Native Plant Giveaway
We are giving away 9,000 free native plants to City of Melville residents as part of this year’s WA Tree Festival. By planting native species in your garden, you’re helping to create a cooler, greener and more sustainable Melville - one backyard at a time.
The native plant giveaway will open from 10.00am on Wednesday, 22 April. Residents are required to complete an online registration, selecting an available time slot and can choose between five different native plant bundles.
This year the native plant giveaway will run on a first in, first served basis, so we encourage residents to jump online and secure plants quickly after opening, as once all plants are allocated, the giveaway will close.
Native plant packs
This year we are offering residents the choice of five different native plant bundles to suit different garden needs. Check out the packs below to see which bundle you would prefer
Pack A – Birds and Pollinators Pack (250 packs available)
Designed to provide year-round food and shelter, this mix combines flowering shrubs, groundcovers and structural plants that attract birds, bees and other pollinators. Best planted in clusters to create layered habitat, ideal for typical suburban gardens and residents wanting to support local wildlife.
| Species | Common Name |
|---|---|
Banksia prionotes Dwarf | Dwarf Acorn Banksia |
Eremophila splendens | Splendid Emu Bush |
Calothamnus sanguineus | Scarlet One-sided Bottlebrush |
Acacia lasiocarpa | Dune Wattle / Gold Dust Wattle |
Hibbertia subvaginata | Yellow Guinea Flower |
Anigozanthos manglesii | Red and Green Kangaroo Paw |
Patersonia occidentalis | Purple Flag / Western Native Iris |
Eremophila glabra ‘Kalbarri Carpet’ | Kalbarri Carpet Emu Bush |
Banksia repens | Creeping Banksia |
Hardenbergia comptoniana | Native Wisteria |
Pack B – Silver Coastal Pack (250 packs available)
A selection of hardy, drought-tolerant species that cope well with wind, sun and sandy soils, working together to reduce water demand and stabilise soil. Suited to coastal areas, exposed sites or low-maintenance gardens.
| Species | Common Name |
|---|---|
Olearia axillaris ‘Little Smokie’ | Little Smokie Coastal Daisy Bush |
Atriplex isatidea | Saltbush |
Enchylaena tomentosa | Ruby Saltbush |
Thryptomene hyporhytis | Thryptomene |
Westringia dampieri | Coastal Westringia |
Anigozanthos viridis | Green Kangaroo Paw |
Patersonia occidentalis | Purple Flag / Western Native Iris |
Melaleuca huegelii Prostrate | Prostrate Chenille Honeymyrtle |
Acacia lasiocarpa Prostrate | Prostrate Dune Wattle |
Eremophila glabra ‘Kalbarri Carpet’ | Kalbarri Carpet Emu Bush |
Pack C – Wildflower Pack (250 packs available)
A colourful mix of seasonal flowering plants designed for visual impact while still supporting biodiversity. Best used as feature groupings, suited to residents wanting a more ornamental native garden.
| Species | Common Name |
|---|---|
Hakea laurina | Pincushion Hakea |
Calothamnus quadrifidus | One-sided Bottlebrush |
Regelia ciliata | Regelia |
Gompholobium tomentosum | Hairy Wedge Pea |
Kennedia coccinea | Coral Vine |
Anigozanthos manglesii | Red and Green Kangaroo Paw |
Patersonia occidentalis | Purple Flag / Western Native Iris |
Banksia blechnifolia | Fern-leaved Banksia |
Kennedia prostrata | Running Postman |
Dichondra repens | Native Dichondra |
Pack D – Wildlife Haven Pack (100 packs available)
Taller shrubs and dense species that create natural screening, wind buffering and structure when planted in rows or clusters. Ideal for privacy planting, boundaries or framing outdoor spaces.
| Species | Common Name |
|---|---|
Melaleuca seriata | Showy Honey-myrtle |
Templetonia retusa | Cockies Tongues |
Eremophila splendens | Splendid Emu Bush |
Acacia huegelii | Huegel’s Wattle |
Daviesia divaricata | Spreading Bitter Pea |
Anigozanthos viridis | Green Kangaroo Paw |
Patersonia occidentalis | Purple Flag / Western Native Iris |
Dichondra repens | Native dichondra |
Banksia repens | Creeping Banksia |
Westringia dampieri | Coastal Westringia |
Pack E – Feature Tree Pack (50 packs available)
Includes a small tree supported by complementary understorey plants to create a balanced planting outcome. Best suited to larger gardens or residents wanting to establish a canopy tree.
Please note, once all packs have been allocated the native plant giveaway will close. A reminder that this is a first in, first served event.
| Species | Common Name |
|---|---|
Eucalyptus kruseana | Bookleaf Mallee |
Banksia prionotes | Acorn Banksia |
Olearia lanuginosa ‘Ghost Town’ | Ghost Town Daisy Bush |
Melaleuca lateritia | Robin Redbreast Bush |
Hibbertia subvaginata | Yellow Guinea Flower |
Gompholobium tomentosum | Hairy Wedge Pea |
Anigozanthos manglesii | Red and Green Kangaroo Paw |
Patersonia occidentalis | Purple Flag / Western Native Iris |
Hemiandra pungens | Snakebush |
Acacia lasiocarpa Prostrate | Prostrate Dune Wattle |
Kennedia prostrata | Running Postman |
Disclaimer: Some plants might be substituted for similar species in packs due to availability and stock levels.
Event details
Residents can collect their free plants across two dedicated days on Saturday 2 and 9 May from the City of Melville Operations Centre, 13 Bramanti Road in Murdoch.
Registrations are essential and proof of booking is required at collection, along with ID documentation, such as a driver’s license or rates notice.
Collection times are allocated in hourly slots across two days (2 and 9 May). Simply selected your preferred date, time and plant bundle and complete the booking form, saving your booking confirmation email reminder.
How it works
- Register online - choose your preferred collection time and plant pack
- Visit the City of Melville Operations Centre, 13 Bramanti Road, Murdoch on your selected date and time
- Show your booking confirmation and driver’s license or rates notice and collect your 10 free native plants
- Take them home, plant them, see care instructions below and watch them grow
A small action at home can make a big difference across our community.
Why do native plants matter?
Native plants are perfectly suited to our local climate and soil conditions. That means they need less water, less maintenance and are more resilient to Perth’s weather conditions.
Native plants play an important role in tackling climate change. They absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it in the soil, helping to improve soil health and reduce emissions over time.
Did you know?
Throughout the City of Melville there is approx 300 hectares of plants in our natural areas. These plants not only provide food and shelter for our wildlife, but they help create green, cool and climate resilient spaces.
One small native plant can remove approximately 10kg of CO2e each year. By planting your 10 free natives, you could help remove around 100kg of CO2e annually.
We have approx 300 hectares of plants in our natural areas and more than 300 species. These plants not only provide food and shelter for our wildlife, but they help create green, cool and climate resilient spaces.
At the same time, you’ll be creating a habitat for local wildlife, providing food and shelter for birds, bees and other important pollinators.
Together, we can grow a greener and more sustainable Melville.
Across the City, thousands of native plants already thrive in our natural areas. These plants support biodiversity, strengthen our environment and contribute to carbon reduction across our community.
By adding native plants to your own garden, you’re extending this network - helping to connect habitats and build a healthier urban environment for future generations.
Native plant care instructions
Planting for best results:
- Plant during cooler months to help plants establish and grow
- Dig a hole twice as wide as the pot and the same depth as the root ball
- Lightly loosen roots before planting
- Backfill with existing soil (avoid using fertiliser during planting)
- Water in thoroughly after planting
After care
- Use mulch to retain moisture and protect soil
- Group plants with similar water needs
- Give your plants time to grow and settle in
- Water regularly during summer months – once established reduce watering, as native plants require little to no watering once established
- Only use low-phosphorous, native-specific plant fertilisers if required
- Maintain a weed free area around your plants
With a little care, your native garden will thrive for years to come.
Keep growing with WA Tree Festival
The Native Plant Giveaway is part of a broader celebration of nature and community.
Explore a range of gardening workshops, planting events and activities during the WA Tree Festival.
Find out more at www.melvillecity.com.au/watreefest