Growing indigenous plants

Indigenous plants are ones that naturally occurred in an area at the time of European settlement.

They are the plants that have adapted to the local conditions and provide appropriate food and shelter for animals living in that area.

Our Queenscliffe Indigenous Nursery only grows plants that are indigenous to Swan Bay and the Bellarine Peninsula.

Planting indigenous plants in the Queenscliff, Point Lonsdale and Swan Bay area will:

• maintain the local character of the coastal towns and surrounding countryside. By growing plants that naturally occur here, you can help maintain the area’s unique characteristics
• provide a low-maintenance garden as the plants are well adapted to the local conditions. They will require little or no water or maintenance once they are established
• encourage local birds and animals that use indigenous plants for food and shelter. They will help reduce insect pests and maintain a healthy balance in your garden
• preserve plant species and encourage genetic diversity.

If everyone grows some indigenous plants, we have a greater investment in the future of each of these species. Many indigenous plants are available from our nursery.

Working bees for volunteers are held at the Queenscliffe Indigenous Nursery at 79 Nelson Road, Point Lonsdale on:

• every Wednesday 9.00am-12.00pm
• the 3rd Sunday of each month 10.00am-12.00pm.

You don’t need to have any experience. We will train you to propagate and pot indigenous plants for revegetation projects and local gardens.

Would you like to learn more about how to grow and plant indigenous plants?

Have a look at our 8-step guides.