Community native nurseries stock coastal plants adapted to our climate and soils. Furthermore, they provide expert advice regarding plant selection and care.

Monocot Nursery of Yaroomba is creating a micropropagation laboratory to expand into mangrove and seagrass species that help stabilize coastlines from erosion, improve water quality, store three to ten times more carbon than typical ecosystems, and protect coastlines against erosion.

Hovea acutifolia (Purple Pea Bush)

The Purple Pea Bush is an exquisite native Australian shrub which flowers in winter and spring, making it perfect for shaded gardens in most soil conditions. Additionally, native bees frequently visit these plants because their eyesight allows them to detect purple more readily than any other hue. It provides protection from predators while offering shelter from harsh weather – plus bees love this color more than any other!

This upright open shrub to 1-4 meters in height thrives in rainforest margins and other damp or sheltered sites across NSW and QLD, where its narrow dark green leaves feature fine rusty-coloured hairs on young growth. Flowers bloom before 15mm green pods which explode audibly to release seeds; hardy but frost sensitive; this species makes up its range in Australia as well as New Zealand and Queensland.

Hovea seed germinates quickly but has a thick outer coating which must first be treated before sowing. Soak the seeds overnight in water that has been boiled; after 24 hours they should have expanded 1.5-2 times their original size and can be planted directly into seed raising mix with warm temperatures between 18-22 deg C for best results. Germination should occur within 10-21 days at this temperature range.

Melicope elleryana (Pink Euodia)

A striking, long-lived eucalypt-type shrub, this medium-sized shade tree produces an exquisite pink show of blooms along its lateral branches in summer, making it a fantastic screen plant or feature tree for coastal sea spray areas and smaller gardens.

Native rainforest trees such as Ficus microphylla, coastal sheoaks (Banksia integrifolia), and various Eucalyptus species such as Eucalyptus tereticornis and Eucalyptus globulus thrive on the Sunshine Coast, serving as great replacements for non-native, invasive trees. This should be encouraged.

Monocot Nursery is currently creating a micropropagation lab to conduct initial trials and grow mangrove and seagrass species, which play an essential role in stabilising coastlines from erosion while improving water quality and storing three to ten times more carbon than terrestrial ecosystems. This project will create up to 32 direct and indirect jobs; supported by a $1 Million grant from Queensland government.

Hibiscus tileaceus (Cotton Tree)

Hibiscus tileaceus, commonly referred to as Wild Cotton Tree or Coast Hibiscus or Lagoon Hibiscus or Majagua, is an evergreen shrub or small tree reaching 25 feet (7.6 meters). Its leaves have leathery undersides with long petioles for easy care; and its flowers feature large funnel-shaped flowers centered by five petals with fused stamens in the center for added charm.

It thrives in coastal environments and thrives under salt spray, waterlogging and various sandy or saline soil conditions. Common sights along beaches and mangrove swamps where it often forms dense thickets of vegetation that are impossible to penetrate are common sights of its presence.

Wood from these species is used to construct rafters, boats and fishing rods, while its bark can be utilized in making ropes and other fiber products. Seeds or cuttings may be propagated for propagation. Council assists the growth and maintenance of local plant species through sponsorship of native nurseries as part of its RED Grant program.

Ricinocarpos pinifolius (Wedding Bush)

An attractive shrub from the Euphorbiaceae family with masses of white flowers in winter/early spring. A characteristic component of wallum and coastal heathland in South East Queensland. With narrow, linear leaves found along sandy dunes or soil derived from sandstone. Although male flowering, few female blooms (usually one to slx) exist on these specimens.

Wedding bush is an outstanding drought tolerant native plant with excellent resistance to salt spray from SE winds, making it popular with early settlers who used its fragrant white flowers in place of more expensive imported blooms in their wedding bouquets. Additionally, its long-lived, rough globular fruit capsule splits open when mature to release five shiny bright green seeds that grow well in sandy and slightly alkaline soils.