Top 6 Bushfood Plants for School Gardens in Victoria – A Gardeners Guide

Leaves

Coastal saltbush Atriplex cinerea

• Evergreen shrub to approx. 1.5 m high.
• Hardy and drought tolerant plant which does not like over-watering.
• Fresh leaves can be added to salads or crisped on top of pizzas.
• Indigenous to Victoria.

River mint, native mint Mentha australis

• Deciduous plant to 30 cm high.
• Drought tolerant once established.
• Prune by half in winter.
• Fresh leaves are delicious in tea, salads and fruit salads.
• Sensory garden plant. Fresh leaves can be crushed and smelled to enjoy the fragrance.
• Indigenous to Victoria.

Edible flowers

Native violet Viola hederacea

• Spreading groundcover, growing to around 10 cm high.
• Reasonably hardy although prefers some moisture.
• Flowers best in a sunny position.
• Edible flowers can be snacked on in the garden, added to salads and fruit salads or used to decorate cakes or desserts.
• Indigenous to Victoria

Native bluebell, tufted bluebell Wahlenbergia communis

• Small clumping plant to 40 cm high.
• Hardy plant, drought tolerant once established.
• Grows in full sun to semi-shade.
• Cut back by half in early winter.
• Edible flowers can be snacked on in the garden, added to salads and fruit salads or used to decorate cakes or desserts.
• Indigenous to Victoria.

Berries

Appleberry Billardiera scandens

• Light climber to 1.5 m high or sprawling shrub to 1.5 m wide.
• Hardy plant, drought tolerant once established.
• Grows in full sun to part shade.
• Fruit ripens in February and tastes like spiced apple.
• Indigenous to Victoria

Ruby saltbush Enchylaena tomentosa

• Sprawling shrub to 60 cm high and wide.
• Hardy and drought tolerant once established.
• Prune after fruiting to keep plant bushy.
• Berries can be red or orange when ripe.
• Use the salty-sweet fruit in salads or fruit salads or as a garden snack.
• Indigenous to Victoria.

• We hope our signs are just the beginning, for more understanding, contact a local elder in your area.