Learn about growing Australian natives for your own backyard or to advance your career in the horticultural industry.
Introduction to Australian Natives is a professional development program that provides an in-depth exploration of native plants and their cultivation, with a focus on Australian species
In this Australian natives course, you will learn about native taxonomy, botanical nomenclature, binomial systems, cultivation and how to create sustainable and visually appealing landscapes. This course also explores the many levels of plant division, plant families, and the identification of species, hybrids, varieties, and cultivars using botanical keys.
On completion of this course, you will have the skills necessary to design, cultivate and maintain beautiful native plant gardens.
Course Structure
Unit - Australian Natives I
Unit 1 – Introduction
- Australian natives worldwide
- Scope and nature of native plants
- Plant taxonomy
- Botanical and horticultural nomenclature
- Binomial system
- Botanical classification
- Levels of division
- Plant families and species
- Hybrids, varieties and cultivars
- Common Australian plant families
- Botanical keys and their use
- An easy key to plant groups
- Key to plant phyla
- Origins of Australian plants
- Indo-Malesian flora
- Antarctic flora
- Australian sclerophyll flora
- Continental drift
- Resources for more information
- List of seed suppliers
Unit 2 – Culture of Native Plants
- Cultivation of Australian plants
- Environmental factors
- Nutrition
- Pests and diseases
- Soils
- Biological nature
- Improving soil structure
- Soil acidity and soil pH
- Organic matter
- Soil and water
- Why is water important to plants?
- Infiltration and water retention
- Suitable organic materials
- When to water
- Period of watering
- Being water-wise and improving drainage
- Creating raised beds
- Improving soils – composting
- Hot heaps versus cold heaps
- No dig techniques
- What nutrients do plants need?
- Choosing the right fertiliser
- Pruning Australian natives
- Pruning trees and shrubs
- Shrubs
- Temperature requirements
- Frost-hardy native plants
- How to plant an Australian native plant
- Natives at a glance
- Special planting techniques
- Natives for shaded areas
- Plants suited to full shade
- Rainforest plants
- Controlling weeds
- Propagation of Australian plants
- Life of seeds
- Sexual versus – asexual propagation methods
- Collecting and harvesting seed – guidelines
- Methods of collecting
- Germination treatments
- Soaking in boiling water
- Stratification (moist chilling)
- Sowing your seeds
- The bog method
- Transplanting
- Asexual propagation
- How to propagate a cutting
- Classification of cuttings types
- Types of cuttings
- Softwood cuttings
- Semi-hardwood cuttings
- Stock plants
- Root cuttings
- Nursery hygiene practices
Unit 3 – Eucalypts
- Introduction
- Types of eucalypts; gums, stringybarks, boxes, ironbarks, yates, peppermints, etc.
- Hybrid eucalypts
- Culture
- Some eucalyptus species
- Eucalypt cultural requirements
- Review of important eucalypt species
Unit 4 – Native Trees
- Casuarina
- Casuarina : Casuarinaceae
- Culture
- Casuarina species
- Allocasuarina: Casuarinaceae
- Some Allocasuarina species:
- Australian conifers
- Australian Conifers: Overview
- Family: Cupressaceae
- Family: Araucariaceae
- Family: Podocarpaceae
- Family: Taxodiaceae
- Macadamias
- Brachychitons
- Angophora: Myrtaceae
- Culture
- Lophostemon: Myrtaceae
Unit 5– Acacias
- The genus Acacia (The Wattles)
- A brief overview of the Acacia genus
- Acacia Cultural Requirements
- Pests, pruning and Feeding
- Acacia species
- Elements of a landscape drawing
- Scale
- What to draw on and with
- Landscape design procedure
- Using plants properly
- Drawing a landscape plan
- Primary successions
Unit 6 – Melaleucas, Callistemons, Leptospermums and Other Shrubs
- The Myrtaceae family
- Callistemon – family Myrtaceae
- Callistemon culture
- Important callistemon cultivars and species
- Leptospermum overview and culture
- Important leptospermum species
- Myrtaceae glossary
- Baeckea
- Calothamnus
- Calytrix
- Eugenia
- Homoranthus
- Kunzea
- Melaleuca
- Micromyrtus
- Scholtzia
- Syzygium
- Verticordia
- Thryptomene
Unit 7 – Grevilleas and Their Relatives
- Grevillea (family: Proteaceae)
- Grevillea species
- Types of flower: erect cluster, toothbrush, pendant, cylinder
- McGilveray identification method
- Flower and leaf terminology
- Low growing grevilleas
- Banksia type hybrids
- Hybrid parents from tropics and sub tropics
- Poorinda hybrids
- General culture of grevillea
- Environmental factors
- Nutrition
- Pest and diseases
- Common problems
- Review of many important species
- Dryandra
- Hakea
- Banksia
- Telopea
Unit 8 – Ground Cover and Small Shrubs
- Overview of Fabaceae
- Brachyzema
- Castenospermum
- Clianthus
- Gastrolobium
- Gompholobium
- Goodenia
- Hardenbergia
- Hovea
- Jacksonia
- Kennedya
- Oxylobium
- Swainsonia
- Viminaria
- Boronia; overview and culture
- Boronia species
- Prostanthera
Unit 9 – Commercial Applications
- Fragrant natives
- The boronia family
- Uses for eucalypts
- Uses for grevillea
- Other scented natives
- Uses for acacia: timber, tanning, cut flowers, food, etc
- Aboriginal uses for acacias
- Growing natives in containers
- Bush tucker
- Rainforest plants
- Growing natives in containers
- Choosing a container
- Caring for plants in containers
- Plants for pots
- Plants for baskets or pots
- Other commercial uses
Study Hours
Estimated duration 50 hours
Course Delivery and Start
Start anytime, self-paced and 100% online
Assessment
Assessment will be comprised of written exercises, including short-answer questions, reflective tasks, short reports and/or projects. There are no examinations or due dates for assessment. As a result, you can complete training in your own time and at your own pace with the assistance of unlimited tutor support.
Testimonials
About Us
Graduation
A Certificate of Attainment and Statement of Results will be issued upon successful completion of this course.
How to Enrol
Enrol Online: Enrol Now
Enrol via Live Chat (Business Hours)
Enrol via Telephone 1300 76 2221 (Business Hours)
Enrol via Purchase Order/Tax Invoice
Enrolling Multiple Staff?
To enrol multiple staff, please complete the Employer Enrolment Form. We’ll be in touch within 60 minutes during business hours!
Payment Options
Visa, Mastercard, BPAY and EFT/Direct Deposit. Please allow 1-2 Business days for processing for EFT and BPAY.
Course FAQs
Why Choose Australian Online Courses?
- Professional development that is widely recognised and respected;
- Improve your employment opportunities;
- Study online, anywhere via our elearning system;
- High-quality professional development programs written by industry experts;
- All course materials provided online – no textbooks to buy;
- Unlimited tutor support via email;
- We offer twelve (12) months’ access, with extensions available upon application (fees apply);
- Course may be tax deductible; see your tax advisor.
Are there any entry requirements or pre-requisites?
There are no course or subject pre-requisites for entry into our programs. However, our professional development programs are generally intended for people over the age of 18. In some circumstances, enrolments from younger people may be considered. Please complete the AOC Parent Guardian Consent Form prior to enrolling and submit here.
Are there any computer requirements?
To study online with Australian Online Courses you will need a computer (desktop PC/laptop) running a current/updated operating system with reliable high-speed internet access. You will need to use the Google Chrome browser to access your course.
When can I start this course?
You can start within 60 minutes during business hours when you enrol and pay in full with a credit card!
Credit card: Within 60 mins during business hours.
BPAY: Within 1-2 working days.
Internet Banking: Within 1-2 working days.
Cheque/Money Order: Upon receipt of mailed cheque.
How is this course delivered?
This course is delivered online via our easy-to-navigate Learning Management System (LMS), where you will discover interactive online learning/written content, resources and assessment.
Do I need to attend classes or undertake any work placements?
No. All courses are delivered online via our LMS and there are no work placement requirements in this course.
What support can I expect from Australian Online Courses?
Unlimited tutor support is available throughout your studies via email only during business hours Monday to Friday. Our Administrative team are available Monday to Friday via email, live chat and telephone.
I am an international student. Can I enrol into this course?
Yes! We accept enrolments from individuals both within Australia and internationally; location is no barrier to entry into our programs.
Career Pathways
Future growth
Strong
Unemployment
Low
Professional development ideal for:
- Landscapers
- Horticulturalist
- Garden Enthusiasts
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