Why Aussie gardeners should consider plant with 'cult following' for their yard
It's that time of year when a trip to Bunnings or your local nursery becomes a weekend priority.
Spring has well and truly sprung. It's the time of year many Aussies turn to maintaining, and if they're lucky, improving their gardens.
There is a seemingly endless number of native and non-native plants you can choose for your garden. And while authorities like Landcare Australia like to advocate for local species, some imported plants are apparently proving popular this season.
Sharing a photo of a "double scoop" Echinacea plant this week, one Sydney nursery said these little babies have a devoted fanbase.
"These quirky plants have a cult following," it said.
"People who buy them are usually dressed differently, they might have purple hair or orange. Glasses to match often," they posted in a tongue-in-cheek note to customers.
"Echinacea are super hardy perennial plants that flower through summer and autumn. You cut them off at almost ground level, in early spring, then they sprout fresh new growth and come back to life.
"The flowers are spectacular and they can be cut for vases. These double flowering varieties have these spiky cones like a hedge hog," the post by Tim' s Garden Centre in Campbelltown read.
Speaking to Yahoo News Australia, Jarryd Kelly, Curator Manager for the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, said there are plenty of reasons to plant these in your garden.
Apart from looking great at this time of year, the flowers attract pollinators, bees and beneficial insects to the garden. "People often put them in their garden for that specific reason," he said. "They are used quite heavily to attract pollinators."
Despite not originating here, they're well suited to much of Australia's climate. "They are very adaptable so they grow in a range of climate conditions and soil conditions as well," Jarryd told Yahoo. "Once they’re established, they’re pretty drought hardy so they don't require much water ... and they will tolerate frosts."
Aussies delighted by 'amazing' and rarely seen plant species
Aussies flock to see flower 'phenomenon' witnessed once every 10 years
The flowers have a reputation for having beneficial health properties as well, likely contributing to their "cult following".
"They're used medicinally in a lot of different things," Jarryd said. "They’re rich in anti oxidants."
Aussies urged to plant 'extremely rare' eucalyptus, nest boxes for wildlife
If natives are more your thing, one expert is urging Aussies to plant the "fascinating" eucalyptus sinuosa in their garden if they can. Its vibrant green flowers and long, winding tentacle-like bud caps make it the perfect backyard ornament, according to Malcolm French who has studied the genus for over 40 years.
"Some of the country where they grow has since been cleared," he told Yahoo News this month, with only about 500 known to exist in the wild, mostly in the Fitzgerald River National Park in WA.
But for those across the country who are keen to attract wildlife but don't necessarily have the garden space, homeowners are urged to install nesting boxes for birds and other native species as land clearing and the impact of climate change make much needed tree hollows harder to come by.
Some 300 Australian species rely on tree hollows – but humans are increasingly needed to provide the vital habitat in their own garden spaces, with some Aussies sharing their success stories with Yahoo News this week.
Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? 🐊🦘😳 Get our new newsletter showcasing the week’s best stories.
