SEASIDE SUCCESS STORIES

Across their gardens, the team has used a colourful palette of tough plants that tolerate strong coastal winds, salt spray and heat from the harsh summer sun and nearby hard surfaces. Most are Australian natives, with many endemic to the area.

NATIVE PLANTS

Groundcovers/scramblers giant pigface (Carpobrotus spp.)

wild geranium (Pelargonium australe)

dune fan flower (Scaevola calendulacea)

native violet (Viola hederacea)

hop goodenia (Goodenia ovata)

Clumping and grasses

coastal flax lily (Dianella congesta)

Lomandra longifolia ‘Tanika’ plume grass (Dichelachne crinita)

short-hair plume grass

(Dichelachne micrantha)

weeping grass (Microlaena stipoides)

kangaroo grass (Themeda australis)

Low shrubs (up to 1m)

prickly moses (Acacia ulicifolia)

heath myrtle (Baeckea imbricata)

saltbush (Rhagodia spinescens)

native fuchsia (Correa alba)

Tall shrubs (1–5m)

fringe myrtle (Calytrix tetragona)

flax wattle (Acacia linifolia)

silver banksia (Banksia marginata)

common hop bush

(Dodonaea triquetra)

finger hakea (Hakea dactyloides)

yellow tea-tree

(Leptospermum polygalifolium)

flaky barked tea-tree (Leptospermum trinervium)

prickly-leafed paperbark (Melaleuca nodosa)

dwarf flowering gum

(Corymbia ficifolia ‘Baby Scarlet’) Small trees (5–7m+)

bracelet honeymyrtle

(Melaleuca armillaris)

Sydney green wattle

(Acacia parramattensis)

Sydney golden wattle

(Acacia longifolia) heath banksia (Banksia ericifolia)

OTHER OPTIONS

“We have introduced other diverse plants that add colour and texture. These cottage-style plants are exotic, but they are suitable for the coastal conditions and thrive in this area,” says Ilin. sweet william (Dianthus barbatus) sun rose (Helianthemum spp.)

Italian lavender (Lavandula stoechas)

French lavender (Lavandula dendata)

Indian hawthorn (Rhaphiolepis indica) Rhaphiolepis ‘Apple Blossom’

licorice plant (Helichrysum petiolare) friendship salvia (Salvia ‘Amistad’) ice plant (Delosperma spp.) tree houseleek (Aeonium spp.)

blue chalk sticks (Senecio serpens)

flapjack plant (Kalanchoe luciae)

jade plant (Crassula ovata)

century plant (Agave attenuata) aloe species and hybrids (Aloe spp.)

CLOCKWISE, FROM TOP LEFT

Jade plant and blue chalk sticks; a lush

Salvia ‘Amistad’ at Biddigal Reserve; candelabra aloe

(Aloe arborescens)

and Aeonium velour;

Carissa and Ilin take a little break.

RIGHT, FROM TOP

Costa, Ilin and Carissa admire the plantings at Bondi Beach Park South, which feature Lomandra longifolia, L. ‘Tanika’,

Correa alba, Westringia fruticosa and Rhagodia spinescens; a trailing ice plant (Delosperma sp.) spills over a rock wall, displaying its beautiful mauve flowers; planted to look like a coral reef, this garden features a clever mix of Senecio serpens, Aloe ‘ Venus’,

A. barbadensis, Aeonium velour, Echeveria spp.,

Kalanchoe thyrsifolia, Sedum mexicanum and S. rubrotinctum.