The benefits of native gardens and how to create your own

Low-maintenance and suited to the Australian climate, native gardens are becoming increasingly popular.
Learning about what grows on your local Country can help you connect with First Nations knowledge.
Plants like lemon myrtle and kangaroo grass can be good options for starting your own native garden.

Although a little greenery can elevate the look of a home, in today’s busy world it’s not always realistic to maintain a garden full of perfectly trimmed hedges and flowers (like that thirsty rose bush). That’s one reason native gardens are becoming increasingly popular in backyards around Australia. They’re beautiful, practical and well suited to people who don’t have much spare time or a green thumb.

“Bush plants are low-maintenance and used to growing in the Australian climate,” says Adam Byrne, co-owner of Bush to Bowl, a First Nations-owned social enterprise that champions bush foods through workshops and a nursery in Sydney’s Northern Beaches. “If someone wants to connect more to their local Country and provide shelter for native birds and animals, it’s a great way to go.” Native species have evolved to thrive here so they generally require far less water than traditional garden favourites, like roses. Even better, they help create habitats for local wildlife, from birds to pollinators like bees.

Planting a native garden also means connecting with knowledge that stretches back tens of thousands of years. “Once you go down the rabbit hole of what grows on your local Country, you can self-educate about the story of the land,” says Byrne.

Adam Byrne is the co-owner of First Nations-owned social enterprise, Bush to Bowl.

For Byrne, that connection between nature and culture is what makes native gardens so powerful. “We’re all lucky to be on such beautiful Country. There’s a depth to those plants,” he says. “It’s not just a plant in a pot, it’s thousands of years of stories and survival.”

Byrne's tips for starting a native garden

Plant in colder seasons to give trees and shrubs time to adapt before the harsh summer comes.
Learn about your local area. See what’s endemic to your Country and what attracts local native animals.

Spotlight on Bush to Bowl

Bush to Bowl is a First Nations-owned social enterprise co-founded by Garigal/Gadigal man Adam Byrne and Yaegl man Clarence Bruinsma.

Finding an industry gap

After connecting at an Aboriginal meet-up on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, Byrne and Bruinsma compared notes on the bush foods and botanical industry and quickly noticed a gap. While the sector was booming, First Nations representation within it was shockingly low – less than one per cent of the supply chain, from growers to exporters and farm managers, identified as First Nations.

A growing enterprise

That insight led Byrne and Bruinsma to launch Bush to Bowl in 2020. Today, the enterprise grows and sells native plants and bush foods, runs workshops and school programs, offers bush-tucker landscaping services and educates other First Nations peoples on how to do it, too.

Creating community impact

Since launching, Bush to Bowl has delivered community-giveback projects across New South Wales, offered employment for more than 40 First Nations people, planted thousands of native plants in homes and schools, and planted endangered species in local Country areas.

Connecting with meaningful partners

In 2023, CommBank recognised the impact of the enterprise and started placing weekly orders with Bush to Bowl to supply its internal cafés and events. After visiting the nursery, CommBank Executive Chef Lee Hardy began shaping menus around the seasonal produce and knowledge shared by the Bush to Bowl team.

5 native plants to try in your own garden

Not sure where to start? Here are Byrne’s top five plants to get your native garden going.

1. Lemon myrtle

One of the most loved flavours in bush cooking, lemon myrtle brings a bright citrus note to the garden and the kitchen. Naturally found in subtropical rainforests across Queensland and New South Wales, its fragrant leaves are perfect for baking, brewing teas or adding a fresh lift to savoury dishes.

TIP: Plant in well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. It can grow anywhere from five to 20 metres depending on conditions and pruning so allow space or trim to keep it manageable.

2. Old man saltbush

Looking for a little privacy? Old man saltbush – a beautiful ornamental plant with silver leaves – is a great choice for borders and hedges. It typically grows to about three metres high, with flowers that bloom year-round. Working double duty as a kitchen essential, the salty leaves can be eaten fresh, blanched, sautéed or dried.

TIP: Plant in well-drained soil in full sun, watering occasionally during dry periods.

3. Kangaroo grass

If you’re looking to add texture and movement to your garden, kangaroo grass is a stand-out choice. This hardy native grass grows naturally around Australia and is loved for its soft, flowing form and warm golden tones. Beyond its good looks, kangaroo grass plays an important role in the landscape – its dense root system helps stabilise soil on slopes, while its seeds and foliage provide food and shelter for native birds and insects.

TIP: Plant in well-drained soil in full sun, allowing plenty of space to grow. Water regularly during establishment and in dry periods.

4. Atherton raspberry

If you want to grow your own fruit, the Atherton raspberry is a good place to start. Originally from the Atherton Tablelands in Queensland, this climber has fruit that tastes a bit like a mild raspberry and is delicious in jams, desserts and smoothies.

TIP: Plant in well-drained soil in full sun, allowing plenty of space to grow. Support with a trellis and water regularly during dry periods.

5. Cinnamon myrtle

What could be more delightful than a fast-growing native shrub with aromatic leaves that release a cinnamon-like scent? Even better, they can be dried or used fresh to flavour teas, desserts and even cocktails. And with glossy green foliage and delicate white flowers, it’s as appealing in the garden as it is in the kitchen.

TIP: Plant in well-drained soil in full sun to part shade, leaving space for it to grow to about two to three metres.

Tips for apartments and small spaces

No garden? No worries! If you’re living in an apartment or have limited garden space, you can still enjoy the spoils of native plants. Byrne recommends getting planter boxes for your balcony or windowsill and filling them with bush basil, native thyme and wax flowers.

Published: 15 June 2026