Grasses and herbs have fared worst. Growing native helps keep our environment in balance. Roger Oxley of the Southern Riverina Field Naturalists gives the example of boxthorn. This rather ordinary, straggly shrub also plays a vital role in the survival of Australia's rarest butterfly, the Bathurst copper butterfly, which relies on a small black ant for care for its caterpillars. The ant, in turn, depends on the boxthorn.
Some birds use the boxthorn for protection from predators.
To grow local native plants successfully, fertilisers should NOT be added to the soil. Mulching with leaves and red gum chips will help deter weed growth. Local natives can be grown from seed or cuttings. Before choosing a plant for a site, consideration should be given to the width and height a mature plant will attain. It is not wise to plant trees close to your house or, in the case of town properties, close to the neighbour's fence.