You don't need to be an ecologist, a native plant expert, or have any knowledge at all.

You don't need to transform your whole yard, balcony, or windowsill overnight.

Start small.

Replace one exotic plant with a native plant.

Let fallen leaves stay.

Add a dish of water.

Every small act of kindness, however imperfect, is a reflection of love.

Plants and animals want to live in a nice suburb, and a nice suburb is one that meets all their needs and has the same qualities we are looking for in the real estate guide. It has a rich cultural diversity, anyone who is special lives here; the beautiful, the talented and the interesting are all here, an amazing mix of characters. There is plenty of happy chatter and banter amongst the residents giving a relaxed friendly feel to this suburb. This community has a mix of young and old, with a healthy mid range raising their families, all are contributing to keep this suburb vibrant in subtle and not so subtle ways. This suburb looks after its own water supply which it keeps clean with plenty of workers, including fish, frogs and platypus. Plants line the edge of all the streams and in-stream as well, ensuring an A grade filtering system for all the residents. There is no waste here, everything is biodegradable and recycled within the suburb. "One man's trash is another man's treasure" is the motto. This suburb has clean air, full of scents that are more noticeable after the rain and with the change of the seasons. Breathe it in. Yes' this is a very good suburb indeed. Is it yours?

Walking past the Small-fruited Hakea the perfume really stops me in my tracks and makes me smile. I walk past this small shrub on my way to work and this strong scent, like a jasmine, from its creamy grevillea like flowers is always a deep breath of pleasure. These Hakea flowers with their sweet perfume not only attract me, but also bees chasing a rich source of nectar. As this is a prickly plant it also attracts small honeyeater birds as it not only provides food, but also shade and shelter from predators such as cats.

The Small-fruited Hakea, Hakea microcarpa, has blue-green needle like foliage and tolerates frost to -8 degrees C. It's very tough in most soils and conditions and able to tolerate wind, prolonged dry or wet spells, coastal or mountainous situations. It's pretty much bullet proof! This shrub grows to 1-1.5m and 0.5 - 1m wide and likes full sun or part shade. Flowering is over a long period from spring to summer but it's in full bloom in my garden now.

​This  Hakea is a perfect addition to your garden.