Creating resilient gardens with native plants
Gardening has shifted focus in recent years, moving away from decorative but high-maintenance plants to a focus on sustainability, resilience, and environmental support. At The Cape, a sustainable community with no front fences and expansive green corridors, residents are transforming traditional garden design by embracing native and locally indigenous species. By choosing plants adapted to the local environment, The Cape serves as a model for how urban spaces can be beautiful, functional, and beneficial to local ecosystems.
Why planting native species matters
“Using native plants isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about creating a sustainable and resilient ecosystem,” shares Brendan Condon, Director of The Cape. Native plants are well-suited to local climates, requiring less water, whilst providing critical resources for wildlife. For example, “grasses provide seeds for small birds, while larger trees offer nesting sites and shelter,” explains Megan from Melaleuca Nursery. Additionally, shrubs and ground covers with smaller flowers offer nectar and pollen for insects, supporting a healthy food chain benefits local bird and lizards.
This interconnectedness is particularly evident at The Cape, where “our landscaping merges public and private spaces, with native plants forming corridors that allow wildlife to move freely,” says Brendan. This approach enhances biodiversity, creating continuous habitats that contrast with typical suburban gardens.
Additionally, native plants require less maintenance when planted at the right time, making them ideal for busy urban gardeners. The focus on species with low water and maintenance needs, as well as reduced flammability, further underscores their suitability for resilient and sustainable landscaping.
Essential design principles for a sustainable garden
Creating a sustainable garden involves careful planning and design. Here are some essential tips from Brendan and Megan:
1. Water retention and mulching: Rather than draining rainwater, The Cape retains it in bioswales to hydrate the landscape. “Bioswales help water infiltrate slowly, supporting vegetation and keeping the environment cool,” explains Brendan. These damp areas along with garden water features can also create habitats for a variety of invertebrates and mammals.
For gardeners, using mulch conserves water and reduces the need for frequent watering, especially in sandy soils.
2. Layering and mounding: By layering plants of different heights and creating mounds, gardeners can introduce varied microclimates. Mounds protect plants from harsh winds and allow different species to thrive in the same space. This method creates unique ecological niches that support biodiversity.
3. Be fire aware; Avoid planting too close to buildings, and ensure fire safety by spacing flammable plants away from structures, especially in fire-prone regions. Low-flammability and semi-succulent species such as Seaberry (Rhagodia candolleana) and Coastal Boobialla not only provide resilience in urban settings with fire risks but also offer protection and resources for local wildlife. The CFA advises gardeners to maintain a safe distance between mulch, flammable plants, and buildings. View the CFA’s plant and garden design guidelines.
4. Seasonal Planting: Planting natives between Anzac Day and King’s Birthday in June allows roots to establish before the dry months, especially in sandy soils. For clay soils, planting after frosts and before mid-October ensures plants have ample time to root deeply.
5. Soil-Specific Choices: Choose plants adapted to your local soil type. Local natives to the area are ideal and some Western Australian natives perform exceptionally well in sandy soils, making them ideal choices for coastal environments like The Cape. See The Cape Residents Planting Guide for more insights.
6. Low-Maintenance Design: Avoid plants that require excessive watering or pruning. Native species that don’t thatch or produce excess biomass keep maintenance manageable.
7. At The Cape, strong winds from the south east and southwest can impact how you can use your outdoor space. To shield your outdoor areas, consider using a variety of hardy plants as natural windbreaks. These will create shelter without obstructing the stunning surroundings.
8. Integrate natural materials into your gardens like natural rock and pavers.
9. Don’t forget to add seating or social spaces in your landscape so you can immerse yourself and enjoy the natural beauty of your garden.
Designing gardens for biodiversity
Supporting biodiversity starts with choosing a variety of plants that serve multiple functions in the ecosystem. “Mixing grasses, shrubs, and trees allows for a range of habitats,” says Megan. Spiky shrubs provide safe hiding places for small animals, while flowering plants attract pollinators and add visual appeal. By incorporating native species, gardeners create an ecosystem that thrives year-round and supports a balanced food web. Brendan added “diversity in your garden provides long term stability and performance over the range of conditions we experience at the Cape, with plants flowering and providing nectar resources for wildlife in the landscape across longer periods each year.”
Moreover, The Cape’s open design, which lacks front fences, fosters free movement of wildlife, allowing animals to find shelter, food, and mates without obstruction.
This natural flow is critical for biodiversity, making native gardens ideal for creating habitats in any setting.
Advice for starting a sustainable garden
When beginning a sustainable garden, Brendan advises focusing on water efficiency, food production, and nutrient cycling. “Consider adding wicking beds if you’re growing food. They use 50% less water than traditional beds and encourage nutrient cycling through worm farming/vermicomposting,” he notes. This method minimises waste and promotes healthy plant growth without relying on synthetic fertilisers.
Patience is also key. “It’s easy to feel like you haven’t planted enough, but native plants need time to fill the space,” adds Megan.
Planting smaller pots allows roots to develop, leading to stronger, more resilient plants in the long run.
Megan recommends a couple of specific native species that thrive in around The Cape:
– Coastal Boobialla: A favourite at The Cape, this plant can be shaped into a hedge, offers berries as a food source, and provides habitat for wildlife. It’s semi-succulent, drought-tolerant, and serves as an effective windbreak.
– Patersonia: Known for its resilience and low maintenance, this plant adds colour to gardens and supports pollinators.
Overcoming challenges: Tackling urban heat and water conservation
Urban heat and water conservation are common challenges in gardening. Megan suggests using light-coloured paving and roofs to reflect sunlight, keeping spaces cooler. For smaller gardens, choose lighter-coloured mulch or materials around plants, and add shade-providing trees.
“Urban gardens often face challenges with rapid water drainage, but retaining water through rainwater harvesting or bioswales ensures landscapes remain hydrated and resilient.
says Brendan.
Gardening for mental health
Gardening offers more than environmental benefits; it has a profound impact on mental well-being. Studies show that exposure to green spaces and nature sounds can significantly reduce stress and enhance mood. “Gardens at The Cape bring a sense of calm and community,” says Brendan. “It’s a place where people feel connected to nature and to one another.”
With no front fences, gardening here naturally becomes a social activity, as neighbours pause for a chat while passing by, fostering a shared appreciation for the landscape. Native gardens deepen this experience, inviting residents to enjoy the vibrant sounds of birds, the sight of butterflies dancing through plants, and the beauty of a thriving ecosystem.
The Cape: A model for sustainable gardening
By prioritising native plants, water conservation, and community-driven design, The Cape exemplifies sustainable urban gardening. Through thoughtful choices and guidance from CFA fire-safe landscaping and The Cape gardening design principle resources, residents are crafting a model that supports biodiversity, reduces environmental impact, and improves well-being.
For those inspired to begin their own sustainable garden, The Cape’s approach offers a roadmap, showing that by choosing native plants and incorporating design principles that enhance resilience, spaces can become thriving, biodiverse habitats that benefit both people and the planet.
A perfect harmony of native plants!
Use of natural materials
Yellow button daisy providing a burst of colour
Garden art paired with natural materials
Mounds and a variety of native plants come together to create a diverse habitat for thriving wildlife!