Local Botanist

As we turn over a new leaf and enter 2024, many welcome the opportunity to cultivate a fresh start in our home gardens! From mass planting pollinator-friendly flowers to creating a sustainable, edible garden design, many fabulous landscaping plants and trends are on the rise!

If you want to landscape plants to create a stylish and lush outdoor haven, you’re in the right place! Whether you’re a skilled green thumb looking to create a botanical masterpiece by feature planting or a newbie hoping to achieve a low-maintenance garden, our curated suggestions will inspire everyone’s needs and preferences.

Explore our curated selection of 2024 landscaping plants and trend predictions to unlock the secrets to propagating a trendy outdoor sanctuary!

#1 Pollinating Plants

Pollinating plants are the root of garden fertility. As pollinator insects work hard to transfer pollen between flowers, they facilitate the reproduction of different plant species, providing you with a lush, thriving, self-sustaining garden!

Pollinating plants also support ecosystems and biodiversity as they support the livelihood of wildlife. By planting pollinator-friendly species, your garden will become a vibrant and sustainable metropolis that attracts all kinds of gorgeous critters, including butterflies, hummingbirds, dragonflies, bees, and more!

Trending pollinating plants include:

• Pig face (Carpobrotus glaucescens): With a range of cheerful flower colours to choose from, including yellow, orange, purple and pink, this radiant species not only serves as an eye-catching ornamental shrub but also acts as a pollinator magnet for bees!

• Abelia (Linnaea engleriana): A medium-sized shrub with clusters of delicate white flowers. Many native bees, including teddy bear bees, carpenter bees, and blue banded bees, love abelias.

• Orange jasmine (Murraya paniculata): This irresistibly aromatic and elegant-looking shrub won’t just captivate your senses, but will also draw in a range of pollinators and nectar-loving wildlife, including birds, bees, and butterflies. They can be mass-planted to create an ethereal, dreamy landscape filled with vibrant critters!

#2 Edible Plants

With the push for sustainability stronger than ever, many of us have entered the new year with a resolution to be more eco-conscious. Cultivating an edible garden is a brilliant way to align with this commitment. By growing your own fruits, vegetables, and herbs, you’ll successfully lower your carbon footprint, while saving a pretty penny on groceries – it’s a win-win!

Here are some easy-growing plants to consider that tantalise the taste buds:

• Olive tree (Olea europaea frantoio): These verdant bushy evergreen shrubs yield deliciously fruity olives that can be used for a range of delicacies, including homemade olive oil, salads, pasta, pizza, and more!

• Bell peppers (Capsicum annuum): This fiery fruiting plant grows a variety of peppers in a variety of striking colours, including red, green, and yellow. They also happen to be the easiest variety of chilli to cultivate!

• Fig trees (Ficus carica): If you love the juicy sweetness of figs, why not grow your own? These versatile trees not only yield delicious fruits but also tolerate a range of climates, including hot summers and wet, cool winters.

#3 Drought-Tolerant Shrubs

As the summers are getting hotter, many gardeners are adapting their outdoor spaces to withstand the changing climate. Drought-tolerant plants will undoubtedly grow in popularity in 2024, especially among those who have coastal gardens with full sun exposure.

Many of Australia’s native plants are highly adaptive and drought-tolerant, making them well-suited to intense heat. Here are our top suggestions:

• Dragon tree (Dracaena draco): Resilient to extreme heat and drought, these majestic giants are as strong as they look! They’re perfectly suited to beginner gardeners due to their low-maintenance, fuss-free care requirements.

• Grass tree (Xanthorrhoea): Resilient, low-maintenance, and full of character, this iconic native shrub is one of Australia’s most popular hardy plant choices – especially among beginner green-thumbs. Not only can these tough species handle full sun exposure, but they can also survive bushfires!

• Pearl bluebush (Maireana sedifolia): Distinguished by compact blueish-grey shrubs, these delightful species serve as ornamental foliage. With remarkable resilience to both drought and frost, these delightful plants will adorn your garden year-round.

#4 Colourful Foliage

As eclectic aesthetics transcend to 2024, colourful foliage will undoubtedly take centre stage! By mass planting a vibrant pallet of colourful plants, your garden landscape will become a canvas for natural botanical art.

• Beach morning glory (Ipomoea pes-caprae): Featuring whimsical purple-pink flowers on a backdrop of oversized rich-green leaves, these beautiful ground-creeping vines will adorn your garden bed with endless beauty.

• Bottlebrush (Callistemon): With bright fluffy red flowers, these fascinating plants will add theatrical flare to your garden. They’re also notably easy-going, hardy plants, making them perfect for newbie green-thumbs.

• Kangaroo paw (Anigozanthos): With striking red flowers shaped like kangaroo paws, these quirky, otherworldly flowering plants will enhance your garden landscape with playful and captivating charm.

#5 Succulents and Cacti

Succulents and cacti have remained universally favoured for their charming shapes, unique textures, and alluring colours. Beyond their aesthetic appeal, they’re also remarkably versatile and low-maintenance plants, making them a go-to option for inexperienced gardeners. Here are our favourite trending succulents and cacti:

• Curly jade (Crassula ovata Undulata): These delightful succulents boast wavy green leaves, adding a touch of elegance and texture to any garden landscape.

• Narrow leaf chalksticks (Senecio vitalis): These striking succulents showcase cylindrical, blue-grey leaves that resemble slender sticks. Their refined appearance makes them delightful for modern garden designs.

• Money tree (Dwarf crassula): These compact crassula feature coin-shaped leaves that symbolise prosperity. They are incredibly easy to care for, requiring minimal water, making them a wonderful choice for anyone looking to add a touch of greenery and fortune to any space without any high-maintenance hassle.

#6 Hedges and Border Planting

Functional landscaping is expected to increase in 2024, as more homeowners are seeking alternative ways to utilise their outdoor spaces without compromising on beautiful, natural greenery. Planting hedges and adding shrubs around your pool area and outdoor dining space are tremendously effective ways of combining natural scenery with seclusion and privacy. Here are our most-loved plants for border planting:

• Silver falls (Dichondra argentea): Featuring cascading silver-grey leaves which create a botanical waterfall effect, this gorgeous perennial makes a superb ground cover, especially around the pool!

• Cousin it (Casuarina): With a cascade of feathery foliage, this evergreen shrub creates a lively, green curtain effect that adds unique character to your garden. They’re also low-maintenance, making them a delightful option for those seeking an eye-catching, fuss-free addition.

• Lilly pilly elegance (Syzygium australe elegance): These visually captivating plants feature glossy green foliage that’s embellished with fluffy white flowers, making them a popular choice for creating an elegant ornamental hedge. They’re also easy to maintain and pose as an excellent option for novice green-thumbs!

FAQs on Landscaping Plants:

For your convenience, we have answered the most frequently asked questions about landscaping plants and trends: