Local Plant Sales

None of the nurseries close to the inner city specialise in local plants and some don't sell any West Australian plants at all! Pretty surprising when you consider that South-West WA is a floral biodiversity hotspot that people come from all over the world to visit in springtime. The plant sales held by the Friends of Kings Park is the one exception to this and part of the inspiration for our local plant sales in Vincent.

The other problem is that many of us know how to grow vegetables, roses and geraniums but there is much less general knowledge in the community about how to grow WA plants and many horror stories of "if you fertilise them they will die" "Australian plants don't need any watering" and "they will only grow in full sun". People also aren't familiar with the many plants available (8,000 species and climbing) so don't know what to choose.

To give Vincent residents a chance to try out local plants for very little cost, the Town of Vincent and the CBCG decided to hold plant sales through autumn, winter and spring, selling a range of plants, suitable for local gardens at less than the wholesale price. Horticultural staff are on hand to give advice about plant selection and care.

The first plant sales were held in 2005 and were a great success. People appreciated being able to buy WA plants locally, and the prices ($1 for tubestock, $3 for small pots, $5 for kangaroo paws) were easily affordable. Two sales were held in 2005. Following feedback we decided that people needed more advice on plant care and more plants for shade.

Three sales were held in 2006. Vincent horticultural staff also provided advice at a designated advice table. Again the sales were popular though the numbers were less at the final sale in spring. Following feedback it was clear that people still needed more advice on plant care and we needed even more shade plants! (Inner city living, small gardens, high fences, two storey houses, overshadowing...)

More sales will be held in 2007. Come back early in 2007 or visit the Town of Vincent website for dates. Please note that plants can be purchased by Vincent residents only, proof that you are a resident must be provided, and there is a limit on the total number of plants that can be purchased.

Below is a list of the plants that were for sale in 2006. The plants that will be available in 2007 will depend on what is available at the time. The aim is to provide a range of plants suitable for smaller gardens from full sun to shade including trees, shrubs, smaller shrubs, flowering plants, groundcovers, climbers and of course kangaroo paws. The plants selected are not strictly local in the sense that some may originate from stock found elsewhere on the Swan Coastal Plain or be hybrid plants, but they are all suitable to grow in this area and are available from specialist plant nurseries.

Typical plant list (from 2006 plant sale)

Town of Vincent residents can download a Grow Local Plants brochure here or contact us and we'll post you one.

If you live outside the Town of Vincent, visit the Grow Local Plants website to download the correct brochure for your soil type (within the Perth Metro Area).

Click here for a list of nurseries that sell local plants, useful books and websites to visit to learn more about growing local plants and encouraging wildlife into your garden.