Community Waterwise Display Garden - Goulburn Valley Water, Australia

1. Community
Waterwise
Display
Garden
More Goulburn Valley residents than ever before are paying close
attention to their water use and making changes where possible
to conserve our most precious resource. There is growing
recognition that now is the time to act if we are to successfully
protect our water for future generations.
With over half of GVW’s domestic supply used outside the home,
the garden is a great place to start to make a significant change.
Waterwise gardening is about working smarter, not harder, as it
not only saves water but can be very low maintenance as well.
With smaller lawn areas, effective use of mulching and
landscaping, and a properly designed irrigation system,
considering waterwise principles in garden design can also save
time and money.
Many GVW customers are already making smart choices when
selecting plants for new and existing gardens. They realise that
being waterwise in the garden doesn’t mean a compromise on
having a beautiful garden. GVW is proud to be part of the changing
trend and agree that the garden is a great place to start when
conserving water at home, school and work.
In the GVW Waterwise Display Garden, three popular and relevant
garden styles for the Goulburn Valley region have been
highlighted; a native garden, a cottage garden and a succulent
garden. This will hopefully provide GVW customers and visitors
with the inspiration to develop their own gardens with the
waterwise message in mind.

2. 1
Slender Mat Rush
[ Lomandra hystrix ]
1.5m 1m
FULL SUN / SHADE SPRING - SUMMER
This species grows naturally in Queensland and New South Wales.
Growing 1-1.5m high it will tolerate full sun or heavy shade. Hystrix is one
of the most shade tolerant of all lomandra species. Flowering in spring
and summer with openly arranged yellow flowers amongst, and slightly
above, the foliage. It is frost tolerant and has low water requirements once
established. Fertilise with slow release fertiliser in spring and autumn.
Trim foliage to approx 20cm above the ground every 2-3 years if required.
2 Wax Flower: Bournda Gold
[ Philotheca myoporoides ‘Bournda Gold’ ]
1m 1m
SPRING
A compact, bushy shrub growing to 1m x 1m, this lovely plant features
beautiful gold and green variegated aromatic foliage. Pink flower buds
appear during winter and open to white star shaped flowers in spring. It
prefers a sunny position in well drained soil. Prune after flowering and
fertilise with slow release fertiliser. It has medium frost tolerance and low
water requirements once established.
3 Native Rosemary
[ Westringia ‘Wynyabbie Gem’ nana ]
60cm 60cm
FULL / PART SUN SPRING
A hardy, butterfly attracting evergreen shrub growing 60cm x 60cm. Light
mauve flowers are produced throughout the year on attractive grey-green
foliage. Native Rosemary prefers a sunny or partly shaded position and will
tolerate frost, drought and costal conditions. Prune regularly to maintain
shape and fertilise annually with a slow release fertiliser. Very low water
requirements once established.
4 Dwarf Flax Lily
[ Dianella revoluta ‘Little Rev’ ]
40cm 40cm
FULL / PART SUN SPRING
This is a very hardy, clump forming evergreen perennial with sword shaped
upright blue-grey foliage and soft blue flowers in spring, followed by
attractive purple berries. Growing to approximately 30-40cm in height, it is
very adaptable to soil type. Grows well in full sun or part shade, fertilise in
spring with an organic fertiliser. Exhibits excellent drought and frost
tolerance and requires little maintenance or water once established.

3. 5
Emu Bush
[ Eremophila glabra ‘Silver Ball’ ]
1m 1m
FULL / PART SUN SPRING
A neat, compact shrub with grey-green foliage and yellow flowers in
spring, that grows approximately 1m x 1m. Plant in full sun or part shade
position, in well-drained soil. It will tolerate frosts and extended dry
periods once established. Prune lightly after flowering to maintain shape
and fertilise with a slow release fertiliser in spring.
6 Fan Flower
[ Scaevola albida ‘Mauve Dome’ ]
30cm 50cm
SPRING-SUMMER
A fast growing dense groundcover/mounding perennial, with rich green
foliage and a profusion of dainty mauve fan shaped flowers occurring in
spring/summer. Plant in full sun position in well drained soil. Resents hard
pruning and has low water requirements once established.
7 Burgundy Emu Bush
[ Eremophila glabra prostrate burgundy ]
50cm 1m
WINTER-SPRING
This is a showy, spreading groundcover to approximately 0.3m x 2m.
Lovely grey/green foliage with bright red tubular flowers appear from winter
through to spring. It is tolerant of poor soils, frost, drought and shade.
Requires little water or maintenance once established.
8 Correa: Carawatha Bells
[ Correa pulchella ‘Carawatha Bells’ ]
40cm 60cm
FULL / PART SUN WINTER
This compact correa has prolific deep pink bell flowers and will add colour
to the garden over the winter period. Growing 30-50cm high it prefers a
position in full sun to part shade in most well drained soils. Plants will
benefit from an annual tip prune and an application of slow release low
phosphorus fertiliser.
9 Lomandra: Tanika
[ Lomandra longifolia ]
60cm 60cm
FULL SUN / SHADE SPRING
This is an improved form of longifolia producing fine leaves, growing to a
height of 50-60cm. Its architectural features are complimented by
attractive yellow flowers in spring. A tough, hardy and reliable plant, it will
grow in either full sun or shade and is drought and frost tolerant.

4. Natural landscaping, or native gardening, is the use of native plants,
including trees, shrubs, groundcover and grasses which are
indigenous to the geographic area of the garden. With the right
plant choice, native gardens can be a lush and attractive example of
a waterwise garden. These days there are many native plants that
look great while needing minimal amounts of water.
The Goulburn Valley Water Native Garden incorporates a range of Succulent plants, also known as succulents or fat
plants that compliment the fountain and create an interesting plants, are water-retaining plants adapted to arid
modern style of garden. These plants also attract birds. They have climate or soil conditions. Succulent plants store water
been grouped into zones, so no plants will be over or under in their leaves, stems and/or roots. The storage of
watered, ensuring the most efficient use of water possible. water often gives succulent plants a more swollen or
fleshy appearance than other plants.
NATIVE GARDEN The Goulburn Valley Water Succulent Garden
showcases interesting ways to use some of these good
looking plants, including a raised gravel mound
featuring interesting sculptures. It reintroduces old
favourites to a modern garden.
4
SUCCULENT GARDEN
1
11
2
12
3 13 19
14
14 18
8
10 20
9
17
6
7
4 18
5 13
6 3 13
15 16
Native Garden Cottage Garden
1. Slender Mat Rush
2. Wax Flower: Bournda Gold
11. Indian Hawthorn
12. Sacred Bamboo
COTTAGE GARDEN
3. Native Rosemary 13. Burgundy Iceberg
4. Dwarf Flax Lily 14. Society Garlic Historically Cottage Gardens were small and found in the gardens of
5. Emu Bush 15. Silver Bush ordinary people with little money and little leisure time. This was in
contrast to formal gardens which originated in palaces and grand country
6. Fan Flower
houses in England. Cottage gardens were brimming with colour, and
7. Burgundy Emu Bush Succulent Garden
flowers were admired and appreciated unlike those in a formal garden.
8. Correa: Carawatha Bells 16. Aloe: Always Red
9. Lomandra: Tanika 17. Aloe: Fairy Pink The Goulburn Valley Water Cottage Garden incorporates pretty flowering
10. Bottle Tree 18. Spurge plants that, once established, will require minimal maintenance and have
19. Mexican Lily low water requirements. They have been selected from a range of plants
20. Zebra Plant suited to low rainfall climates and have special water conservation
features. Some of the major plant groups used in a Cottage Garden
include edging or border plants, perennials, climbing plants and
evergreen shrubs.

5. 10
Bottle Tree
[ Brachychiton rupestris ]
20m 16m
SPRING-SUMMER
The bottle tree is a small to medium sized tree which may reach 18-20m in
height, although it is usually much smaller in cultivation in cooler areas.
The bottle shaped trunk may start to be noticeable around 5-8yrs of age.
It tolerates a range of soil types and is hardy in a range of climates
although it may be slow growing. Fertilise in spring. Mulch well to suppress
weeds and conserve soil moisture. It prefers a well drained soil in a full
sun, open position.
11 Indian Hawthorn
[ Rhaphiolepis x indica ‘Snow Maiden’ ]
70cm 70cm
FULL SUN / SHADE AUTUMN-SPRING
A compact, low growing evergreen shrub with glossy dark green leaves,
producing an abundance of flowers over a long period from autumn
through to spring. Ideal for sun or shade, Snow Maiden is tough and hardy,
resistant to salt spray making it perfect for coastal gardens and planting
around salt water pools. Suitable for most soil types provided there is good
drainage. Growing 50-75cm, it is heat and frost tolerant.
12 Sacred Bamboo
[ Nandina domestica ‘Moon Bay’ ]
75cm 75cm
FULL / PART SUN SUMMER
Moon Bay is an extremely hardy evergreen shrub with a compact growth
habit to around 75cm in height. The foliage changes colour throughout the
seasons. It is an ideal accent plant for borders and mass planting where
colour contrast is required. It is frost hardy and prefers fertile, well drained
soil in full sun.
13 Burgundy Iceberg
[ Burgundy Iceberg Rose ]
70cm 70cm
SPRING-SUMMER
This magnificent iceberg form is exactly like its parent in every way except
colour. It has apple green foliage with deep velvet burgundy flowers and a
sweet apple fragrance. It is quite thorn free on new stems. Highly disease
resistant with low water requirements once established.

6. 14 Society Garlic
[ Tulbaghia violacea ‘Galaxy’ ]
40cm 40cm
SPRING-SUMMER
This is a very hardy, clump forming perennial with broad grass-like foliage
growing 40cm high. Long flowering from spring through to late summer,
the lilac, star shaped flowers provide a prolific display. Tulbaghias have low
maintenance requirements, and once established are very dry tolerant.
Apply a slow release fertiliser in spring. Pruning generally not required.
15 Silver Bush
[ Convolvulus cneorum ]
60cm 1m
SPRING-SUMMER
The silky, silvery leaves make this a great plant for a hot, dry spot. It has
masses of white flowers in spring and summer. Growing approximately
60cm high x 1m wide it is a very hardy and drought tolerant plant
preferring a position in full sun. It will adapt to most soil conditions except
boggy. A light trim to maintain shape is usually all that is required.
16 Aloe: Always Red
[ Aloe ‘Always red’ ]
30cm 30cm
FULL / PART SUN SUMMER-WINTER
An incredible long flowering, small growing hybrid, it has an elegant leaf
form which continues to throw up spears of shiny blood red flowers during
summer, autumn and winter, up to 10 months of the year. Perfect as a
bedding plant, planted en-masse or grown in containers. Grow in a sunny
or semi-shade position with good drainage. Once established it has
moderate frost tolerance, high rain tolerance and will tolerate very hot
conditions growing to approximately 30cm x 30cm.
17 Aloe: Fairy Pink
[ Aloe ‘Fairy pink’ ]
20cm 12cm
SEMI-SHADE SUMMER-AUTUMN
Numerous dainty flowers appear in late summer/early autumn. A beautiful
smaller growing Aloe hybrid with a clumping habit, growing 20cm x 12cm.
Best grown as a pot specimen but also suitable for mass plantings or
borders. It prefers a semi-shaded position but will tolerate full sun if given
protection.

7. 18
Spurge
[ Euphorbia x martinii ‘Tiny tim’ ]
50cm 50cm
WINTER-SPRING
A distinctive shrub with an appealing compact, mound like form to around
50cm in height, Spurge is smothered in masses of lime green, flower-like
bracts in late winter to spring. Ideal for sunny positions in moist, well
drained soil and is frost hardy. Prune back spent flower-heads to maintain
tidy appearance taking care to wear gloves, as the sap can be irritating to
skin and eyes. Feed with a slow release fertiliser in spring.
19 Mexican Lily
[ Beschorneria Yuccoides ]
1m 1.5 m
LATE SUMMER
An evergreen perennial which produces stunning rosettes of lance shaped
foliage with rough but not sharp edges. As the plant matures slender red
flower stems rise high above the foliage bearing clusters of bright green
flowers surrounded by red bracts. Grow in a sunny position with good
drainage. Once established it is very hardy, well able to withstand heat,
drought, wind and frost conditions. Mexican Lily is a minimal care plant ideal
for both container and garden plantings, growing to approximately 1m x 1.5m.
20 Zebra Plant
[ Haworthia attenuata ]
10cm 10cm
SUMMER
A beautiful species with stiff, deep green leaves forming a rosette to 10cm
wide. The leaves are strikingly marked with white dots and with white
stripes on the undersides. Suitable for different soil types and tolerates dry
conditions.
Garden Design & Construction: Michelle Banfield - Flourish Landscapes
104-110 Fryers Street, Shepparton 3630
PO Box 185, Shepparton, 3632
Design & Production: Kris Muir Design
DX 63036
Service Difficulties: 1800 45 45 00
Customer Account Enquiries: 1300 36 00 07
Facsimile: (03) 5831 1467
Email: mail@gvwater.vic.gov.au
Website: www.gvwater.vic.gov.au
Recycled
Supporting responsible use
of forest resources
www.fsc.org Cert no. SGS-COC-2262
©1996 Forest Stewardship Council