Bush Tucker

Old Man Saltbush is a fast-growing shrub commonly used today as a livestock grazing plant. However, both the seeds and leaves are viable bush tucker, with the leaves salty in flavour and rich in protein, antioxidants and minerals. The leaves are an attractive silvery grey and tiny pale flowers appear throughout the year. Old Man Saltbush leaves may be treated like a leafy vegetable, enjoyed blanched, sautéed, wrapped around meat or fish, used in salads, or for stuffing poultry. Alternatively, they may be dried and used as a herb or sprinkle. It may be grown in the ground or kept smaller in pots, if harvested frequently. With regular pruning, it makes a great gap filler or edible hedge.

Soil: Rich, loamy well-drained soil.
Conditions: Full sun to part shade. Drought, salt, windy and coastal tolerant. Frost tender.
Size: Height 2-3m x width 1-2m

Native Thyme, also known as Cut-leaf Mint Bush, is an aromatic shrub rich in essential oils, emitting a minty fragrance when crushed or rubbed. Once used as a medicinal herb, it is now prized for its culinary applications and use in herbal teas. Native Thyme offers a more complex flavour profile than traditional Mentha mints, with subtle hints of pepper and earthy undertones, making it a versatile and flavorful addition to any kitchen.

Conditions: Prefers full sun to part shade and is drought, coast and moderate frost tolerant (once established).
Soil: Well-draining native soil. Susceptible to root rot if in waterlogged soil.
Size: 2m H x 1m W

Smooth Davidson’s Plum is a medium-sized rainforest tree native to eastern Australia, prized for its soft, fleshy fruits rich in antioxidants and vitamins. Despite its rarity in the wild due to infertile seeds, it flourishes in cultivation. From November to February, it adorns itself with delicate pink blossoms, later yielding clusters of delectable purple berries, perfect for both culinary delights and winemaking. Fruiting extends from February to May, with some trees bearing fruit even until August in warmer regions. This tropical/subtropical beauty boasts glossy, red-to-green leaves and a slender silhouette, reaching heights of 4-8 meters, making it an excellent choice for a central feature or shade tree in gardens.

Soil: Thrives in moist, fertile soil; tolerant of poor soil conditions.
Conditions: Suitable for full sun or part shade; protection required from harsh sun, frosts, and winds, especially when young.
Size: Height: 4-8m, Width: 2-4m

Special Features:

Suitable for pots
Bird attracting
Attracts bees & insects
Harvesting: Fruits typically appear from the third year onwards. Shake the trunk gently to gather ripe plums or allow them to drop naturally.
Note: Due to its rarity in the wild, propagation through cuttings or root division is necessary for cultivation.

Raspberry Jam Wattle is a native Western Australian wattle species named after the strong aroma of raspberry jam from the cut wood. The wood is dense, beautifully grained, termite resistant and highly prized for furniture making, fence posts and woodworking. Raspberry Jam Wattle flowers heavily in spring, providing an aromatic display of fuzzy golden rods while attracting bees and native birds to the garden. Its seeds are considered nutritional and can be ground into a powder and used as a flavouring in desserts. It makes an ideal windbreak, privacy screen, fauna attractor, ornamental tree and beekeeper’s delight.

Soil: Adaptable to a wide range of soils.
Conditions: Full sun. Drought, heat, wind, salt and coastal tolerant
Size: Height 5m x width 3m

A medium-sized shrub native to north Queensland and Papua New Guinea, Tucker Bush - Antidesma Wild Currant produces ornamental displays of tasty berries growing in grape-like clusters. Tart and cranberry-like when young, maturing into a sweet dark fruit when ripe, the berries ripen unevenly along the stems meaning a long and fruitful harvest season can be enjoyed. Berries can be enjoyed raw or used in jams and jellies, sauces and syrups where their sweet and tart flavours go well with other fruits. Plants can be used as informal hedging where the dark green glossy leaves and compact growth habit make it an attractive feature.

Soil: Rich, well-drained soil.
Conditions: Full sun to part shade. Preferring a warmer climate, Wild Currants will grow in cooler climates but plants may not really thrive and produce as well as they could. Protect from frost.
Size: Height 2-4m x width 2m

Burdekin Plum, also known as Tulip Plum, is an Australian native that produces plump, acidic fruits that are only edible when ripe. Fruits are large, black, round and contain a large stone, similar to plums in the supermarket. The colour and flavour of the flesh varies between varieties, with red-purple plums being tart, while pale greenish-white plums taste milder. Flowering usually occurs between January and March, producing small, yellowish-green blooms that develop into fruit over the winter months. Harvest the fruits when they start to show signs of ripening, but don’t eat them straight away! They are hard and acidic straight off the tree and need to be stored for a few days. They may be eaten raw, cooked into jams, used to flavour meat, or fermented into wine. It may be kept smaller in pots and is sometimes selected as a bonsai species. It is a magnificent tree for a large garden or verge, providing plenty of shade and habitat for birds and small animals.

Soil: Loamy, well-drained soil.
Conditions: Sunny position. Though it will tolerate drought (and some frosts), it is ideal to mulch and water well for the hot season. In the wild, it may also occur naturally on sand dunes behind mangroves and in dry sub-coastal regions along the northeast coast.
Size: Height 20m x width 6-8m

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