Western Australia has its own unique climate, and with that comes its own set of challenges - particularly when it comes to creating a beautiful garden.
Plants suited to our climate need less water and are low maintenance - many of which make for a beautiful feature in any garden.
In WA, we’re fortunate to be home to thousands of native plant species. Known for their natural beauty, these plants are as suited to our climate as they are stunning.
Need inspiration to incorporate native plants into your garden? Look no further, our guide has everything you need, from A-Z.
Ashby’s Banksia grows between four and six metres high with long, deeply toothed leaves and bright orange, bird attracting flowers in winter. While the plant needs very little water, it does need full sun to flower.
The Blue Lechenaultia sits at about 60cm high and across. The plant grows very small, blue-green leaves and large, vibrant blue flowers from mid-winter to spring.
The Cockies Tongue is an evergreen shrub that normally grows in a rounded shape to around 2.5 metres high and wide. The bright yellow-red pea flowers grown in winter and spring and are contrasted against the green thick leaves.
The Dampiera is a fast-growing, sprawling ornamental shrub, found throughout southern regions of Western Australia. Featuring thin silver-grey leaves and dark blue flowers appearing from mid-winter to spring.
An Esperance Wax boasts fine bright green foliage which flowers in spring to early summer. The plant produces cream flowers upon blooming before they turn a deeper red.
The False Baeckea is an easy-growing plant and makes for a beautiful addition to any waterwise garden. The low spreading shrub is covered with white flowers with a touch of pink, which flower almost year-round.
Sometimes referred to as the Green Prostrate Grevillea, this fast-growing shrub can grow to be two metres high and four metres wide. In spring, this plant is adorned with clusters of white and light pink flowers that are highly attractive to local birdlife.
The Hood Leaved Hakea is a slender, evergreen, upright shrub with few branches. The leaves are formally arranged along the branches and clasp the stem forming a cup. In spring this cup is filled with clusters of pink, bird attracting flowers.
Commonly referred to as Red Capped Gum, this highly ornamental, evergreen tree boasts dense leaves and beautiful bright red and yellow flowers that attract birdlife.
Also referred to as Willow Myrtle, this tree is known for its bold, burgundy foliage. Growing up to six metres tall, it makes for a lovely contrast with other waterwise plants in gardens.
The Kings Park Special large, evergreen shrub grows to 8 metres high and produces red bottlebrush flowers during spring. The bright red flower heads make the perfect attraction for birdlife.
Also known as a Weeping Paperbark and towering at over 20 metres tall, you can recognise this tree by its classic paperbark trunk, weeping branches and dense mid to dark green foliage. Established long-leaved paperbark trees can be found along watercourses in parts of the Pilbara and Perth region.
The Magnificent Mint Bush is an evergreen, spreading shrub found between Geraldton and Kalgoorlie. The upright stems carry small, dark green leaves and large, showy flowers from late winter to late spring.
The Native Foxglove offers a stunning contrast between the dense, grey-green felty foliage and vibrant pink-purple bell flowers. From late winter through to spring and early summer, you will find these beautiful blooms growing around Morawa.
A hardy shrub, the Olive Grevillea has olive shaped leaves in a variety of shades of green. From late winter to summer, red flowers are produced on older wood. While it’s rare to see this plant in the wild, they are freely available for gardeners in red, pink, yellow and orange.
Pink Pokers are found along the Murchison River region. The pink flowers can sprout at any time of year but more commonly in spring. The most common flower colour is pink but white and cream forms have been recorded.
The Quandong is an edible tree is found across most of Western Australia. It produces bright red fruits which are high in vitamin C and can be used to make scrumptious jams and sauces.
The Robin Redbreast Bush flowers year-round, producing bright scarlet spikes which are loved by local birdlife. The flowers provide a stunning contrast against the bright green, expansive foliage.
Spiked Eremophila is a slender, upright shrub that grows to three metres with erect branches carrying small formally arranged, grey-green leaves. Pink-mauve, tubular flowers are produced on the newer growth, mainly in late spring and occasionally at other times of year. Prefers full sun. Tip prune regularly to encourage branching.
The Tallerack is an ornamental shrub, can grow to three metres high and wide. The thick, blue-green leaves are formally arranged along silver winged stems. The silver-white flower buds open to reveal pale yellow flowers in summer followed by silver-white woody fruits
The Kangaroo Paw, Geraldton Wax and many more plants, form part of the Uncinatum species. These iconic Western Australian plants can bring beauty and balance to any garden.
A Velvet Star is an attractive shrub with velvety, bright green foliage and white flowers with dark pink markings in the centre. You will find these beauties thriving along the south coast of Western Australia.
The Woolly Bush is a fast-growing shrub with fine, densely packed suitable for use as a hedge. New growth is tinged with orange, later producing tiny, red flowers which are very attractive to birds.
Commonly known as the Grasstree, this iconic West Australian plant is instantly recognisable due to the long green spires and rugged trunk. This is a slow growing plant mostly transplanted into gardens and are highly drought and bushfire tolerant.
From the Myrtle family, the Yellow Featherflower is a slow growing shrub is covered with golden yellow flowers. The flowers are fluffy and feathery in texture which can change to a reddish colour as they age.
The Zig Zag Wattle is found inland of south west WA. They get their name from the zig zag branch shape which makes it an attractive option as a cut flower.
Plants suited to our climate need less water, are low maintenance and will look great in your garden. Use our waterwise plant directory to find native, waterwise plants that will grow best where you live.
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