My water wise favourites

Stef Garland

Stef is a founding member of Midcoast Growers Network, a keen gardener, and great photographer. 

​The recent drought and severe water restrictions in the Mid Coast region brought home to us gardeners the importance of selecting plants that are water wise. Here are just a few of my favourite perennial plants that while being drought and heat tolerant don’t become escapees to the bush, and provide much welcome colour and contrast throughout the year.

​Eremophila varieties (also know as Emu bushes), which originate from the arid regions of Australia, do surprisingly well even in our heavy soils here in the Gloucester region. I love the cultivar Eremophila nivea blue velvet for it’s silver foliage and lavender coloured flowers. 

​Leucadendron varieties (also known as Conebushes) are from South Africa, and along with other members of the Protea family complement the less showy water wise plants with their vibrant colours. The cultivar, Leucadendron salignum x laureolum ‘Amy’ is a tried and true favourite of mine, but there are many stunning varieties to choose from.

​Ornamental Salvia varieties are amongst the easiest perennial plants to grow and they feature throughout my garden. Salvia microphylla ‘Hot Lips’ flowers outside my dining room window all year round. Bees and small birds are constant visitors!

The Long-leaf Waxflower, Philotheca myoporoides, a native to south eastern Australia, is also on my list of favourites. While only flowering in winter and spring, it has a spectacular display of pink buds and starry white flowers and the leaves have a lovely fragrance.

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