Australian and South African Natives

Discover the perfect additions to your Bay Area garden with our selection of Australian and South African native plants. These resilient and visually striking plants are well-suited to the Bay Area’s unique climate and soil conditions, making them ideal for both gardens and containers. With their drought tolerance, ability to thrive in coastal conditions, and stunning year-round blooms, these plants not only enhance the beauty of your outdoor space but also support local pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Whether you’re looking to create a vibrant, low-maintenance garden or add a touch of exotic flair to your containers, our selection of Australian and South African natives offers something for every gardener.  Please note: Selection may vary by location and season.

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Australian Natives:

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Westringia fruticose – Coast Rosemary

• Characteristics: Evergreen shrub with small, white to light lavender flowers. It has a dense, compact growth habit and fine, rosemary-like foliage.
• Pollinators: Attracts bees and other pollinators.
• Bloom Time: Blooms throughout the year, with peak blooms in spring and summer.
• Bay Area Suitability: Tolerates coastal conditions and drought. Prefers well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade.

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Grevillea – Spider Flowers

• Characteristics: Evergreen shrubs or small trees with needle-like foliage and spider-like flowers in various colors, including red, pink, orange, and yellow.
• Pollinators: Attracts bees, birds (especially hummingbirds), and butterflies.
• Bloom Time: Can bloom year-round, with a peak in late winter to early spring.
• Bay Area Suitability: Prefers full sun and well-drained soil. Drought-tolerant once established.

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Callistemon – Bottle Brush

• Characteristics: Evergreen shrub or small tree with distinctive, bottlebrush-like flower spikes in red, pink, white, or purple.
• Pollinators: Highly attractive to bees and hummingbirds.
• Bloom Time: Primarily in spring and summer, but can have sporadic blooms throughout the year.
• Bay Area Suitability: Thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Tolerant of drought and coastal conditions.

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Correa – Australian Fuchsia

• Characteristics: Evergreen shrub with tubular, fuchsia-like flowers in pink, red, white, or green. Leaves are aromatic when crushed.
• Pollinators: Attracts hummingbirds and bees.
• Bloom Time: Blooms mainly in fall and winter, providing off-season color.
• Bay Area Suitability: Prefers part shade to full sun and well-drained soil. Drought-tolerant once established.

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Anigozanthos – Kangaroo Paw

• Characteristics: Perennial with unique, velvety flowers that resemble kangaroo paws. Flower colors include red, orange, yellow, green, and pink.
• Pollinators: Attracts hummingbirds and other nectar-feeding birds.
• Bloom Time: Blooms from late spring to summer.
• Bay Area Suitability: Requires full sun and well-drained soil. Drought-tolerant but benefits from occasional watering during dry spells.

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South African Natives

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Leucospermums - Pincushion

• Characteristics: Evergreen shrubs with striking, pincushion-like flowers in bright shades of red, orange, and yellow.
• Pollinators: Attracts bees, butterflies, and birds.
• Bloom Time: Blooms in spring and early summer.
• Bay Area Suitability: Prefers full sun and well-drained, slightly acidic soil. Drought-tolerant and thrives in coastal conditions.

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Leucadendrons – Cone-bush

• Characteristics: Evergreen shrubs with colorful bracts surrounding small, inconspicuous flowers. Foliage is often silvery or gray-green.
• Pollinators: Attracts bees and other pollinators.
• Bloom Time: Blooms in late winter to early spring.
• Bay Area Suitability: Prefers full sun and well-drained soil. Drought-tolerant and suitable for coastal gardens.

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Proteas – Sugarbushes

• Characteristics: Evergreen shrubs or small trees with large, showy flowers surrounded by colorful bracts. Flower colors range from pink and red to white and yellow.
• Pollinators: Attracts bees, birds, and other pollinators.
• Bloom Time: Blooms can occur at various times depending on the species, often in late winter to spring.
• Bay Area Suitability: Requires full sun and well-drained, slightly acidic soil. Tolerates drought and coastal conditions.

These plants are excellent choices for adding beauty and ecological value to Bay Area gardens, providing both visual interest and support for local pollinators.

Pairing Your Australian and South African Natives

These beauties are excellent companion plants to the following 7 plants:

• Lavandula (Lavender): Pairs well with all listed plants due to similar soil and sunlight requirements.
• Salvia (Sage): Attracts pollinators and adds varied flower colors, complementing all listed plants.
• Euphorbia (Spurge): Provides unique foliage and flower structures that contrast nicely with the listed plants.
• Phormium (New Zealand Flax): Adds vertical interest and color variety, compatible with all listed plants.
• Agapanthus (Lily of the Nile): Offers showy flowers and thrives in similar conditions, pairing well with the listed plants.
• Helichrysum italicum (Curry Plant): Its silvery foliage complements the textures of the listed plants.
• Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary): Shares similar growing conditions and adds aromatic foliage that blends well with the listed plants.

3 Design Tips To Consider When Planting Natives with Companion Plants

Contrast and Complement: Use plants with different textures and flower colors to create visual interest.

Cohesive Groupings: Group plants with similar water and sunlight needs to ensure they thrive together.

Layering and Height Variation: Place taller plants like Phormium and Proteas behind shorter ones like Lavender and Helichrysum for a layered look.