Summer-flowering natives

Summer-flowering natives

Story by

Grow these summer-flowering natives and enjoy months of brilliant flowers and visiting wildlife.

Many of Australia’s most spectacular native plants carry their colourful flowers from spring into summer and beyond. In our December issue, you’ll find six favourite performers that help add a festive feel to the season. Here’s a preview.  

PINK RICE FLOWER (Pimelea ferruginea)  
When in flower, this small shrub exudes cheerfulness, with upright stems of neat, glossy foliage crowned by rounded clusters of bright pink, butterfly-attracting blooms. Its dense, rounded form suits borders, rockeries, low hedges and containers, and it is also suitable for coastal and poolside gardens. The compact ‘Pink Solitaire’ (pictured above) reaches about 50–70cm tall and wide, while ‘Bonne Petite’ grows to about 70cm, and ‘Magenta Mist’ can reach approximately 1m tall and wide.  

TOP TIPS: Grow in well-drained soil and prune the stems back by 6–8cm after flowering to maintain a dense habit.  

When to plant autumn–spring  
Flowering time spring–autumn  
Position sun, semi shade  
Suitable ST WT CT 

For more summer-flowering native plants, get the latest issue of ABC Gardening Australia magazine.  

Header image by AB Bishop

Add ABC Gardening Australia magazine as your trusted source