Our Wildlife Garden Approach

Your garden is assessed with an ecological lens, not a purely decorative one. We focus on strengthening the habitat value of the property while still ensuring it remains practical and visually appealing.

Our approach includes:

• Identifying the current native species and their ecological value

• Noting any non local plants that can stay without harm

• Identifying environmental weeds that must be removed

• Designing the right mix of canopy, understory, shrubs, grasses, and groundcovers

• Improving soil health for long term resilience

• Selecting only true native species from the Gold Coast and nearby regions

• Creating bird-friendly structure through layering, food sources, and shelter

• Optional integration of water sources, habitat logs, and microhabitats

• Providing ongoing maintenance plans to support succession and establishment

Every garden receives a tailored design that fits the conditions of the site — full sun, part shade, steep slopes, exposed areas, or wetter pockets.

Why True Local Native Plants Matter

A plant can be “Australian native” and still be ecologically irrelevant to our wildlife.

For example:

• A hybrid Grevillea sold in a nursery may not support the right nectar profile for local honeyeaters.

• A non local Lomandra cultivar may not feed the same insects as the true species.

• A colourful Callistemon cultivar may not match natural flowering cycles.

By choosing true native species from the Gold Coast bioregion, you support:

• local bird diets

• caterpillars and insects that feed baby birds

• native bees

• soil life and microfauna

• long term plant resilience

• genuine biodiversity

We prioritise species confirmed from:

Currumbin & Tallebudgera Catchment Species List:
https://wetlandinfo.des.qld.gov.au/wetlands/facts-maps/wildlife/?AreaID=report-card-tallebudgera-currumbin-healthy-land-and-water&Kingdom=plants&SpeciesFilter=Native

Tweed Valley Native Plant Guide:
https://www.tweed.nsw.gov.au/files/assets/public/v/1/documents/environment/native-plants-and-wildlife/my-local-native-garden-booklet.pdf

These are publicly available ecological resources that help ensure our plant selection is rooted in local provenance.

Wildlife Garden Services

1. Ecological Site Assessment

We begin with a thorough on site assessment, examining:

• existing native species

• invasive species

• microclimates (sun, shade, drainage)

• soil condition and structure

• wildlife pathways and perches

• opportunities for habitat enhancement

You receive a detailed written report with recommendations.

2. Native Planting and Wildlife Habitat Design

We design and install a planting plan that includes:

• canopy and sub-canopy species

• nectar and pollen producers

• grasses and sedges for ground-nesting birds

• insect-supporting plants

• food plants for butterflies and moth larvae

• shrubs for refuge and shelter

• groundcovers for moisture retention and habitat

This creates year-round food, shelter, and ecological function.

3. Environmental Weed Management

Some species — such as Dracaena trifasciata, Senna pendula, ochna, asparagus fern, mother-in-law’s tongue, and umbrella trees — spread aggressively into surrounding bushland.

We remove or manage these responsibly so native plants can establish and wildlife can thrive.

4. Soil Improvement & Regeneration

Healthy soil is the foundation of a healthy habitat.
We improve your soil using:

• premium native mixes

• perlite

• low-phosphorus native fertiliser

• smoked vermiculite for seedling support

• pine mulch for moisture retention and cooler soil

This supports long term resilience, especially during Gold Coast dry periods.

5. Optional Habitat Features

To further support wildlife, we can incorporate:

• bird baths with solar drippers

• shallow reservoirs

• habitat logs

• rock piles

• insect hotels

• frog-friendly planting

• microhabitat zones

These are optional but add significant ecological value.

6. Ongoing Native Garden Maintenance

A wildlife garden becomes stronger each year if maintained correctly.
Our monthly plan includes:

• light pruning

• weed removal

• monitoring plant health

• adding new local native species seasonally

• soil improvements

• watering during dry periods

• succession planting

This is ideal for homeowners who want long term biodiversity without high effort.

Recommended Local Native Plants

Below is a selection of sample species for the Currumbin Valley and Tweed bioregion. There are approximately 1462 native plant species recorded across Currumbin Valley and the Tallebudgera Creek catchment, so we always assess what is already present in the garden and prioritise adding species that are not yet represented.

Trees & Tall Shrubs

• Banksia aemula

• Eucalyptus robusta

• Hakea florulenta

• Backhousia myrtifolia

• Jacksonia scoparia

Medium Shrubs

• Grevillea barklyana (true species only)

• Leptospermum polygalifolium

• Melaleuca nodosa

• Hakea actites

Groundcovers & Cascading Plants

• Goodenia rotundifolia

• Hardenbergia violacea

• Scaevola aemula

• Pimelea linifolia

Grasses, Sedges & Structural Plants

• Themeda triandra

• Lomandra longifolia (true species)

• Xanthorrhoea johnsonii

• Acacia ulicifolia

(Full species list available in linked resources.)

Example Areas We Service

We design wildlife gardens across the Gold Coast, including: Currumbin, Burleigh, Elanora, Palm Beach, Tugun, Miami, Mermaid Waters, Robina, Mudgeeraba, Tallebudgera Valley, Reedy Creek, and extending south toward Tweed Heads and Banora Point.