Charlene, I think you have a pretty good window to get that seed down. The grass seed includes some warm season varieties like grama and buffalo, if I recall correctly, and they won't germinate until it is warm enough. But I'd say go for it, you've keep them nice and cold so I wouldn't worry. The wildflowers might not show until next year, but that'll give em time to develop a root system. Good luck! Sounds nice!

Thanks, everyone, for the advice. I will be digging the most unusual plants in my collection of twenty + years. I had two garden tours last year - Local chapter of NARGS and Garden Conservancy. It's too time consuming for me to manage the garden this year for tours. I do all work myself. As far as mourning over the garden lost, I won't be doing that. The only sad part to me is leaving the wild birds behind as it's unlikely new owners will bother with bird baths, feed and habitat for nesting. As soon as the cherry tree flowers, I'll post photos of the front of the property and ask if the garden scares off most of you. This is part of the front garden: Here's a view of parts of the back garden which will look different once the trees leaf out.

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