Pollinators like bees, butterflies, and birds are essential to our environment. Species like the introduced European honey bee, native blue-banded bees, and birds like the honeyeater are particularly important for pollination in Australia. They help plants reproduce, which is key to maintaining healthy ecosystems. But did you know you can support them right from your own garden? By planting native Australian plants, you’re not only attracting these buzzing and fluttering friends, but you’re also providing them with a vital food source.
Supporting pollinators is as simple as choosing the right plants. Not only will these plants attract beneficial insects and birds, but you’ll also enjoy watching your garden thrive with buzzing and fluttering activity. It’s a win-win! Native Australian plants are not only suited to local pollinators but also help create a more sustainable, vibrant garden.
Here are 8 native plants that will bring your garden to life while supporting local pollinators:
Yellow Buttercups (Hibbertia hypericoides)
These cheerful little flowers are a real hit with pollinators. The bright yellow blooms seem to pop out of nowhere, and their simple yet stunning beauty adds a burst of sunshine to your garden. Bees and other insects love them, making them a great addition to any pollinator-friendly garden.
Tar Bush (Eremophila glabra)
This is a compact, low-growing groundcover with deep green leaves and striking orange flowers. Not only does it provide a contrast of colour in your garden, but it’s also great for pollinators like bees and butterflies. It’s a tough little plant too! Perfect for Aussie gardens.
Weeping Bottlebrush (Callistemon viminalis)
This is a plant you’ve probably seen along roadsides and in parks—the Weeping Bottlebrush. It’s a favourite of Perth bees, thanks to its long, striking red flowers that resemble brushes. You can grow it as a tree or large shrub, and it’s not only eye-catching but also low maintenance, making it a perfect addition to any garden.
Native Wisteria (Hardenbergia comptoniana)
If you love a vine that flowers with dramatic colourful clusters, this is your plant. Native Wisteria is perfect for creating a splash of colour and providing nectar for bees and butterflies. It’s great for climbing trellises, fences, or even hanging over a pergola.
Grevillea ‘Gingin Gem’
A dense groundcover cultivar of Grevillea, Gingin Gem is known for its stunning, vibrant red and cream spider-like flowers. It’s a fantastic choice for attracting a wide variety of pollinators, including bees and small birds. Compact and loaded with nectar-rich blooms, it makes a lovely border plant. Additionally, it’s an excellent weed suppressant.
Firewood Banksia (Banksia menziesii)
This species of the iconic Banksia is known for its striking cylindrical flower spikes, which range in colour from red to orange and sometimes yellow. As the flowers open, they take on a distinct acorn-like shape. The Firewood Banksia is a hardy, drought-resistant plant, ideal for those looking to add texture and interest to their garden. It can be grown as a tree or large shrub.
Chenille Honey Myrtle (Melaleuca huegelii)
This shrub features small, scale-like green leaves and lovely white, bottlebrush-like flowers that bees and birds can’t resist. It’s fine foliage and striking blooms make it an excellent choice for adding texture and variety to the garden.
Prickly Moses (Acacia pulchella)
This small, sprawling shrub produces masses of bright yellow, round, fluffy blooms that attract bees and other native pollinators. It makes an attractive addition to native gardens, and its slightly spiky branches mean it’s best planted where contact is limited – or it can even be used as a natural barrier.
