Back in 2017, Gardens for Wildlife was just getting started, with a small group of residents taking part in our pilot program. Almost a decade later, some of those original participants are still creating wildlife-friendly gardens and seeing the benefits in their own backyards.
We caught up with one of our very first participants to hear how their garden has changed over the years, what wildlife they’ve welcomed, and what they’ve learned along the way.
After - Irene's front garden in full bloom in Spring 2025
After - Irene's front garden in full bloom in Spring 2025
Before - Irene's front garden back in 2017
After - Irene's garden in October 2025
Before - Irene's side garden in 2017
After - Irene's side garden in Spring 2025
What inspired you to create a wildlife-friendly garden?
I love wildlife and particularly small birds. Much of their natural habitat has diminished in my suburb since I started living here in 2005. I felt it was important to do what I could to support wildlife and create some habitat and provide food and water resources for them.
How would you describe your garden?
Our garden is diverse. I have a perennial border of flowering perennials which attracts bees and butterflies and food for honeyeaters. I also have native and indigenous plants throughout the back, front and side gardens blending in with other plants, and water sources in all garden areas.
What changes have you made to your garden?
We created a side and front garden from scratch. The side garden had few plants and lots of weeds and the front had mostly conifers and few flowering plants apart from some camellias. We planted natives and indigenous plants in the side garden to create habitat and protection for small birds and lizards and provided a water sources such as old pans for lizards and a fountain for birds.
In the front garden we took out almost all the conifers and designed four main garden beds, as well as a riverbed feature with stones, ferns and a pond. The first of the garden beds features mostly native plants, the second bed has a mix of native, indigenous and exotic plants, the third bed facing the footpath is made up of natives and exotics with a majority of perennial plants and the fourth bed features plants that cope with dry conditions due to a large conifer that we cannot remove.
We used our old fence (which we painted white) and used it as a backdrop for the perennial border and left over bricks were used to create a path through the garden.
What are some of your favourite plants or features in the garden?
I love the perennial border that attracts so many birds, insects, butterflies and bees (including the Blue-banded Bee) especially the giant Billy Buttons which are so cheerful.
What wildlife have you noticed visiting your garden since making the changes?
A variety of butterflies, native bees, small birds such as Brown Thornbills and Eastern Spinebills, parrots such as King Parrots and Crimson Rosellas, with occasional Grey Fantails and Spotted Pardalotes. We also have a resident frog and lots of little lizards.
Has anything surprised you since you started creating your wildlife-friendly garden?
How quicky it can be become established!
What do you enjoy most about your garden?
I enjoy spending time caring for it (weeding and planting and topping up water) as well as watching the wildlife enjoying it. Lots of indigenous plants flower in winter which is great as other exotics don't flower at that time. There's always something flowering.
What would you recommend to someone who wants to make their own garden more wildlife-friendly?
Create a water source as it can be very hard for birds and wildlife to access water when it is dry. Put old pans on the ground protected in bushes as a water source for lizards. Plant some indigenous plants to create habitat and food sources for birds.