Aussie Finch Forum

Just wondering if anyone can give me a few ideas on grasses/small shrubs that do well in part shade, and are safe for the birds?
Thanks, P4

A great grass for part shade and for providing seed is palm grass (Settaria palmifolia) but it won't tolerate really hard frosts. I might be able to help you more if you can tell me what sort of soil you have and if you get frosts.

Its a heavy soil, and yes we do get frosts.
I have some Palm grass growing in some of the other aviaries, but that is 'strategically' planted to avoid frost damage.

There are some natives that will be OK in the shade. Have a google at some of the species of Correa, Westringia or Thryptomene which are sure to be at a local nursery. Dwarf lilly pilly (Syzigium ‘Tiny Tim’ or ‘Allyn Magic’) could be OK with an annual hair-cut and it will withstand a light frost. Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa macra) might provide a nesting site for quail and looks good but I haven't seen it flower so it may not be a good one if you want seeding grass for the birds.

GregH wrote:There are some natives that will be OK in the shade. Have a google at some of the species of Correa, Westringia or Thryptomene which are sure to be at a local nursery. Dwarf lilly pilly (Syzigium ‘Tiny Tim’ or ‘Allyn Magic’) could be OK with an annual hair-cut and it will withstand a light frost. Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa macra) might provide a nesting site for quail and looks good but I haven't seen it flower so it may not be a good one if you want seeding grass for the birds.

Thanks, i'll have a look at the local nurseries and see what they have
Cheers, P4