Plant recommendations for Bayside Melbourne

Sandy Loam Bayside Soil

Our favourite trees.

We love all plants regardless of size, shape, origin or species.

Each plant has a different use for a different space and of course all plants originate from different climates and environments. We can work with you to design your ideal garden.

Melbourne, Bayside and the South Eastern suburbs where we operate are an especially great place to be focussing on an amazing planting schedule as we have a beautiful sandy loam soil and ideal climate to allow for a large selection of both native, indigenous and introduced species of plants.

If given the correct environmental conditions we can almost grow anything here.

Our team can select and promote this environment regardless of position to allow for an amazingly healthy garden within a few years (or less) depending on the size of plants selected at quotation stage.

We can provide all size plants – from fully established trees that allow for a quicker canopy and an instant garden, or small tube stock to be planted out in mass numbers allowing large areas to be covered quickly with little ongoing maintenance, and everything in between.

Plants for Bayside area Melbourne

The Bayside area of Melbourne is a large area and there are so many different garden types it can be hard to choose the best plants for your garden. Here are some choice options that will grow well in most areas of the Bayside area.

  1. Banksia – Bayside is in the perfect spot for growing Banksia’s as they love well drained soil and are great at repelling insects which can be a problem in cities with lack of green spaces. They’re also fast growing so if you wait a few years, chances are it will have grown taller than you.
  2. Buddleja – Also known as Butterfly Bush, these are ideal plants for providing food to caterpillars and also look gorgeous in a garden with their colourful flowers.
  3. Callistemon – These will attract butterflies and can grow up to 8 metres tall, so be sure to give them some space! They’re also great for retaining walls as they will grow quickly into the side of a wall.
  4. Grevillea – These are highly recommended plants for difficult areas as they help to reduce water runoff in your garden and can also push their roots deep into the ground, which helps prevent soil erosion. They only need pruning once or twice a year and have a long flowering period.
  5. Eucalyptus – Great for the Bayside area as they’ll help to remove toxins in your soil, but are also stunning plants to look at with their large flowers and bushy shape. They love well drained soil too!
  6. Bottlebrush – A great plant for the borders of your garden, as well as a bush that attracts the birds and bees.
  7. Tree Fern – These plants are perfect for retaining walls due to they’re shallow roots that won’t take over your garden, but will help to retain moisture levels in your soil so you end up with a nice moist area beneath your tree ferns.
  8. Brachychiton – Also known as the Queensland Bottle Tree, these plants are great for removing toxins from soil and will also help with water runoff so you’re not left with puddles in your garden.
  9. Banksia Scrub – A shrub that grows to around 1m, but you should allow plenty of room for them to grow as they can reach up to 15m on a good day. These plants are great for holding soil together or even split in two and make a lovely hedge along the side of your garden.
  10. New Zealand Christmas Tree – Also known as the Pohutukawa, these trees are highly recommended for cities like Melbourne because they’re super hardy and can withstand the polluted air that we’re surrounded with now.


Plants are the foundation of any garden, be it outdoors or indoors. When it comes to choosing the right plants for your space, there are numerous things you need to take into consideration, one of which is whether they will suit the area where you are planning on placing them. For example, if you have a small balcony that faces East and gets plenty of sunlight in the evenings, then your best option would be to go for small shrubs that require a moderate amount of sunlight. As opposed to growing large shrubs that will take up most of your balcony space and will ultimately block out the sun, making them an ideal choice for small gardens or places where you can’t afford direct sunlight due to limited space.

What plants grow well in Melbourne?

When it comes to choosing the right plants for your space, there are numerous things you need to take into consideration, one of which is whether they will suit the area where you are planning on placing them. For example, if you have a small balcony that faces East and gets plenty of sunlight in the evenings, then your best option would be to go for small shrubs that require a moderate amount of sunlight. As opposed to growing large shrubs that will take up most of your balcony space and will ultimately block out the sun, making them an ideal choice for small gardens or places where you can’t afford direct sunlight due to limited space.

Plants grow well in tight spaces. So no matter what size of balcony you have, there will be a plant that will work perfectly for your space. Some plants may take up more room than others but do not let this put you off, as with time they will grow and spread out into the available space and eventually fill it all up. If you’re buying from a garden centre or nursery then you can easily ask for the help of an expert to recommend plants that will grow in little spots. For instance, if you have a small area in your garden with limited sunlight, then do not buy any plants that require full sun.

What flowers bloom all year round in Bayside Melbourne?

It’s always nice to have flowers that bloom all year round in Melbourne. But most plants will only last for a few months before they start to die off. There are some plants though, which can survive the cold winters and still give you flowers throughout the whole year. These are great for people who love gardening but also want their garden looking beautiful all year round!

  1. Calibrachoa – A perennial plant with trailing stems of small sweetly scented blooms in shades of pink or red, these plants need very little care and attention so if you’re looking for something easy then this is the one for you! They’ll be perfect on your balcony giving it an elegant look even when it’s not blooming too!
  2. Love in a Mist – A lovely trailing plant with small white flowers which look like it’s been sprinkled with icing sugar! If you’re looking for something that won’t take up too much room then this is the one for you! These plants are perfect for flower arrangements and will also be ideal if you want to fill an area of your garden with flowers, but don’t want to spend too much.
  3. Hardy Geraniums – A stunning plant that can easily be mistaken for an orchid because of it’s beautiful pink/purple flowers! These hardy plants will grow anywhere and so make the perfect addition to your balcony/garden if you are short on space. They are beautiful flowers that will make your balcony/garden complete!
  4. Fuchsia’s – These bright little plants come in many colours such as pink, red and purple just to name a few. Most importantly, the blossoms are stunningly colourful and so this plant is great for people who love colour and details! Whether you’re looking to plant a few or fill your balcony with them, they will be sure to give you magnificent colours which are great for those who like flowers all year round.
  5. Agapanthus – These beautiful large white flowers are perfect for people who love colour and who have plenty of room in their garden, as they can grow quite large! They are easy to care for and need minimal attention, so the only thing you have to do is enjoy the stunning flowers this plant gives you!
  6. Variegated Flowering Maple – A tree that needs quite a lot of sunlight as it can not grow in low light environments. Although they can grow quite tall (up to 12m’s), they won’t grow wide so the perfect plant for small areas. They have stunning features that will wow you, whether it be the green and white variegated leaves or those stunning red flowers in spring!
  7. The Weeping Fig – A large tree great for people who love plants that make a statement. It has long hanging branches


Indigenous plants for Bayside area Melbourne
What are indigenous plants?

Australian Indigenous plants were the original flora that occurred in our country, and make up a significant proportion of what we call Australian native plants. They have evolved to the conditions within their local environment by making necessary changes through adaptation. This results in a more resilient landscape which presents different scenarios for plant success than non-native species do. The most important factors are rainfall and soil type which will determine whether your indigenous or exotic plants thrive best.

The Australian native species are well adapted to the soils, topography and climate of their homeland.

Australian Indigenous plants are well-adapted to their homeland environment. Growing them in your garden will help you create a resilient landscape that is able to withstand the conditions of Melbourne Bayside better than non-native species can. This results in more beautiful and healthy gardens with less work on your part! If you have any questions or would like help selecting indigenous plants for your property, please contact our team at All Aspects Landscaping.

Indigenous plants in the garden

The most common Australian native plants include wattles, bottlebrushes, grevilleas, banksias and eucalypts. In order to grow these plants successfully we must first understand their characteristics and how they make use of their environment. If you have indigenous plants on your property already, you’ll need to tweak your regular garden maintenance routine. Consider how you will care for them during the dry or wet seasons and make any necessary adjustments to your existing methods.

Australian native plants in Melbourne Bayside gardens

Plants from Australia grow just fine here as long as we respect their special needs and water appropriately throughout the year.

The idea of growing indigenous plants in your own backyard garden is becoming more and more popular. These types of plants are perfect for the average gardener because they require minimal care, provide a great diversity to any landscape, and can be used as ingredients or decorations within an edible garden!

They are great because;

  • They have the ability to grow without the need for artificial fertilisers or sprays
  • they only need minimal watering and care to stay alive.
  • help to protect and preserve rich biodiversity that is crucial for local native birds, insects, plants, and other animals

Types of indigenous plants

  • Gum tree (Eucalyptus) , This is the largest group of plant species in Australia, with over 700 species. They are known to dominate many areas of our country and grow well when planted in Melbourne Bayside gardens. Some popular gum trees you may consider planting in your garden include: Eucalyptus citriodora, Eucalyptus. Another plant that can be great for gardens in Melbourne Bayside is the river red gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis). Their leaves are a lustrous rich green colour throughout the year.
  • Banksia, A type of flowering plant that grows well in Melbourne Bayside. They have unique flower formations which are often described as a “pin cushion”. These plants grow best when planted in full sunlight with regular watering.
  • Bottlebrush (Callistemon) , This plant has had quite a bit of attention over the years due to their beautiful colour. They bloom during summer and are able to grow in drought-like conditions because they have such deep roots.
  • Burrawang (Macadamia) , Is found in the forests throughout Australia and has been used for many purposes over the years. It’s white flowers can be used for medicinal purposes, the fruit is edible, and it can even be used as a fence post!
  • Grevillea (Grevillea) , This plant has beautiful intricate foliage which draws in plenty of local birds and insects to the garden. They are drought tolerant and great for adding colours and interesting shapes to any garden.
  • One of the most popular types of grevillea plant is the red spider bush (Grevillea ‘Robyn Gordon’), which has a dark purple flower in winter. This plant can also be grown as a hedge, and pruned into living fencing. A great option for those lovely backyards in Melbourne
  • Wattle (Acacia) , This plant is an evergreen shrub and has the most recognisable leaf of all the Australian native plants. Acacia species can be bought in many different colour variations and are perfect for providing structure to any type of garden. They are also useful as wind breaks, privacy barriers and hedging.
  • Banksia (Banksia) , This is one of the most adaptable plants you can find and grows perfectly well in Melbourne Bayside gardens. Banksia flower heads are available in many colours, ranging from white to purple. They thrive in full sunlight and have a beautiful texture throughout summer.
  • Xanthorrhoea (Yellow grass), also known as “Yellow Grassy”, this plant is the tallest flowering plant found in Australia. They have stalks of bright yellow flowers and grow best in Melbourne Bayside gardens with sandy soil conditions.
  • Waratah (Telopea), they grow naturally in areas of New South Wales and can tolerate any type of soil conditions that are found in Melbourne Bayside. The flowers on this plant have been compared to the colours of a red rose, which means they are perfect for adding structure and colour to your garden during spring time.
  • Spider flower (Grevilleas), these plants are known to flower in winter and can be a great addition to any garden. They attract birds and native insects as well as adding colour variation to the landscape. They also look amazing when planted around other grevilleas or gums!
  • Kangaroo paw (Anigozanthos), this is one of the most eye-catching flowers in Australia and can be seen growing in Melbourne Bayside backyards. The flower brings a great deal of colour to the garden during winter time. It’s tall stalks have unique markings which make them easy to identify and are also useful as windbreaks or privacy barriers.
  • Native bluebell (Wahlenbergia stricta) is a perennial plant. It has deep green leaves and purple flowers that have a lovely scent. This attractive native plant is very easy to grow and thrives in Melbourne Bayside gardens with sandy soil conditions, which allows the roots to spread out widely.

You can always ask your local landscaper for advice!

Thinking about turf? Get more advice from All Aspects Landscaping Melbourne.