South West Australia: Creating A Waterwise Coastal Garden - Water Corporation

1. creating a
south west
waterwise
coastal garden
The information in this brochure is tailored
to the South West. This covers the
Perth Metropolitan, Peel, South West and
Great Southern Regions - including Perth,
Albany and Esperance.
In a coastal garden you need to choose plants that will mulching
tolerate generally alkaline soils and varying degrees of Bare soil encourages weeds, wastes water and increases
onshore winds. Despite these often rugged conditions stress upon plants. A waterwise mulch spread to a depth
there are plenty to choose from. What’s right for your of 5 to 10cm will reduce evaporation from the soil surface.
garden will depend on the size and style of your garden It will also prevent erosion, reduce weeds, reduce
and the overall effect you want to achieve. For your coastal temperature fluctuation in the soil, slowly break down
garden to be successful and rewarding you will need to over time to feed the soil and improve the overall
carry out soil improvement prior to planting, mulch after appearance of the garden. A good waterwise mulch
planting, and install an efficient irrigation system. is one that has large, chunky pieces that hold little, if any,
water. Always keep mulch just clear of stems and trunks
soil improvement and be prepared to spread more mulch over the surface
Soil improvement should be carried out prior to planting. as the material breaks down to feed the soil.
The best soil improver is organic matter. It dramatically
increases the moisture and nutrient holding capacity irrigation
of sandy soil and encourages the all important soil micro The most efficient irrigation systems are those that deliver
fauna that are vital for healthy plant growth. the right amount of water to the right place, at the right
Improving the soil is a simple process: time, with minimal wastage. The simplest and most
efficient system available to the home gardener is known
• ig a hole 25 to 30cm deep and, at a minimum,
D variously as sub-irrigation, integrated dripper or in-line
3 times the width of the pot. The wider the better. dripper. It is simple to install and delivers water directly
• Replace half the soil with organic matter. to the root system with little or no evaporative loss.
• ix thoroughly and replace in the hole in a shallow
M For further information and expert assistance with
saucer shape. irrigation, contact either your local Waterwise Garden
Irrigator or Waterwise Irrigation Design Shop.
• ake the plant out of the pot and place in the bottom
T
of the saucer. hydrozoning
• Water in well, applying a wetting agent if necessary. Hydrozoning is grouping plants with similar water needs
• rganic matter can be purchased as compost,
O together in an effort to be more water efficient. This is
soil improver or soil conditioner. one of the most important tools to conserve water in the
garden, and help save you money. You can choose plants
In addition to organic matter, the following can also
to suit your garden and region with our Waterwise Plants
be incorporated into the soil at planting time:
for WA online directory.
• Bentonite clay (sandy soils only).
Your local Waterwise Garden Centre can also assist with
• Gypsum (reactive clay soils only). plant selection and watering needs.
• Spongelite and zeolite (all soil types). To find out your watering days visit our website.
• ater storage polymers sold as granules or
W
in sealed bags.
watercorporation.com.au

2. how to design a waterwise coastal garden
Garage Residence
Mulch
only
Screening
shrubs Porch
small trees Grps Ci
for privacy
Raised planters
with herbs
vegetables
Ads Driveway Lawn Ls
Al
Wd Cora Ba legend
Council footpath Hydrozone 1
Dr
Hydrozone 2
Kc Hydrozone 3
(including vegetables,
Lb Anfb Eg herbs fruit trees)
Lawn
Front Verge Front Verge
Street Tree. Refer to your local
council verge policy
Designs provided by Josh Byrne Associates
plant species www.joshbyrne.com.au
Abrv Common Name Botanical Name Abrv Common Name Botanical Name
Ground Covers Grasses/Strappy Leaf Plants
Eg Emu Bush Eremophila glabra* Anfb Kangaroo Paw Anigozanthos flavidus*
Grps Grevillea ‘Seaspray’ Grevillea preissii* (Dwarf) Bush Gem Series
Kc Kennedia ‘Coastal Carpet’ Kennedia coccinaea* Dr Dianella ‘Little Rev’ Dianella revoluta*
Shrubs Trees
Ads Adenanthos ‘Pencil Perfect’ Adenanthos sericeus* Ba Ashby’s Banksia Banksia ashbyi*
Cora Coastal Correa Correa alba* MI Rottnest Tea Tree Melaleuca lancelota*∆
Ls Coastal Tea Tree Leptospermum sericum*
Lb Cushion Bush Leucophyta brownii*
Wd Native Rosemary Westringia dampieri*
Al Acacia lasiocarpa Acacia lasiocarpa* * These species are endemic to WA
Ci Holly Flame Pea Chorizema ilicifolium* ∆ Optional Species (not included in illustration)
more information
For professional advice, visit our website to find a Waterwise Specialist near you.
They include Garden Designers, Garden Centres, Garden Irrigators, Irrigation Design
Shops, Landscapers, Lawnmowing Contractors, Plumbers and Water Auditors.
Waterwise Specialists have been trained especially to help you save water by providing
specialist advice on waterwise products and services for your home and garden.
Look for the Waterwise Approved and Smart Approved WaterMark symbols when
choosing gardening products such as mulch, plants, greywater systems and sprinklers.
13 10 39 Waterwise Helpline
watercorporation.com.au
ISBN 1 74043 484 6 December 2011 This information is available in alternative formats on request.