• the charming Phebalium nottii

    I’ve always been a fan of Phebalium’s and Phebalium nottii is no exception. Possibly the trickiest of the Phebalium’s to grow but also the most spectacular. Phebalium nottii is a small rounded shrub growing up to 1mt in height. It’s branchlets are covered with silvery to rust-coloured scales. The leaves are long and thin, with…

  • Easy to grow WA species for the East Coast: Gastrolobium celsianum

    Another one! And this one is a winner, it ticks so many boxes and it is hard to believe it comes from southern WA. Gastrolobium celsianum or Brachysema celsianum is a wonderful native plant, it is relatively easy to source, grows quickly and flowers in shade. It also tolerates moderate frost. The common name for…

  • More Native plants for Containers

    I absolutely love growing native plants in pots or containers, it enables me to grow species which would just up and die if I planted them in the ground. It also means I am increasing the amount of flowers in my garden and providing extra food for pollinating insects. One species I have had several…

    2 responses

  • A Portrait of a Flower and a shrub: Hakea francisiana

    This is a 5 year old post which I am adding to as this grafted Hakea reveals itself to be a wonderful feature shrub or small tree. Hakea francisiana Grafted has a dense vase shaped habit and covers itself in the striking pink poker flowers from June to October. I have been increasingly using this…

    8 responses

  • More Paper daisies to make you happy: Xerochrysum ‘Kimba Jewel’

    Well, well, well here we are again with me espousing the inherent joy of growing paper daisies, they are still one of my most satisfying and easy to grow recommendations for people wanting some colour in their garden. Xerochrysum bracteantha ‘Kimba Jewel’ has been one of my favourites for a couple of years now, I…

  • Tree on fire: Stenocarpus sinuatus

    The Firewheel trees are flowering their heads off this year, I’m not sure what it is, maybe the searing heat? maybe the deluge of rains, whatever, my tree has never had so many flowers on it and its not the only one.

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  5. Hi guys – I have two grass trees. One seems to be growing well but the second is struggling. The…

  6. Thanks Marc, Have you seen the previous posts on natives for containers? https://malleedesign.com.au/native-plants-for-pots/ https://malleedesign.com.au/natives-for-pots-and-containers-part-2/ https://malleedesign.com.au/natives-for-pots-and-containers-3/ Best Wishes, Kath

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providing resources for native plant gardeners and designers.


Mallee Design was created by Kath Gadd in 2012 to document and share her love for native Australian garden design. Her original motivation was to inspire those interested in learning more about native Australian plants. The Mallee Design blog has since grown into a rich resource, used by gardeners, horticulturalists, landscape designers and others.

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