Learn how to Grow and Use Australian Plants: small low growing shrubs, groundcovers and wildflowers.
A distance learning or online course for the enthusiast or commercial grower.
This course deals with both woody (hard wooded) and herbaceous (soft wooded), low growing Australian Native Plants, which bear showy flowers.
The focus is on small shrubs and ground covers.
Comment from one of our Australian Natives II students:
"The plant recognition assignments were challenging and a great help for the future" D. Sydenham
Lesson Structure
There are 8 lessons in this course:
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Introduction
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Review of the system of plant identification, general characteristics of the group, information contacts (ie: nurseries, seed, clubs, etc.)
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Growing Conditions
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Planting, staking, mulching, watering, pest & disease, feeding, pruning, propagation, protection from wind, salt air, environmental zones, etc.
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The Heaths and similar plants
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Myrtaceae family, etc. Thryptomene, Bauera, Astartea, Grevilleas, Telopea, Leptospermum, etc.
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The Daisy Family
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Identification and growing needs Helichrysum, Helipterum, Celmisia, Brachyscome, Olearia, etc.
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The Legumes
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Fabaceae, Mimosaceae and Caesalpinaceae families. Kennedya, Pultenaea, Acacia, etc.
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Other common groups
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Boronia, Crowea, Clematis, Viola, etc.
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The Monocots
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Grasses, native irises, Anigozanthus, Xanthorrhea, etc.
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Commercial Applications
Aims
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Distinguish between different types of native wildflowers.
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Determine reliable information about the identification and culture of Australian wildflowers.
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Specify general cultural practices, including propagation, for different families of Australian native wildflowers.
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Explain the characteristics, including identification and culture, of heath like native wildflowers; with reference to both proteaceous and myrtaceous plants.
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Explain the characteristics, including their identification, culture and use, of wildflowers in the Asteraceae (ie. Daisy) family.
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Explain the characteristics, including identification, culture and use, of different legume wildflower genera.
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Explain the characteristics, including identification, culture and use, of different Australian native monocotyledons (ie. narrow-leaved plants).
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Prepare a planting design featuring Australian wildflowers.
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Develop a cut flower production plan, for a selected Australian wildflower.
WHO IS THIS COURSE FOR?
This course is particularly valuable for:
- Nurserymen
- Cut Flower Growers
- Garden Designers
- Environmental Surveyors
- Gardeners
- Plant Breeders
