Winter winners

Australia’s native flora is rich in winter-flowering plants, and including a few in your garden provides interesting textures, long-lasting cut flowers and a valuable food source for wildlife. In many areas, insects remain active during these months, while birds are always on the hunt for nectar, making these plants a magnet for visitors. Many native species also bring strong structure to the garden: think about growing some of the lesser-known varieties and forms that add individuality. There’s a winter bloomer for everyone, wherever you live!
Just one we love is pictured above:

Common heath (E. impressa), pictured
Shrub 30cm-2m. From Vic, Tas, SA and NSW.
Suitable: warm temperate and cold temperate.

Common heath is Victoria’s floral emblem. It’s from the genus Epacris (family name Ericaceae), and there are 40 species found in Queensland, NSW, ACT, Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia. Epacris are small, heath-like shrubs that flower from autumn to spring, providing nectar for insects and birds. They prefer a cool, sheltered position and well-drained, acidic soil. Suitable for pots, they’re available from indigenous plant nurseries.

Inspired? Here’s another, the aniseed boronia, which gets its name from its highly aromatic leaves. Read about these, and 20+ winter-flowering natives, including species that are found across most states and territories, spanning a wide range of habitats and climates, in our June issue, out now.

Photos: Alamy, iStock