L12. Plant a wildlife garden
Cultivating biodiversity: Your garden's impact on local wildlife
The things we plant in our gardens and balconies are important. Through careful selection of the plants and habitat resources on your property, you are also choosing the species that will visit your home. A layered and diverse set of indigenous species in your backyard can become a haven for birds, butterflies, bees, frogs and lizards.
It can be difficult for fauna species to benefit from a single-species lawn, however, biodiversity benefits can be ascertained with lawns that integrate weeping grasses or wallaby grass. There are many Gardens for Wildlife programs throughout Melbourne and Victoria that will provide you with the guidance you need to bring nature into your backyard – while meeting neighbours and learning about species native and endemic to your local area. Gardens for Wildlife is located throughout many local government areas in Victoria.
Structural elements of nature – such as fallen logs, tree hollows, rocks, wetlands and other features – are critical for biodiversity. Existing structures should be retained and enhanced, and missing structures added. Structures can also include living elements such as trees, and these can be enhanced through the addition of more habitat, such as native mistletoe, which provide important resources for fauna. Read here about bringing mistletoes back to the trees of Melbourne.
Case Study Kensington courtyard transformed into a native garden haven, City of Melbourne
Thomas and his family reside in a home with a small inner-city courtyard where concrete and sunshine are plentiful. This typology is typical of many Kensington homes and inner-city dwellings, with space to allow for entertaining, parking and greenery. Thomas applied for and received a Gardens for Wildlife visit, which provided him direction to visit Bili Nursery and redeem his plant voucher for plant seedlings. His garden has transformed since the visit – his new garden is planted in soil with local indigenous species that support local wildlife.
Case Study Participate Melbourne: Ann-Sofie’s CBD balcony with Gardens for Wildlife, City of Melbourne
Ann-Sofie was greeted by Garden Guides Sam and Charlotte, who provided ideas to transform her CBD balcony. After her visit from Gardens for Wildlife, she visited Bili Nursery, who helped her to select optimal plant species for her balcony. AnnSofie’s CBD balcony has now been transformed into a ‘garden’ with small and large potted plants, primarily without flowers. Species include alpine mint, strawberry gum and cinnamon myrtle. Her garden has seen new visitors since her transformation, including from dragonflies, ladybugs and some cricket-like insects.