What do you do if you're struggling to identify native plant species for your landscape design project?

It depends who you are, but if you are struggling to identify a native plant for landscaping, you should ask your superior, or the resident botanist. If none are around, try taking a photo of the plant and uploading to the app, "Plant Net" (there are lots of these apps that can identify plants). If you still do not have a definitive answer, take photos of the plant and note its location, to ask someone later. It is also helpful if you take clippings of the flower, leaves, fruit/ seed, root, and put them in a pressing. Describe the habitat of the plant, colour of leaves, soil type, etc. You can send this pressing with your descriptions to a Herbarium and get an answer.

Consulting experts like bush regenerators or local Indigenous community members has been incredibly beneficial for our design practice. Their deep knowledge and firsthand experience offer incredible insights. Reaching out to these experts not only ensures the accuracy of plant identification but also enriches the design with cultural and ecological significance. This collaboration has consistently improved our projects, making them more sustainable and respectful of local biodiversity and heritage. Engaging with experts is a vital step in creating meaningful and responsible landscapes.

I’ve sometimes found myself struggling to identify native plant species within projects. Plant identification apps have become a game-changer for me. They provide quick, accurate information, helping me choose the right plants that fit both the environment and my design vision. Using these apps as well as online resources has made my work more efficient and ensures that my plant selections are ecologically sound and visually appealing.

It's also possible and highly beneficial to turn to local nurseries, such as council-run native nurseries (i.e. Randwick Community Nursery) or Aboriginal-owned, not-for-profit nurseries (i.e. IndigiGrow) when needing to identify native plants. These nurseries provide invaluable expertise and a wealth of local knowledge. By consulting these nurseries, you can gain accurate plant identification and insights into the best species for the local environment.

I have joined a Native Plant group on Facebook for the state I live in. The experts in this group answer questions about plant I.D.s, if a plant is truly native, the advantages of native plants, etc.