Biodiversity and Habitat in the Burbs

I was fed up with mowing the grass in front of my house. When the Brisbane City Council introduced a policy to allow verge gardens, that was my ticket to freedom.

I asked the Council for a street tree and planted the lower plants around it,
in accordance with their guidelines.

Westringia is a low-growing native shrub that provides flowers and habitat for bees, small birds and other wildlife. Occasional pruning keeps them bushy and the trimmings can be left to add to the mulch layer.

I learned a lot and got many more benefits than expected!

🦋 It’s cooler

💟 It’s more interesting for me and for people walking by

🪲 It’s habitat for the blue tongue lizards, fairy wrens, and native bees

🗣️ I’ve met lots more people in the neighbourhood

✅ No mowing. No edging. Freedom!

Native gardens are less work than lawn and use less water.

Dec 2019 – even though it is exceptionally hot and dry, the strawflowers / paper daisies provide spectacular colours and attract native bees and butterflies.

Many councils now have guidelines that allow you to plant.
See the directory on Shady Lanes Project website
and the list of plants on my verge here.

See my tips for getting started on your own verge garden or nature strip.

You can also see my general gardening website at brisbanecitylife.com.au

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