Very exciting that you've decided to undertake a CA native, low water garden! Do you know what exposure your new plants will get? (N, S, E, W?) That's important in helping you decide which ones to plant. Many CA natives will appreciate full sun. I'm assuming you have well-draining soil? They say to dig a hole 1' x 1' and fill it with water from the hose. Watch how long it takes to drain to determine if your soil drains well or if it's thick like clay. You'll want to know this information, too, when you go to Las Pilitas to select your plants. You'll want to think about what you have in mind and what your goals are. Color? Hummingbirds and butterflies? Scent? Do you prefer succulents? Try to go on a garden tour to pick up some inspiration. The books recommended above are great. It simply takes time to learn the names of the plants you like. Just keep reading and looking at photos online. And remember to give each plant plenty of space when you put them in the ground. Respect the space requirements! (I learned that lesson the hard way!) Salvias= sages Ceanothus = California lilacs Arctostaphylos = manzanita Those are pretty popular broad categories for some interesting CA natives if you like flowering plants. A good place to start, in my opinion :)

Enduro - I am in Perth too. Are you coastal or inland? With our very sanding soils, the main thing is to make sure that the water penetrates well. With our reasonably good winter, you should have no problems at the moment - but come summer, something seems to happen and the sand goes all water repellent - that's when you have to keep an eye on your plants and (as this will be their first season) keep them watered through their first summer. If the water does not penetrate - then use a soil wetting agent - liberally ! I have not planted my natives with either karri mulch or sheep poo - I have basically planted in unimproved soil. I have though, for the kangaroo paws, meleleucas, callistemons etc used compost. I have leusch. biloba growing in a full sun position and it is very happy. In respect of the list of new purchases: Banksia repens - has been slow growing for me but was happier when I started watering it and giving it a little bit of blood and bone. Conostylis Candicans - apparently likes sandy spots and limey soils. Mine is going ok in a sandy spot in full sun. No improvement to soil was done. Macropidia Fuliginosa - mine suffered terribly from black spot - overhead watering must be avoided. Here is a tip from this link http://www.anbg.gov.au/gnp/interns-2002/macropidia-fuliginosa.html: "Growing Macropidia will present a challenge for gardeners in the eastern states of Australia. The plant requires a narrow range of growing conditions and is susceptible to pests and diseases. To offset the difficulties, there is an enormous body of horticultural information developed for the cut flower industry. It is probably best to grow Macropidia in a pot to allow flexibility in siting the plant. It grows best in full sunlight and prefers warm to hot conditions. Siting it in front of a north-facing wall will help create a suitable microclimate and protect it from frost. Soil should be well drained. Like the other Kangaroo Paws, Macropidia will achieve maximum growth and flower production when well watered. A drip irrigation system is recommended because the plant will suffer if it is allowed to dry out and conversely, does not like waterlogging. Macropidia responds well to fertilisation, but is susceptible to phosphate toxicity. Fertilisers designed for Australian native plants are best."

Hi Cate As you get into natives, you'll notice that there seems to be a plot to restrict people's view of what "natives" are, to the idea that they are nothing but shrubs and trees. Not everyone does it, of course, but it's amazing how often we see a sign saying "natives" in a nursery - and under it are nothing but woody plants. Even advocates of "native cottage gardens" often seem to gravitate towards the woody shrubs. These can be great plants, and often very drought-hardy, but not necessarily to the taste of someone who likes English/French Provincial flowery stuff. (Like you and me) Native daisies, as someone has suggested, are great for cottage-style gardens. Paper daisies are particularly good, and you can have a big show for little cost if you save your own seed. The same goes for Senecios (yellowtop daisies). Other good ones are Plectanthrus (lavender cockspurs), Scaevolas (fan-flowers) Crotalarias (rattlepods), native irises, native poppies, billy buttons, Ajuga (bugle), native violets (not especially drought hardy, though), Dampieras,& Goodenias - and even some native pelargoniums. Then there are the lily and iris-type plants. Try Orthrosanthrus (morning iris), Bulbine lilies, native iris, native daffodils (Calostemma species) and kangaroo paws Some native ferns are drought-hardy. too. For shrubs and trees with a more "English" look - i.e. plants with larger, greener leaves, which grow densely enough dense enough not to be seen through, find out about rainforest species. Some of these are also remarkably drought-hardy, especially the ones that come from "dry rainforest". You'll get a very much better range at a nursery that specialises in native plants - but even then, you might enjoy joining the Australian Plants Society, as these can be a great source of the less commercial plants, especially the annuals. Have fun. Trish

Pinkmountain - I’m glad you decided to continue the discussion. I’m going to be dropping off the thread, but I hope you and others can continue it, if there is an interest. I appreciated the way you have shared your efforts to restore habitat. You are trying to do something about a situation that is really frightening. I realize that and am not really any different, I find it frightening as well and I’m sure we all find the world’s problems overwhelming. I can’t speak for others, I can only say that I have had lots of enthusiasm along the way to also do something about it. Have made the attempt with the resources I have. I’m still making the attempt. I could have used more support and encouragement at different times but wildflower and conservation groups in my area have other goals and agendas that don’t really reach out to people who are just trying to do what they can and need it to be made more accessible. So, I suppose they were doing the best they could and we are all trying to do the best we can. I just popped over to the Native Plants forum and not a lot happening there from my perspective. Not a lot of newcomers being nurtured. And Houzz has not even put a link to the Native plants forum and apparently no one there seemed to think to complain about that or to follow up until there was a link in the directory. A simple thing really. Everyone on this thread has made an effort and expressed an interest, just by contributing to this thread. I was enjoying hearing from members that I already know, how their interest is growing in natives and how that has been working out for them. And hearing from GW members I don’t know, like you. I started this thread because I met someone on another GW thread who was explaining how they had been working on a property for 4 years on a riparian area and I wanted to hear more and maybe see some photos. They had only posted to GW 3x and I thought a newcomer, maybe it would be helpful for her to see if there was anyone else here doing the same. It happened that she’s had trouble signing into Houzz, so she hasn’t posted yet. But the atmosphere on the forums here in regard to natives, I’d have to say it is challenging. From my perspective, any effort or interest on someone’s part in native plants is something to appreciate and celebrate and build on. People need to be met where they are and nurtured and encouraged by those in a position to do so, if that's at all possible. Maybe it's not. They have limited resources, challenging properties, time restraints, energy restraints, competing priorities and yet they still have an interest in trying to do what they can. They would appreciate being heard and supported. Certainly it is an approach that has been very successful over time in many endeavors to draw people in and encourage their interest and support. And this limited exposure I’ve had in the past week or so to those on GW involved in native plants, I’m sure is not the whole of it and maybe there are people here that are being welcoming and supportive. This is just what my experience has been as a newcomer to natives at GW this week. I am impressed by the scope of what you personally are trying to do. I share your sorrow over lost pristine natural areas and mature trees. I’m sure a lot of us do. I wish you good luck in your efforts.