Bush Tucker

Also known as Midgen Berry or Sand Berry, Austromyrtus dulcis Midyim Berry is one of the most delicious native bush tucker plants—often compared to the blueberry for its sweet, tangy flavour and speckled appearance. Small, starry white flowers appear in early summer, followed by masses of white berries dotted with purple specks from late summer into early autumn. The berries can be enjoyed fresh, or used in pies, jams, and preserves. Midyim Berry forms a dense evergreen shrub with new bronze to burgundy foliage maturing to rich green. It grows up to 2 m high but can easily be kept smaller, making it ideal for home gardens, edible hedges, and narrow borders. Hardy and low-maintenance, it is rarely troubled by pests or diseases, performing well in full sun to part shade.

Soil: Any well-drained soil.
Conditions: Full sun to partial shade. Frost and coastal tolerant.
Size: Height 0.50-1m x width 1m

Hibiscus sabdariffa Tucker Bush tm Rosella is a real standout, with brilliant red new growth and deeply lobed, dark green edible leaves. The leaves have a flavour somewhere between spinach and rocket, making them a great fresh addition to salads or lightly cooked as red sorrel. Delicate pale yellow flowers appear first, followed by striking deep red seed pods and fleshy, edible rosella calyxes. These calyxes are rich in vitamin C and have a delicious tart-sweet flavour, perfect for jams, jellies, syrups, cordials, sauces, fruit teas and wine. They’re also commonly preserved in syrup and used to flavour cocktails, white wine or champagne. The seeds can be roasted and ground into flour, while young leaves may be steamed or stir-fried. The first harvest can be modest, but plants become far more productive after their second autumn flowering. Simply snip off the plumpest calyxes straight from the bush. Fruits from year one onwards, this plant is both highly ornamental and wonderfully useful. Ideal for garden beds or pots, and perfect for anyone wanting beauty and flavour in the garden.

Soil: For best results, plant in fertile, well-drained soil and water regularly.

Conditions: Full sun. Protect from frost

Size: Height 2.5m x width 1m

Austromyrtus dulcis Blush is an attractive compact form of the native Midgen Berry, grown for both its ornamental appeal and edible fruit. This small-leaved bush tucker shrub produces masses of soft pink flowers through spring, followed by sweet, edible white berries during late spring and summer. New foliage emerges in striking tones of maroon, pink and sandy peach, adding extra seasonal colour to the plant. Light pruning after fruiting will encourage a dense, compact habit and help produce an even better crop of berries the following season. Ideal for low hedging and borders, this versatile native suits coastal, wildlife and bush tucker gardens. Its compact growth also makes it an excellent choice for native garden beds or informal edible landscapes. Apply a native slow-release fertiliser in spring to support healthy growth, flowering and fruiting.

Soil: Adaptable to most soils.

Conditions: Full sun to part shade. Drought, coastal and light frost hardy.

Size: Height 1m x width 1m

Old Man Saltbush is a fast-growing, hardy Australian native shrub widely valued for both agriculture and bush tucker. Naturally found in arid regions across Australia, it features attractive silver-grey foliage and a dense, spreading habit. The leaves and seeds are edible, with the foliage offering a distinctive salty flavour. Rich in protein, antioxidants, and essential minerals, the leaves can be used fresh or dried as a seasoning in savoury dishes. Highly adaptable, Old Man Saltbush thrives in harsh conditions, tolerating high salinity, alkaline soils, and prolonged drought. This resilience makes it an excellent choice for livestock grazing, particularly for cattle and sheep, as it provides a reliable food source even in dry periods. Beyond its nutritional and agricultural value, it plays an important environmental role. Its extensive root system helps stabilise soil and reduce erosion by binding the ground together once established. It is also effective as a windbreak, protecting other plants from harsh winds and dust, allowing them to establish more easily.

Soil: Adaptable to most soil types. Does not like acidic soil.

Conditions: Full sun to part shade. Drought, heat and coastal tolerant. Frost tender.

Size: Height 3m x width 5m

Meet the Native Mulberry – a bush tucker treasure you’ll be glad to have in your backyard! This non-stinging nettle is self-fertile, so a single plant is all you need, and it produces delicate, almost translucent white fruits that are sweet and juicy; each berry offering subtle differences in taste and texture. Harvesting couldn’t be easier: simply pick the berries straight from the branch. Just take care with the ripest ones; they’re so soft they can practically melt between your fingers. Flowering begins from January to June, with fruit maturing between May and July. Whether allowed to grow into a lush shrub or clipped into a productive edible hedge, the Native Mulberry is a delicious, low-fuss Australian native.

Soil: Adaptable to most soil types.

Conditions: Suitable for full sun and part-shade. Protect from frost.

Size: 3-8m H x 3-5m W