Spring Australian native planting list: 13 stunning plants to grow in your garden
Gardens are finally waking up from their winter slumber and few plants capture this transformation better than our own Australian natives. Adaptable, resilient and strikingly beautiful, these plants thrive in our unique conditions — from coastal sands to inland heat.
This spring planting list celebrates not only iconic species like Kangaroo Paw and Dwarf Flowering Gum, but also lesser-known gems such as Golden Tip, Roundleaf Pomaderris, and Red Eremophila.
These are all easy-to-grow natives that deliver maximum colour with minimal fuss. I have all of these in my own garden, so I can vouch for how easy they are to grow.
If you’re creating a wildlife-friendly garden, a low-water landscape, or just looking for vibrant spring colour that's a bit different, this guide has you covered.
13 Australian Native Plants to Grow in Spring
1. Pigface (Carpobrotus glaucescens)
What is it: A hardy groundcover with fleshy leaves and dazzling pink-purple daisy-like flowers in spring and summer.
Did you know? Its fruits are edible and were traditionally enjoyed by First Nations Australians. The leaves can also be used as a natural soothing remedy for stings and bites.
Where & how to plant: Loves sandy, well-drained soils in full sun. Perfect for coastal gardens and erosion control.
Why it’s great for beginners: Extremely drought-tolerant, self-spreading and requires minimal care once established. It can easily be propagated by cutting a bit off and placing it in new soil.
2. Geraldton Waxflower (Chamelaucium uncinatum)
What is it: A WA native shrub with masses of star-shaped flowers in pink, purple, or white during spring.
Did you know? The foliage has a citrus-like fragrance when crushed and the flowers are prized globally as cut blooms.
Where & how to plant: Best in sunny, well-drained spots. Trim after flowering to encourage bushy regrowth.
Why it’s great for beginners: Hardy, water-wise and blooms reliably while attracting pollinators.
3. Kangaroo Paw (Anigozanthos spp.)
What is it: Iconic velvety flowers in vivid reds, yellows, and greens that bloom on tall stems in spring.
Did you know? The flower’s unique shape is adapted for nectar-feeding birds, especially honeyeaters.
Where & how to plant: Needs full sun and free-draining soil. Cut back spent flowers and foliage to refresh growth.
Why it’s great for beginners: Low fuss, bird-attracting and dramatic in both pots and garden beds.
4. Eggs and Bacon Plant (Dillwynia spp.)
What is it: A cheerful shrub with yellow and rusty-red pea flowers that light up bushland in spring.
Did you know? The unusual name comes from its flower colours, which look like a plate of eggs and bacon.
Where & how to plant: Tolerates poor soils and thrives in sun to partial shade. Great for bush-style gardens.
Why it’s great for beginners: Hardy, low-maintenance and supports native insects, as well having maximum visual impact.
5. Dwarf Flowering Gum (Corymbia ficifolia ‘Dwarf Varieties’)
What is it: A compact tree that bursts into brilliant clusters of red, orange, or pink blossoms in spring and summer.
Did you know? Originally from WA, it has been bred into smaller forms perfect for suburban gardens.
Where & how to plant: Plant in a sunny, well-drained spot. Benefits from occasional deep watering during dry spells.
Why it’s great for beginners: Show-stopping flowers, manageable size and great for attracting native birds.
6. Golden Tip (Goodia lotifolia)
What is it: A graceful shrub that produces masses of golden-yellow pea flowers in spring, often tinged with orange-red.
Did you know? Golden Tip is widespread in southern Australia but quite underused in home gardens.
Where & how to plant: Prefers sunny to lightly shaded areas with good drainage. Works really well as a feature shrub.
Why it’s great for beginners: Striking seasonal colour with minimal care needs.
7. Roundleaf Pomaderris (Pomaderris rotundifolia)
What is it: A small, dense shrub with rounded leaves and clusters of soft yellow flowers.
Did you know? Pomaderris species are important in supporting insect biodiversity. Several species in the Pomaderris genus are considered threatened or endangered in the wild.
Where & how to plant: Best in sunny to partly shaded spots with free-draining soil. Tolerates light frosts.
Why it’s great for beginners: A unique and resilient shrub that's great for hedging and borders.
8. Rhodanthe Daisy (Rhodanthe chlorocephala)
What is it: A WA wildflower with papery pink, white, and yellow blooms that create carpets of colour.
Did you know? Also known as Everlastings, these flowers keep their colour long after cutting. They also close at night and in dull, overcast weather. This is a natural adaptation to protect the reproductive parts of the flower from moisture, dew, or night-time insects.
Where & how to plant: Sow seed directly in sunny, well-drained soil for mass spring displays.
Why it’s great for beginners: Quick-growing, spectacular, and fuss-free.
9. Golden Everlasting / Strawflower (Xerochrysum bracteatum)
What is it: A native daisy with brilliant golden blooms from spring to summer, perfect fresh or dried.
Did you know? Its straw-like petals are actually modified leaves, which is why they keep their colour when dried.
Where & how to plant: Thrives in sunny, well-drained beds and borders. Deadhead to prolong flowering.
Why it’s great for beginners: Hardy, long-flowering, and reliable in a wide range of conditions.
10. Rock Wattle (Acacia acinacea)
What is it: A very unique, compact shrub smothered in golden ball-shaped flowers each spring.
Did you know? Wattles are key to native ecosystems. The Rock Wattle's golden spring blossoms are rich in pollen and attract insects, which in turn feed insectivorous birds like wrens and thornbills.
Where & how to plant: Grows in most soils, tolerates frost, and thrives in full sun.
Why it’s great for beginners: Tough, adaptable, and excellent for wildlife-friendly gardens where you want to add something a bit different.
11. Common Boobialla (Myoporum insulare)
What is it: A coastal shrub or small tree with glossy leaves, white star-shaped flowers, and purple berries.
Did you know? The berries feed native birds, making this an excellent habitat plant.
Where & how to plant: Best in sandy, coastal soils but adapts inland. Works well as a screen or windbreak.
Why it’s great for beginners: Exceptionally hardy, even in salty, exposed conditions.
12. Red Eremophila (Eremophila glabra)
What is it: A hardy shrub or groundcover with tubular red flowers that bloom from spring to summer.
Did you know? Its nectar-rich blooms are loved by honeyeaters and provide an important food source in dry regions.
Where & how to plant: Suits full sun and well-drained soil. Needs little water once established.
Why it’s great for beginners: Colourful, bird-attracting, and thrives with almost no care.
13. Billy Buttons (Craspedia globosa)
What is it: A striking perennial with tall, slender stems topped by perfectly round, golden-yellow flower heads that bloom in spring and summer.
Did you know? Billy Buttons are long-lasting both fresh and dried, making them popular in native flower arrangements. Their unique spherical blooms are sometimes called “drumsticks.”
Where & how to plant: Plant in full sun with well-drained soil. They thrive in mass plantings or scattered among other perennials for a whimsical, meadow-like effect.
Why it’s great for beginners: Hardy, drought-tolerant, and eye-catching with minimal care required.
This spring, go beyond the standard Grevilleas and Bottlebrushes and explore these lesser-known but spectacular natives. With their adaptability, resilience, and amazing spring displays, they’ll reward you year after year while helping support Australia’s unique biodiversity.
Ready to give your garden a seasonal overhaul? Grab your tools, gloves, hat, apron and belt, pick your favourites from this list and start planting — your spring garden is waiting.