Growing Australian Natives from seed in the UK

Love it!!! Thanks Kristen - that was my hubby-to-be's suggestion too - it may yet come to that

 

Catalogue and Packets:

 

If you are going to give seeds, first do some research into how to start them. Several of the Australian species (like Banskia) need smoke treatment, something most people are not going to know, and then they will end up with pots of dirt.
My favorite plant I first saw growing wild by some railroad tracks in Perth is Dietes bicolor, only it takes 4 years for the first flower. Least favorite is that wretched eucalyptus - it is so tough that it dulls a chainsaw very quickly.

 

A.pravissima has survived minus twelve on a couple of occasions unprotected out on the allotment.
Mind you its quite big now, but will take minus 5 once established easily.

 

Good point!
I have also found that many of the less exotic Australian plants (Anigozanthos and Sollya to name two) can be slow and erratic in germination too, so this needs to be considered.

 

Thanks. I think I'll bring mine in for one more winter then. Its about 5' tall, should be OK on its own from next year (and the run of 15 mild Winters which will then start )

 

I would stick with Callistemon, seeds of which can be bought and grown here. They are reasonably hardy in a sheltered sunny position. I grow Eucalyptus pauciflora subsp. niphophila which is the hardiest for our climate, but the terrible frost and snow covering in late winter turned the leaves brown. It has been very interesting seeing the epicormic buds, which lie dormant beneath the bark, sprout directly from the trunk and the branches have new pinkish coloured leaves. In Australia this is known as the snow gum, so you can see how hardy this is.