The Ultimate Guide to Australian Native Grasses
If you are considering planting some grass on your property, why not choose something native to Australia? Native grasses have many advantages over introduced grass species such as requiring less maintenance, can reduce soil erosion and tend to establish themselves quicker. As they are native, they will also attract beneficial and native birds, pollinators and wildlife to your garden. Native grasses are quite hardy so they have a better chance of survival and weathering frost, flooding and drought than the average introduced plant.
You don’t have to compromise appearance when you choose native grasses, there are a range of different colours and leaf shapes to choose from. As skilled gardeners, we at Jim’s Mowing have put together a list of our recommended native grasses and some handy tips on growing them.
Our recommended Australian native grasses list
According to Agriculture Victoria, there are over 1,000 grasses native to Australia! There is a wide variety of different native grasses which can be grown across the country. With so many fantastic choices, here are our top recommendations of native grasses to plant in your garden.
Redgrass
Redgrass gets its name from the reddish tint of its leaves. A warm season grass, Redgrass (or Bothriochloa Macra) is found on the South East Coast of Australia. It can survive long periods of drought and high heat, and grows in a variety of soil types, although it prefers heavy clay or loam soil. We’d recommend planting this hardy grass in regions with lower rainfall. With irrigation, you can sow Redgrass year round.
Basket Grass
Lomandra Longifolia is a native grass known by many names such as Basket Grass and Spiny-head Mat-rush Grass. It is native to all regions of Australia except for the Northern Territory and Western Australia, making it a highly versatile choice. Basket Grass can survive intense droughts, as well as flooding and temperatures as low as to -7℃. You can also choose to grow Basket Grass indoors in a container or outdoors in a range of soils from sandy to clay. Keep your Basket Grass soil moist to encourage growth, however limit overwatering in winter otherwise it may die back.
Tasred Grass
This Eastern Australian native grass offers a variety of colour throughout the year. The Dianella Tasmanica or Tasred has bright green leaves which develop a beautiful red colouring during the winter. In spring, the Tasred produces rich blue flowers. The Tasred can grow in partial to deep shade, and should be planted in well-draining soil. As it can tolerate drought and frost once established, you can plant Tasred in cool or warm temperate, subtropical and mediterranean regions.
Weeping Grass
Microlaena Stipoides, or Weeping Grass, is sometimes known as ‘Meadow Rice Grass’ and does best in regions with mild summers and winters such as a temperate region. It is drought tolerant and can adapt to wetter conditions. Weeping Grass can grow almost anywhere, including in fun sun and partial shade, however it doesn’t cope well with heavy use so it’s best grown in areas without heavy foot traffic. You will find that Weeping Grass can grow in a variety of soil types, but it does prefer acidic soil.
Blue Fescue Grass
The distinct Australian native blue-grey grass is the Festuca Glauca, also known as the ‘Blue Fescue’. As it is highly frost tolerant, the Blue Fescue grows well in cooler climates and enjoys full sun. Plant your Blue Fescue in well-draining soil, as overwatering may cause it to rot.
Maintain your native grass with Jim’s Mowing!
Even Australian native grasses require the occasional maintenance and TLC! You can ensure your grass is in tip-top condition by enlisting the experts at Jim’s Mowing! Our gardening services can be tailored to your garden’s unique needs, with options of weekly, monthly and once-off services. Receive a free quote for gardening services today!
