Stumbled across this little gem today - $18 in the CQU Bookshop here in Rocky. I'm not an SGAP member, but I have to believe that the Society wouldnt steer me up the wrong creek, so I'm quite excited by this little paperback. They have wisely divided the region into 9 catchment areas ( Rocky in 8 and Blackdown Tablelands in 3 - doh!), giving a table which show us which natives can be expected to grow in which soil/habitat/catchment combinations. For example, Syzygium Oleosum is best grown in sandy/loamy soils in catchment areas 1,2 and 9 (bingo !), a rainforest/riparian habitat, and will give me edible fruits and erosion control (I guess aesthetic beauty is in the eye of the beholder..).

A note to residents of the Gladstone area : it would seem that you are blessed and can grow almost any native you want to - its a shame about the town's crippling water shortages, but that is exactly where many native species come into their own once established. To my fellow Rocky-ites : appreciate what you have and stop bleating about water meters :)

I must say that my Syzygium o is planted in clay soil and everything on my block does not take off for at least 3-4 years ( except some exotics sorry OUCH !! ) I have just fertlised with native food for the first time, now that the new growth is coming through I though maybe it is lacking trace elements, so this food may help it grow a little better seeing there is no rainforest in my back yard Yet but I am working on it..Cheers...MM

I havent had a lot of luck with the 'Blue Lillypilly' either, but I share your environmental constraints. Clay is a mixed blessing - rich but difficult to work with - and I dont know that the full force of the blazing Rocky sun is really what most rainforest plants want or need. I take your point re light fertilsing ,but I'm increasingly of the opinion that its all about plant grouping.

My old place had two hastily-laid 'beds' (soil dumped on grass..) that the previous owner has laid to give it 'street appeal' (lol). Four lillypilly 'Elites' formed the corners of each bed, and I replaced the insanely large tree species in the centre with Murrayas. Despite their murderous position in the afternoon sun, the plants absolutely flourished, with the Murrayas doing particularly well in their 'cocoon'. They are now merging into a solid block (2.5m x 2.5m), having done far better than anything else in the same location.

Having learnt my lesson, the new place has plenty of 'lillypilly islands', rather than scattered examples at the fringes. Time will tell whether it pays off, but it definitely looks better than my earlier effort.

Cheers,

Artie