Gardener’s Guide for planting:
LOWLAND SUBTROPICAL RAINFOREST
Subtropical Rainforest in Sea Acres, a range of canopy levels, light and shade, plus 10
degrees worth of air conditioning for free!
Why we need your help
More than 90% of most of our urban areas are cleared. In Port Macquarie and other urban
areas of our Local Government Area (LGA), we are fortunate to have Bushland Reserves
managed for the plants and animals that our housing and agricultural land has displaced.
On the whole these reserves are small and linear: opening them up to damage from weed
invasion (mostly from urban garden plants that are now environmental weeds) and edge
effects whereby light, noise and wind penetrates the long edges of our narrow bushland
reserves.
The bird and animal life that we value so highly in our region largely subsist in these
reserves, but you can help make both the reserves stronger and the life of the beautiful and
beneficial animals and plants that inhabit these refuges so much better by giving them some
of your garden as a habitat.
By planting rainforest plants, you enhance your own environment, provide food, shelter and
other resources for our urban wildlife and add value and amenity to your house and your
own piece of Australia. Even if you live in an apartment you can still help our local animal
and plant species.
The benefits of planting locally indigenous rainforest plants
These benefits range from environmental and aesthetic to the practical. We have listed a
few to help you decide whether you wish to participate by planting local rainforest plants:
BENEFITS TO YOU AND YOUR PROPERTY
 Ambiance and aesthetics - many of the rainforest plants are readily available in local
nurseries because of their usefulness for hedging, screening edging or feature
plants, others have very sculptural forms (see PLANT GALLERY).
 Colour - many of the plants have colourful flowers and/or foliage. In addition, the
animals that are attracted can often be spectacular (see ANIMAL GALLERY).
 Natural air conditioning - because rainforest plants create a canopy, they maintain
an more even temperature compared to the open urban landscape. So much so that
the winter to summer temperature variations can be changed by as much as 10
degrees (4-5 degrees cooler in summer and 4-5 degrees warmer in winter: John
Kennedy pers. comm.).
 Maintenance - Once the initial tasks of planting, mulching and nourishment to
establish the plants is completed, the ongoing maintenance is minimal.
 Fire resistance - Rainforests are a natural fire resistant form of vegetation. By
surrounding your property in vegetation which is not susceptible to burning, you can
lower the threat on your property (consult the RFS website in a high fire risk area).
ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS
 Animal life - By attracting colourful and engaging local animals to your garden you
create an aspect which many gardens lack (see ANIMAL GALLERY). Sound and
movement in any garden provides interest and a sense of belonging.
 Climate - As with a mature rainforest, by enclosing your property and house within a
rainforest environment, you will see the benefits of removing large temperature
fluctuations. Shade in summer will help keep your home cool, whilst the closed
canopy of a rainforest helps avoid the extreme low temperatures of winter. If shade
in winter is a problem, deciduous rainforest species can be selected to help increase
solar access and winter sun. Red Cedar Toona ciliata, White Cedar Melia
adzedarach, Koda Ehretia acuminata and Illawarra Flame Tree Brachychiton
acerifolius are all examples of deciduous rainforest species.
 Habitat restoration - Being a Critically Endangered ecological community, Lowland
Subtropical Rainforest restoration has huge ecological benefits. By increasing the
distribution of species, we are helping ensure their survival and spread in the local
landscape. Including many Lowland Subtropical Rainforest species in your home
garden also increased the habitat for native animals, providing stepping stones for
movement and dispersal through the landscape. This helps to repair some of the
primary functions which has become apparent in our highly fragmented urban
landscape.
Lowland Subtropical Rainforest: at risk of extinction
This planting guide is based on Lowland Subtropical Rainforest. The species selected for the
guide are indigenous to the PM-HC LGA and can be found in vegetation communities on
serpentine geologies within Port Macquarie (e.g. Sea Acres), basaltic geologies (e.g.
Comboyne Plateau), lowland floodplains (e.g. Hastings River, Wilson River and Maria River),
and in many of the foothill gullies (on fire-protected southern or eastern facing aspects)
throughout the shire.
Lowland Subtropical Rainforest tends to be most common in areas which experience
moderate to high rainfall and are protected from fire. Lowland Subtropical Rainforest is
listed as Critically Endangered under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity
Conservation Act 1999.
When undisturbed, Lowland Subtropical Rainforest have a closed canopy consisting of a high
diversity of trees (NSW Government: Environment & Heritage, 2011). These trees typically
form three layers within the rainforest: the emergents (oldest and largest mature trees),
canopy (the majority of mature trees), and understorey/under canopy (maturing trees or
smaller trees and shrubs), which create a series of layers within the forest (Figure 1). The
heights of these layers are determined by the
species found within the rainforest, the landscape
and prevailing climatic conditions such as wind.
These layers help to create a moist, shaded microclimate, that minimises temperature changes
throughout the day. Plants diversity is high in this
ecological community and exhibit a variety of lifeforms: trees, shrubs, groundcovers, palms, vines
and epiphytes. Brush Box Lophostemon confertus
and scattered Eucalyptus may also occur in this
rainforest as emergents (NSW Government:
Environment & Heritage, 2011).
Figure 1: Rainforest strata of a mature forest
community.
It is estimated that there is now less than 1000ha of
Lowland Subtropical Rainforest remaining in NSW (NSW Government: Environment &
Heritage, 2012), with approximately 700ha of this occurring as remnants of the Big Scrub
Rainforest of North Eastern NSW (Big Scrub Landcare, 2013). The remaining stands are small
and fragmented across the landscape, often being less than 10ha in size (Australian
Government: Department of Environment, 2013). The survival of these remnants and their
constituent species is impaired by small population size, the low probability of seedling
recruitment within the mature forest, disturbance of flower pollination , destruction of seed
dispersal, and lack of genetic diversity of species within the local landscape (NSW
Government: Environment & Heritage, 2011). Including a range of rainforest plants in your
own backyard is one of the best ways to add genetic diversity and limiting fragmentation by
providing stepping stones to the nearest remaining patches of rainforest in our bushland
reserves. The habitat and food your plantings provide, will also help sustain plant dispersers
and pollinators in our region (some of which come from as far away as South-east Asia.
By increasing the distribution of Lowland Subtropical Rainforest species in the urban
environment, you directly contributing to the rescue of this endangered plant community
and its dependent fauna. Many local species are attractive and useful as feature plants,
hedges and screens and do not require closed rainforest habitats to flourish. The significant
benefits of incorporating a range of local plants not only advantage the flora species you
select to plant, but also the animal species which may depend on them as sources of food,
shelter or as a breeding/nesting sites.
Rainforest plants at home
The plant lists we have provided indicate the best uses for local rainforest plants in
landscaping. These uses will still provide substantial ecological benefits even if your home or
personal choice do not allow a full rainforest habitat planting. By substituting local plants for
environmental weeds you also reduce the stress placed on local reserves by weed invasion.
It is strongly recommended that you follow the size-based planting advice in Planting Advice
Tables (below), to ensure your rainforest plants can grow to their full potential. Poor
choices may mean repetitive maintenance or costly removal (particularly for trees and
vines).
The habitat you choose to create in your backyard is dependent on how much room you
have. The urban backyard can provide good habitat, as can even those with only a balcony.
Many a frog or penny lizard would be grateful for the cool refuge your plantings will provide
in the concrete jungle. To maximise the value of your backyard rainforest habitat: include as
many of the key features found in mature rainforest habitats; a range of canopy levels, year
round fruiting or flowering, a variety of plants and growth forms and a closed canopy. But
remember, if all you can do is a hedge or a potted balcony plant; it all helps!
You will have a lot of fun selecting and researching the species you want from our:
Gardener’s Lowland Subtropical Rainforest plant species list.xlsx. This list is arranged by lifeform categories: tall trees (>10m), small trees (<10m), shrubs, groundcovers, vines and
epiphytes. Make sensible selections according to the room you have to plant, proximity of
services and neighbours etc. Use the PLANTING ADVICE TABLES (below). You should also try
to identify rainforest plants that may have already been established in the area to be
planted (many may already have arrived and you weren’t aware of their presence (contact:
Port Macquarie Landcare www.landcareportmac.com.au or the Council’s Ecologist if you
suspect you already have some).
Site preparation
Remove lawn or previous plantings and replace them with a good quality mulch consisting of
leaves, twigs and larger chips. A mixed mulch of at least 10cm thick will ensure a gradual
breakdown over an extended period of time. Mulch not only helps to retain moisture and
cycle nutrients, but it also limits competition from weeds. If you are lucky, native ground
covers will move in to colonise the site and create a “living mulch” which will reduce upkeep.
Native groundcovers such as Blue Commelina Commelina cyanea and Native Violet Viola
banksii can be manually introduced into the site by taking sods from established colonies in
your yard. As the garden matures it will become self mulching, and it is important to leave as
much of this material in place as this feeds the plants and creates cool moist soil.
Using the PLANTING ADVICE TABLES below, begin by laying out your larger plants, working
down the list from largest to smallest. This will help to spread your larger trees out around
the planting site and avoiding immediate competition between plants. It is important to
remember that you want to close the canopy as soon as possible, so plant fast growing
pioneer plants such as Bleeding Heart Omalanthus populifolius and Kangaroo Apple Solanum
aviculare will help protect your other trees while they establish. Both Bleeding Heart and
Kangaroo Apple are relatively short lived species which can quickly fill an empty space whilst
adding colour and variety to any garden, even if you are not attempting to create a full
rainforest habitat.
Because you want to close the canopy on all sides, edge sealing is just as important at
closing in the planting’s ‘roof’. Western sides of the garden should be the highest priority as
this will dry out your rainforest as the hot afternoon sun hits the forest floor. Planting a
ladder of plants with the lowest ones on the edge with for example Mat-rushes that are
hardy and fast growing. These will seal edges quickly, preventing weeds from invading.
Lomandra are a very attractive bushy grass with beautifully perfumed flowers and grow to
approximately 1m in diameter, which also helps make their planting quite cost effective. The
next row in should be a little higher and so on.
Plan to include other landscape features such as rocks and logs which provide fauna habitat
for insects, reptiles, birds and mammals, increasing sources of food or places to shelter.
Once your trees increase their height and trunk width you can begin to add substitutes for
mature forests by installing next boxes in the place of hollows. These will provide places for
birds, mammals or micro bats to shelter or breed and add another interesting dynamic to
your garden. Epiphytes such as Birds Nest Ferns Asplenium australasicum, Elk and Stag
Horns Platycerium bifurcatum and P. superbum can also be added to trees, palms, posts,
walls, verandas or balconies. Even colourful and bountiful mistletoes can be planted once
trees mature (PLANT GALLERY).
Plant species:
Consult: Gardeners Lowland Subtropical Rainforest species list.xlsx
PLANT GALLERY
Beach Lily Crinum pedunculatum
Rasp Fern Doodia aspera
Cunjevoi Allocasia brisbanensis
Brush Mistletoe Amylotheca dictyophlebia
Smooth Quandong Elaeocarpus obovatus
Slender Palm-lily Cordyline stricta
Illawarra Flame Tree Brachychiton acerifolius
Oliver’s Sassafras Cinnamomum oliveri
PLANT GALLERY
River Mat-rush Lomandra hystrix
Coogera Arytera divaricata
Blue Cherry Syzygium oleosum: clipped
Blue Cherry Syzygium oleosum: hedge
ANIMAL GALLERY
Blue Triangle Graphium sarpedon
ANIMAL GALLERY
Regent Bowerbird sericulus chrysocephalus
Australian King Parrot Alisterus scapularis
Rainbow Bee-eater Merops ornata
ANIMAL GALLERY
Eastern Dwarf Tree Frog, Littoria fallax.
Frogs Australia
Green Tree Frog, Littoria caerulea. Frogs
Australia
Red-eyed Tree Frog, Littoria chloris. Wikepedia
Pink-tongued Skink Cyclodomorphus gerrardii
PLANTING ADVICE TABLES: plant numbers and plant spacing for rural and urban situations
RURAL: large areas that are generally not space-constrained
Based on 1 ha area (100m x 100m)
LIFE-FORM
Minimum spacing (m)
(between plants in same life-form category)
Planting situation
Maximum numbers (based on 1ha unit
area of plantable area)
Full restoration
planting
Rural Residential
for each ha of land
(>40m from the
(large properties:
house or services)
no services)
1
Strangler figs
100m
Emergent trees
25m
2
2
Large-medium canopy trees
Small canopy trees-large
shrubs
20m
100
100
10m
400
400
Shrubs-small vines
1m to 5m
1,537
1,537
Groundcovers
0.1m-2m
7,960
7,960
Yes
Yes
Yes
10,000
9,999
Epiphytes
TOTAL PLANTS PER UNIT AREA
Willow Bottlebrush Callistemon salignus important in
rainforest for nectar, beautiful for foliage and flowers.
URBAN SITUATIONS: small or space-constrained areas
LIFE-FORM
Large-medium canopy trees
Small canopy trees-large
shrubs
Based on 0.01 ha area (10m x 10m)
Planting situation
Minimum spacing (m)
(between plants in same life-form
category)
Maximum numbers (based on 100 square metre unit area of plantable area; or fractions thereof)
20m
Large' urban
area (>100sqm)
1
Standard' urban
area (<50sqm)
0
Small' urban
area (<25sqm)
0
0
Apartment
balcony (<10sqm)
0
10m
2
1
0
0
0
Unit courtyard (<15sqm)
Shrubs-small vines
1m to 5m
4
3
2
1
0
Groundcovers
0.1m-2m
25-100
25-50
10
5
5
N/a
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
-
32 - 107*
28 - 54*
12
6
5
Epiphytes
TOTAL PLANTS PER UNIT AREA
*Numbers vary and are dependent upon the dimensions of individuals plant species selected from Gardner’s Lowland Subtropical Rainforest species list.xlsx
References:
Australian Government: Department of Environment; 2011; Approved Conservation Advice for the Lowland
Subtropical Rainforest of Subtropical Australia; Australian Government: Department of Environment; Date viewed
11/11/2013 http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/communities/pubs/101-conservationadvice.pdf
Big Scrub Landcare; 2013; Big Scrub; Big Scrub Rainforest Landcare Group; date viewed 11/11/2013;
https://www.bigscrubrainforest.org.au/big-scrub
NSW Government: Environment & Heritage; 2011; Lowland Subtropical Rainforest in NSW North Coast and
Sydney Basin Bioregion - endangered ecological community listing; NSW Government: Environment and Heritage;
Date viewed 5/11/2013; http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/determinations/LowlandRainforestEndCom.htm
NSW Government: Environment & Heritage; 2012; Lowland Subtropical Rainforest on Floodplain in the New
South Wales North Coast Bioregion - profile; NSW Government: Environment & Heritage; Date viewed 5/11/2013;
http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/threatenedspeciesapp/profile.aspx?id=10497