Episode: #2 09/09/2006
Presenter: Trevor

Western Australia's south west corner is considered one of the world's biodiversity hotspots. There are over 12000 unique species many which over a 4 month period explode into incredible flower.

The Roe region of WA is home to many of the most impressive natives.

Following are 10 of Trevor's favourites you could be growing in your own backyard:

Petrophile chrysantha is a stunning compact shrub growing well in sandy soils and incredibly water wise.

Mid west Thrytomene Thryptomene hyporhytis is a beauty. Tiny leaves make it tough during dry conditions but it produces masses of sweet pink flowers in winter and early spring.

Scholtzia parvifolia is another late winter, early spring flowering shrub with cascading foliage. It is tough and very attractive.

Scholtzia diaganda is a more compact plant with masses of flower in late winter early spring and it grows really quickly in the right conditions. Its drought hardy and love hot dry conditions.

Hemiandra pungen Snake bush is great for a ground cover. The snake bush is well known to many people but is maybe not used enough as a groundcover. If you have a small verge that you are sick of mowing and watering then this is a plant that will cover it quickly and look great all year round.

The bird Hakea Hakea orthorrhyndna - for much of the year you wouldn't get too excited about this shrub but come winter and early spring it is home to lots of birds feeding off its red flowers which are borne off old wood.

Eucalyptus caesia sub sp magna Silver princess is a beauty when it comes to small trees. This sub species magna is particularly good for small gardens and one of the showiest forms.

Wickhams grevillea Grevillea wickhamii is a nice groundcover with ornate spider like flowers. It is tough, loving full sun positions and happily growing around other plants in a complimentary manner.

Grevillea armigera is weird and wonderful. The flowers are born in winter and early spring and it is a lovely compact upright shrub to a maximum height of 3 metres. The leaves are pointy so it makes a good security plant as well as a feature in any style of garden.

The rose mallee Eucalyptus rhodantha is a threatened species in its natural habitat. It makes a superb feature as a sprawling tree but eventually grows to 4 metres high. Its flowers are an outstanding feature and attract birds and honey possums.

The Cauliflower Hakea Hakea corymbosa is really quite unusual. It is really tough once established and again provides a terrific source of food and shelter for birds and other fauna.