Native Groundcovers

Very pretty erect perennial shrub. Similar to T.rosea only with orange flowers. Important nitrogen fixing legume and bee attracting plant for fast colourful garden in-filling in well drained sunny areas. Relatively common across rocky, sandstone Top End and on sandy lowlands, occasionally in monsoon forest and vine thicket. Low maintenance and hardy. Most Tephrosia considered toxic, as commonly used as traditional fish poison. Very fast growing but can be short lived. 1-2M

Very low spreading Grevillea shrub from the Western Top End. Holly like leaves and white-cream to cream-yellow-green flowers. Hardy and showy low ground cover specimen for border, filling and accent in garden beds and rockeries. Rarely seen in cultivation. Prefers rocky well drained soils in full sun. 1-2M

Spectacular fast growing annual ground cover. Dark green variable leaves and stunning large white-pink flowers with maroon-purple centre. Widespread in coastal vine thickets, riparian areas, Melaleuca forests and savanna-sandstone woodlands and shrublands. Grows in laterite, sandstone, clay, coastal sands and limestone. Flowers during the wet and dies off in following dry season, but re-appears readily from seed. Very attractive garden or rockery shrub. 1-2M

Gorgeous erect native lilly endemic to Northern Australia, with broad glossy blue-green strappy leaves and large clusters of white-purple perfumed flowers. Tolerates full sun or partial shade in waterlogged areas, sandy and clay soils. Attractive to bees, butterflies and birds. Excellent specimen for border edge plantings or potted. Bulbs are considered poisonous. 1-2M

Versatile and hardy perennial native lily found in moist areas near streams and tidal areas. Tolerates full sun or partial shade. Broad strappy leaves and large tall clusters of white, pleasantly scented flowers make for a beautiful feature plant in garden or potted. Grows in poorly drained soils, under other trees and will flower in shade. 1.5-2.5M

Robust, erect and dense native grass with light-green leaves and curled, sharp tipped seeds. Widespread in grasslands, open woodlands, riverbanks, roadsides and degraded areas. Tolerates variety of soils including sandy loam and laterite. Useful fire & drought tolerant pasture species early in the wet and for revegetation, as spreads rapidly. 1M

Widespread perennial, palatable and plentiful tufted native grass with bluish foliage, turning reddish with maturity. Distinct aromatic smell when crushed. Common in low lying woodlands, edge of creeks and drier floodplains. Fire & drought tolerant, palatable to cattle, horses, livestock and native ruminants. Tolerates heavy grazing and weed competitive. Establishes readily as revegetation, erosion control species to restore disturbed land. Grows on both sandy loam/clay fertile soils and acidic infertile soils. Flowers & fruits all months. 0.5-1.5M

Large perennial tufted grass, endemic to sandy and rocky soils in tropical Australia. Useful coloniser for revegetaion and as diverse finch attracting grass for suburban plantings. 1.5-2.5M

Slender and erect tufted native perennial grass with wiry stems & short stiff bright green leaves. Found in wide variety of habitats on loamy, clay, lateritic & sandy occasionally saline soils in Eucalypt woodlands and shrublands. Useful low growing coloniser for revegetaion with Spinifex and Chrysopogon and as diverse finch attracting grass for suburban plantings. 0.6M

Pretty low scrambling tropical fern with bright green fronds. Full sun and part shade tolerant, provided ample moisture. Found in riparian rainforest, around springs and on edges of lagoons. Compact tropical planting for around borders and garden edges. 0.5-1M

Hardy erect perennial tussock grass found across tropical grasslands of northern Australia, particularly eucalypt woodlands & occasionally gravelly soils in wetter areas. Ideal drought tolerant revegetation species. Important food source & nesting site for native birds and small mammals. Seeds eaten by gouldian, masked & long-tailed finch and the Evening Brown and Dingy Bush-brown butterfly larvae. 1-2M

Very hardy & highly versatile small strappy garden edging & low ornamental planting. Heavily scented nectar attracts pollinating insects. Suitable for indoor potting, or full sun. Australian native to all but NT & WA. 0.4-1M

Small erect and very colorful perennial shrub with bursts of yellow pea flowers and rattling seed pods. Fast growing & spreading as garden bed filler and highly attractive to native butterflies, particularly the Swamp/Plain Tiger and Common Crow species. Can require management to keep contained. Thought to be toxic to some livestock, otherwise a very attractive small garden bed feature specimen. 1M

Attractive trailing shrub. Watermelon pink to white/cream hibiscus-like flowers last one day, but prolific during wet season. Re-shoots from underground tuber with first rains. Tubers, leaves and shoots edible raw or cooked. Wide medicinal uses. Food plant for the Spotted Bollworm moth and Cotton Leaf roller. 1-1.5M

Very distinct low, flat & spreading groundcover from Central NT, usually with a flat-topped or domed canopy. Smooth foliage, yellow cylindrical flowers and sticky seed pods with a citronella/lemon grass scent. Stunning, incredibly hardy small feature wattle for rocky, stoney, gravelly or sandy soil types & garden beds. 0.2-1.5M

Splendid low showy shrub, with large blooms of bright yellow flowers seen often throughout the year. Extremely popular & hardy specimen for ground covering, borders, streetscapes, accent and filling. 0.5-1M

Lovely low, clumping & compact fern with attractive glossy dark green foliage. Perfect tropical ground cover or small feature planting for low borders, edging and low light garden beds. 1-1.5M

Widespread & hardy top end perennial grass, providing shelter and early season food source for wide variety of native finches including the Gouldian. Tufted & deep rooted. Best planted in multiples. 1-2M

Spreading decorative trailing groundcover. Pretty pink-purple pea shaped flowers seen over much of the dry season and large beans, exploding when ripe. Pretty fast growing and very hardy creeper for coastal rehabilitation, esplanades, streetscapes, rural properties and urban gardens. 0.5M

Hardy and attractive tall & densely tufted grass with fine white feathery plume. Provides contrast, border and low screening for urban and rural garden beds, ponds, pools, rockeries and stabilisation/run off control. Very tough landscape feature grass. Can be cut back annually after seeding. 1-2M

Erect densely tufted, perennial grass. Long lived & deep rooted. Widespread in open forest, woodlands & grasslands. Thrives in moist areas but reasonably hardy. Important for stabilisation, erosion control and as food source for gouldian, long-tailed & other finches. Endemic to Australia. 1-1.2M

Hardy and attractive, densely tufted perennial grass. Endemic to the Top End. Found near lagoons, floodplains & watercourses. Very useful in grass species mix for Finch habitat, as favoured seed. Best planted in multiples. 1-2M

Small upright, hardy shrub with velvety grey/green foliage. Rattle-pod seeds and stunning clusters of remarkable chartreuse-green flowers, with vivid purplish-brown 'veins', resembling little hummingbirds. Suitable for sunny garden borders, erosion control, coastal/sand habitats in well drained soils. 1-3M

Gorgeous erect single stalked perennial shrub with brilliant blue-violet pea shaped flowers. Excellent hardy & colourful specimen for gardens, rockeries and pots. Known as 'the butterfly plant' as it can often be seen covered by dozens at a time. 1M

Hardy & attractive native perennial grass. Related to commercial lemon grass, can be used as as substitute as all parts have pleasant lemon scent. Also used in tea, drinks or food flavouring. Provides finch habitat & contrast or low screening for urban & rural garden beds, ponds, pools and rockeries. 1.5M

Common rocky area grass with persistent fluffy seed heads. Related to commercial lemon grass. Can be used for tea, food flavouring or medicinal wash. Useful in grass species mix for Finch habitat. Best planted in multiples. 2M

NT Native variant of the common ornamental flax lilly. A low tufted solitary pretty plant with blue to purple shiny berries. Excellent simple, neat and tough ground cover shrub or low garden bed filler/ garden edging. 0.8-1M

Popular low clumping evergreen ornamental. Strappy glossy leaves and sweet edible blue-purple berries & nutty seeds. Blue-lilac flower petals with yellow inner. Very hardy & adaptable. Tolerates part shade for understory planting. 1M

Beautiful native annual or perennial grass, small and slender with delicate purplish soft flower heads. Provides contrast, border and low screening for urban and rural garden beds, ponds, pools and rockeries. Useful in grass species mix for Finch habitat. Best planted in multiples. 0.8M

Lovely delicate tufted low perennial grass for feature garden beds. Grows well in semi-moist environments and even wet or flooded soil. Suitable for architectural gardens, edging & borders and best planted in multiples. 0.2-0.5M