Hardy Performers for Queensland's Native Gardens
From coastal wind to summer heat, these natives are bred to thrive. If you want bold texture, low fuss and local flair - this is your line-up.
Perfect for low-maintenance gardens, wildlife zones and architectural planting in full sun.
Queensland’s climate demands plants that can handle heat, humidity and coastal exposure without constant pampering. These native selections are bred locally and proven to perform in Queensland conditions. They offer bold form, seasonal interest and habitat value with minimal upkeep.
Why these natives thrive in Queensland
Climate resilience
- Heat tolerance: Built to handle long summers and dry spells
- Humidity smart: No mildew or sulking in sticky conditions
- Coastal tough: Wind and salt-tolerant for exposed sites
Design-ready structure
- Architectural form: Upright, weeping, and sculptural shapes
- Seasonal interest: Flowers, fruit, and foliage shifts
- Wildlife value: Nectar, shelter, and pollinator support
The native line-up we love for Queensland gardens
| Plant | Form & texture | Best uses | Design pairing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brachychiton rupestris Queensland Bottle Tree |
Sculptural swollen trunk, open canopy | Statement specimen, driveway avenue | Anchor with low mounding Dianella or Eremophila |
| Waterhousia floribunda ‘Warners’ | Weeping, dense glossy canopy | Screening, formal driveways, shade | Underplant with Lomandra ‘Blooming Blue’ for neat contrast |
| Randia fitzalanii 'Native Gardenia' |
Compact evergreen, glossy leaves, fragrant flowers | Patio focal, small‑scale screening | Surround with Dianella ‘Silverado’ for foliage drama |
| Backhousia citrodora 'Lemon Scented Myrtle' |
Dense evergreen, aromatic foliage | Hedges, privacy screens, sensory gardens | Edge with Chrysocephalum ‘Aussie Reflection’ for silver contrast |
| Dianella caerulea ‘Silverado’ | Strappy, silver‑blue clumps | Borders, mass planting, under trees | Use as a base layer beneath Waterhousia or Brachychiton |
| Chrysocephalum apiculatum ‘Aussie Reflection’ |
Soft silver foliage, low button flowers | Edging, coastal borders, low groundcover | Pair with Cinnamon Myrtle or Callistemon for texture contrast |
| Eremophila glabra prostrate ‘Blue Horizon’ |
Low, silvery‑blue matting habit | Rockeries, low borders, erosion control | Combine with Lomandra and Dianella for layered silvery tones |
| Lomandra confertifolia rubiginosa ‘Blooming Blue’ |
Fine blue‑green strappy clumps | Masses, borders, understorey structure | Mix with Banksia or Leucadendron for structural contrast |
| Banksia ericifolia ‘Red Rover’ | Dense shrub, bold red flower spikes | Wildlife garden, colour focal points | Plant near Lomandra or Dianella to highlight flowers |
| Leucadendron salignum ‘Cheeky’ (Native to Africa, bred for Aussie weather) | Compact, colourful bracts and upright habit | Mixed native beds, cut flower use | Contrast with silvery Eremophila or Chrysocephalum |
| Callistemon ‘Little John’ | Dwarf bottlebrush, tidy dense habit | Low hedge, native beds, formal edging | Pair with silvery underplanting for striking contrast |
Use bold forms as anchors, then layer with grasses and silvery tones for depth.
Native care FAQ
What should I fertilise my natives with?
Use a low‑phosphorus native blend designed for Australian plants. A product like Searles Native Mix is a good example - it supplies slow‑release nitrogen, potassium and trace elements while keeping phosphorus low to protect native root‑associations. Apply at planting (following packet rates) then top up once or twice a year in spring and late summer. Always water in after application and avoid heavy phosphate fertilisers.
When should I prune my natives?
Light pruning can be done year‑round to shape and remove dead wood. Major pruning or formative cuts are best done after flowering so you don’t remove next season’s buds. For hedging and screening plants, a mid‑season tidy (late spring or early summer) and a light trim in autumn keeps plants dense. Always use clean, sharp tools and remove no more than a third of live growth in a single cut for most natives.
When do natives flower in Queensland?
Flowering times vary by species, but many Queensland natives flower across multiple seasons. For example, Banksias and Callistemons often flower in winter–spring, Backhousia and Randia tend to flower in spring–summer, and some Eremophila and Dianella produce blooms through spring and summer. Check each species for exact timing and plan plant combinations to stagger blossom for year‑round interest.
What will attract the birds?
Birds are drawn to nectar, fruit and shelter. Plant nectar‑rich species (Banksia, Callistemon, Grevillea), fruiting natives (Waterhousia, Randia) and dense shrubs or trees for roosting and nesting (Backhousia, Waterhousia). Include layered planting — canopy trees, midstorey shrubs and lower groundcover - and avoid routine pesticide use to keep insect food sources intact.
