Council is here to support you every step of the way. Through Grow Our Green Spaces, you’ll have access to:

• Free seasonal native plant giveaways
• Workshops and events with expert guidance on species selection, planting, and maintenance
• Resources and tools to help you choose the right plant for your space
• Community storytelling and competitions to share your progress and inspire others

Whether you're a beginner or a green thumb, we’ll help you find the right plants, plant them in the right place, and care for them into the future.

Planting the right species in the right location is one of the most important things you can do to ensure your plants thrive—and to create a garden that’s low-maintenance, waterwise, and supports local biodiversity.

Whether you have a garden bed, courtyard, or balcony pot, this guide will help you select the best native plants for your space.

Consider Sunlight & Shade

Understanding how much light your space gets is key to choosing the right plant.

Different native plants have different light needs, and planting them in the wrong conditions can lead to poor growth, stress, or even plant death. Before choosing your plants, observe how much direct sunlight your space receives each day—this will help you find the perfect match.

• Full Sun (6+ hours of direct sunlight/day)
• Part Shade (2–4 hours of sun or filtered light/day)
• Full Shade (<2 hours of direct sun/day)

Not Sure? Map Your Light

Spend a day observing your garden or balcony and take note of:

• How many hours of direct sun it gets
• When the sun hits the space (morning vs. afternoon)
• Any structures or trees casting shadows

This will help you make informed decisions and select plants that are naturally suited to your unique space—resulting in a healthier, more beautiful garden with less maintenance.

🪨 Understand Your Soil

Soil is the foundation of every healthy garden. Understanding your soil type will help you choose plants that are most likely to thrive in your space.

• Clay soils are often heavy and slow to drain. Improve clay soil by incorporating gypsum and compost to break it up and enhance drainage.
• Sandy soils are light and drain quickly, but they often lack nutrients. Improve water retention with compost or organic mulch.
• Loamy soils are ideal - well-balanced in drainage and nutrients - and suit most native species.

💡 Simple test: Grab a handful of moist soil and squeeze it. If it clumps and stays together, you likely have clay. If it falls apart or feels gritty, it's sandy.

For balconies or pots, always use a native-specific potting mix to support root health and reduce the risk of overwatering.

💧 Be Water-Wise

Native plants are naturally adapted to local rainfall and often require minimal watering once established. This makes them an excellent choice for drought-prone areas or gardeners looking to reduce water use.

To help your plants thrive with less water:

• Mulch generously: A thick layer of mulch helps retain moisture, suppress weeds, and improve soil health.
• Group plants by water need: Place low-water plants together to avoid overwatering.
• Water deeply, not frequently: This encourages deeper root systems and greater drought resilience.
• Choose local species: Plants native to your region are more likely to thrive without extra irrigation.

By going water-wise with natives, you're not only saving water, you're creating a more climate-resilient garden.

Native plants are species that naturally occur in our region and have evolved to suit local soil, rainfall, and climate conditions. They require less water, fertiliser, and maintenance than exotic species, and are more resistant to pests and diseases.

Most importantly, native plants play a vital role in supporting biodiversity. They provide food, shelter, and nesting materials for native birds, bees, butterflies, and other wildlife. By planting natives, you’re helping rebuild habitat in urban areas and creating a healthier, more balanced ecosystem, right in your own backyard.

Whether you have a garden, balcony, or shared green space, choosing natives helps green your home and protect the bushland beyond.

Download the Grow Our Green Spaces Native Planting Guidebook for a list of local species recommendations, practical tips to understand your space, and step-by-step planting and care advice.