As we have such severe drought restrictions across the country, what are the best plants to grow in Queensland

Question

I am wanting to find plants that will be resilient yet hopefully ones that will bloom fragrantly for an outdoor garden bed. (Sun until about midday and then in the shade.)

Thanks for your help

Answer 1

Hello Hi...


Such a difficult question you have... Little amount of watering and flowering fragrant plants ? o.0

Well, i will try to help. Firstly, you can visit this site for more info.

http://www.epa.qld.gov.au/nature_conservation/plants/


If not, another alternative i could think of, is to grow succulents. They are easy to grow and maintain too. Refer to this site for succulents..

http://www.rare-succulents.com/plantlist1.htm

There are a few plants i could recommend but i'm not sure if in Queensland, you could grow them.. Here you go...

Portulaca grandiflora [A lot of flower colors, High maintenance] **Minimal watering!**

Bougainvillea [A few nice bracts colour, low maintenance]
**Minimal watering!**

I've been spending hours helping you to find the right sites for you.. Here are some...

http://farrer.riv.csu.edu.au/ASGAP/APOL2006/aug06-1.html
http://www.anbg.gov.au/gnp/interns-2002/brachyscome-multifida.html
http://www.anbg.gov.au/gnp/interns-2002/grevillea-macleayana.html

http://www.anbg.gov.au/ [Great site to know your country's plants!]


There is another way which you can get help from. Go to your nearest nursery and ask if there is any plants which meets what you wanted- Tolerant to drought, flowering fragrant plant. =)
The retailers would be happy and will help you willingly.

Well, another way to solve your problem of drought is to amend your soil properties. Add in more organic matter or some clayey soil to improve the soil properties and make them hold more water.

You could also add mulch to minimize the rate of evaporation or to keep the moisture content inside the soil longer. So, what is mulching? Refer below..

http://davesgarden.com/terms/go/589/

Mulching exists in organic and inorganic form. Both got its advantage and disadvantage. Example of mulching would be, gravel chips, compost, wood chips, bio chips, coconut husks, etc. Refer the the following sites if you are interested to know more...

http://www.co.san-juan.wa.us/publicworks/STORMWATER%20UTILITY/Construction%20BMPs/BMP%20C121%20Mulching.pdf#search='purpose%20of%20mulching'

http://www.mlys00070.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/techniques/mulching.htm


Below shows the examples of organic and inorganic mulches...

http://www.gardenstew.com/blog/e3-15-mulching-benefits--organic-and-inorganic-mulch-types.html

http://www.exchangenet.com/lifestyles/home/soil-8235.html


Last thing before i go is that, ask your near by nurseries. They are your answers to your question. About mulching, you can also ask them about it; Like how much to add, what's its function, etc etc.. They will be glad to help you. =)


I sincerely wish you best of luck in your making of your garden. =)

~Respect

Answer 2

You could go to your nearest nursery and ask them about any plants that meets the required criteria. Succulents would be a good choice, but they don't have lots of frangrant blooms.