"Among the popular species planted this year are tree species known for their resilience to pest and disease, ...Callistemon (Bottlebrush), Grevillea, Eucalyptus, Meleleuca (Paper Barks); Agonis (Willow Myrtle); Acer (Japanese Maple), Fraxinus (Ash), Ulmus (Elm) and Zelcova (Chinese Elm). ...Tree species have been carefully selected considering factors such as local conditions, climate and existing streetscape."
In the article, then Benalla Rural City Council Mayor Cr Bernie Hearn emphasized the tree planting program "not only enhances the visual appeal of our streets but provides environmental benefits in providing air quality, reducing heat and providing habitat for wildlife".
The Council's Rec-Less: Less Water, Less Often, More Resilient Open Spaces Project works to ensure species planted in open spaces are hardy and resilient to the effects of climate change and that these spaces are prioritised for irrigation.
We've taken the liberty of incorporating links from the Rec-Less page for you here. You can download the Council's information sheet for handy tips about improving resilience in your garden as well as tables with examples of resilient species:
- Groundcovers, including flower species for mass plantings (PDF, 201KB)
- Climbers(PDF, 4MB)
- Large shrubs(PDF, 6MB)
- Small shrubs(PDF, 7MB)
- Small trees (up to 10m tall)(PDF, 7MB)
- Large trees(PDF, 5MB)
- Tussocks(PDF, 9MB)
Many of us face choices in relation to planting hardy, resilient plants in our gardens - the varieties the Council chooses to plant, and those included in the Rec-Less information sheets provide a useful avenue to pursue in our research.
Bev Lee and Peter Maddock
Sources:
Benalla Ensign, 'City Plants 70 new trees', Wednesday October 18, 2023 p7
Benalla Council Website 'Rec-Less: Less Water, Less Often, More Resilient Open Spaces Project' accessed 28 December 2023