This article was originally published by the Australian Plants Society NSW Newcastle Group on 1 August 2025. Written and photographed by Maree McCarthy.
Looking to bring our vital Pollinators to your garden? Natives offer a ‘MULTIPLIER Paper Daisies AFFECT’: Not just flowers!
Why are Natives essential for Pollinators?
- Native pollinators need native plants. Some are even specialised to one type of native plant such as the Persoonia Bee which can only use Persoonia plants; and Teddy Bear Bees need ‘Buzz Pollinator’ natives such as Hibbertia and Dianella.
- Butterflies and Moths are also important pollinators and can only be raised on certain plants they have evolved with. These generally must be native plants.
- Of course, not just insects, but Birds are pollinators too!
What Natives host the most? (Small)
• Acacia – Many Butterflies and Moths including White Satin Moth,
Bizarre Looper. Also co-dependent relationships with some Ants,
Native Hoya hosts butterflies
Beetles, Hoverflies and other insects.
• Breynia – Butterflies, Moths, incl: Grass Yellows, Green Ghost
Moth, Eastern Flat.
• Callistemon – Butterflies, Moths and many other insects.
• Dianella – Skippers, Yellow Banded Dart, Buzz Pollinators.
• Gahnia grasses – Many Skippers and other Butterflies.
Green Blotched Moth
• Goodenia – Tiger Moth, Meadow Argus Butterfly, Buzz Pollinators
• Hardenbergia – Grass Blues, many Moths, Leafcutter Bees use
leaves.
• Hibbertia – Vine Hawk Moth, Satin-Green Forester, Impatiens Hawk
Native Bluebells host Green Blotched Moth
Moth. Buzz Pollinators.
• Hoya australis vine – incl: Common Crow Butterfly, Tiger Moths.
• Indigofera australis – Long-tailed Pea-Blue, Common Grass Blue,
Banks’s Brown.
• Leptospermum – Many native bees and other pollinators. Moths.
• Lomandra grasses – Many Skipper and other Butterflies
• Native Peas – Blues such as Fringed Blue, Pea Blue, Grass Blue.
• Paper Daisies – Nectar! Also host for many Butterflies and Moths.
Lomandra
• Poa grasses
• Scaevola – Meadow Argus Butterfly
• Themeda grasses – Many Butterflies and Moths
Native Peas
• Wahlenbergia (Native Bluebells) – Green Blotched Moth
• Westringea – Moths, Butterflies also good source of nectar and
pollen all year for long-tongued Bees.
You can still make a difference no matter the size of your garden!
• Potted plants on a balcony garden, or a rented property
• Turn lawns into refuges for natives!
• Small gardens can provide safe pit stops and refuges for some
birds and insects – especially during migration.
Eucalyptus host many pollinators!
• ‘MULTIPLIER AFFECT’ garden will provide diverse layers, be bushy
to the ground, and have some native grasses. Always add WATER!
Then add mulched areas and un-mulched areas, rocks and logs.
• Have a variety of natives that provide nectar, habitat for insects,
nuts and seeds.
Water:
Provide clean water such as a Dragonfly Waterpot with native
aquatic plants! Water attracts wildlife like magic!
Join us at Hunter Wetlands Centre, Thurs mornings, where our friendly
volunteers operate a community nursery filled with stunning Australian native
plants at affordable prices to help support local biodiversity and your gardening joy.
All Photos by Maree McCarthy
