Growing native plants to attract butterflies and

other invertebrates

Sword Grass Brown ButterflyPhoto: D. Wilks

Why a Native Garden Native plants which occur naturally in our area are best adapted to local conditions such as soil and climate. With proper planting and care they should require less maintenance than most exotics.

Apart from looking good a native garden greatly benefits the environment. Plants and animals co-exist, each relying on the other for survival, so it is important that your garden attracts a broad range of birds, bees, butterflies, and other wildlife.

ku-ring-gai Council’s Fauna Friends Starter Packs consist of local plants which are known to attract birds, lizards, frogs, insects and butterflies. We recommend that you supplement the plants in the Fauna Friends Starter Pack with a variety of local native plants. this brochure lists some suggestions.

so, get planting and enjoy your garden’s increased diversity!

Hints for native gardens:

• Mulching your garden discourages weed growth and retains water. Mulch with leaf litter or prunings.

• Encourage wildlife into your garden by providing a range of shelters. these could include hollow logs, overhanging flat rocks, dense shrubs and nesting boxes.

• Don’t use pesticides or snail bait. As well as killing the insects, bees, lizards, frogs and birds which are beneficial to your garden, they are passed up the food chain.

• Cutting off spent flowers from a young plant will encourage bushier growth.

• We recommend limited use of a slow release fertiliser. Frequent use and regular fertilisers help to feed weeds.

• Remember that your plant will grow! select plants that are suitable to the space available.

Learn more:Australian Museum – www.amonline.net.au/research/the Australian Native Bee Research Centre – www.zeta.org.au/~anbrc/index.htmlFlora for Fauna – www.floraforfauna.comWildthings – www.kmc.nsw.gov.au/wildthings

Fauna Friends Starter Packs are available for purchase from Ku-ring-gai Council Nursery

430 Mona Vale Rd, St Ives.Open 9am-5pm Mon-Fri. Tel: 9424 0376

Contact Ku-ring-gai Council818 Pacific highway, Gordon NsW 2072locked Bag 1056, Pymble NsW 2073

T: 02 9424 0000 F: 02 9424 0001E: kmc@kmc.nsw.gov.auwww.kmc.nsw.gov.au

PRiNtED oN 80% RECyClED stoCk

Invertebrates and the environment• An invertebrate is an animal lacking a backbone. the

group includes 97% of all animal species including butterflies and beetles.

increasing the number of insects in a garden will assist the environment by:

• Providing food for birds, lizards, frogs and other animals.• Pollinating flowers, therefore increasing the quantity

of seeds and fruit. over 80% of native plants are pollinated by insects.

• Natural recycling, which is essential in keeping your garden healthy.

• Providing a natural form of pest control.

Australia’s native BeesAustralia has over 1500 native bee species, most of which are solitary, however a few are social and live in hives. only one species of social bee is found naturally in sydney - Trigona carbonaria. this species is stingless and their honey was highly prized by Aborigines. Native bees are efficient pollinators and are a vital component of the ecosystem.

Council’s WildThings program coordinates a number of wildlife initiatives, including the placement of Trigona carbonaria hives on resident's properties. For more information please visit www.kmc.nsw.gov.au/wildthings

Blue-banded BeePhoto: s. GEMMEll

How plants attract wildlife• the nectar of many flowers attracts beautiful butterflies

and other insects. they in turn may become food for hungry predators such as birds.

• these plants also provide shelter for many species. invertebrates may nest in leaves, stems, decaying matter at ground level and the root system. they attract the animals which eat these insects.

• A variety of flower colours attracts different types of insects.

Plants which attract invertebrates

GrouNd CovErS

Guinea FlowersGoodenia

Hibbertia sppGoodenia spp

the nectar of these ground cover plants attracts insects such as moths, butterflies and bees.

GrASSES/ ruSHES

Wallaby GrassWeeping Grass Plume Grass spiny headed Mat Rushsword Grass

Austrodanthonia tenuiorMicrolaena stipoidesDichelachne spp.Lomandra longifoliaGahnia sieberiana

Grasses and clumping plants attract butterflies and some species of moth larvae feed on the roots.

CLImBErS False sarsaparillaWonga Wonga Vineold Mans Beard

Hardenbergia violaceaPandorea pandoranaClematis aristata

the flowers of these climbers attract butterflies, moths, bees and other small insects.

SHruBS/ SmALL TrEES

Golden WattlePrickly Moses Myrtle WattleFlax WattleAustralian indigoBlackthorntick BushBush Pea Graceful Bush PeaNative FuchsiaRed spider-flowerGrey spider-flowerWhite spider-flowerFuchsia heath old Man Banksiahair-pin Banksia Dwarf Apple

Acacia longifoliaAcacia ulicifoliaAcacia myrtifoliaAcacia linifoliaIndigofera australisBursaria spinosaKunzea ambiguaPultenaea daphnoidesPultenaea flexilisCorrea reflexaGrevillea speciosaGrevillea buxifoliaGrevillea linearifoliaEpacris longifoliaBanksia serrataBanksia spinulosaAngophora hispida

Nectar of acacias, peas and grevilleas attract butterflies, moths, bees and other insects. Native ants collect acacia seeds.the flowers are generally pollinated by native bees. they attract a wide range of insects including butterflies and native ants.

TrEES Rough-barked AppleBlack WattleBottlebrush

Angophora floribundaCallicoma serratifoliaCallistemon spp

Plan your gardenGarden structure is important when encouraging wildlife into your backyard. trees, shrubs, groundcovers and grasses of different heights provide the necessary food, shelter and nesting sites for a range of animals.

�Canopy

middle Layer

Ground Cover

other Shelter