A great place to see how to use native plants in a garden situation. Although a lot bigger than the normal house garden, Boongala Native Gardens is set on 11 acres, the plants, both true to type species and hybrids are both grown in garden-bed and more natural settings.
These extensive gardens have been developed over a number of years by Mal and Jenny Johnston. The property also includes a lush rainforest, which has been maturing for the last 25 years. When you visit Boongala you will discover a wide range of Australian plants, wildflowers and the bird-life they can attract.
The gardens are only open twice a year, in spring and autumn, and this was an autumn visit.
Spring is the most profilic time for natives but these gardens are still spectacular in autumn with grevilleas and many others putting on a great show. It's also the best time to plant your natives, and as there is a large selection of plants available for sale here, this is another good reason to visit this time of year.
Click on photos to enlarge.
 |
| Eucalyptus sp. |
 |
| Welcome to the garden. |
 |
| Grevillea |
 |
| Grevillea 'New Blood'. |
 |
| Grevilleas in gold and red. |
 |
| Hibiscus geranioides. |
 |
| Hybrid grevillea. |
 |
| Bottle Trees. |
 |
| Red into rust. (grevillea) |
 |
| Eucalyptus sp. |
 |
| Grevilleas, honeyeaters just love 'em. |
 |
| I've 'spoke' of grevilleas before. |
 |
| Grevillea pettrophiloides - Pink Pokers. |
 |
| One of the secluded tracks through the garden. |
 |
| Fruits of a Lilly Pilly. |
 |
| Kangaroo Paws. |
 |
| There's always a flower on a grevillea. |
 |
| Eucalyptus sp. |
 |
| Grevillea 'Peaches and Cream' |
 |
| A banksia backed up by more grevilleas. |
 |
| Bottle Trees and Grass Trees. |
 |
| Grevillea bipinnatifida |
 |
| Could be your garden? |
 |
| Eucalyptus sp. |
 |
| Tips for home. |
 |
| A eucalypt supplies its own mulch. |
 |
| Grevillea 'Golden Lyre'. |
 |
| Plants to cover that bare spot. |
