If you’re searching for an eco-friendly alternative to the classic Christmas tree, try an Australian native like lilly pilly! They may not look quite the same, but will still add the pine scent while creating an impressive festive statement!

Buy Local Sunshine Coast is proud to support Women Kind Australia and DV Safe Phone Box this year, and local businesses can order giving trees and phone boxes through the Buy Local website before November 28.

Norfolk Island Pine

Norfolk Island pine (Araucaria heterophylla) is a favorite houseplant among holiday celebrations, lasting beyond the festive period as a decorative addition. Additionally, this tropical evergreen belongs to the Araucariaceae family of conifers native to Norfolk Island in South Pacific Ocean between Australia, New Zealand and New Caledonia.

Indoors, this plant thrives with bright light from a southern exposure. While some shade will allow it to survive, growth will not occur as rapidly in these conditions. You should water regularly without overdoing it.

As with other houseplants, Norfolk Island pine can help fight airborne allergens with its dense needles that capture dust mites, pet dander and other pollutants to leave your home allergy-free. Not only that but this stately plant also symbolizes growth and stability – perfect for gift giving or keeping one yourself.

Woolly Bush

Adenanthos sericeus, commonly referred to as Woolly Bush, is an attractive native shrub that exudes peace and resilience. A versatile native, it thrives even in sandy or rocky soil conditions and resists drought and salt winds with relative ease.

This gorgeous native plant makes an eye-catching statement in any garden, as its silver green leaves give the illusion of snow. Plus, its charming pinky red blooms draw birds that feed on nectar to feed on nectar from this fast-growing native variety – ideal for use in xeric environments and landscapes!

As with other plants, Woolly Bushes require well-draining soil and moderate sunlight levels for proper growth. Their growth rate can be enhanced by amending their planting site with coarse sand or organic matter and regular fertilisation using a low phosphorus fertilizer; watering frequency varies according to season and growing conditions; for instance in summer more frequent watering is necessary while winter conditions allow you to reduce this frequency significantly.

South Esk Pine

The South Esk pine (Callitris oblonga) is one of the few members of this genus specially suited to growing in riparian habitats, from sandy loam soils up to 3 metres of rainfall per year and flood tolerant conditions.

This species can be found throughout eastern Tasmanian rainforest and coastal heath communities and thrives best on deep sand, while being resistant to salt, wind and frost. The leaves have grey-green to bluish-glaucous hues in whorls of three.

South Esk pine trees depend on fire to open their wooden cones and release seeds, but too hot or frequent fire could kill the tree, leaving it susceptible to land clearing practices and one of Australia’s most endangered trees.

Find this stunning native at Grange Road near Douglas Apsley National Park in Grange Road Reserve. Here, it grows along Apsley River with dense gorse infestation. Ideally, prune this species during its dormant winter period for maximum performance; excessive fertilization could cause it to produce too much growth, weakening it over time.

Lilly Pilly

Lilly pilly’s are an attractive Australian native plant with many desirable characteristics for gardens and landscape designs, including stem cutting propagation. Lilly pillies prefer soil pH between 6.2 and 7.5 for optimal root absorption of nutrients from their roots – any deviation can cause deficiencies or toxic levels in certain nutrients that negatively impact growth.

These shrubs offer excellent tolerance to difficult conditions like shade and poor soil, as well as light frost. Unfortunately, however, they can be affected by psyllids which cause deformed new growth with raised bumps on its leaves – it is recommended to plant varieties such as Acmena smithii ‘Sublime’ and Syzygium spp that have resistance against these bugs for optimal results.

Fertilizing your lily pilly plant each spring can encourage healthy growth. When choosing a fertilizer, choose one containing equal parts nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.