The Barossa Bushgardens - Mike Keelan visits the Barossa Valley region of South Australia

After surveying the Adelaide Plains, South Australia's legendary Surveyor General Colonel William Light later turned his attention to the rich Barossa Valley. Over the intervening one hundred and seventy years the landscape which early explorers like William Light and Captain Charles Sturt covered has changed dramatically. Back in the 1830s and 40s the Barossa would have had a lot more woodland areas.

Sadly much of it has made way for vineyards and wineries. But now, a committed group of local residents has begun the process of propagating and replanting endemic Barossa plants before they become extinct.

Those behind the Barossa Bush Gardens at Nuriootpa, an hour's drive from Adelaide, have created formal display gardens aimed at giving you an idea of what to expect if you "live local and plant local".

The display garden maps out how your front yard could look if you choose from the selection of native plants propagated here since 2001. That's when the Barossa Council provided land for what has become a regional botanic garden.

Tony Chapman had a few suggestions like Clematis Microphylla commonly known as Old Man's Beard. "I would use it as a hedge," said Tony. "It grows densely and flowers profusely. The flowers are followed the fluffy seedpods which give the impression of the old man's beard. It's very waterwise. It's evergreen and provides nesting material for birds.

"We've also discovered that it was used widely by our indigenous people as a food source and for medicinal purposes and the stems were used for binding on spear shafts and things like that.

Old Man's Beard flowers right up until April... but if you're looking for something a little different then why not try the native lilac. "In some areas it's called Native Sarsaparilla. It's a very attractive plant and is also a very useful hedge plant."

A quick tip from Tony - don't be afraid to prune a native hedge. He says the native lilac loves a good trim. If you are after a bird attracting plant look no further than the Banksia Margenata, or Silver Banksia which is native to the Barossa.

You can pick up self-guided tour leaflets and plants lists at the entrance to the Barossa Bushgardens on Penrice Road at Nuriootpa. It's open during daylight hours. If you have any further questions please email info@postcards-sa.com.au

Barossa Bushgardens
Penrice Road
Nuriootpa
Open during daylight hours

Published 3 March 2006