With a national reputation as having the best collection of native plants, kuranga nursery IS a must for any gardener interested in natives.
The arrival of spring at Kuranga is unmistakable. It arrives with an unashamed hurrah in late August. The patient swelling of buds on plants throughout winter is the precursor to the riot of colour, perfume and texture that unapologetically becomes a three-month floral extravaganza in the nursery. The delicate detail of small flowering plants that flower in abundance such as Thryptomenes and Phebaliums start the show early in the season with Boronias providing their unmistakable perfume and floral attributes. The popular Geraldton Wax Flower contributes with its pearl-like buds, opening to white, pink or red flowers, joined by nectar-laden Grevilleas in many flower colours, sizes and shapes. Later in the season, the spectacular flamboyance of the Waratah is unrivalled, followed by an abundance of flowering Bottlebrushes available in whites, pinks, reds & mauves.
The nursery literally bulges at the seams, massed displays of plants cause the pathways to narrow slightly. It can be guaranteed that customers will be entranced by what they see. The dynamic display bench which greets customers in the nursery is testament to the possibilities and outstanding beauty that Australian native plants offer.
It has been a conscious decision of Kuranga Native Nursery to cater for all types of gardener, the novice through to the avid collector and all levels in between, providing plants that perform well in local Melbourne conditions. Ongoing trends in gardening provide a continual challenge that the nursery is happy to accept; smaller gardens with limited gardening space coupled with a desire to have plants producing edible leaves, fruits and nuts. The continual evolution of the nursery and the garden industry affords Kuranga the opportunity to source and stock superior forms of native plants such as improved dwarf selections of old favourites such as Banksias, Native Frangipani, Tea Trees, Wattles and the Blue Hibiscus. Improved colour selections are constantly being developed. Waratahs are available in red, pink, white and yellow!
The celebration of spring in the nursery is coupled with the Paperbark Café featuring a menu that celebrates the unique tastes of Australian bush food flavours. The gift shop mean while is quite literally at its fullest capacity for the spring period with a thoughtful and considered shopping approach to the silly season ahead that is December. With a full complement of qualified staff in the nursery everyday of the week Kuranga provides expert knowledge on the selection and ongoing maintenance of native plants. Visitors can experience the spring flowering spectacular seven days a week.