Watsonia is native to South Africa and has been cultivated in Australia for more than 150 years. It has become a serious weed in moist regions where it colonises creek banks, remnant forest and roadsides. It is a sun-loving herbaceous perennial to 2 m which holds its orange flowers on a tall spike above the foliage. It was introduced as an ornamental and was popular because of its hardiness and bright flowers.

There are 15 species of Dianella found across Australia. These hardy plants with fine straplike leaves to 0.6 m high have blue, purple or white starshaped flowers which appear in spring and summer. Flowers are followed by decorative blue berries containing shiny black seeds. Ask your garden centre for advice about the best Dianellas for your garden.

with rosettes of large swordshaped 1 to 2 m long mid-green leaves. In spring and summer they have spectacular large, compact heads of nectar-filled, blood-red flowers atop tall, thick stems to 5 m high. A very hardy garden plant for most climates. Grows best in full-sun to partshade. The flowers and leaves are both highly sought after for flower arranging.

This is a small tufted perennial rush with long strap like green leaves to 1 m. A tall, slender, yellow flower spike appears from the leaf base in the early growing season and persists for many weeks. As the spike matures, the structure is replaced by a tan, fruit-bearing shaft, composed of attractive clusters of small nutlets. This species is extremely hardy and tolerant of climatic extremes and most soil conditions. Widely grown for soil stabilisation.