Activity From The Nature Education Nature Project

Winter may bring a “flowering gap” in our gardens, but it’s the perfect time to add some colour and support our feathered friends!

During these cold, wintery months, our gardens often experience a “flowering gap,” leaving nectar feeding birds like honeyeaters and lorikeets with limited food sources. Planting some local native plants that flower in winter adds some colour to the garden whilst providing local wildlife with food and habitat…it’s a win-win! 

Some of our picks to add winter colour (and essential nectar for native birds); 

• Acacia pycnantha (Golden Wattle) 

Known for its stunning, pollen-rich yellow flowers, the Golden Wattle is a small tree that attracts honeyeaters and thornbills. Native butterflies including the Wattle blue (Theclinesthes miskini miskini) use Acacia as a food source. 

• Correa Species (Native Fuchsia) 

A small to medium shrub and great for landscaping, the bell-shaped flowers are particularly attractive to nectar-feeding birds. Look for the local native varieties including Correa glabra and Correa reflexa.  

• Hardenbergia violacea (Happy Wanderer) 

A versatile climber, Hardenbergia supports a diverse array of wildlife. Its mauve purple pea flowers attract native birds, insects, and butterflies, and it serves as a vital food source for native caterpillars, promoting a healthy garden ecosystem. 

By planting these native species, you can create a vibrant and supportive habitat for local wildlife, ensuring your garden remains a haven for birds and insects even in the coldest months.

Visit the Second Nature Community Nurseries in Alexandrina or Mount Barker to ensure you are getting the right local species, plant them in and sit back and watch nature thrive in your backyard. 

The Nature Education Project is seeded by Green Adelaide.

The Alexandrina and Mount Barker Community Nurseries are supported by Alexandrina Council, Mount Barker District Council, Green Adelaide and Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife.