As our cities continue to grow and expand, so too does our impact on the ecosystem and surrounding wildlife. Incorporating native plants into our sprawling urban landscape becomes increasingly important to mitigate our impact on the environment as well as assisting the preservation of local flora and fauna in our beautiful city. Stunning in their own right, native flora are relatively low maintenance and provide food and shelter for our local wildlife. They play a crucial role in maintaining a healthy and balanced ecosystem and offer numerous benefits for both the environment and those that live there.

 

Adapted to the local climate, native plants generally require less upkeep compared to exotic species. They are designed by nature to grow in Brisbane’s specific conditions, which means less watering, less pruning, and less overall maintenance. Using native plants in a garden does necessarily mean creating a bushland garden. Native plants can be appreciated in any style of garden and with greater knowledge of the incredible diversity of native plants, comes great diversity of options for them in our gardens.

 

These plants help offset pollution, create shade, regulate local temperatures, and attract local wildlife, especially Brisbane’s beautiful birds. By growing native plants from our local area, a food source for these local species is created. Native plants from other parts of the country may also be providing food for wildlife but it’s not always be the best fit for the local species, so it’s always a good idea if wildlife is your main reason for growing natives, to include as many local plants as possible.

 

Brisbane city council offers a free native plants program in which local residents can apply for two free native plants species per year. These native plants are suitable for all garden types and sizes. Each plant adds to our city's urban forest, supports Brisbane’s unique wildlife, and makes the city cleaner, greener and more sustainable.

 

For more information on the program please visit: https://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/clean-and-green/green-home-and-community/sustainable-gardening/free-native-plants-program

 

For a list of all eligible plant species and their specifics please visit:

 

https://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/clean-and-green/green-home-and-community/sustainable-gardening/free-native-plants-program/participating-nurseries/native-plant-species-for-residents

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Caleb Hockings, 2024