Some Hardy Plants for the Adelaide Plains

Plants for clay or loam, pH 7.5-8.5
M. Lee – March 2008

* Acacia pycnantha	Golden wattle	4-5m quick growing temporary small tree – group
* Acacia acinacea	Gold dust wattle	1-2m early spring flowering
Acacia iteaphylla	Flinders Range wattle	2-3m screening Weed potential near parks
Acacia longifolia var. sophorae	Coastal wattle	2-3m spreading shrub for screening
Acmena smithii	Lilly pilly	5-12m Tall tree. Glossy foliage. Not near paths.
* Allocasuarina verticillata	Weeping sheoak	5-8m small tree
* Austrodanthonia sp.	Wallaby grass	Low perennial grass. Dies down in summer
Banksia integrifolia	Coast banksia	6-8m tall upright shrub, bird attracting flowers
* Banksia marginata	Silver banksia	2-4m medium shrub. Pinch out tips to shape
Banksia media	Gold flowered banksia	2-4m “ “
* Bursaria spinosa	Christmas bush	2-3m screening shrub. Panicles of summer flowers
Callistemon pollandii		2-3m screen. Red flowers, attractive young foliage
Callistemon “Dawson River Weeper”		2-3m Boundary or screening
Callistemon “Harkness”	Gawler hybrid	3-5m Almost small tree. Prune to shape
* Callistemon rugulosus	Scarlet bottlebrush	2m red & gold flowers. Stiff foliage. Keep pruned
* Callitris preissii	Native pine	Small accent tree. Parrots like seeds.
Correa pulchella	Native fuchsia	1-2m Dappled shade Plant several together
* Dianella revoluta & other Dianella	Flax lily	Dry shade & sun with some watering. Group
Doryanthes excelsa	Gymea lily	Long large leaves. Accent plant
Doryanthes palmeri	Spear lily	2-3m across. Strong accent.
* Enchylaena tomentosa		Great groundcover. Edible berries for birds
Eremophila drummondii		.5m Attractive bright green. Suit edging
Eremophila glabra		Many forms, see literature
Eremophila maculata	Emu bush	.5 to 1m always green, bird attracting flowers
Eremophila weldii		.5m bluish green small leaves for edge, low hedge
Eucalyptus caesia	“Gungurru”	4-6m sparse graceful small tree. Bark, foliage, fl.
* Eucalyptus fasciculosa	Pink gum	5-10m local attractive small gum
Eucalyptus le soueffii	Goldfield’s blackbutt	10-12m tall shapely tree. Lorikeets in February
* Goodenia ovata upright form		.5m Undershrub Dappled shade to sunny position
* Goodenia ovata groundcover form		Groundcover or hanging basket
Grevillea curviloba		.5-1m Dry semi-shade to sun groundcover. Fl spikes
Grevillea thelemanniana forms		Attractive small shrubs. Sunny position. Bird attract.
Hakea “Burrendong Beauty”		3,w x1m h Open position, pink winter flowers
* Hardenbergia violacea	Native lilac	Scrambler.
Hibiscus huegelii syn. Alyogyne huegelii	Hibiscus	Full sun once established Large blue flowers
Hymenosporum flavum	Native frangipani	7-8m verdant green leaves, perfumed flowers
Lomandra longifolia & other sp.	Mat rush	.5m. Strappy leaves – group or lines
Macadamia sp. (grafted)	Macadamia nut	Protect from strong winds. Attractive fol. edible nuts
* Maireana brevifolia	Bluebush	.5-1m Sunny position. Contrasting foliage
Melaleuca huegelii	Chenille honeymyrtle	3-4m. Dappled shade to sun. Prune to shape
Melaleuca pentagona	Pink fl. honeymyrtle	2-3m Open sunny position. Med. compact shrub
Pandorea jasminoides P. pandorana		Semi-shade to full sun. Vigorous green fol. climbers
Philotheca angustifolius	Wax flower	1m perfumed leaves, starry white fl. rounded shrub
* Pittosporum angustifolium	Weeping apricot	Small tree. Open position Plant 2 or 3 together
* Atriplex nummularia	Old man saltbush	1-1.5m shrub. Good hedge. Prune to keep dense.
Templetonia retusa	Cockies tongues	1-2m Sunny position. Upright shrub. Red fl. August
* Themeda australis	Grass to 1m	Attractive seedheads in summer – group

* Local indigenous

Many plants appreciate shade from others or twiggy branches placed around them for the first summer. Gradually wean them off watering during the second year.