Episode: #2 09/09/2006
Presenter: Neville Passmore

Have you ever admired the Australia's wildflowers but are of the belief you cannot grow them in your garden? Well believe it or not you can and it's not hard.

The south western corner of Australia is recognized world wide for its amazing and unique wildflowers. There are so many unique species that are not found anywhere else in the world and most of them will grow in many places across Australia.

If you are in the west then the Kings Park Botanical Gardens are a great event to visit. They not only showcases many of the suitable species for Aussie gardens many that you can buy but it is also a good place for expert advice.

The key to success in growing wildflowers is making sure the drainage is perfect. Start with the soil first. The staff at Kings Park start their new gardens off with a truck load of clean sand. No extras needed, just nice clean sand and in poor drainage areas make sure you add lots of it raising the garden bed high off ground level.

The next step is simply to plant into it. There is no soil improvement required. Starting your plants off as plugs or tube-stock is important too. If they are in too big a pot they may become root-bound or just not have the vigor to adapt to their new garden environment.

The varieties you choose are up to you and getting advice from a specialist native plant nursery is always a good idea. Remember try to position the larger growing forms back from the path allowing smaller plants to take prominent displays forward.

You can plant randomly as you would find in a natural setting or if you are looking for a more modern design mass plant in a more formal arrangement.

Mulching is a good idea and the team at Kings Park use wood chips and green waste. Pile it high but not against plants stems or else you could encourage disease to set in.

Green waste can be a source of disease introduction so it is a good idea to ask your supplier where yours has come from. If its street tree prunings it is hard to go wrong. Councils often supply these free of charge as do some commercial contractors. Its worth investigating before you buy.

KingsPark Botanical Garden
Fraser Avenue, West Perth , 6005
TEL: (61 8) 9480 3600

http://www.bgpa.wa.gov.au/home/index.html
enquiries@bgpa.wa.gov.au