong its life, prune after flowering. In fact I have discovered that wattles can be pruned quite successfully and in some cases quite severely. This Acacia flowers in July until November.
It needs well drained light to heavy soil, dappled shade to full sun. Even though it is prickly, it can be used quite successfully to control human foot traffic, and animal access. This is another which can be propagated by seed or cuttings. Watch for new growth following pruning for cutting material. This Acacia is drought hardy and lime tolerant.
See here for growing from seed, and here for growing from cuttings.
Acacia lasiocarpa
No Comments »24th July, 2008; Category: Acacia, Drought Tolerant Plants, Hardy Australian Native PLants
Acacia lasiocarpa is a Western Australian species which was regarded as Acacia pulchella.
This is a variable shrub .5-2m x 1-3m, dense to open, or spreading. Some varieties have small spines. It has yellow globular flower heads at the ends of the branches. It grows in reasonably well drained light to heavy soil, in dappled shade or full sun. It is drought hardy and lime tolerant and is ornamental. This plant can be propagated by seed or from cuttings.
See here for information on taking cuttings.
See here for growing wattles from seed.