Gardens in Perth have a lot of plant life, but some grow better and look healthier than others. If you want your garden to be attractive, it is best to have healthy-looking plants with bright and beautiful colors. This article will help you decide where to plant certain plants so that they would thrive in the region.
When to Plant?
Perth sees different seasons throughout the year, each season with its own set of advantages when it comes to planting different types of plants. Like many other parts of Australia, Perth enjoys a warm climate with an average temperature of around 24 degrees Celsius. Summer is the best time for planting it in your garden as the soil is warm and moist, while winter months are best suited to growing indoor plants such as herbs.
Following are the best plants that grow best in a garden in Perth:
1. Eutaxia Parvifolia
The Eutaxia parvifolia, commonly known as the small leaf eutaxia, is a shrub-like plant that grows to about three feet high. It does not require a lot of maintenance and thrives in all kinds of soils, including sandy, loamy and clayey soil, although it grows best in sandy soils. This plant has fragrant white flowers, is resistant to pests, and requires little watering.
2. Ipomoea Quamoclit
The Ipomoea Quamoclit, also known as Cyprus Wine, is a flowering plant that grows up to three feet tall. Although it grows best in moist soil, when grown in sandy or rocky soil, it will still produce flower heads as long as it receives enough water throughout the growing season.
3. Melastoma Malabthricum
Melastoma Malabthricum, commonly known as “Blue Tongue,” is a native to Japan, Indomalaya, and was first introduced into Australia in the early 1850s. It was then recorded as “growing freely” in Perth in 1873. The plant is a member of the Melastomataceae family of plants.
The plant requires good drainage and does not like to be waterlogged. It prefers an area that receives some protection from strong winds for best results and will grow year-round if kept moist, although it will lose its leaves during the winter months.
4. Chamelaucium
Chamelaucium is a genus of flowering plants in the family Rutaceae, with about 70 species. These are evergreen shrubs and trees native to Australia, with some species also found in New Guinea and Indonesia. Common names include waxflower, waxplant, or waxvine. They are characterized by their flowers, which are white, cream, or yellowish with a distinctive waxy coating on the outside of the petals.
It does require some maintenance but only needs to be trimmed occasionally. It will flower for about four months, starting from mid-summer until early winter in Australia. This is one of the only plants that will flower at this time of year, so it’s perfect for filling large gaps in your garden where nothing else is flowering at that time.
5. Banksia Menziesii
The Banksia Menziesii is very beautiful and grows with grace. It has red, orange, gold, and yellow flowers that bloom from September to November. The bark on it is smooth and light brown in color. It has woody stems which are angular shaped.
If you want to plant Banksia menziesii, you must first make sure that the place where you want to plant it will be warm all year round. In summers, the temperature should be around 18°C, and in winter, it should be around 10°C. You should also make sure that there is adequate sunlight throughout the day so that the plant can grow well.
Once you have a place ready for planting, start cutting out small portions of soil from your garden or backyard so that it can accommodate your plants’ roots well. If your soil is hard, make sure that you loosen it up before planting.
6. Callistemon Citrinus
The Callistemon Citrinus, also known as red bottlebrush, makes an excellent feature plant in any garden or courtyard and can be trained into a hedge. This plant is quite versatile and can withstand most conditions except for very wet areas. It prefers to be grown in full sun but will tolerate some light shade. Although this plant can grow quite large if left unpruned, it generally stays small due to its bushy nature. The Callistemon citrinus is an ideal plant for those with limited space but still want to add some color to their garden; it only grows up to 4m high and spreads up to 3m wide.
The best time to plant is during the summer months, from August through September, when the soil is warm. The Callistemon citrinus can tolerate a wide range of soil types but prefers well-drained soil. It also needs lots of sunlight and does not need much water once established.
7. Chorizema Cordatum
Chorizema cordatum, commonly known as the Heart-Leaf Flame Pea, is a plant that can be found in the woodland and forest areas of Australia. It is one of the few native species that can be grown in your own home garden, and it will more than likely prove to be an excellent addition to your collection of plants, particularly if you are an enthusiast for native Australian flora.
The native habitat for the chorizema cordatum is humid, cool, and well-watered. This creates a very high level of humidity in the air, which is why this plant cannot thrive outside in Perth’s arid climate. However, it can flourish inside your living room, provided you replicate the natural conditions of its natural habitat as closely as possible using careful gardening techniques.
8. Boronia Megastigma
Boronia megastigma is a perennial plant native to the state of Western Australia. It is also known as the red spider flower and is a member of the plant family Rutaceae. It is one of the best plants for attracting birds to your garden because of its bright pink flowers.
Boronia megastigma is best planted in acidic soil that has been enriched with organic matter such as well-rotted manure or compost. The plant prefers a position in a sunny or lightly shaded area of the garden. It can tolerate frosts below -5 degrees Celsius, though severe frosts will damage the flowers. Therefore, the plant should be well-protected from this by applying mulch or using other methods, such as horticultural fleece.
9. Wahlenbergia Communis
Wahlenbergia Communis, commonly known as tufted bluebell, is an excellent choice if you are looking for a low-maintenance, easy-to-grow garden plant for Perth conditions. It is very adaptable to changeable weather conditions and will reward you with a long period of growth.
Most importantly, this plant does not require constant watering as some other garden plants might need; thus, it makes an excellent addition to any garden in Perth that might not have much water available for landscape plants.
10. Gastrolobium Celsianum
Gastrolobium Celsianum is a beautiful flowering plant, also known Swan River Pea. This plant belongs to the pea family Fabaceae and grows naturally in Australia’s temperate and subtropical regions.
The ideal conditions for growing this plant are warm, sunny areas with plenty of water. It thrives best in sandy or loamy soil that is not overly rich, but it can also tolerate heavy clay soil if it is well-drained. If you live in an area where winter is mild, you may be able to grow your Gastrolobium Celsianum outside as a perennial.
This plant is not typically affected by pests or diseases, which makes it a popular choice for gardeners who want an easy to maintain and care plant.
Conclusion
Many plants that are native to Western Australia are not necessarily the best candidates for growing in your garden. That being said, a few have managed to thrive in the harsher climates, especially during the winter and spring seasons.
These are plants that are grown from seeds, and they tend to have stronger root systems than their corresponding seeding counterparts. We have mentioned some of the best ones for you to choose from.