More Goulburn Valley residents than ever before are paying close

attention to their water use and making changes where possible

to conserve our most precious resource. There is growing

recognition that now is the time to act if we are to successfully

protect our water for future generations.

With over half of GVW’s domestic supply used outside the home,

the garden is a great place to start to make a significant change.

Waterwise gardening is about working smarter, not harder, as it

not only saves water but can be very low maintenance as well.

With smaller lawn areas, effective use of mulching and

landscaping, and a properly designed irrigation system,

considering waterwise principles in garden design can also save

time and money.

Many GVW customers are already making smart choices when

selecting plants for new and existing gardens. They realise that

being waterwise in the garden doesn’t mean a compromise on

having a beautiful garden. GVW is proud to be part of the changing

trend and agree that the garden is a great place to start when

conserving water at home, school and work.

In the GVW Waterwise Display Garden, three popular and relevant

garden styles for the Goulburn Valley region have been

highlighted; a native garden, a cottage garden and a succulent

garden. This will hopefully provide GVW customers and visitors

with the inspiration to develop their own gardens with the

waterwise message in mind.

CommunityWaterwise

DisplayGarden

Slender Mat Rush

[ Lomandra hystrix ]

FULL SUN / SHADE

1m

SPRING - SUMMER

1.5m

This species grows naturally in Queensland and New South Wales.

Growing 1-1.5m high it will tolerate full sun or heavy shade. Hystrix is one

of the most shade tolerant of all lomandra species. Flowering in spring

and summer with openly arranged yellow �owers amongst, and slightly

above, the foliage. It is frost tolerant and has low water requirements once

established. Fertilise with slow release fertiliser in spring and autumn.

Trim foliage to approx 20cm above the ground every 2-3 years if required.

A compact, bushy shrub growing to 1m x 1m, this lovely plant features

beautiful gold and green variegated aromatic foliage. Pink �ower buds

appear during winter and open to white star shaped �owers in spring. It

prefers a sunny position in well drained soil. Prune after �owering and

fertilise with slow release fertiliser. It has medium frost tolerance and low

water requirements once established.

A hardy, butter�y attracting evergreen shrub growing 60cm x 60cm. Light

mauve �owers are produced throughout the year on attractive grey-green

foliage. Native Rosemary prefers a sunny or partly shaded position and will

tolerate frost, drought and costal conditions. Prune regularly to maintain

shape and fertilise annually with a slow release fertiliser. Very low water

requirements once established.

This is a very hardy, clump forming evergreen perennial with sword shaped

upright blue-grey foliage and soft blue �owers in spring, followed by

attractive purple berries. Growing to approximately 30-40cm in height, it is

very adaptable to soil type. Grows well in full sun or part shade, fertilise in

spring with an organic fertiliser. Exhibits excellent drought and frost

tolerance and requires little maintenance or water once established.

Wax Flower: Bournda Gold

[ Philotheca myoporoides ‘Bournda Gold’ ]

SPRING

1m1m

Native Rosemary

[ Westringia ‘Wynyabbie Gem’ nana ]

FULL / PART SUN

60cm

SPRING

60cm

Dwarf Flax Lily

[ Dianella revoluta ‘Little Rev’ ]

FULL / PART SUN

40cm

SPRING

40cm

1

2

3

4

Emu Bush

[ Eremophila glabra ‘Silver Ball’ ]

FULL / PART SUN

1m

SPRING

1m

A neat, compact shrub with grey-green foliage and yellow �owers in

spring, that grows approximately 1m x 1m. Plant in full sun or part shade

position, in well-drained soil. It will tolerate frosts and extended dry

periods once established. Prune lightly after �owering to maintain shape

and fertilise with a slow release fertiliser in spring.

A fast growing dense groundcover/mounding perennial, with rich green

foliage and a profusion of dainty mauve fan shaped �owers occurring in

spring/summer. Plant in full sun position in well drained soil. Resents hard

pruning and has low water requirements once established.

This is a showy, spreading groundcover to approximately 0.3m x 2m.

Lovely grey/green foliage with bright red tubular �owers appear from winter

through to spring. It is tolerant of poor soils, frost, drought and shade.

Requires little water or maintenance once established.

This compact correa has proli�c deep pink bell �owers and will add colour

to the garden over the winter period. Growing 30-50cm high it prefers a

position in full sun to part shade in most well drained soils. Plants will

bene�t from an annual tip prune and an application of slow release low

phosphorus fertiliser.

This is an improved form of longifolia producing �ne leaves, growing to a

height of 50-60cm. Its architectural features are complimented by

attractive yellow �owers in spring. A tough, hardy and reliable plant, it will

grow in either full sun or shade and is drought and frost tolerant.

Fan Flower

[ Scaevola albida ‘Mauve Dome’ ]

SPRING-SUMMER

50cm30cm

Burgundy Emu Bush

[ Eremophila glabra prostrate burgundy ]

1m

WINTER-SPRING

50cm

Correa: Carawatha Bells

[ Correa pulchella ‘Carawatha Bells’ ]

FULL / PART SUN WINTER

60cm40cm

Lomandra: Tanika

[ Lomandra longifolia ]

SPRING

60cm60cm

FULL SUN / SHADE

5

6

7

8

9

Natural landscaping, or native gardening, is the use of native plants,

including trees, shrubs, groundcover and grasses which are

indigenous to the geographic area of the garden. With the right

plant choice, native gardens can be a lush and attractive example of

a waterwise garden. These days there are many native plants that

look great while needing minimal amounts of water.

The Goulburn Valley Water Native Garden incorporates a range of

plants that compliment the fountain and create an interesting

modern style of garden. These plants also attract birds. They have

been grouped into zones, so no plants will be over or under

watered, ensuring the most efficient use of water possible.

Succulent plants, also known as succulents or fat

plants, are water-retaining plants adapted to arid

climate or soil conditions. Succulent plants store water

in their leaves, stems and/or roots. The storage of

water often gives succulent plants a more swollen or

fleshy appearance than other plants.

The Goulburn Valley Water Succulent Garden

showcases interesting ways to use some of these good

looking plants, including a raised gravel mound

featuring interesting sculptures. It reintroduces old

favourites to a modern garden.

Historically Cottage Gardens were small and found in the gardens of

ordinary people with little money and little leisure time. This was in

contrast to formal gardens which originated in palaces and grand country

houses in England. Cottage gardens were brimming with colour, and

flowers were admired and appreciated unlike those in a formal garden.

The Goulburn Valley Water Cottage Garden incorporates pretty flowering

plants that, once established, will require minimal maintenance and have

low water requirements. They have been selected from a range of plants

suited to low rainfall climates and have special water conservation

features. Some of the major plant groups used in a Cottage Garden

include edging or border plants, perennials, climbing plants and

evergreen shrubs.

NATIVE GARDEN

COTTAGE GARDEN

SUCCULENT GARDEN1

2

3

10

56 3

4

9

8

7

4

14

6

13

1315

14

12

11

13 19

18

17

16

18

20

Native Garden

1. Slender Mat Rush

2. Wax Flower: Bournda Gold

3. Native Rosemary

4. Dwarf Flax Lily

5. Emu Bush

6. Fan Flower

7. Burgundy Emu Bush

8. Correa: Carawatha Bells

9. Lomandra: Tanika

10. Bottle Tree

Cottage Garden

11. Indian Hawthorn

12. Sacred Bamboo

13. Burgundy Iceberg

14. Society Garlic

15. Silver Bush

Succulent Garden

16. Aloe: Always Red

17. Aloe: Fairy Pink

18. Spurge

19. Mexican Lily

20. Zebra Plant

The bottle tree is a small to medium sized tree which may reach 18-20m in

height, although it is usually much smaller in cultivation in cooler areas.

The bottle shaped trunk may start to be noticeable around 5-8yrs of age.

It tolerates a range of soil types and is hardy in a range of climates

although it may be slow growing. Fertilise in spring. Mulch well to suppress

weeds and conserve soil moisture. It prefers a well drained soil in a full

sun, open position.

Moon Bay is an extremely hardy evergreen shrub with a compact growth

habit to around 75cm in height. The foliage changes colour throughout the

seasons. It is an ideal accent plant for borders and mass planting where

colour contrast is required. It is frost hardy and prefers fertile, well drained

soil in full sun.

This magni�cent iceberg form is exactly like its parent in every way except

colour. It has apple green foliage with deep velvet burgundy �owers and a

sweet apple fragrance. It is quite thorn free on new stems. Highly disease

resistant with low water requirements once established.

A compact, low growing evergreen shrub with glossy dark green leaves,

producing an abundance of �owers over a long period from autumn

through to spring. Ideal for sun or shade, Snow Maiden is tough and hardy,

resistant to salt spray making it perfect for coastal gardens and planting

around salt water pools. Suitable for most soil types provided there is good

drainage. Growing 50-75cm, it is heat and frost tolerant.

Bottle Tree

[ Brachychiton rupestris ]

16m

SPRING-SUMMER

20m

Indian Hawthorn

[ Rhaphiolepis x indica ‘Snow Maiden’ ]

FULL SUN / SHADE AUTUMN-SPRING

70cm70cm

Sacred Bamboo

[ Nandina domestica ‘Moon Bay’ ]

FULL / PART SUN SUMMER

75cm75cm

Burgundy Iceberg

[ Burgundy Iceberg Rose ]

SPRING-SUMMER

70cm70cm

10

11

12

13

This is a very hardy, clump forming perennial with broad grass-like foliage

growing 40cm high. Long �owering from spring through to late summer,

the lilac, star shaped �owers provide a proli�c display. Tulbaghias have low

maintenance requirements, and once established are very dry tolerant.

Apply a slow release fertiliser in spring. Pruning generally not required.

The silky, silvery leaves make this a great plant for a hot, dry spot. It has

masses of white �owers in spring and summer. Growing approximately

60cm high x 1m wide it is a very hardy and drought tolerant plant

preferring a position in full sun. It will adapt to most soil conditions except

boggy. A light trim to maintain shape is usually all that is required.

An incredible long �owering, small growing hybrid, it has an elegant leaf

form which continues to throw up spears of shiny blood red �owers during

summer, autumn and winter, up to 10 months of the year. Perfect as a

bedding plant, planted en-masse or grown in containers. Grow in a sunny

or semi-shade position with good drainage. Once established it has

moderate frost tolerance, high rain tolerance and will tolerate very hot

conditions growing to approximately 30cm x 30cm.

Numerous dainty �owers appear in late summer/early autumn. A beautiful

smaller growing Aloe hybrid with a clumping habit, growing 20cm x 12cm.

Best grown as a pot specimen but also suitable for mass plantings or

borders. It prefers a semi-shaded position but will tolerate full sun if given

protection.

Society Garlic

[ Tulbaghia violacea ‘Galaxy’ ]

SPRING-SUMMER

40cm40cm

Silver Bush

[ Convolvulus cneorum ]

1m

SPRING-SUMMER

60cm

Aloe: Always Red

[ Aloe ‘Always red’ ]

30cm

SUMMER-WINTER

30cm

FULL / PART SUN

Aloe: Fairy Pink

[ Aloe ‘Fairy pink’ ]

SEMI-SHADE

12cm

SUMMER-AUTUMN

20cm

14

15

16

17

A distinctive shrub with an appealing compact, mound like form to around

50cm in height, Spurge is smothered in masses of lime green, �ower-like

bracts in late winter to spring. Ideal for sunny positions in moist, well

drained soil and is frost hardy. Prune back spent �ower-heads to maintain

tidy appearance taking care to wear gloves, as the sap can be irritating to

skin and eyes. Feed with a slow release fertiliser in spring.

An evergreen perennial which produces stunning rosettes of lance shaped

foliage with rough but not sharp edges. As the plant matures slender red

�ower stems rise high above the foliage bearing clusters of bright green

�owers surrounded by red bracts. Grow in a sunny position with good

drainage. Once established it is very hardy, well able to withstand heat,

drought, wind and frost conditions. Mexican Lily is a minimal care plant ideal

for both container and garden plantings, growing to approximately 1m x 1.5m.

A beautiful species with stiff, deep green leaves forming a rosette to 10cm

wide. The leaves are strikingly marked with white dots and with white

stripes on the undersides. Suitable for different soil types and tolerates dry

conditions.

104-110 Fryers Street, Shepparton 3630

PO Box 185, Shepparton, 3632

DX 63036

Service Difficulties: 1800 45 45 00

Customer Account Enquiries: 1300 36 00 07

Facsimile: (03) 5831 1467

Email: mail@gvwater.vic.gov.au

Website: www.gvwater.vic.gov.au

Garden Design & Construction: Michelle Ban�eld - Flourish Landscapes

Spurge

[ Euphorbia x martinii ‘Tiny tim’ ]

50cm

WINTER-SPRING

50cm

Mexican Lily

[ Beschorneria Yuccoides ]

1.5m

LATE SUMMER

1m

Zebra Plant

[ Haworthia attenuata ]

10cm

SUMMER

10cm

18

19

20

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RecycledSupporting responsible useof forest resources

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