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Gardening the eco wayLocal experts reveal how to create a rainforest in your own backyard.Like a breath of fresh air, an exciting new approach to gardening is sweeping the north coast of New South Wales, attracting people with green minds, as well as green thumbs. This 'horticultural sea-change' has turned the tables on traditional concepts of native gardening. It embraces all that is lush, green and sub tropical but with one big difference - local native plants take centre stage, not the exotics. "People's values are changing when it comes to being environmentally responsible," explains Kelvin Davies from Rainforest Rescue. "They are aware of the many exotic species that have escaped from gardens and gone on to become devastating bushland weeds. They want to grow safe species and this means choosing native plants indigenous to their local area." "Fortunately, north coast gardeners are lucky to have amazing biodiversity in the forests on their doorstep. We can choose from a wonderful diversity of beautiful native species," says Kelvin. "These range from lush-looking sedges like Lomandras and Dianellas to palms, ferns, Cordilines, small flowering shrubs and attractive ornamental trees. Native plants can also offer benefits to local wildlife such as frogs, birds and butterflies." Horticulturist Brad Green reflects on his own shift in values. The current owner of Mullumbimby Creek Nursery, which specialises in local native plants, Brad's previous retail nursery focussed on ornamentals. "At the time I was still not switched on to supplying local native plants", he says. "I was more interested in exotics." But when Brad and Joanne Green moved to an eight-acre property on the outskirts of Mullumbimby, they were struck by the huge variety of local rainforest species and delighted that more than 85 species of trees and smaller native plants grew on their property, along with many more species of ferns, orchids, grasses and epiphytes. The pair joined Landcare (Jo is now Chair of Brunswick Valley Landcare) and their new-found interest in local natives really began to flourish. "I assumed that everyone would be planting all the different rainforest species in their own backyards," admits Brad. "Some people were, but most were still caught up with plants from other places. Not only were they planting exotics but they were unknowingly planting environmental weeds. What I find strange is that we are removing these environmental weeds at our Landcare site while the nursery in town is still selling these plants." (The weedy species include Murraya, Duranta and Ardissa). Brad and Jo began to plant local rainforest species on their property. All up, around 5000 plants have gone in. Most are now 5-8 years of age and already look fantastic, while the property itself provides visitors with great examples of how to use rainforest plants in their own gardens and for revegetation. "They help to rebuild the natural character of the North Coast, so much of which has been lost. Plus they look good." Since the range of local species offered by nurseries in the area was limited, Brad began propagating and selling a variety of rainforest and other local plants. He now stocks some 300 varieties. "What I love about growing local rainforest plants is that they have so many uses compared to exotics or non-local native plants and they are adapted to our local climate." In addition, he says they tend to use less water and fertiliser, are more likely to survive attacks from pests and disease, provide habitat for native wildlife, and do not invade natural areas. "They help to rebuild the natural character of the North Coast, so much of which has been lost. Plus they look good." "When I suggest local native plants - plants that grow naturally in the region of the Mount Warning Caldera and the surrounding catchments - customers often don't really know that these sorts of plants can be used. As I explain some of the uses these plants provide to the environment, people usually get very keen to continue to think about local rainforest species for other purposes and situations. Many say they will not purchase any more non-local species! I show the customers the concept, they take it in, think about it, then act. I just point them in the right direction. It's all commonsense." Some of Brad's favourites for urban backyards include Native Gardenia, Python Tree, Rose Myrtle, Smooth Scrub Turpentine, Lolly Bush, Plum Myrtle and Native Mulberry. Mark Dunphy, owner of Firewheel Rainforest Nursery, is also a native plant advocate and quick to point out that some rainforest plants aren't just great to look at but can fill your garden with the most amazing aromas. Others can inject some bush food inspiration into your culinary repertoire. A few species, like the aptly-named lemon myrtle and aniseed myrtle for example, deliver both. Mark suggests opting for dense thickets that provide protection for small native birds. He also recommends pruning rainforest plants to encourage bushiness. Annie Bundock from Cutting Edge Natives is also used to offering rainforest gardening advice. A horticulturist and regular presenter of 'Backyard Big Scrub' workshops at the annual Big Scrub Rainforest Day, Annie says most of the people she talks to tell her their tastes have changed and evolved over time. So too have Annie's. "For me now it's all about foliage," she explains. "I love messing about with interesting textures and contrasts, unexpected backdrops and sculptural highlights. So the rainforest is an ideal source for me because I have a huge range of foliage shapes and forms to choose from which are naturally predisposed to growing and fitting in well with one another." "There will be something from some part of the rainforest that will fit the bill for the most common design needs, whether this is a stunning specimen tree chosen from the canopy, an ornamental flowering shrub from the forest fringes or a dramatic border plant from the understorey. And the best part is that we've only just begun to investigate the rainforest for garden plants." Most of the people who attend Annie's workshops have existing gardens that are constantly evolving. These often contain much-loved exotic plants that have been established for a long time. She aims to extend gardeners' options by introducing them to native rainforest species and suggesting ways these can be integrated into an evolving garden design. She doesn't consider herself as ideologically driven or 'purist' in her approach to native species. Nor does she want people to plant native species out of a sense of obligation. Rather, she tries to encourage their interest by introducing them to some of the beautiful, easy-to-grow and what she describes as "well-behaved native alternatives" to the exotic plants traditionally chosen. The same community-driven approach to changing attitudes lies at the heart of the conservation efforts of Rainforest Rescue and is responsible for the community's growing involvement in Landcare. Local water authority, Rous Water, is also behind the push to reduce weeds and promote the natural regeneration of water catchments. "I think that many people either living here or moving to our local area actually want to feel more connected with their natural surroundings, and to run a more eco-friendly household," says Rous Water Catchment Manager Anthony Acret. "They are attracted by the beautiful natural ecosystems within which our towns and villages are set, and wanting this to be a bigger part of their lives. But just because you are not living on acreage or only have a small backyard doesn't mean you can't do something to help improve the health of our catchments, and help restore the Big Scrub." Anthony is a big believer in the idea that everyone can play their part in their own backyard. He says the challenge for people living in an urban or rural residential situation is to think about what the location of their village or property may have looked like before the arrival of the Cedar getters and clearing for agriculture. "Our unique plants and animals that are perfectly adapted to these ecosystems continue to move across the landscape as they always have done and so every little 'stepping stone' of habitat that we can provide, no matter how small, helps play a part. In this way everyone in their own backyard can help to recreate the Big Scrub, and by creating a small amount of habitat, help the survival of threatened plants and animals." By Julie Hinchliffe - a freelance environment writer who specialises in Australian vegetation management and ecology issues. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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