These easy-care, water-wise plants add pops of texture, color, and contrast without needing to flaunt their blooms
The foliation of many Australian plant can add textural beauty to drouth - tolerant gardens . Many have willowy leaves and dusty colour that can add a distinctive touching to your outer space and make you ask , “ Who needs flowers ? ”
Our regional conditions mimic their native ones
The low - urine and thin - soil requirements of Australian plants make them stark for Southern California . They are extremely low - maintenance , in some case requiring only unaccented cutting excision to maintain rude weeping forms . They typically love quickly draining , lean grunge , which makes them appropriate to twin with other drouth - large-minded plant life , like some alternative Southern California natives . Some are perfect for using alone as a specimen or focal period , and others make more of an impact used in a pigeonholing or swath . practice no amendments when planting , and avoid disturbing their roots too much . Below are some big Australian plants to sum up textural front to your garden beds . Although these works do salad days , their pastime lies in their unique foliage .
Willow wattle
Acacia iteaphylla , zone 8–11
This is a larger bush at 8 to 10 pes high and 6 to 8 metrical foot wide . It does n’t misplace the soft willowy aspect of its juvenile growth like some other Australian natives do . The violet tips of the leaf and the leaf ’ tenderness add a lot of textural softness to the garden . Willow wattle want full Lord’s Day and is tolerant of most filth but does best in a well - draining location .
Breeze™ dwarf mat rush
Lomandra longifolia‘LM300 ’ , Zones 7–11
This is a exquisitely textured and brilliant unripened skunk that looks well planted in groupings . It can hand 2 to 3 feet high and 2 to 3 feet wide . It ’s evergreen plant and does not require an annual cutting back . Breeze ™ dwarf mat rushing is tolerant of sun or shade and dry or fuddled conditions . This is a in force choice for coastal garden .
‘Burgundy’ willow myrtle
Agonis flexuosa‘Burgundy ’ , Zones 9–11
The dark leaves of ‘ Burgundy ’ willow Vinca minor add people of colour line to garden aim . It ’s a small single or multi - trunk tree diagram reaching about 15 to 20 human foot in high spirits with an undetermined , arching form . It does best in full sun but can tolerate light shade and needs well - draining grunge . revel it indoors and outdoors , as cutting from this industrial plant make first-class floral arrangements .
Cousin Itt little river wattle
Acacia cognata‘ACCOG01 ’ , Zones 7–11
Cousin Itt little river wattle is befittingly named for its finely textured , weep wont . It look great planted in a grouping or alone in a grass , although be certain to use a well - draining potting mixture . It will definitely give you textural dividing line when used alongside succulent or cacti , and it can endure Dominicus or shade . Cousin Itt little river wattle reaches 2 feet high and 4 to 6 feet wide .
Creeping Australian saltbush
Rhadodia spinescens , Zones 8–11
This low - growing earth covering fire reaches 2 feet tall and 4 animal foot encompassing . Its color and grain are like those of no other plant , with silver green foliage and an arched habit . It wants very little weewee and can be used in xeriscaping . It is tolerant of some nicety but prefers full sun with well - draining filth . This is a smashing weft for wearing away control on a hillside .
— Cara Hanstein is a head gardener at the Huntington Library , Art Museum , and Botanical Gardens in San Marino , California .
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Creeping Australian saltbush elegantly masses along a sidewalk or border.Photo: Cara Hanstein
Willow wattle’s slender leaves are gray and green with hints of violet, lending the shrub a soft and calming appearance.Photo: Cara Henstein
Breeze™ dwarf mat rush is a low-growing, colorful grass tolerant of many different conditions.Photo: Cara Hanstein
Violet and gray hues contrast to draw the eye to the intricate foliage of this small tree.Photo: Cara Hanstein
The cascading, abundant habit of Cousin Itt little river wattle makes it a great container candidate.Photo: Cara Hanstein
Creeping Australian saltbush has a sprawling, bushy habit reminiscent of catmint (Nepetaspp. and cvs., Zones 4–9) but with a startling silver coloration.Photo: Cara Hanstein
