What We Do
Our mission is to ensure the survival of Coochiemudlo's indigenous flora.
All our plants are grown from cuttings and seeds collected on the island.
Our plants are raised in the controlled temperature and humidity of our hothouse and often require careful preparation to germinate successfully.
Some seeds need to be soaked. Others are more specialised. Banksia cones only release their seeds naturally when there's a fire. We have to simulate that by heating the cones in the oven. Other fire-dependent species are treated with condensed wood smoke.
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It can take a couple of weeks, or sometimes months, before seedlings appear. All but the most hardy stay in the nursery hothouse until the tiny plants emerge. After a few weeks of steady growth they're moved outdoors and must be watered every day.
Many of the plants we raise go to local groups Bushcare and Coastcare whose volunteers weed and regenerate our island's native bush.
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Our wide range of retail stock includes native ground-covers, shrubs, trees, succulents and ferns. They are all 'true locals' - attractive, and authentic island alternatives to imported 'world' plants.
You can buy direct from the Nursery any Tuesday morning from 9 to 11am, by cash or card. We attend the Main Beach markets and often take our trolley of garden favourites to the island op shop each month.
