Tipuana (race horse tree)- These are actually considered a pest- in some areas- they are prolofic seeders- but this native of South America- is a tough/hardy legume. Ideal for a harsh dry spot- where other things struggle. Also excellent fodder tree- and a good enviromental solution -nitrogen repair is one thing. But the birds love them- they provide great shade- and will survive in harsh conditions, we have planted quite a few- I consider they are worthy as they will survive where others will not! We are enjoying wonderful shade & shelter from two within our garden area. being a legume they could be harvested for fodder if needed. 

OLIVE TREES - I love my olive trees- they are a medditeranian tree-but love it here. this photo of our Blue Wren- they love the olive tree! Planting several more! 

WISTERIA -CLIMBERS  The native -purple climber? love this one but also some  exotics of course We had a beautiful Magnolia in our garden at Uralla- it was enourmous and quite old- maybe 20 yrs or so. It always flowered, loved the perfume & they are pretty hardy, it does get very cold in New England. I'm hoping it will thrive here. Have always loved Wisteria so happy to be planting some here at Bony Mountain one over at the Festival site, & one here at the Bungalow. Olive trees do love it here as well, so got 3 more of those! Planning more plantings around the Festival site. I guess the argument for & against the exotics versus native will never stop!  But I strongly believe that a tree- is a tree- is a tree. They provide shade-shelter-food-and protect our wildlife- no matter what their country of origin is!  The real draw back with a lot of exotics is that they do need a lot of water! Whereas the natives -once established will survive on rainfall. The one thing that is a negative for me -is that I have noticed our natives are very suseptable to disease, attract bugs- and can die without any warning! Even the bigger trees- but I do love them all- trees are so special!  any tree.

This was an eyeopener to me- discovered all sorts of critters who live here-that I did not realise! and this was in a very dry time- extreme conditions- so one can only expect that so many would be thriving -now during greener times! although right now-as I update this in Sept-2020- we badly need rain- as I have many plantings- and trying to establish Gardens on Festival site.   

What an amazing day we had with Greg Ford (ecologist) a group of approx 25 dedicated Lancare folk joined us at Bony Mountain in October for a bush walk & a meet & greet with Greg and myself ,talking about my plantings/plans for future/projects & visions. I am very grateful to the Landcare crew for supporting me in my journey to make this little place something quite unique and giving me the incentive to continue on with my vision for Bony Mountain. It all takes a lot of work ,a lot of passion, and also a lot of complete dedication to the end result which hopefully I'll be able to  achieve in my lifetime. It was amazing to discover some of the smaller critters/species/birdlife and hidden treasures living and thriving here at Bony Mountain.We all learnt so much about our mysterious little critters!  A big thank you to Greg for these magic photo's!     

I'm not big on flowers , but adore daisies- they are a splash of colour! Also have Petunias still happily flowering-and gorgeous red geranium ! they are a must for the bush-they are tough hardy survivors! our Grandmothers loved them! I am propogating as many as I can -to get them front & centre at Festival time -all along the front of the Stage! These african daisies are actually still blooming -have been for months now! I hope you have some colourful plants in your garden!