Native Storksbill

Native Storksbill (Pelargonium australe) is a fast-growing Australian perennial that forms a soft, leafy mound 30 to 60cm tall and up to 90cm wide. Five-petalled white or deep pink flowers, striped with darker pink, appear over soft hairy leaves through the warmer months. It grows naturally across the southern half of the country, which makes it one of the easiest natives for underplanting, baskets and poor dry soils.

Why you'll love it

• Flowers through the warm months. White or deep pink flowers with darker pink stripes appear from spring to autumn, with little fuss.
• Grows almost anywhere. It grows across the southern half of the country and up the southern Queensland coast, from coastal sites to semi-arid inland areas and alpine heights.
• Tough in poor conditions. It copes with coastal gardens, exposed positions and poor dry soils, and it is frost tolerant.
• Good for wildlife. Butterflies and other pollinators visit the flowers.
• Soft groundcover. The hairy leaves form a leafy cover that suits underplanting and baskets.

Where it works best

Groundcover in part shade. Plant 60cm apart under trees or along a garden bed, and the mounds join up into a leafy cover within a season or two.

Underplanting below trees. It fills the space between trunks and shrubs with soft foliage and flowers, without needing much care.

Baskets and containers. The spreading habit spills over the sides of a pot or basket, and it adds colour to cottage garden borders.

Coastal and exposed gardens. It is a good plant to try in coastal gardens, exposed positions and poor, dry soil.

Growing Native Storksbill in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun to part shade. The sunnier the position, the more water it will need. It copes with frost and suits subtropical, warm temperate, cool temperate, Mediterranean and semi-arid gardens. It is not suited to the red centre or the tropical north.

Soil. Almost any soil. Mulch after planting to hold moisture and keep soil temperatures even while the young plant establishes.

Water and feed. Water regularly while the plant establishes, then only in dry spells, with more in a full sun position. Apply a native slow release fertiliser in spring to keep the plant healthy.

Pruning. A light trim after flowering keeps the mound tidy and encourages fresh growth. Remove any straggly stems that reach beyond the edge of the bed.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Native Storksbill as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. It arrives as a small, soft-leaved plant and spreads as the weather warms. Tube stock comes from our grower and is not always available. The tube shows as sold out when the grower has none, and the notify button on the page emails you the day it is back.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• More Australian native plants
• Browse groundcovers
• Plants for coastal areas
• A guide to the best groundcover plants

Common questions

Where does it grow naturally?

Across the southern half of the country and up the southern Queensland coast, from coastal sites to semi-arid inland areas and alpine heights. It does not suit the red centre or the tropical north.

How far apart should I plant it?

Plant 60cm apart for groundcover. Each plant spreads 30 to 90cm wide, so they will join up in a season or two.

Does it need much water?

Water regularly while it establishes. After that, the sunnier the position, the more water it needs, but it copes with poor dry soils.