Garden design
Whether you're adding a few new plants or redesigning your whole garden, incorporating a waterwise design into your garden is always a great idea.
Creating zones based on plant needs allows you to set up your garden with irrigation stations which will deliver the required amount of water for the plants, this is known as hydrozoning. It also helps to prioritise maintenance and fertilising requirements.
Think about the following zone types when setting up your garden:
- Primary: These are high demand water areas and may require daily watering by hand. Examples include vegetable gardens.
- Secondary: These are moderate demand water areas and thrive on the two days a week watering roster. Examples include turf and ornamentals.
- Minimal: These are low demand water areas and may only require hand watering in the hotter months. Examples include established natives.
Combine these principles with our waterwise designs and plants and you will be on your way to creating a functional, attractive garden that will thrive in our conditions.
Garden designs for Perth and the South West
Below we’ve put together a few of our favourite designs to help you create a beautiful waterwise garden that is easy to maintain.
Native garden
Ideal for our climate, a native garden will look attractive, can provide year round flowering and will attract birds and wildlife.
Groundcovers
Abrv. | Common name | Botanical name |
---|---|---|
Bd | Southern Blechnum Banksia | Swainsona formosa* |
Dd | Dampiera | Dampiera diversifolia* |
Dm | Mondorup Bell | Darwinia macrostegia* |
Grs | Grivillea 'Star Burst' | Grivillea saccata* |
Grt | Grevillea tenuiloba | Grevillea tenuiloba* |
Shrubs
Abrv. | Common name | Botanical name |
---|---|---|
Af | Dwarf Agonis | Agonis flexuosa* Δ |
Alh | Native Hibiscus | Alyogyne hakeifolia* |
Cv | Bottlebrush ‘Little John’ | Callistemon viminalis |
Eut | Egg and Bacon Plant | Eutaxia myrtifolia* |
Mh | Chenille Honey Myrtle | Melaleuca huegelii* |
Grasses/strappy leaf plants
Abrv. | Common name | Botanical name |
---|---|---|
Amn | Kangaroo Paw | Anigozanthos Manglesii* |
Po | Native Iris or Purple Flag | Pattersonia occidentalis* |
Trees
Abrv. | Common name | Botanical name |
---|---|---|
Ba | Ashby’s Banksia | Banksia ashbyi* |
Eucv | Eucalyptus ‘Snow Queen’ | Eucalyptus victrix* |
* These species are endemic to WA
Δ Optional species (not included in illustration)
Coastal garden
Often rugged and relaxed, a coastal garden is full of hardy plants that can withstand strong winds.
Groundcovers
Abrv. | Common name | Botanical name |
---|---|---|
Eg | Emu Bush | Eremophila glabra * |
Grps | Grevillea 'Seaspray' | Grevillea preissii * |
Kc | Kennedia 'Coastal Carpet' | Kennedia coccinaea * |
Shrubs
Abrv. | Common name | Botanical name |
---|---|---|
Ads | Adenanthos ‘Pencil Perfect’ | Adenanthos sericeus * |
Cora | Coastal Correa | Correa alba * |
Ls | Green Bird Flower | Crotalaria cunninghamii * |
Lb | Berrigan | Eremophila longifolia * |
Wd | Native Rosemary | Westringia dampieri * |
Al | Acacia lasiocarpa | Acacia lasiocarpa * |
Ci | Holly Flame Pea | Chorizema ilicifolium * |
Grasses/strappy leaf plants
Abrv. | Common name | Botanical name |
---|---|---|
Anfb | Kangaroo Paw (Dwarf) Bush Gem Series | Anigozanthos flavidus * |
Dr | Dianella 'Little Rev' | Dianella revoluta * |
Trees
Abrv. | Common name | Botanical name |
---|---|---|
Ba | Ashby's Banksia | Banksia ashbyi * |
Ml | Rottnest Tea Tree | Melaleuca lancelota *Δ |
* These species are endemic to WA
Δ Optional species (not included in illustration)
Cottage garden
Often informal in layout, a cottage garden usually contains a combination of annuals, perennials, brightly flowering shrubs and herbaceous plants. English in origin (yet waterwise through modern plant choices) cottage gardens burst with colour and fragrance.
Groundcovers
Abrv. | Common name | Botanical name |
---|---|---|
Bb | Southern Blechnum Banksia | Banksia blechnifolia * |
Dg | Darwinia (Prostrate Form) | Darwinia grandiflora * |
Sca | Purple Fanfare | Scaevola aemula * |
Shrubs
Abrv. | Common name | Botanical name |
---|---|---|
Ah | Blue Hibiscus | Alyogyne huegelii * |
Cop | Diosma | Coleonema pulchellum |
Crow | Crowea | Crowea exalataΔ |
Sant | Cotton Lavender | Santolina chamaecyparissus |
Sals | Salvia 'Electric Blue' | Salvia sinaloensis |
Grasses/strappy leaf plants
Abrv. | Common name | Botanical name |
---|---|---|
Ap | Dwarf Agapantha | Agapanthus praecox |
Arc | NZ Rock Lily | Arthropodium cirratum Δ |
Lm | Lilyturf | Liriope muscari |
Trees
Abrv. | Common name | Botanical name |
---|---|---|
Af | Jervis Bay Afterdark | Agonis flexuosa * |
L | Bay Tree | Laurus nobilisΔ |
Pb | Ornamental Plum | Prunus blireiana |
* These species are endemic to WA
Δ Optional species (not included in illustration)
Mediterranean garden
Creating pleasures for all the senses, a Mediterranean garden has a combination of colours, productive plants, interesting foliage and flowering plants. Complete this look by incorporating design elements such as paths and rustic benches.
Groundcovers
Abrv. | Common name | Botanical name |
---|---|---|
Ct | Snow in Summer | Cerastium tomentosum |
Leh | Red Lechenaultia | Lechenaultia hirsuta * |
Leb | Blue Lechenaultia | Lechenaultia biloba * |
Shrubs
Abrv. | Common name | Botanical name |
---|---|---|
Coc | Blue Smoke Bush (prostate form) | Conospermum caeruleum * |
Ar | Wormwood | Artemesia absinthium |
Ec | Pride of Madeira | Echium candicans |
Ld | Upside-down Bush | Leptosema davesioides |
Salg | Salvia ‘ Crimson and Black’ | Salvia greggi |
Sals | Salvia ‘Electric Blue’ | Salvia sinaloensis |
Grasses/strappy leaf plants
Abrv. | Common name | Botanical name |
---|---|---|
By | Mexican Lily | Beschorneria yuccoides |
Sis | Devon Skies | Sisyrinchium ‘Devon Skies’ * |
Trees
Abrv. | Common name | Botanical name |
---|---|---|
Ery | Coral Tree | Erythrina indica |
Lag | Crepe Myrtle | Lagerstromia indica |
* These species are endemic to WA
Δ Optional species (not included in illustration)
Watering your new garden
A typical suburban block will thrive on irrigation on 2 watering days per week in summer (half that in spring and autumn).
If planting a new garden, you can ensure it gets the best chance to establish itself by applying for a watering exemption. Once your garden is established you will need to abide by the watering roster.
Garden designs for your region

Waterwise plants
Water efficient plants can look great and save you lots of water. Find out which plants grow best where you live.

Need expert advice?
Find a waterwise specialist near you to help with all your gardening and irrigation needs.