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Australian Native Plants

Desert plants...help

20 years ago

I have just bought a dugout at Coober Pedy in South Australia's north and the huge 'roof' really needs some kind of plant cover. At the moment it is bare earth. The climate is very hot and very dry for most of the year with cooler night temperatures. I need something tough and very low maintenance and suitable for often prolonged dry conditions as we will be renting the place out and may not be able to always rely on tenants to water...any suggestions?

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Comments (5)

eucs
20 years ago
There are various mulga varieties native to that area. The best plants are those which grew there originally. They are already suited to the environment which means you don't have to look after them at all other than a bit of water to get them going. Go for a drive out of town and look.
cave_dweller
Original Author
20 years ago
Thanks eucs, I'll look into mulga's as a source but as for looking as to what's native in the area, trees outside of town are few and far between.
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Water less! In fact, in FL, you may need to get it up under something..porch eaves etc where it can get good slanted sun but not get rain or dew etc. especially when the rainy season starts. Also, I would get all that mulch off of there and replace with coarse gravel...you can use cute river rock or glass rocks/pebbles etc but make sure to get everything away from the base and trunk or it will stay wet and eventually rot out. Also, these flowers could be getting wet from dew or just the xtra humidity in the air then the sun hits them and they turn brown and mushy. So moving the plant may help. Thrips also may cause bud drop and are very hard to see. I used to grow all kinds of cacti & succulents on the West Coast and in the desert but FL is a whole different ball game. Some things are more tolerant than others. You might also want to post this in the succulent section due to it not being an actual rose and more succulent-like in its care.
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Frank_S
20 years ago
Try eremophila species. The attached link is from a nursery in Port Augusta, SA.

Here is a link that might be useful: eremophilas
australia
20 years ago
Hi "Cave dweller"! Try to find in a nursery,or seeds this wonderful tree named "Chilopsis linearis"(desert willow)!
Tree to about 10m high,with very nice and fragant orchid like flowers,you won't regreat it!
Mine has 1.50m and i never give it water!
Have a look on the web!
phil
cave_dweller
Original Author
20 years ago
Hey cool Phil...i'll definitely have a look at those. And thanks Frank...I'll be driving back through Port augusta soon so i'll drop in and have a look :).

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