Australian Native Plants Gardening Course

Horticulture and gardening. Open to everyone.

COVID-19 update: arrangement of our courses

We are now delivering courses both online and in-person. Please check the delivery format for each class before you enrol.

Please note that course materials for all classes (excluding prescribed textbooks) are shared electronically within 48 hours of a course starting. Printing is not available.

Australian native plants were here before us and they’re all around us. But where did they come from and how have they survived and flourished in our harsh environment for so long and so well?

Aims

Discover the answer to these questions and more, including how to choose the right native plants for your garden or balcony to screen, attract birds or create a focal point. You’ll also learn about edible Australian native plants as well as those that have fragrant flowers, act as fire retardants and need minimal maintenance.

Outcomes

By the end of this course, you should be able to:

• identify the distinguishing features of several major Australian native plant families
• recognise the adaptations of Australian native plants
• select suitable Australian native plants for suburban gardens
• determine Australian native plants that are bird attracting, fire retardant and frost tolerant
• cultivate and maintain Australian native plants successfully
• ascertain the various Australian native plants that produce edible food.

Content

This course covers the following topics:

• origins of Australian native plants – Gondwanaland – South African and South American relationships
• Australian climatic zones and environments – tropical, sub-tropical, rainforest, etc.
• major Australian native plant families – Myrtaceae, Epacridaceae, Proteaceae, and their features
• adaptations of Australian native plants – leaves, stems, flowers, roots, etc.
• Australian native plants for specific locations – coastal; drought tolerant; frost resistant; bogs/ponds, etc.
• Australian native plants for suburban gardens – evergreen/deciduous trees; plants for screening/windbreaks; shrubs for sun/shade; climbers for sun/shade; groundcovers/grasses for sun/shade
• Australian native plants with special features – bird attracting; fire retardant; fragrant flowers/aromatic leaves; focal point/architectural plants; etc.
• edible Australian native plants
• cultivation of Australian native plants
• planting techniques; pruning; maintenance
• pest and disease control

Intended audience

Suitable for anyone who would not only like to be able to identify Australian native plants but also recognise their adaptations to the environment. It would also be of interest to anyone who would like to select suitable Australian native plants for various locations, cultivate them successfully and grow edible varieties.

Delivery style

Delivered in an interactive classroom environment where the origin, features and cultivation of Australian native plants is discussed.

Materials

Comprehensive course notes will be provided in class. Examples of Australian native plants will also be presented.