Our problem NOW is NOT the SALT or WIND – It’s POSSUMS!!! For the past 9 months I’ve protected the NZ Christmas Bush and the Variegated Mirror Bush with green plastic bags & stakes. However, WHATEVER GROWS OVER THE TOP of the green plastic bags GETS EATEN OVERNIGHT BY POSSUMS!!!

I have tried all the possum ‘deterrents’. Catching/removing the possums is not an option, as others will move into the vacated ‘territory'.

I have put several ‘test’ plants in the garden strip that were "absolutely guaranteed, 100% Possum-proof and Wind proof" by Nurseries – No luck so far… If the possums don’t like them, a Southerly gets them…

Our local Council Bush regeneration officer recommends native plants only:
- Westringia Fruitocosa (native rosemary) – mostly green with very small, white flowers;
- The Coastal tea tree (I haven’t been able to find info on this, but sense it grows beyond 1.2m?);
- Pommaderris Species B (again, I haven’t been able to find info on this plant).

We are not limited to ‘natives’ and like to have a little ‘colour’ in the garden (if we can). I have researched this website and couldn’t find info on SMALLER BUSHES that possums DON’T LIKE…
- We’re looking for 1-1.2m high bushes to replace the Dwarf NZ Christmas Bush and
- 0.6-0.7m high bushes to replace the middle layer of Variegated Mirror Bush.
- The NZ Flax and Dwarf Mat Rush (Little Con) are doing well…
- Please note, the Salt/Wind ‘extremes’ we live with here reduces actual growth size of plants.

Our boundary strip adjoins Crown Land, at the moment mostly overgrown with a protected native vine, banksias, Lantana. This habitat provides a perfect shelter for MANY flocks of small birds, varied species of finches, willie wagtails, swallows and sparrows. Located in the Eastern garden bed are also 2x 2ft birdbaths to attract/accommodate these small birds – and they are very much used by them. Their imprinted ‘survival’ motto is: "You can be in the open if there’s a bush close by to escape to if need be" and "There’s safety in numbers". It’s not a must, but to further enhance their environment we’d love to have bushes to enhance/protect these flocks of small birds.

PS: WE ALSO COPE WITH RABBITS – but at least they don’t climb trees… So initial protection of new plants with green plastic bags/stakes should keep them at bay until they have grown in size.

I know I’m ‘asking the world’ but any suggestions/recommendations???

yeh a real problems and with so many possums involved, don't know if i can help but i'll throw some thoughts your way:

are you able to or already have a high fence at least 6' high, where they can be blocked from crawling under? if so buy some of the 20" flat tin (it comes in green bonded colour as well zinc) attach this around the whole circumference of the top of the fence on the outside this will prevent them climbing over, you need no overhanging branches from big trees near by but, if there are you can use the same material to put a collar around the tree that surrounds the tree from about a meter upward, you will see this material used a lot along the tops of fences along the highway.

another would be to create a feed station well away from your garden in that natural bush somewhere, and also put up some nesting boxes, feed them old fruit mainly.

also would suggest going with the council idea of indemic natives do some more research (don't rely on landscape/nursery suppliers they will only suggest what they sell)there are probably o lot more trees more attractive than those commonly sold out there, and at the end of the day the possums won't be interested in the foliage but still maybe attracted by the flowers.

len