We have Found success growing Grevillea acanthifolia, an endangered Blue Mountains native, despite its reputation for thriving only in boggy conditions. Surprisingly, it’s done well in drier soils. Its sharp-tipped leaves may be dangerous but the vibrant pink and purple blooms are well worth it. This plant brings a rugged beauty to the garden, showcasing the tough yet gorgeous nature of Australia's flora.

I couldn’t resist sharing the beauty of our Tall Bearded Irises ‘voltigeur’, which are in full bloom right now. While they’re not native to Australia, they have become a star of our back garden, a space dedicated to both food and flowers—our own little picking and foraging haven.

When we first moved in, the garden was a wild mess of weeds and invasive trees. In the process of cleaning it out, I stumbled upon a small, neglected patch of Tall Bearded Irises. They were struggling, pale and withered, perforated by snails and slugs, starved of sunlight for what looked like a decade or more. Despite their poor condition, these hardy plants had managed to hang on.

Using Australian native plants in the home garden is one of the true joys of gardening in our sun-baked country. However, many gardeners are often discouraged from using native plants because they have a reputation for being fussy and think they need to be kept separate from exotic plants in their garden. While this is true for some native species, many can be treated as regular garden plants. The reason they have acquired this reputation is that some native plants are sensitive to phosphorus. Understanding this distinction can make using natives in your garden easy and rewarding.

Fertilising Australian native plants has sparked debate among gardeners for years. Historically, many believed these plants didn't need fertilising due to their evolutionary adaptation to grow in nutrient-poor soils. However, this myth has been debunked; In the garden, Australian native plants benefit significantly from feeding. While chemical fertilisers often pose risks due to high phosphorus levels, organic methods offer a safer alternative. By using compost, mulches, and specific organic liquid feeds, gardeners can nourish their native plants effectively and safely.

Foraging for mushrooms is a delight of the autumn season. It reconnects us back to our ancestral roots when we lived within a hunter gatherer societies. It connects us to our geographical location, environment and ecosystems around us. It grounds our soul deep within the earth almost as though the mycelium in the soil is reach up and grabbing hold of us and our inner world, holding us still, present and safe for just a moment. Sounds a bit hippy dippy, yes, but it’s true, when I forage, I feel mindful and present. I feel wild.