They belong here and nowhere else in the world, while showy exotic plants and flowers are as widespread as Big Macs. The enormous variety of Australian plants, about 25,000 species, and their versatility offer great scope for the design of gardens for every purpose and location. I think William of Ockham would agree that it s important to include in an Australian garden some plants indigenous to the area, appropriate for their local conditions. These provide habitat, food, shelter and breeding sites, for birds, insects and other native flora in a way that no introduced plants can. Interrelationships between organisms and the environment they share are precariously balanced.
Birds are good indicators of the ecological health of an area.
Sparrows, starlings, Indian mynahs and feral pigeons rarely visit Australian gardens, which welcome an array of colourful native birds. Ecological principles can be applied in soil enrichment, pest control, water conservation and recycling through composting and mulching. Even a small Australian garden, with a safe birdbath, will automatically support a mini native ecosystem and so help green our cities and suburbs. A garden lacking Australian plants leaves a hole in the ecological landscape. Since moving to Melbourne many years ago, I have visited gardens in all our States.