Briezy Bush Botanical

04/11/2025

Wow!!! Stage 3 of Breakout Creek looks absolutely marvellous! There are some serious good feelings that come with returning to old projects, and my goodness has this site evolved into a thriving ecosystem. The constant hum of life is testament to this. Trending audio is out, the gentle melody of nature is so so in.

The symbiotic relationships that these ecosystems grant are incredibly valuable. A thriving example of this is the relationship between the Yellowish Sedge-skipper (Hesperilla flavescens) and its food source, Chaffy Saw-sedge (Gahnia filum). Over 30 years ago, the population of the Yellowish Sedge-skipper was incredibly dire, native to coastal areas of SA and Victoria, a lot of their habitat was destroyed in the name of urban development. However, with efforts of revegetation over the last two decades, we have seen populations increase. (Yay)

Revegetation efforts within Breakout Creek has also seen huge success in rare plants such as Alisma plantago-aquatica and Lythrum salicaria. Both gorgeous, wet feet loving chicky babes. And then!!! Seeing all the wildlife interact with these ecosystems and plants gives the heart a warm feeling. Spoonbills, Eurasian Coots (Cute), Pacific Black Ducks, Dusky Moorhens and White-faced Herons is just a short list, but you should go check it out!

Would you be interested if I did a nature walk and talk @ Breakout Creek? Let me know below!

23/10/2025

Goodenia amplexans or Clasping Goodenia is one tough cookie. She is a rambling, scrambling ‘ground cover’ (more low shrub) with prolific golden fan-shaped flowers in the spring. Quite the contender in the home garden - uber tough, drought tolerant, responds really well to a hard pruning and thrives in a variety of soils. Loves full sun.

Goodenia amplexans grows 1m x 1m and stands erect. Elongated leaves hug the stem, which is where she got her name, ‘Clasping Goodenia’. It is also quite pubescent, meaning tiny hairs all over the stem and leaves. A really great plant if you are trying to promote and encourage native butterflies and insects in your garden. It is also a very valuable food source for caterpillars.

Fantastic plant on native verges and planted en masse!

Happy Friday!

I love Goodenia amplexans 👍

13/10/2025

Yes yes yes to this!

Things to plant instead of Dietes grandiflora -

• Dianella revoluta (Blue Flax-Lily)
• Lomandra longifolia (Spiny Headed Mat- Rush)
• Orthosanthros multiflorus (Morning Iris)
• Patersonia occidentalis (Long Purple-flag)

All of these plants are native to South Australia and will benefit the landscape. With similar growing habits and all except the Lomandra sporting purple blooms on spikes.

You have no reason to put Dietes in your garden!

Chose something native, choose something cool.

🎵 And I don't want the world to seed me 🎵

Unless you're American rock royalty the Goo Goo Dolls, there's no reason you should be holding onto wild iris.

We just don’t think that the world understands that wild iris (Dietes grandiflora) is a w**d. It produces seeds that germinate easily, making it a fast-spreading problem.

Sooner or later, it’s over. But wild iris is perennial, meaning it returns year to year. Wild irises are designed to make everything broken and can have a detrimental impact on plant communities and ecological processes because of their adaptability and resilience in a range of environments.

We just want you to know who they are, to learn more about w**ds springing up this spring and how to manage them read our blog – https://www.greenadelaide.sa.gov.au/news/2022-common-w**ds-in-spring

12/10/2025

This pretty pest is Genista monspessulana (Syn. Cystisus) or French Broom and is a right pain in the South Australian landscape, especially in degraded woodland areas. However, you will find it widespread across temperate areas of Australia. Genista produces extensive amounts of seed which are dispersed explosively, and are long lived within the seed bank which lends itself to being regarded as one of the worst w**ds of temperate Australia, according to W**ds Australia. It is a W**d of National Significance (WoNS) and is a declared w**d in SA. There are other varieties of Genista available in retail nurseries but - we have so many beautiful NATIVE plants that are a spitting image of this worrisome w**d. When we limit the demand for plants like Genista we can then limit the production of them, leading to happier and healthier ecosystems. A little understanding and a willingness to fill the gap with something more functional for nature will change our landscape’s. Our w**ds are often garden escapees - let’s make informed choices within our green spaces.

Acacia acinacea or Gold Dust Wattle on the other hand is gorgeous in every avenue! She will still have that fantastic sprawling habit growing 3m x 2m with prolific yellow blooms which attracts native pollinators, creates habitat for small birds and invertebrates and provides food sources for seed and nectar feeding birds. Gold Dust Wattle tends to flower from early September through to mid October alongside her other wattle relatives. Acacias also fix nitrogen into the soil therefore improving soil quality and fertility for other plants that decide to join her in her plight. Acacia acinacea is a really beautiful plant that will succeed and thrive on a range of soils and with minimal water. I would definitely recommend her to anyone looking for golden goodness at the start of Spring.

11/10/2025

BRB heading into the garden! ☀️

It is so damn hard to sit at the desk when there is so much activity buzzing within the garden! Spring heat has put rocket books on the perennials making them stand to attention, Zinnias are germinating and Cosmos are starting to pop! Herbs such as Sage, Parsley, Rosemary, Thyme and Oregano are robust and ready. Strawberries begin to ripen, Tomato seedlings are hardening, watery shoots from Dahlia tubers emerge, Blueberries start to develop. The golden wattle has finished flowering, but wallaby grass seed heads make their annual debut.

There are so many seasons in the garden, little patterns and details. Tiny little chapters and constant evolution.
Having the ability to feed your heart, soul and belly with the world of plants is one of the greatest blessings.
Feeding the soil and eventually feeding ourselves, and then the community. Plants create huge opportunity in these avenues. Sharing high quality, heirloom foods with the ultimate flavour!

Anyways that’s baby (actually just the tip of the iceberg, stay tuned)

07/10/2025

Grasses are super cool and important and often overlooked. They are drought resistant and bring shape, texture and movement into the garden - as well as being great habitat for local invertebrates.

Themeda triandra and Cymbopogon ambiguss are definitely my favourite grasses (right now).
They are incredibly tough and will grow in a range of soils. My recommendation would be to plant them en masse for a striking display, you won’t regret it!

Grasses are so awesome!

02/10/2025

It is well and truly orchid season in South Australia! Emerging from late winter through to mid Spring, they are tiny little pockets of terrestrial orchid goodness! If you find yourself out in nature in the next few weeks, keep your eyes peeled for something special.

There are over 250 species in South Australia alone. They are an indicator species in the way that they communicate the health of the native vegetation in the area. They hold symbiotic relationships with mycorrhizal fungi and have very few roots and hold strong associations with coarse organic matter, soil texture and leaf litter. They are quite delicate and complex and can be easily damaged so take care not to tread on them!

This gorgeous girl in particular is Pheladenia deformis or Blue Fairy Orchid, formally genus was Caladenia. However, underwent taxonomic refinement in the early 2000s. Fun fact - this particular orchid is the only species within the Pheladenia genera.

They are small and dainty but hues of bright blue will be sure to stand to attention, often forming in clumps and will be grouped with other specimens. They are quite widespread in Australia and can be found in open areas in a diversity of habitats such as open forests, woodland, heathland, edges of creeks and swamps. This specimen was found within the Barossa Goldfields which is an absolute delight this time of year.

And remember my friends - take only photographs, leave only footprints. Tread lightly and embrace the benefits of nature.

Happy Friday - go orchid hunting this long weekend! 💜

Description and plate taken from ‘Plants of the Adelaide Plains and Hills’ by Gilbert Dashorst and John Jessop.

26/09/2025

Petalostylis labicheoides nestled in the creek beds of the Flinders Ranges. Commonly known as Butterfly Bush, she is a small to medium shrub growing up to 4m. Sporting charming yellow star-shaped flowers with red centres during Spring. Found in northern arid regions of South Australia.

Responds well to pruning and can be utilised as a hedge which makes an impressive display. Drought tolerant, live in a variety of soils but unfortunately not long lived. Often found on sand plains, rocky ridges, dry watercourses and creek beds.

Botanical description on slide 5 is from ‘Plants of Outback South Australia’ by Frank Kutsche and Brendan Lay.

Get out there and explore! 🌞

25/09/2025

Ecological gardens hold great importance in the burbs and big smoke, they create habitat for local wildlife but also connect us, as humans to nature. Holding simple moments in nature is really special, healing and calming.

You can bring nature onto your back door step if you choose to implement a habitat garden. Plant it and let the magic happen!

Happy Friday!!!

20/09/2025

A sweet treat. Pimelea octophylla or Woolly Riceflower. Cute as heck, tough as nails. Littered prolifically on the roadside of Flinders Chase in Kangaroo Island, a gorgeous display of buttery yellow and cream.

Erect shrub growing to 1m sporting delicate and dainty creamy white blooms on pendulous clusters. Leaves are alternate in arrangement on pubescent stems. (Pubescent in plant talk means hairy, go figure)

You will find hairy stems and leaves on many tough plants that require resilience against dry conditions. Pubescent stems and leaves are just one way that plants can combat tough environments. Utilising local native plants ensure success as they have acclimatised and evolved, and will continue to evolve as required to stand the test of time. Plants of the same species will take a different appearance in different conditions.

Description on slide 4 is from Ann Prescotts ‘It’s Blue with Five Petals’

Have a great weekend!

17/09/2025

This gorgeous girl is Grevillea wickhamii also known as Holly Grevillea. Serrated holly-like green leaves with dreamy grey undersides and pendulous red spidery blooms. She dominates rocky outcrops, sand plains and gorges (yes she’s gorgeous) of the southern Northern Territory. She is endemic to Northern Australia - meaning she is not found anywhere else in the wild.

Erect shrub or spindly tree, depending on the growing conditions. In shade she will tend to take on a large shrub appearance whereas in open sunny areas, she has capacity to stretch and can grow to about 6m - a small, bushy informal tree.

Holly Grevillea offers pops of prolific colour that envelop the Wartarrka (Kings Canyon) region, providing a reliable food source for nectar feeding birds and invertebrates whilst also creating important habitat for small creatures with her prickly, dense holly-like foliage to act as a defence against predators.

We also have a Holly Grevillea in SA which is Grevillea illicifolia. Same same but different. Will have a spill on her in the near future, but for now enjoy my travel dump.

A big thank you to my fantastic community for sticking around this long! Will get back to my roots and share more plant content. That’s why we’re here. Big love to you and happy Thursday my flora fanatics. 💚