Which is better: indigenous or exotic plants?

This is totally up to the client, and, while we may have our own personal preferences, we do not explicitly promote one over the other. Certain sites and architectural styles of related buildings guide our decisions as to which would be better, but it is in no-ones best interests for us to force a particular planting palette onto a client. Part of our service is to interpret your preferences into a working proposal and obviously we will guide you away from making mistakes. Generally though, if there are two equal options, one indigenous and one exotic, we will go the indigenous route. Establishing a garden is a long term project, the current trend is towards indigenous and it makes no sense to put in plants that are going to give the client further expense or frustration down the line. Regarding hardiness, there are some exotics that are as hardy as the hardiest of our indigenous plants. Similarly there are many indigenous plants that are very tender and thus only suitable for very select use only in the most ideal conditions. The same can be said of the attributes of water wise, bird attracting or pleasing aesthetic of all potential recommendations for the planting palette for a garden. Often the alternatives are endless and if the first recommendation does not appeal, we can always suggest an alternative that suits the intrinsic ideals of the client and their site.

TIP : Gordon Stuart Landscaping offers a plant sourcing service and can supply all of your plant or material requirements to keep your garden fresh and full at competitive retail prices.