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Gardening in Oz

What to plant central North Victoria/Shepparton?

12 years ago

Hi all,
We are moving on to an acre lot towards the end of year once the house is constructed. Hoping to start planting on the land now so that plants can establish themselves.

Right now its a blank canvas with nothing on the land at all. Soil type appears to be clay. The weather here is extremes of cold on winter nights but do get nice winter sun in the day time, in Summer had days of over 40 degrees. Rain fall is not alot and plan to install tanks to help.

Current thoughts are to go for low maintenance, drought tolerant native plants for the front. Would like fruit trees for the back, which perhaps could also work as a screen from the neighbours on the sides. We also plan to build raised garden beds for veges at the back.

Would love to create a luscious backyard for the kids to enjoy.

One of our main concerns is for the plants to be able to withstand our extreme environment (or how to design protection for summer), low maintenance.

What plants/varieties should we planting? How should we be designing our land to make the most of it?

Sorry for the long post, would appreciate any feedback we could get.

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Comments (3)

funnelweb
12 years ago
Yes, no doubt your winters will be cool down there. First thing I would do is to take a walk/drive around your neighbourhood and see what other folks have planted and what appears to be thriving and failing. If it were me, I would be considering, for trees, definitely the blue spruce, picea pungens; deodar cedar; Magnolia dendudata (white mag.); The blue poppy (Meconopsis betonicifolia); Malus ioensis - a gorgeous flowering apple; Pyrus usuriensis or p. pashia; Acer palmatum (Japanese maple); Definitely Daphne; et cetera, et cetera. But firstly, take that walk around the neighbourhood. Also, research cold tolerant plants.
Good luck
B.
Newbievic
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks for the ideas. Have had a few drives in the neighbour hood, for what ever reason people haven't done much planting in the front.

The ones who have I can't really tell what they have planted.
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All the salvias are incredible . How did I forget about them. Shame on me. Salvia madrensis is good for part shade to shade-, Black and blue salvia makes a great bed in the sun to part sun, Salvia regla likes sun with a little protection from afternoon sun is a gorgious fall and spring bloomer but it needs drainage and might not like your clay.. If you can plant it where it gets a slash of setting sun hitting it late october to light up the blooms. what a treat. The Mexican sages like lolly jackson are great performers and beautiful Salvia invulcrata also won't mind the clay and moisture. Salvia farenacia is good. Salvia Augusta duelberg is a stunning white salvia and it will take full sun. blue oak salvia is sweet in ful sun. So many salvias will fit your bill. And don't forget the Texas sages (not a salvia)for late summer color.Intense sun won't faze them and no water will not hurt them either.Salvia coccinea are anual salvias that will seed themselves in full shade and part sun. cedar salvias will seed themselves and form a groundcover slowly under cedar trees.
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mittleidergardener
12 years ago
Hi! Do you live in Shepparton? We are from Shepp and from the post it looks you may be too. Do you plan to include a veggie garden to produce your own food? If so you will need to keep a sunny spot available for it. I can help with some ideas. My neighbour belongs to the gardening club and she will be a VERY valuable person to talk to for ideas! She has a show garden on a whole empty block which you must see to believe!

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