City of Hobart plant giveaway to brighten nature strips

Published on 31 March 2023

The City of Hobart is making plants available for free for Hobart residents to use on their nature strips.

In a case of first in, best dressed, applications to receive free plants from the city’s nursery are now open.

There will be at least 1,000 plants to be given away, ranging from native Tasmanian and Australian plants and ornamentals such as lavender and rosemary that fit the nature strips guidelines.

Each successful applicant can select up to 20 plants of their choice.

Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said the plant giveaway was an important part of the council’s new nature strips policy that opens the door for new and creative uses of nature strips for residents.

“This plant giveaway is aimed at showing residents the right way to populate their nature strips and by doing so, adding visual benefits to their street and community,” Cr Reynolds said.

Sustainability in Infrastructure Portfolio Chair Bill Harvey said this showed the council’s commitment to making nature strips areas for people to be proud of.

“These plants are low maintenance meaning they are an easy way for residents to beautify their communities without investing lots of time and resources,” Cr Harvey said.

City of Hobart’s City Greening Lead Ruby Wilson (pictured) said it was important to plant the right flora for the best possible outcomes.

“It is vital that those wanting to put plants on their nature strips abide by the guidelines to ensure safety around driveways regarding clear views for cars reversing in and out of properties,” Ms Wilson said.

“But there is still plenty of scope to get creative and make a beautiful, low maintenance garden, be it native Tasmanian species or other plants of their liking.

“These plants will be available for collection in May, meaning they can be planted over the winter and ready to grow come spring.”

Hobart residents can apply for the plants here.