Information about plants & gardens for Brisbane & Qld
 

 

Sunshine Coast



This page deals with news and gardening issues of particular relevance to the Sunshine Coast and Hinterland, including nurseries and other garden-related businesses servicing the region.



News

If you're looking for garden shows, open gardens etc in Qld, go to the Events diary.

Nambour Network Grows

With completion expected in September, a new 1.7 hectare park connected to Quota Memorial Park will soon add to the green network running through Nambour. The new area in Howard street is part of Sunshine Coast Council's Petrie Creek Parklands Open Space Master Plan. It will incorporate walking paths, picnic areas and, in response to community demand, an off-leash area for dogs. Council has collaborated with Kabi Kabi First Nations representatives on the park's design and with the Petrie Creek Catchment Group concerning vegetation. Source: New park to increase green space in Nambour (June 2021)

A Boardwalk for Bli Bli

A new elevated boardwalk through the Maroochy River wetlands will allow visitors to explore aspects of the region's natural and cultural heritage. Descendants of the Australian South Sea Islanders Inc (DASSI) has worked with Sunshine Coast Council on the project and hope to develop educational signage to increase awareness of the Sunshine Coast’s history of South Sea Islanders. They first arrived as slaves more than 150 years ago, helping to establish the sugar industry. The route is set along an old cane rail track. The boardwalk itself is made from a fibre reinforced polymer, which won't rust or rot. Mesh decking allows 40% light penetration, so that plants can grow under and around the structure. The Bli Bli Boardwalk can be accessed from Whistler Street, Bli Bli. Source: New boardwalk honours history and spectacular natural surrounds (April 2021)

A Natural End

In response to community demand for natural burials, Sunshine Coast Council is considering facilitating them within existing cemeteries and they may even be available by the end of 2021. Suitable locations would comprise bushland, or land being revegetated, with adjacent space for a communal memorial. Avoidance of toxic materials is another aspect of natural burial. Sustainable, non-toxic coffins can already be used in Sunshine Coast cemeteries. Source: The future of funerals in the spotlight (March 2021)

Chainsaw Through The Tulips

Fraser Coast Regional Council has declared war on the African tulip tree (Spathodea campanulata), aiming to eliminate the species from its parks and gardens entirely. As a first step, a number were recently removed from Margaret Lin Park in Kawungan. Going forward, staff will be recording the location of other specimens on Council land so that they can be scheduled for removal, too. Council says it will plant replacements of more appropriate species. As an incentive to residents, it's also offering a replacement for every African tulip tree removed from private yards in the region. Read more and learn how how to claim your replacement trees here: Pest trees to be removed from local parks (November 2020)

A Growing Library

The Noosa Library Service, in conjunction with Permaculture Noosa and the Cooroy Community Permaculture Gardens, is planning to launch a seed library. Users will be encouraged to save seeds from their successful crops and "return" them to the library, building a good supply of seeds that will perform well under local conditions. Workshops for adults and children and instructional videos will also be part of the program. Source: Seed library to help grow community of keen gardeners (August 2020).

Tree-killers strike Toogoom

Fraser Coast Regional Council have confirmed that the death of several mature trees along the Toogoom foreshore was caused by deliberate poisoning. This follows another poisoning case at Point Vernon four months ago. Council will trim limbs for public safety, but intend leaving as much of the dead trees' structure as possible to provide wildlife habitat. Source: Toogoom tree vandalism ‘disappointing and destructive’ (June 2020)

Scroll to the bottom of the page to find older news items and community links. If you're involved in gardening on the Sunshine Coast and have news to share, please get in touch.





Nurseries, landscape supply, other garden goods & services

Advertisements  

The following advertisers may include online suppliers. For the most up-to-date information on plants in stock, opening hours, prices etc, be sure to visit the seller's website or contact the business directly.

 
BLOW IT ALL

PO Box 611,
Sandgate, Qld 4017
Mob: 0423 866 429
blowitall.com.au

logo
illustration
The Blow It All mulching service saves you the hard, dirty work of applying mulch, barks, soils, compost, and similar bulk materials to landscapes.

The blower system can apply mulches to almost any terrain, including sloping ground and hard-to-reach areas, even in wet conditions. Playgrounds, rooftop gardens and commercial interiorscapes can also be mulched quickly and precisely, with a special finish that can't be achieved by hand.

Blow It All's standard of quality and service is second-to-none, whether working with government authorities, developers, property managers or private homweowners.

Servicing Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and South East Queensland. For more information, visit the Blow It All WEBSITE
 
STATEWIDE TREE MANAGEMENT

North Lakes, Qld
Mob: 0400 44 66 93
statewidetreemanagement.com.au

logo
illustration
Statewide Tree Management provides safe and professional tree services including expert crown thinning, hedge trimming, removal of palm fronds & fruit as well as complete tree removal.

Our stump grinder is able to access most hard-to-reach places. Afterwards, the area can be turfed or landscaped by us, or mulch applied to all your garden beds.

Worried about a dangerous tree? Call anytime for emergency assistance, including removal of fallen trees and post-storm cleanup of debris. Advice on problem trees and general tree care also available.

Small gardens to large parks, private and corporate customers welcome. For more information, visit the Statewide Tree Management WEBSITE

BROMAGIC BROMELIAD NURSERY

421 Hunchy Road,
Palmwoods Qld
Ph: 07 5445 0441
bromagic@ozemail.com.au
bromeliads-of-australia.com.au
Neoregelia a speciality, including many first-release hybrids not available at any other nursery. Aechmea, Guzmania, Cryptanthus, Vriesea and Tillandsia also available.

Beautiful display area with a waterfall and many varieties of mature bromeliads for viewing.

Open to the public Wednesday - Friday 9:30 -2:00 and Saturday 9:00 - 4:00
Sunday - Tuesday by arrangement only.

Visit our website for more details: www.bromeliads-of-australia.com.au

WORMS DOWNUNDER

85 McKees Road
Palmwoods Qld 4555
Ph: (07) 5445 9704
Mob: 0410 152 910
wormsdownunder.com.au

logo
worm farm Based on Queensland's Sunshine Coast, Worms DownUnder is a commercial worm farm with expertise in organic waste management. We can help you turn organic waste into valuable soil additives, be it on a domestic level or large scale.

Worms DownUnder also sells worms and worm farms direct to the public. Using specially designed packaging, we can post out to most parts of Australia, safely and cheaply. We grow both mixed compost worms and African Nightcrawler bait worms. We are able to supply both large and small volumes of worms at competitive prices.

Visit the Worms DownUnder WEBSITE for more information. Expert, friendly, no-obligation advice is only a phone call away or simply drop in for a chat.

SUNSHINE COAST GARDENER'S PARADISE
Incorporating Eumundi Palms

1073 Browns Creek Road,
Eerwah Vale
via Eumundi Qld 4562
Ph: (07) 5442 8492
www.gardenersparadise.com.au
hut Sunshine Coast Gardener's Paradise lives up to its name with over 200,000 plants from "tubes" to "super advanced" in stock.

Select from indoor and outdoor plants including ferns, rainforest plants, cycads and sun-hardened palms. Be sure to visit the Botanical Palm Garden featuring some eighty different species of palms, including rare varieties.

For a Balinese-style garden, the centre can supply thatched huts, decorative figures, pots and water features.

For more information, visit the Sunshine Coast Gardener's Paradise WEBSITE

COASTAL LANDSCAPE SUPERMARKET

18 Kerryl Street,
Kunda Park, Qld. 4556
Ph: (07) 5453 7100
Fax: (07) 5453 7122
We are a specialist landscape and garden design centre, with the largest range of landscaping supplies on the Sunshine Coast.

We can supply all your landscaping requirements, including plants suitable for coastal conditions.

NGIA AGCAS logoCoastal Landscape Supermarket is accredited under the Australian Garden Centre Accreditation Scheme.

LIFESTYLE HOME & GARDEN

Gibson Road, Noosaville
Ph: (07) 5449 9585
Fax: (07) 5447 1294
We offer a refreshing and tranquil place to escape the daily grind. Our plant range has something for everyone, from the contemporary outdoor room to traditional cottage gardens.

There are bold and colourful homewares and gifts or take time out with a coffee from our cafщ.

Bring your measurements and we will design a garden that you will love to entertain in.
NGIA AGCAS logo
Lifestyle Home & Garden is accredited under the Australian Garden Centre Accreditation Scheme.

ROCKAFELLAS LANDSCAPE CENTRE

5 Sippy Downs Drive,
Buderim, Qld 4556
Ph: (07) 5445 3770
Specialists of advanced plants for all your landscaping needs. Our large landscape yard has everything from sand and soil to pavers and pebbles.

NGIA AGCAS logoRockafellas Landscape Centre is accredited under the Australian Garden Centre Accreditation Scheme.

If you operate a nursery, garden centre, landscape supply yard, turf farm or other garden-related business located on the Sunshine Coast (or servicing that region), why not advertise? Advertising information.



Community


Be sure to check your local council for information on local parks, watering restrictions, garden competitions, environmental issues etc within your city or shire.
Fraser Coast Regional Council Maryborough, Howard, Hervey Bay, Burrum Heads
Friends of Noosa Botanic Gardens Inc. Various activities and events
Hervey Bay Orchid House Hervey Bay Botanic Gardens. This page includes schedule of talks and other events at the Orchid House
Veggie Village A community garden at Peregian Beach
The Shambles, a Montville garden
Gail's Garden of Oz Blog, Gympie
Eumundi War Memorial Information about the trees in Memorial Drive and Gridley Street, Eumundi. Queensland Heritage Register, Environmental Protection Agency
Coastal Plants - Connecting Tasmania and South-east Queensland Association of Societies for Growing Australian Plants
Plants suitable for seaside areas Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland (PDF)
Maleny Voice Community website addressing local environmental and social issues
savethemaryriver.com News and views on the Traveston Dam issue
Kenilworth Queensland Community Website

Garden clubs! if you have a website, please send in your link!

Suburbs, towns, and districts covered by this page include: Glasshouse Mountains, Beerburrum, Beerwah, Peachester, Landsborough, Caloundra, Mooloolah, Maleny, Eudlo, Palmwoods, Buderim, Kunda Park, Chancellor Park, Sippy Downs, Eumundi, Maroochydore, Montville, Woombye, Didillibah, Bli Bli, Nambour, Yandina, Hunchy, Flaxton, Dulong, Wootha, Conondale, Booloumba, Obi Obi, Coolum Beach, Peregian Beach, Noosa Heads, Tewantin, Cooran, Gympie, Cooroy, Imbil, Eumundi, Kenilworth, Gunalda, Neerdie.



Older News


Some older news which may still be of interest to Sunshine Coast residents has been retained below.
Made for the Shade

Noosa Botanic Garden's new shade garden has been officially opened, replacing an old shade house that was closed to the public several years ago for safety reasons. The new structure incorporates shade sails that overlap in places to produce a variety of light and shade levels, enabling a range of different shade-loving species to be cultivated beneath. The new garden has been a collaborative effort, with Noosa Council staff and garden volunteers working on the landscaping and the project being jointly funded by Council and Seqwater.It's hoped that the new shade garden will further encourage visitors to the Gardens, which is already estimated at 70,000 per year. Source: New shade garden opens at Noosa Botanic Gardens (February 2020).

Designing the Sunshine Coast

Sunshine Coast Design is a newly-released book developed by Sunshine Coast Council in collaboration with design professionals and the broader community to encourage design that reflects the region's environmental and cultural character. Some of the design principles promoted by the book include consideration of climate, inspiration from nature, shady streets, green corridors, incorporation of landscape and enhancement of views. A hard copy version will be available for purchase but an online version can be viewed for free: Sunshine Coast Design Book. (February 2020)

Biosecurity Comes Calling

Backyard growers on the Sunshine Coast have had over 1,000 banned plants (mostly cacti) seized and destroyed. "Our staff, together with Sunshine Coast Regional Council officers have been on the lookout for people selling illegal plants either online or through local markets," said Biosecurity Queensland Operations Manager Rob Cobon. If you're aware of someone growing or selling illegal plants, you can alert Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23. Source: Biosecurity Queensland and Sunshine Coast Council target illegal weeds in backyard nurseries. (January, 2020)

Fraser Coast Champs

Fraser Coast Regional Council’s School Water and Waste Wise Garden Competition has awarded two joint Grand Champions this year - Kawungan State School and Urangan High School. Organised with the participation of Wide Bay Water and Waste Services, a major objective of the competition is to encourage water-wise gardening and recycling. Besides directing food scraps to chickens and worms instead of landfill, students have repurposed building materials for garden projects and incorporated a range of water-saving plants and techniques into their garden designs. Full results: Fraser Coast school garden competition winners announced (October 2019)

New city hall a breath of fresh air

Sunshine Coast Regional Council has revealed designs for its proposed new City Hall. The landscaping will be an important part of the overall concept, incorporating balconies and rootop. Plant-covered arbours will shade outdoor dining areas in the precinct. All is designed to reflect region's native plants and terrain. Construction is expected to begin in 2020. Source: Local environment the inspiration for proposed City Hall design Sunshine Coast Regional Council (June 2019)

Sunshine Coast verge gardens

The Sunshine Coast Regional Council have made it easier for residents to establish verge gardens with an amendment to the local law. Provided gardens conform to self-assessable criteria, planting can occur without having to submit an application or get public liability insurance. The criteria include rules about plant heights, setbacks and access requirements. Any plants installed must be on the associated road verge planting list. Note that gardens containing plants not on the approved list or that fall outside the self-assessable criteria in any other way will still need a permit. For more information, go to sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/Environment/Trees-Plants-and-Gardens/Plant-a-verge-garden at the Sunshine Coast Regional Council website. (May 2019)

New city hall a breath of fresh air

Sunshine Coast Regional Council has revealed designs for its proposed new City Hall. The landscaping will be an important part of the overall concept, incorporating balconies and rootop. Plant-covered arbours will shade outdoor dining areas in the precinct. All is designed to reflect region's native plants and terrain. Construction is expected to begin in 2020. Source: Local environment the inspiration for proposed City Hall design Sunshine Coast Regional Council (June 2019)

Sunshine Coast verge gardens

The Sunshine Coast Regional Council have made it easier for residents to establish verge gardens with an amendment to the local law. Provided gardens conform to self-assessable criteria, planting can occur without having to submit an application or get public liability insurance. The criteria include rules about plant heights, setbacks and access requirements. Any plants installed must be on the associated road verge planting list. Note that gardens containing plants not on the approved list or that fall outside the self-assessable criteria in any other way will still need a permit. For more information, go to sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/Environment/Trees-Plants-and-Gardens/Plant-a-verge-garden at the Sunshine Coast Regional Council website. (May 2019)

Gympie gave macadamias to the world

New genetic research by the University of Queensland and Southern Cross University has tracked the origins of the first macadamias grown commercially (in Hawaii) to a small population at Mooloo, north-west of Gympie. It's even possible that the global macadamia industry that subsequently developed is based on seed collected from a single tree. This means there's still lots of potential for further improvement and adaptation of the crop through breeding, taking the advantage of genetic diversity in native populations. Source: Gympie identified as birthplace of global macadamia industry (May 2019)

Happy trails

Work at Eumundi Conservation Park has recently improved a poorly drained section to allow its whole network of trails to be enjoyed in all weather. Source: Source: Eumundi Conservation Park trail network complete (March, 2019). In Brisbane, the Summit Track in the Mt Coot-tha precinct is about to get an upgrade, too. Erosion cause by high foot traffic and water runoff will be addressed with resurfacing plus new handrails. A new trail from the Brisbane Botanic Gardens to the Mt Coot-tha Summit is expected to open later this year. Source: Mt Coot-tha precinct upgrade delivers better trails (February, 2019)

Gympie's strategy for pandandus dieback

Gympie Regional Council have just announced their Leaf Hopper Integrated Pest Management Strategy, which will combine leaf stripping (to stop associated rot from spreading) and biocontrol with a parasitic wasp. Transplanting from areas where there is an abundance of young plants available will be done and a propagation program from collected seed is planned, too. Source: Council to protect Rainbow's Pandanus Palms, Gympie Regional Council. (February, 2019)

A flying visit

If you live on the Sunshine Coast, you may get a chance to see little red flying-foxes (Pteropus scapulatus) visiting the area over the next few weeks. These nomadic bats travel to the coast from the north and west to feed from (and pollinate) eucalypts and other native trees. It's expected that drought conditions in western Queensland will bring more than usual this year. The little reds are said to be noisier than the black and grey-headed flying-foxes, but are expected to head back again by late March. Source: Little red flying foresters seeking Sunshine Coast blossoms, Sunshine Coast Regional Council (February 2019)

Piccabeen Palms Help Transform Palmwoods

Palmwoods in the Sunshine Coast hinterland officially opened its new Piccabeen Green town square. In addition to a boardwalk, seating, shade structures, artwork and historical information, the project includes 54 Piccabeen palms (Archontophoenix cunninghamiana) which have inspired its name. Source: New $3M town square transforms heart of Palmwoods. You can get a drone's-eye view of the completed landscaping with this short video. (March 2018)

Kilcoy Koalas

An area at Kilcoy is to be protected from cattle grazing and planted with blue gums. Besides supporting the local koala population, it's hoped that the trees will eventually attract the grey-headed flying foxes currently roosting at Anzac Park. The forested area will also help protect water quality in the catchment. Source: Koala Tree Planting to Occur in Kilcoy (April 2017)

Rainforest attraction opens on Sunshine Coast

Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve Rainforest Discovery Centre has opened at Maleny. In addition to spectacular views of the Glasshouse Mountains, there's a an elevated rainforest walk and Rainforest Education Centre. The "sensitively designed" building will house various displays and interactive experiences and is expected to become a major Sunshine coast attraction. Source: Governor of Queensland opens the new Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve Rainforest Discovery Centre (February 2017)

USC identifies backyard-appropriate koala tree for SEQ

A University of the Sunshine Coast team, led by Dr Stephen Trueman, have spent nine years researching which koala-friendly trees are most suitable for urban South-East Queensland, including backyards. They assessed around 20 species and variants, including grafting experiments. The only one that grew well and stayed sufficiently small was Eucalyptus kabiana ( Mt Beerwah mallee), reaching 6m in seven years. They can provide food and habitat for koalas and should be useful in creating corridors between existing habitats well away from dangerous roads. The first 350 seedlings to be planted across the Moreton Bay Region were given to the Moreton Bay Regional Council and the Pine Rivers Koala Care Association at the project launch. The next step is to assess them in various locations with different soil types. Source: Dwarf gum tree plantings to help safeguard koalas (July 2016)

More for kids at Whipbird Walk

The latest stage of the Whipbird Walk children's experiential garden has been achieved with completion of the Whipbird Village. Located inside Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Garden, Whipbird Walk incourages discovery and interaction with nature. New additions include carved granite whipbird eggs and "pods" of native plantings within a network of enticing trails. Source: A new children's experiential garden unveiled to inspire and delight (April 2016)

New Hervey Bay bushland has many benefits

Bushland is being re-created along the Link Mobility Corridor between Urraween Road and Bay Drive for beauty and environmental benefits. The more than 12,000 plants will help create a wildlife corridor linking to the Greig Dry Vine Forest in Stirling Drive and improve water quality in Eli creeek while reducing the need for mowing. Many of the plants have come from local seed collected by volunteers in Fraser Coast Regional Council's Community Environment Program. Source: Corridor to be shaded by regenerated bush (June 2015)

Tree vandal brings tools

Public trees along the at Pialba (Hervey Bay) have been vandalised in a premeditated attack involving a saw. Lower limbs and hanging roots of figs along the Seafront Oval Esplanade were cut and six Coastal She Oaks on the dunes were cut down. The cut material was then hidden in hollows among the dunes. Anyone with information about the crime should contact Fraser Coast Regional Council on 1300 79 49 29. Source: Seafront Oval trees vandalised (May 2015)

Butchulla People's garden interprets Fraser Coast environment

The Fraser Coast Cultural Centre has a new garden featuring plants that traditional owners the Butchulla People used to mark the changing seasons across the Fraser Coast. Designed in cooperation with the Elders, the garden helps to explain how the Butchulla People's intimate knowledge of the environment helped them live in harmony with it. It is planned to continue to develop this area as a community space. Butchulla Season Garden opened (May 2015)

New plantings to welcome Buderim visitors

The major entry points to Buderim are in the process of being enhanced with specially-designed landscape plantings. The Mooloolaba Road entry is based on the dry eucalypt type of vegetation in this area, with the entry sign itself enhanced by banksia, bottlebrush, lomandra and grass trees. The planned Crosby Hill Road entry will incorporate local native plants including lilly pilly, grey myrtle, tree ferns and golden penda. Source: Buderim makes an entry statement (March 2015)

Australian natives, Japanese style

The new Japanese Tea Garden at Maroochy Bushland Botanic Garden features traditional design elements of a Soto Roji (outer tea garden), but is planted with species native to Sunshine Coast. The plants were chosen on the basis of similarities to the species that would have been used in Japan. Australian plant themed Japanese style garden unveiled (August 2012)


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